Arthit POV------

Check the mirrors.

Pull slowly away from the curb..... just like Prem taught me.

Ease the gas pedal down.

I have done this many times, but not with a stranger watching my every move, it makes me nervous.

"Mr. Rojanapat , I would like you to drive to the next traffic light and make a left-hand turn"

The instructor is a tiny woman with a hard face and huge glasses, she frightens me a little.

I bring the car to a stop, click on my turn signal, and wait for the green arrow.

The instructor scribbles something on her clipboard, I am  not sure if I should be relieved or nervous.

At the request of my instructor, I drive up and down several hills, make right turns, more left turns, and make lane changes. Each time I do something, she makes a mark on her clipboard.

"Now, Mr. Rojanapat , I would like you to attempt parallel parking"

I have been dreading this. I have practiced and practiced and only did it right one time.

"Right between those two cars will be fine, Mr. Rojanapat"

My stomach twists. I really don’t want to hit one of these cars.

I slow down and pull next to one of the cars. I check my mirrors again, put the car in reverse, and begin to turn the wheel.

The first try doesn’t go how I want, so I pull forward and try again. My second try isn’t better. I go for a third try and end up putting one of the rear tires over the curb.

"That will enough for today. Please drive us back to the testing center"

The instructor tells me.

I drive back to where my test started. The instructor continues to write on her clipboard, making me more and more nervous.

I park the car in front of the testing building and wait.

A few more scribbles and the instructor turns to me.

"Sorry, Mr. Rojanapat , you are  going to have to come see me again in two weeks. I gave you seventy points out of one hundred, and you need eighty to pass"

I don’t know what to say. I feel..... embarrassed. I really wanted to pass this, to have a license, to prove I can do it. I wish there was a way I could keep it from everyone. I don’t want Kong, Mom, and Roger to know I failed.

Mom is waiting for me when I walk into the testing center, she is smiling, until she sees me.

I know I look upset, I can feel it on my face.

Mom says nothing about my test, instead she suggests lunch and I agree with a nod.

Our drive is quiet, Mom keeps glancing at me, but doesn’t say anything. When we get to the restaurant she is still silent until after we place our order.

"Can I tell you a secret, Arthit ??"

I look at my mother with curiosity. She is smiling so I don’t think her secret can be something very important. I nod eagerly and wait for her to go on.

"I had to take my driving test three times before I passed. Not even your father knew that"

"Really ??"

I am  surprised. Mom seems like she can do anything.

"Lots of people fail their driving test the first time, it’s no big deal"

In my mind I know she is right, but I still feel disappointed.

Mom reaches across the table and takes my hand.

"You always did fret too much, even when you were a little boy. No matter how many times I would tell you something was okay, you would still turn it over and over in your mind, just picking at it, and you have the same expression on your face as you did when you were little"

A guilty smile crosses my face, she is right. I have always struggled with letting things go.

"Where did you lose points ??"

"Mostly parallel parking, and she said I take corners too fast"

"Just like your father"

Mom laughs.

"He never slowed down on corners, not enough for my taste"

It makes me happy that I do some things like my dad, even if it is something I probably shouldn’t do.

"Just keep practicing and you will get it. And no more worrying. A year ago you didn’t speak and now you are driving !!You amaze me, Arthit"

I feel the blush on my cheeks.

"You sound like Kong"

"Smart boy he is "

Mom says before she starts on her salad.

*****************************

Kong's POV------

"Please don’t look at me like that Arthit"

Arthit pulls me close, pressing his face against my chest, hiding the hurt and pleading look in his eyes.

"I don’t want to be away from you that much"

Arthit’s voice is muffled against my chest.

"I know. I don’t want to be away that much either, but I want to finish my degree"

I knew Arthit wouldn’t take the news of my re-enrollment in collage easily, and adding a part time job to the mix has really freaked him out. Maybe I should have given him time to adjust to one before I added the other.

"I am  sorry, Arthit. I know this is a lot to take, but I really need to finish  my studies"

Arthit pulls back from me, looking up at my face with confused eyes.

"Why did you get another job ?? You have a job here, with mom "

"I know Arthit, but I can’t depend on your mom for everything, I need to earn some money of my own way"

I tell him, trying to make him understand my point of view.

He doesn’t say anything, but his expression reveals he is still unhappy.

"I will keep working here too, just not all day every day"

"But I will miss you"

I pull Arthit’s face to mine and kiss him slowly.

"I will miss you too, but I am not leaving. I will be home sleeping with you every day"

Arthit smiles at that, a mollified look on his face.

"When do you start your college ??"

"In Two weeks"

I tell him.

"And your job ??"

"Saturday....."

I whisper, knowing he will be disappointed, but weekends are the best time for me to get hours at the Library, for catching up on my studies.

"We will be spending all next Saturday together"

I try and sound cheery, hoping to turn his mood.

He actually rolls his eyes at me and I can’t help but laugh.

"Spending the day fishing with your dad is not spending time with you"

Pulling him down to the bed with me, I ask what he has in mind for spending time with together.

"Just you and me"

He stretches out on the bed, arms tucked beneath his head.

Leaning over him, I place a playful kiss on his nose.

"We can’t be alone every minute Arthit, you know that"

Arthit pulls me down until I am  snuggled against his chest, making me chuckle.

"Yeah, I know, I just wish we could"

"You have got lessons with Sam, plus working at the hospital cafe and helping your mom here..... not to mention appointments with Mew and Gulf. You won’t have time even to miss me for a minute"

"Not possible....."

I cuddle closer and bring my lips to his neck, kissing him repeatedly.

"You are positively too sweet, you know that, right ??"

His only answer is a heavenly dimpled smile.

********************************

Arthit's POV ---------

The road from Viang  to the river we are going to fish is full of bumps and turns, jolting Kong and I in the back seat of Kerkerai’s car. I wish we would have driven by ourselves. Kerkerai keeps throwing us looks in the rearview mirror, it makes me uncomfortable.

"Are we almost there, Dad ?? You said this place is close"

Kong is anxious to be out of the car. I can tell, his leg has been bouncing for a while.

"Didn’t think you were in such a hurry to go fishing with me my son"

Kong gives his dad an annoyed look. I know he isn’t looking forward to this.

Kerkerai asked us weeks ago if we would go fishing with him. Kong has avoided giving an answer. Even after his apology, he is still annoyed with his Dad, but wants to try and rebuild their relationship.

"Five more minutes, Kong I promise"

When Kerkerai stops the car a few minutes later, Kong jumps out as soon as it’s off. He must be as relieved as I am to be off that road.

We help Kerkerai unload the poles and tackle box and the lunch Kong packed. I walk a little ways behind Kong and his dad, trying to give them some space to talk.

As I watch them walk, I think about my mom and wonder if I spend as much time with her as I should.

I work with her every day, even the days I work at the hospital I help her in the evening, but we don’t talk a lot.

Kong knows almost everything about his dad, his favorite food, his favorite shirt, and what he is most likely to do on a Saturday afternoon.

In my own way, I have gotten to know who my dad was by going through his old things, but I haven’t done the same for Mom. I try and think back to when I was a kid, try and remember the things she liked.

Blue..... her favorite color is blue, I remember. Dad always got her blue dress for her birthday....her favorite.

I am pleased I remembered something, but there are still so many things I don’t know about her. I am disappointed in myself for not asking her more questions.

"Arthit !!"

My eyes follow the sound of Kong’s voice to see that I have almost walked past him and Kerkerai.

"Oh, sorry. I was just.....thinking about something"

Kong steps toward me, running his hand up and down my arm.

"Everything okay ?? You look like something’s bothering you"

"Would...... would you help me with something ??"

I ask.

"Of course"

"Will you help me make a dinner for my mom sometime ?? I want to get to know her better"

Kong slides his arms around my waist and hugs me tight for a moment.

"Just let me know when and what you want me to fix"

"Thank you"

I whisper against his neck.

"You two gonna fish or what ??"

Kerkerai has already thrown his line in the water and he looks as happy as I have ever seen him.

We all stand in silence for a while, each with a pole in hand.

"I joined the college here with Wad. I will be starting next week"

If Kerkerai is surprised or happy, I can’t tell, his face never changes, not even when he tells Kong

"Proud of you, Son"

Kong smiles. Kerkerai doesn’t praise him enough, he has more to say when he isn’t happy with kong, that doesn’t seem right to me.

"Your work going alright from here ??"

Kerkerai takes his time answering Kong

"I m getting old son..... complete your studies and take over from me"

Kong smiles his sweet smile.

"Give me some more time, Dad"

More silence. Kerkerai seems happy. Kong has given up the actual fishing, sitting down on a fallen log near the edge of the river. I am still getting the hang of casting, it’s kind of tricky and I haven’t caught anything. I am finding fishing to be very boring.

Kong stands and comes to lean against me, glaring at his dad’s back as he passes. I think he is getting bored too.

When Kong pulls out sandwiches for lunch, I am relieved. I am not really enjoying being here.

Kong and I eat alone. Kerkerai never leaves the river, he has a sandwich in one hand and his rod in the other.

"How is your job going, Arthit ??"

I am surprised by Kerkerai’s question. Other than hello, this is the first he has spoken to me.

"Good"

"Hear you had a little trouble recently, everything okay ??"

"Yes, it’s been worked out"

I tell him. I guess Roger must have mentioned the trouble I had.

"If you have any more trouble, give me a call, Charlie knows the police chief here in Viang"

"Wow, thanks, Dad"

Kong seems really surprised at his dad’s word, and I am, too.

"Thank you, Sir"

Kerkerai gives me a nod and turns his attention back to fishing.

After another two hours of fishing and only catching one small fish, I am really happy when I see Kerkerai begin packing up his gear.

Kong looks happy too. I know he is bored and he looks cold also.

Kerkerai leads the way back to the car as a few raindrops start to fall.

"Quitting already, huh ?? Best fishing is in the rain"

The voices are ahead of us and I raise my head to see who is speaking.

There are two men on the path headed towards us. The first one is older and I don’t recognise him, the second one I do..... Stud.

I was already holding Kong’s hand, but I pull him closer to me and scoot us so that Stud will pass me on the trail and not Kong.

"We are just heading out, we have already been here all day"

Kerkerai speaks to the older man. I am guessing he must be Stud’s father.

"You will have to come out with us another time then"

The older man says. I am not sure if he is only talking to Kerkerai or all of us.

"Nice to see you again, Kong"

I don’t like Stud speaking to Kong and I pull him even closer. Everything in me wants to scream 'Mine!!' at him, just like the last time I saw him, but Mew has told me that not all things are appropriate to say out loud, that some things are better to leave on the inside. I settle for glaring at him as he passes, and I hope he can see....... how much I dislike him.

Once we are back in the car I still think about Stud. It bothers me the way he looks at Kong, like he wants to reach out and take him from me.... it makes me feel jealous, and I don’t like it. I am very glad Kong isn’t friends with him. I don’t think I could take him being around that boy all the time.

"Arthit !! Are you okay ?? You are  glaring out the window"

Kong’s voice is worried.

"Just thinking how lucky I am to have you"

Kong snuggles to my side, hugging me tight.

"I am  the lucky one"

He tells me.

I return his hug and kiss the top of his head, not caring at all if Kerkerai is watching in the mirror.

**********

"Do you think she suspects ??"

I ask Kong for the third time. he smiles at me with the soft smile I have only seen him use on me. He wipes his hands down the front of his apron and wraps his arms around me.

"You are pretty darn cute when you are anxious"

I know this dinner shouldn’t be a big deal, but I am very nervous. What if it hurts Mom’s feelings that I only remember a few things about her from my childhood ?? What if she thinks I don’t love her as much as I loved Dad ??

"Stop worrying. She will be surprised, and she will love it"

I am doing it again, just like Mom said I always did......fretting, over thinking.

Taking a deep breath and closing my eyes, I try and calm my mind, try to stop all the questions, focus on what needs to be done.

Kong lets me go after a quick kiss and returns to the garlic green beans he was working on.

I finish setting out plates and silverware and set the vase of flowers in the middle of the table.

I check the clock again, half an hour.

Roger took Mom into Seattle for the day for a shopping trip. Kong said she was thrilled to go, it’s been busy here lately and she was happy for the break.

"Arthit, I am going to go ahead and go. All you have to do is set the food out, okay ??"

Kong hugs me and gives me a light kiss on the cheek.

"Try not to worry, everything will be great"

I try to smile, but I don’t think it works.

Tyson barking brings our attention to the sound of the garage door opening.

"I will see you later. Have a good time with your mom and don’t worry"

Kong kisses me once more before he heads out to the garage. He and Roger are going to spend the evening with Kerkerai.

"What’s all this ??"

Mom asks when she enters the kitchen.

"It’s for you. Kong made it.....I helped. I wanted...... I want to talk to you"

Mom’s face looks worried.

"Is everything alright with you, Arthit ??"

I take her hand and lead her to the table, holding out her chair while she sits down. Prem told me a decent man always does that for a lady.

"Thank you, dear"

Mom looks at the table with a smile on her face.

"This is beautiful, but what’s the occasion ??"

"Nothing"

I tell her as I sit in my own chair across the table.

"I just want to know you better"

Mom’s smile gets a little bit wider and my nerves calm for the first time today.

"What do you like to do when you aren’t working ??"

Mom looks up from her food at my question, and she takes a quick drink before answering me.

"Well I enjoy reading and working in my gardens"

"What’s your favorite book ??"

"That’s a tough one"

She tells me.

"I don’t think I could pick just one. I prefer stories with a happy ending"

A few moments of silence pass before I think of my next question.

"What’s your favorite kind of music ??"

"Mostly classical. I like quieter music. That was actually one of the things that drove me nuts about your dad. He liked his music really loud"

"Oh..."

Is all I can think to say.

Mom lets out a little laugh.

"Don’t look so crestfallen, Arthit. Even the most in-love couples have things about each other they don’t like"

I can’t think of anything about Kong I don’t like. I wonder if there are things he doesn’t like about me......

"So what brought all this on ?? Not that I am not enjoying it"

I chew the bite of food in my mouth and take a long drink of water.

"When we went fishing with Kerkerai, I noticed all the things Kong knows about him and it bothered me that I didn’t know a lot of things about you"

"Oh, honey, that stuff comes in time"

"I feel bad that I took the time to find out things about Dad, but I didn’t do the same for you"

Mom puts down her fork and picks up my hand from the table.

"Don’t you dare feel bad, Arthit. Your father is gone, and the only way to know him is through his books..... his music..... his pictures..... I am here with you, we have lots of time to learn about each other"

I wonder how she does that. How do a few words make my guilt disappear ?? Maybe it’s a mom thing, though Kong does that, too. Maybe it’s a Love thing.

The night passes quickly as I ask her question after question, and I am happy with all the things I find out.

She tells me about the ballet lessons she took and building and designing dollhouses with her grandpa. I learn that she used to have braces and one year she tried to learn to play the violin.

When we hear Kong and Roger, we both look up in surprise, the evening went fast, and I can’t believe it’s already eleven o’clock.

After we say goodnight, Kong and I head down to the cottage.

"Did you have a nice evening ??"

Kong asks, slipping his hand in mine.

"Yes. Mom is a good storyteller"

"I am so glad everything went well"

"Thank you for helping me"

I tell him, bringing his hand to my lips.

"Anytime, Arthit"

*********

"I don’t understand. Why do we have to go up right now ??"

Kong is pulling me toward the door. I wanted to finish my reading assignment before we go up to the main house.

"Just trust me, okay ??"

I follow Kong from the cottage willingly, of course I trust him.

There are cars all over the drive when we reach the main house. I didn’t realise we had so many guests coming in.

Mom will need our help with all these people.

When we get inside, the dining room is full of people, people I know.

Mom is the first one to notice us and walks to us with a smile.

"What’s going on ??"

I ask.

Kong whispers......

"Surprise"  in my ear followed with a kiss on the cheek.

"I don’t understand"

"It’s a party for you. It’s been a year since I found you"

Has it been a year ?? It doesn’t feel like that long, though it’s hard to imagine being back in that cave again.

Mom gives me a big hug. She has tears in her eyes, though she is smiling. Kong calls them

"Happy tears"

Kong pulls me farther into the room, and I can now see everyone who’s here...... Mew and Gulf, Wad and Prem, Bright and my tutor Sam, Kerkerai and Roger.

It’s a little overwhelming to have all these people here for me.

Mom has the table loaded with food. I see a lot of my favorites.

Everyone is talking and people keep patting me on the back saying how proud they are.

I don’t know what to say, I am getting so much praise for all the things I have learned, but everyone here has helped me. I should be thanking them......

"Arthit, are you alright ??"

Kong’s worried.

I smile at him and let him lead me to the table so we can eat.

I don’t have much to say. I just listen to the conversations around me.

I eat way too much, I feel like my stomach will burst.

"Who’s ready for cake ??"

Mom’s voice comes from the kitchen.

She sets a large chocolate layer cake in front of me. I love her cakes, but I am so full I don’t know if I can eat more. But, I will try. I wouldn’t want to hurt her feelings.

"Speech...... speech...."

Bright says quietly before Prem gives him an elbow in the side.

Kong leans into me.

"You don’t have to say anything, no one will care"

I know that no one will think anything if I don’t speak, but I want to........for myself.

When I push my chair out and stand up, all eyes are on me and everyone stops talking. Kong reaches for my hand, giving my fingers a squeeze.

I look at all the faces around me, trying to think of the right words to say.

"Thank you for helping........ for believing......."

I look to Mom’s face for a moment and then to Kong’s, they both have tears and pride in their eyes. Then Roger begins clapping and everyone joins him.

I feel the color in my face as I sink back into my chair and press my face into Kong’s shoulder, it’s unnerving having all this attention on me.

After the clapping stops, Mom wipes her eyes and says.

"Who wants cake ??"

When dessert is finished, people begin to leave and before long, it’s Mom, Roger, Kong, and me.

Mom hugs me for a long time when Kong and I are ready to leave. She wipes her eyes several times and keeps saying how proud she is of me and how happy she is to have me home. I don’t know what to say, so I just hug her a little tighter.

"What you said was really sweet, Arthit, I think you choked everyone up"

"I meant it. I owe you all everything, especially you......"

Kong pushes against me with his shoulder.

"You don’t owe anything, Arthit"

I owe him so much, I don’t think I will ever be able to thank him enough.

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A/N: Thank you so much for reading and voting for this story. This chapter is like a filler one, trying to fill the gaps and gather the loose ends. But still...... I am hoping you all will like it 💖💖