TS Wife

The girl was a prostitute? I felt my face burning a little, from both
shock and a little disappointment. It seemed so wrong to me then, for a
girl her age to sell herself like that. It returned me to my senses and I
knew that I could never do that to her, or to any child. I shook my head.

"I will give her money, if she needs it, but I do not want a
prostitute." I told the woman, looking at the man. I wondered what sort
of father would do that to his own daughter. I did not care for him very
much right then.

The woman translated and Tam seemed quite shocked, her father too, almost
angry. He spoke rapidly, standing up and staring at me.

"No, Tam is not a prostitute. Tam wants to be with you, like a wife is
with you. Tam will be a wife for you and Tam's father will be as your
father."

I almost fell down then and I could see why they had been upset, just as
I had been, at the misunderstanding. Tam wasn't a whore, she was jus
looking for a husband.

Doubtless being an American they assumed I was rich, that I could take
care of not just her, but her whole family. I didn't know how I should
feel about that. I was being used, certainly, but she did seem happy to
be with me, and I certainly enjoyed her. Could I seriously contemplate
marriage to a 13 year old girl? I was leaving the country, it would be
impossible to bring her, at least for awhile. Visas take time and I
doubted she even had a passport. So what was I doing still talking to
them?

"Tam will be my wife?" I got a nod. "But I will be returning to the
city this evening, I will not be coming back. Will she come with me? Will
she be happy to stay with me?" I thought perhaps I could frighten them
off that way.

A moment later the interpreter was telling me. "Tam will go where you
go. This is not Tam's home, but only where you will be."

Tam hugged me tightly as the interpreter spoke and her eyes were shining.
She was easily the most beautiful woman, young or old, I had ever seen.
It was intoxicating.
"But I will have to pay? How much does her father need?" I looked at
him, feeling like he was still selling his child, but knowing that most
Asian cultures required something in payment for their daughters to wed.