Christmas Eve was bittersweet for Tom this year. The school had cancelled classes for a school-wide day of ceremonies. While he longed to see the Thai version of the holiday celebrations and share them with his students, knowing his family would be enjoying their customary dinner, surrounded by loved ones, amplified his loneliness. All he had was pleasant weather and an improving friendship with Maria. Although, the most significant element they had in common lately was wishing they were home for the holidays.

Students and their parents circulated around the Buddha garden and flowed down the shaded pathways leading to the gym. Instead of their regular uniforms, the children wore jeans, shorts, skirts, and t-shirts. A junior-high student in a Santa costume clutched a large bag and greeted the excited younger kids. Tom couldn't discern which of his students it was, but he had a few guesses given the energy and cheer with which they spoke to everyone.

Prae approached Tom with a smile and a wave. She too had traded her teacher's uniform for a lime-coloured polo shirt and wore her hair in a neat bun with a scrunchie whose festive jingling red, green and gold bells chimed as she approached. "How is your first Christmas celebration in Thailand?"

"It's different," Tom said. One of the young kids squealed with laughter as Santa let out a deep belly laugh. "Do you find it strange to miss a day of classes to celebrate a Christian holiday?"

"We cancel classes to commemorate Buddhist holidays too. The children attend school to learn English which includes the culture."

Tom still felt it was a little off, but he'd grown up in the religion-free Calgary public schools. "Is Christmas celebrated in Thailand?"

"It's not big like in Western countries, and not as significant as our holidays, but some people decorate a tree and keep it up during the New Year. They may give their children a gift tomorrow morning." Her eyes were bright and wide.

"Does your family celebrate?"

Prae smiled and clasped her hands together at her waist. "Not when we were very young, but as my father worked more with Western tourists, he introduced the holiday to us. We'd travel to Chiang Mai to see the decorations and take family pictures, but New Year is still more important."

"That must be beautiful in Chiang Mai with the mountain and temple backdrop."

Her smile broadened, showing off her white teeth, and she nodded. "Much prettier than the miniature tree in my apartment."

Tom's eyebrows raised. "You have a tree? I didn't realize you could buy them here." He'd assumed they weren't needed or sold here and had hung a few paper decorations on a plant instead.

Prae covered her laugh with her hand. "Yes, even if it's small, I like to celebrate." She pulled out her phone and showed him a picture of an artificial tree with silver and blue teardrop and star ornaments.

"Suay mak mak," he complimented its beauty.

"Thank you." She searched the courtyard. The crowd was thinning as more people walked toward the gym. "Have you seen Maria?"

"No, I got here early to help Becca with the gym set-up. Is she okay?"

"Yes." As Prae laced her fingers together, her mouth twitched like she wanted to add more, yet she stayed quiet.

Maria hadn't seemed herself at lunch yesterday, which was disappointing since the video call with his sister had gone so well. Perhaps she was still processing her ex and the abuse and needed space. He'd asked how she was a few times yesterday during the school day, not persistently, but when she'd given him short, indifferent answers and avoided his gaze, he'd let it go and had taken it as a sign to leave.

"Are you worried?" Tom asked.

Prae's eyes met his, then she looked away. "No." Her hands fidgeted like she was holding something back.

"Are you sure?"

She surveyed the crowd again. "We were supposed to cook together on Saturday, but she cancelled without giving a reason which isn't like her. Maybe she wanted to cook alone or had plans with you or Emma?"

Tom shook his head.

"Then she posted nothing on her cooking page on the weekend."

"She might need a break." He didn't want to scare Maria off again by trying to fix things she needed to deal with alone like he had when she was struggling with her ex.

"You're right, Tom. Thank you."

"She's lucky to have a friend who cares as much as you."

Prae's cheeks reddened. "You are too kind."

A few teachers called out in Thai from the gym, and Prae told him it was time to get organized into their classes. Tom was with the Matayom two students, or grade eights, as he was more accustomed to thinking of them. The group was smaller than usual as many older students were performing in the choir.

As everyone filtered into the gym, Maria and Emma arrived to sit with their primary four students. The Filipina smiled when others greeted her, but Tom had experienced enough of her masked feelings to suspect her expression was fake. Perhaps space wasn't what Maria needed. Would asking her about it again make him come across too invasive? If she was upset about the holidays, tonight's supper and tomorrow's plans could improve her mood or convince her to open up and save him from having to stick his foot in his mouth.

The Thai director began his announcements. With the speed at which he spoke, Tom only understood the odd word or phrase. The parents settled on the outer edges of the gym while the students and teachers sat on the floor in front of the auditorium stage. Pictures of the king lined the upper walls while tinsel, sparkling snowflakes, and golden stars Tom had helped hang this morning decorated the backdrop of the stage. Monks wearing bright orange robes sat on chairs near the front.

Everyone stood for the national anthem and many sang along. Afterwards, they sat again for a speech from the Thai director, and a short one from the English director, thanking the staff for all their hard work creating decorations and organizing activities. Tom had enjoyed teaming up with Becca and the other Matayom and specialty teachers to create a December holidays game show since it still connected him to Christmas in a round-about way.

The choir took the stage in their Santa hats and red, green, and gold ensembles. Their angelic holiday melodies almost transported him home as the air-conditioned chill of the gym resembled a gentle winter breeze. It was like carolling with his family or sitting in his childhood home where a gingerbread scent filled the air.

After another speech, the classes dispersed to the outer walls, where everyone awaited the procession of monks. Tom clutched the pre-wrapped basket of food that he'd bought to give alms to the monks for this day. Usually, they collected in the morning hours between five and seven on the streets, but since Tom was sleeping or getting ready for work, he hadn't taken the time to do this yet. At least this was a positive outcome of the school celebrating.

Kru Malee, his coworker supervising another group of junior high students, showed Tom how to respectfully offer his donation." Shoe off," she indicated, removing her heels as the monks grew closer. The children with packages in their hands had done the same.

Tom untied his dress shoes and placed them at his side.

"Give food. Wai." She pressed her hands together and bowed her head, revealing a few gray streaks in her dark hair.

The students to his left put their donations in the monk's metal-lined pottery bowls, then kneeled, pressed their hands together at their forehead and bowed. The monks recited a passage and moved to the next person.

Tom's donation was too large to fit in the bowl, but the monk smiled and handed it to a student behind him with a large plastic bag full of other donations. Tom sunk to his knees beside Kru Malee and placed his hands together to bow. A warm feeling passed over him as the monk finished the prayer and moved on. Between getting over his break-up, the excitement of travelling, and Maria occupying his thoughts, his first eight months in Thailand had been busy, and he had made little time for selfless acts or giving merit as the Thais thought of it. He'd have to try harder.

"Khap khuna krap," Tom thanked his Thai co-worker.

"You're welcome," she replied with a smile.

Kru Malee, the students, and he chatted about their families and the holidays while the monks finished their rounds. He congratulated the returning choir members on their wonderful performance as well.

Soon Becca pulled him and the other foreign junior-high teachers away to review the routine for the scene they'd perform shortly. The first skits from the Kindergarten department received a warm response from the young students clapping with their teachers up on stage.

When the primary four to six teachers performed, it seemed like Maria and Mitch could hardly look at each other unless it was scripted. Had they... No, that wasn't possible. She'd been adamant she wasn't ready for a relationship.

But Mitch didn't have relationships, he.... Tom rubbed his forehead and shook away the fear. This wasn't like with his ex, Mackenzie. He and Maria weren't together, and jealousy would only remind her of her controlling ex.

Tom joined his coworkers waiting at the foot of the stage for their turn to perform. By this point, the students were more interested in whispering to each other. Still, a few people clapped for the uplifting holiday performance about a lost elf finding her way to the North Pole. Tom flashed Maria a thumbs up as they left the stage, and she acknowledged it with a small wave and smile. At least it was a hint of a positive feeling from her.

Shawn passed the microphone to Becca, whose loud, enthusiastic, gym teacher voice filled the gym. "Who is ready for Christmas trivia?" The young kids cheered. "Looks like our Ks and P1s are ready. What about you, P2?" Cheers echoed from each section of the gym as Becca acknowledged them and built up more energy. The candy prizes the teachers had bought and were showing off probably helped too. "First question, and raise your hands to answer, please. Where is the biggest Christmas tree in the world?"

A kindergarten student raised their hand, bouncing with excitement. When Becca pointed to her, she yelled, "The North Pole."

Becca rubbed her chin. "It's not there, but that's a brilliant guess."

Tom tossed a candy the little girl's way. After she caught it, she beamed. The kids called out different countries until Becca gave someone a point and a handful of treats for Italy, where they lit up a mountainside in the shape of a tree. They kept the game going another five minutes before thanking the crowd and returning to supervise their classes during the final remarks before lunch.

As they left the gym, Tom tried to catch up with Maria, but she was already walking and talking with Mitch. Both had stern expressions, though hers softened as she spoke. Mitch crossed his arms over his chest.

"I can't do this, Maria," he said loudly and stormed off toward the staff room.

She stepped off the path, rubbing her forehead and covering her eyes. What was Mitch's problem?

Tom approached her slowly, his heart aching as she sniffled. He wished she wasn't so hurt by what that monster said to her. "Are you okay?"

She jumped at his first words. "Yeah, just tired." Her eyes were glossy, but he suspected it was from more than exhaustion.

"You were great as Mrs. Claus in the skit."

Her smile was as thin as tissue paper. "Thanks. Yours was the real hit with the kids though."

Tom shrugged. "We had candy. Wasn't a fair contest."

That earned him a small laugh and a bigger grin.

"Would you like to get some lunch? I hear they have mussels today," Tom said.

"Sure." Her tone wasn't as bright as it typically was on seafood days.

As they approached the cafeteria together, Tom wasn't sure whether to be relieved or worried that Mitch seemed to have caused Maria's moods. Hopefully, he was exacerbating a bad day and not responsible for all her misery.