slightly.
I looked at her a few moments, and finally got her to look at me so I could tell her 'Marlyn, I think there is something that you should know that will help both of us – you and me – while we're in your country. It is not my habit to ask people about themselves unless I am*interested* to know the answer. Kelly is like that, too – you saw how she reacted when you told us what happened about your job in the United States. We really are interested in your country, and in you.'
When I finished, she looked at me intently for a few seconds, then seemed to reach a decision. She looked at Kelly, then back at me, before saying 'I was going to tell you that the typhoon that killed my family didn't just take my mother and father and sisters and brothers. It killed almost everyone I knew. The only ones left were me, here in Manila, and my brother's daughter. She was only a few months old at the time, and they found her crying where she was trapped in some tree branches that were tangled together. It took them almost an hour to get her out.'
Marlyn looked at Kelly after that, and saw the sadness on her face as Kelly asked her 'Is she okay, now? Where is she?'
Marlyn told her 'She is fine. She had some scratches and was suffering from exposure, but nothing more. I could not take care of her, so she was put in an orphanage. I send them money whenever I can so they will take good care of her, but it is still hard on her – and me. I visit her often, but I still can't take her into my home; it is too small, and I don't make enough money to get a bigger one.'
I asked 'What is her name? How old is she now? Does she go to school?'
Marlyn looked at me again, and answered 'Her name is Marilyn, and she'll be 13 years old next month. While I was working at the hospital in Houston, I was able to send enough money for her to go to school like she should; but since then, not so much. To help pay her expenses, she has to work at the orphanage, and doesn't have much time for that anymore.'
Kelly saw me start to 'go inside' myself as I started thinking about what Marlyn had just told us, and told her 'I'd like to see what she looks like, if you have any pictures.'
That distracted Marlyn long enough for me to finish my thoughts, so I was ready when Kelly handed me the photo of Marlyn's niece. Looking at it, I saw the shy smile she was offering the camera. I could also see clear signs of the intelligence and humor in her eyes. There was a distinct family resemblance, and I didn't doubt for a moment that she was going to be a real cutie when she grew up.
I handed the photo back to Marlyn, and asked 'If you don't mind my asking, what did it cost you to pay her expenses while you were in Houston?'
Kelly knew me well enough to give me a joyous look before Marlyn told me 'I was sending them fifty dollars a month to pay for her expenses, and school supplies', as she looked at me curiously.
I looked at Kelly, and she nodded happily, before I asked Marlyn 'Would you mind if Kelly and I sponsored her, instead?'
Marlyn looked stunned, and objected 'But it is too much! And you don't even know her!'
I replied by telling her 'No, it is not too much – we can afford that, easily. And you have already told us everything we need to know about her.'
Still in shock, Marlyn started to say 'But…'
I cut her off by telling her ''But' nothing. You and I both know that there are many organizations that sponsor orphans here – and some of them charge more than fifty dollars a month for a child. Fifty dollars is less than what we would have to pay if we were still in the United States, and in this case, Kelly and I would know that all of the money was going to the person that needed it. And Kelly and I would both know WHO that child was, and why she is there. We would know that she wasn't just the child of a prostitute, or a poor family that couldn't take care of her, or anything like that – you have already told us that she is from a good family that she lost in a disaster. Looking at her picture, I think she is smart' – 'She is!' Marlyn hastened to assure me – 'and that is the best reason I can think of to help her go back to school.'
Marlyn was still sitting there, dumbfounded, when the waiter approached.
Marlyn absently ordered pancit; I told the waiter that Kelly and I would have some, too. I also requested refills for our drinks; by the time they arrived, Marlyn was able to speak again.
When the waiter had left, she told me 'I am having trouble accepting your offer, Dan, because I don't know how I can ever repay you – or even thank you for your offer.'
I answered 'I don't remember saying anything about repayment. And knowing that that young girl will get an education that she will obviously benefit from is all the thanks I need, or want.'
After a few moments, Marlyn suddenly looked at me suspiciously, and asked 'Why are you doing this? Really?'
I looked her straight in the eye and answered 'Because it's the *right* thing to do, and I can.'
Still suspicious, Marlyn asked 'You don't want her? Or me?'
I couldn't help answering 'If all I wanted was a little girl, I could find one here in Manila. The same thing for a pretty Filipina. For extra money, both would be virgins. If that was all I wanted, do you think I would be talking to you like this? With my wife sitting right next to me?'
I paused to take a breath and continued 'If you want, we can go back to the hotel right now, and I will give you five thousand dollars cash. You take that money, and have your agency send another guide. You have the money for your niece, and you don't have to see me again – ever.'
We were all saved from any further conversation by the appearance of the waiter with the first course of our meal. All three of us ate silently, though Kelly and I shared a few Looks.
After the waiter reclaimed our dishes, Marlyn made a few false starts before she was finally able to tell me 'I am sorry if I have offended you, Dan – and you, too, Kelly. I am so used to seeing the American men that come here on 'business' and only want to use our women, that I forgot about the other Americans that I met and knew in Houston. I also let myself forget that you aren't like the other American sailors that were stationed here, Dan, and I apologize. You do not have to give me the money, or find another guide. I will be happy to stay with you and show you my country. I am most grateful for your kind interest in my niece, and I accept your offer to help her – if you are still willing.'
I wasn't particularly surprised when Kelly spoke up, telling Marlyn 'I am glad to hear your apology, because I think you offended Dan, and I know you offended me with your suspicions. But I know Dan well enough to know that he will still want to help Marilyn, as I do. When you get to know us better, you will understand that the last thing either of us would do would be to force someone to do something, or to take advantage of them. You didn't know that before, but I think you will before we leave the Philippines.'
There was another, longer, pause in the conversation when the waiter brought our main dishes. Kelly's face got a pleased look after she sampled her pancit (mixed vegetables and rice), and the side dishes that went with it. By mutual consent, all of us decided to let the matter of Marlyn's niece drop for a while.
When we'd finished eating, Marlyn reached into her purse and handed me a couple of folded sheets of paper. She told me 'This is the itinerary that I would suggest. You can see that we are starting in the south, in Davao, and generally working our way north. I know some of the places fairly well, others not so much. There is enough time in the schedule that if you want to spend more or less time in a place, we can accommodate that. I also have the names of several lawyers here in Manila, as well as at least two more in each of the places on the list.
I have had no contact with them other than to tell them that you are representing a company that is considering building a small factory here, to make sure that they are qualified for that kind of work.'
I looked over the list Marlyn had given me, and saw that there weren't any real surprises on it – all of them were at least mentioned in the research I'd done as being potential sites for foreign investment.
I was just finishing looking the list over when the waiter reappeared to see if we were interested in dessert. Kelly and Marlyn both opted for ice cream while I settled on cheesecake.
After he left, I started talking to Marlyn about the places we were to visit – asking her questions about the areas to try and get some background on them. Even as we were enjoying our desserts, we continued talking about the different areas, and what I could expect to find when we got to them.
When it was clear that we were done, the hostess quickly brought over the check for our meal. I again asked Marlyn how much of a tip would be appropriate. She told me that ten percent was sufficient, but that if the service had been particularly good, I could go as high as fifteen.
I decided on the latter figure, since the waiter and hostess had both been prompt and efficient. I moved to help
