It was summer break - a wonderful time of the year in Phnom Penh. Anna and her parents had traveled out of the country like they did every summer holiday.
I was so lonely and wished I had another friend in the neighborhood who would always visit me and keep me company, since my parents only permitted me to go out on Saturdays.
I was reading a book when I heard someone whispering outside our house. I opened my single casement window and looked down. I saw Henry hiding behind a young American crabapple that was at the back of our house.
"Come," he crooked his fingers. I looked around and shook my head. Dad doesn't allow me to go out on weekdays. He would beat me mercilessly if he found out I stepped out of the house.
"Fine, I'm coming in," he said, and came out of the tree with boldn
