Letter From America

Dear Mama,

I'm coming home. I know it will be a surprise for you to hear this. But I bring money. I can keep all the money that I have earned. It's over two thousand dollars. It is in my suitcase. I will give it to you. It will change your life.

I came to this place, this island, once before. Soon after I arrived, I met a man in a bar, who told me to come here to find citizenship. I was young so I was able to avoid the checks for my papers, which I still don't have. That is why I have to leave. But when I got here it was empty. I remember the huge shiny earth red floor, the low winter sun shining through the half moon windows. It was very cold. I searched for an office but I could not find the right one.

It's different today. The floor is dusty, there are cases and people and rubbish all over the place. People scream, why do people scream? If you are lucky you can sleep in one of the rooms. The beds are hard but the floor is more hard. And you have to pay. They say I will need to stay one more night and tomorrow I will get on the boat. We watch for the boats every day, the dream is over.

From where I sit I can see the huge image of President Trump on the Statue of Liberty. He is smiling. No, he is laughing. He is laughing at us. I wonder if the picture is the same from every side. It is wrong to have a picture of a man on the statue of a woman. I wonder if they will replace the head with Mr Trump's head. We do not talk of liberty.

I have grown up and you might not recognise me. Did you receive the last photograph I sent you? I am wearing a brown jacket and I carry a red suitcase. There are not so many red suitcases, so you might spot me. Everyone is allowed one suitcase. It must fit in the basket as you get on the boat. I have tried mine ten times and every time it fits. I have money for you. There is money in the suitcase. My hair is longer but I might get it cut on the ship so that you will know it is me.

They have called my name! There is a queue and I must join it. Nobody else has a red suitcase, you will see me when I arrive. The man sitting next to me has agreed to post this letter for me. He is smiling at me. I have given him ten dollars for the stamp. I am sure you will get this letter before I arrive.

Your loving son.