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To say that I've known Mr. Hiếu for 20 years would be misleading, for there's not much to know. The man hardly talks. Sixty-seven-years-old, he was a car and truck mechanic, but hasn't worked in a long time, as his strength ebbed. He lived in the house he was born until last year, when it had to be sold. Now dwelling half a mile away, he comes back to his old neighborhood each day, out of habit and sadness. Yesterday, I caught him walking by his old house just to look at it. Mr. Hiếu was married for just a year, before his wife left him. He's been nowhere, done nothing exciting and doesn't touch alcohol. He does smoke Jet, at 86 cents a pack, and drink iced coffee.



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