Summary

The short story “Trash” by Souvankham Thammavongsa begins with the unnamed narrator talking about meeting Miss Emily, her mother-in-law. The narrator is a cashier at a local supermarket, where she met her husband. She used to admire the man for his attitude and good manners every time he went into the shop. One day, they started talking and fell in love. They got married after only five days. 

The narrator meets her mother-in-law, Miss Emily, soon after the wedding. The narrator’s husband and mother-in-law wait for her in the supermarket parking lot. After an eight-hour shift, the narrator does not feel or look her best. However, Miss Emily is polite to her and welcomes her into the family. 

Miss Emily tells the narrator that she came from a modest background and has work...