Summary

In “Things Inside,” Jay reads an old letter from Jun in which Jun described how his father criticized him for wanting to be an astronaut.

Later that night, Jay’s father comes to remind him that if they had not moved to America, Jay would not have had all of the opportunities he had enjoyed. Jay’s father admits he misses the Philippines, especially his family, but he remembers that there are bad things in the Philippines as well as good things. He asks Jay to promise not to talk about Jun while he is there.

In “Like a Fog,” Jay’s father brings home gifts to include in the balikbayan boxes Jay will be taking to the Philippines with him. Jay tries to help pack the boxes but his father criticizes him for not doing it right and makes him stop.

In...