scenes from an immigrant household.

Ah, my sweet, romantic teenage nights.

To be young and in love, my mother says.

Why don’t you sneak out to see him?

Venha lavar a louça, Cássia.

Vá limpar o banheiro, Cássia.

Vem caminhar conosco. 

They don’t think you love them.

They, a continent and thousands of miles away.

They think you’re spoiled.

Submit, do, submit, revise, submit, do more.

Sakai announcement once more, won’t stop for death!

Who cares about your family abroad if you have an English paper due.

Você não está dando tempo para nois.

Você fica no teu quarto.

Você fica no teu mundo.

Vá dormir mais cedo.

Por que que você fica acordado até as duas da manhã conversando com ele?

Because I can’t if I want this to go away.

Because I’m busy, mãe.

Because I have seen them maybe 10 times over my 18 years.

Because I pay tuition.

Because I’m mentally exhausted.

Because I miss him.

Do you remember those days?