Summary

In "Monsters," the narrative shifts to Nok, Nee's older sister. Nok and her Japanese husband, Maru, own Erawan, a Thai restaurant in Yokohoma. The two had met in 1972 when Nok had worked in Tokyo as a graduate student. After marrying, Nok had trouble finding work--she was both a foreigner and a woman, and companies were reluctant to give her an opportunity. So, she and Maru open up their restaurant, with Nok as the head cook.

While the restaurant barely scraped by--there are not too many Thai food lovers in the city--the restaurant helped Nok feels a sense of purpose and importance. Nok preferred Yokohoma to Bangkok. Living in Japan allowed Nok to live in and potentially raise children in a clean, modern environment, without the threats of flood or the military. Also, unbeknownst to Nee, Nok would not "have to answer her...