CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

Mae Sua - The Dinner

"Ling Noy, I have been contemplating having an evening meal at your place." Experiencing a surge of energy, I was keenly aware of what needed to be accomplished. A blush flooded my body. Nang Chom was knocking at my door and explored what was causing the commotion.

I invited her to join us, and expressed what we were discussing. It was as if we emerged with a secret plan for battle. Together a strategy was developed, similar to a combat assault.

"Your husband, General Matthews, will be at the head of the table with Jerry Lee and Nang Chom. Next Bobby Olander and Puanteedee will sit next to each other. Dawkmymy and the new doctor will be seated directly across the table from them. This will limit the side views and enhance what one observes across the table. This scheme would coordinate the activities of...

Nang Chom instilled that I was devious and intrusive. The three of us chuckled. My heart stopped then pounded. Tingling reverberated from the whole of our cores. Gratification was seeping throughout our spirits. We were manipulative for the happiness of our extended family. Helping with the natural mating process was our goal.

The dinner went as planned. Sy La Maaw was caring for the children at Nang Chom's house. Shelly, Dak Akura, Salin On, and Mira were assisting with the younger kids. Malsa was added to the mix and fit in very well.

The new doctor was introduced to the group. Expounding his accomplishments, General James Matthews welcomed Chief Surgeon Colonel William Stover to the Command Center and to the table. He also added that he was a nephew of General Beauford Gofourth.

Then I introduced Professor as Assistant Dean of the School of Medicine at Chiang Mai University. Additionally, she is the lead Neurosurgeon at the Chiang Mai Hospital. Both physicians began staring at each other.

Puanteedee informed Stover that she used his textbook in her class on Surgical Improvements on the Brain. She disclosed that her students were already qualified surgeons, but needed an endorsement in neurosurgery. Many of her students were American military surgeons dealing with combat head injuries. The students were expanding their knowledge. They dominated the conversation ignoring Dawkmymy and Bobby.

Thus, the two not being paid attention to, commenced to talk to each other. Expressing his awe of Seebhabee, Bobby said, "Your son is the brightest kid I have ever encountered. His ability to read and understand is amazing. Bobby III and Leanna love him like a brother.

That dog of his is taller on all four feet than him, and is obedient to his every command. He uses him as a pillow, a horse and a friend. The love that dog has for your boy has extended to my two youngsters. The only thing I do not appreciate is when he places his paws on my shoulders and washes my face with his tongue." Both laughed. Then the smile in his eyes speaks that he is my friend.

Dawkmymy laughed and imparted, "I have something I need to share with you, but not here. However, it is very important." He reminded her that he had a series of fights tomorrow, but he would be available later.

I thought, whoopy, she is going to tell him that he is the father of Seebhabe. I believed entirely that they would reconcile, and maybe they would get married as a result. My heart was leaping. I walked taller, strutted stronger and my laugh was booming. Everyone looked at me wondering what made me so excited. I informed them that I was happy seeing my friends and family have a good time. They all rendered a smile, and shook their heads knowingly.

The next day before the fights started, I was chatting with Bobby when the Commander of the Frontline Guard unit reported that Bert was killed in action. He had no next of kin, but had listed him as a friend. The Thai Senior officer bade him if cremation would be alright and have his ashes spread along the Thai-Lao border.

Bobby expressed that Bert was a bad guy, but was attempting to make amends and rectify his wrongs. Enlisting in the Frontline Guard was a way to show he had changed. He supposed that did not excuse him of the wrong he inflicted on Dawkmymy, but at least he was trying to improve. I saw a hint of sadness come upon Bobby. Crimson was flooding his eye. Tearful pauses erupted in his voice. An empty look fostered as he appeared beaten down.

The Flying Fist (Bobby) fought with the intensity of a champion, inflicting power and discomfort to the opponents. No adversary seemed to bother him. Dispensing his challengers speedily, he was an infuriated man.

Upon finishing the fights, Bobby realized that Dawkmymy was in the crowd. Approaching her with the knowledge about Bert's death, he informed her that he was so sorry again, but with his death he hoped there would be closure. To share her crucial admission now was not the right time or place. Defeat inundated her contemplations as she resolved to put off her revelation. Depression provided a fog preventing her from visualizing the forthcoming impact of her decisions.

The ability to sleep avoided her. Crying took control of her behavior, and food was bland. A twitchy unbalanced walk invaded her movement. She was desperate, but did not know how to overcome the effects it held on her life. It seemed hopeless.

I was bewildered on how to advise her. I suggested that she revisit the chapel and talk to God. Weeks later she came into my office and professed she was calm and made peace with her fears. She declared that tonight she was going to tell him and take the consequences despite the results.

The next day Dawkmymy told me that John had preceded her in reporting to Bobby that Seebhabe was his child. The translation of the boy's name in English was Bobby IV. He probed John, "Why had I been so stupid?" John said, "Sometimes we fail to see the truth in front of us. I had attempted to do that when I informed you that she had only one intimate relation."

As Bobby returned to his apartment building, Dawkmymy's son was playing with Bobby III, Leanna and the dog under the supervision of Sy La Maaw. He disembarked from his jeep. Seebhabe and the dog ran to him and presented an old picture taken five years ago. The child said, "You are my Daddy." The dog stood and placed his paws on his shoulders and licked him in the face.

He was parked in front of her house when she came home. His face was set like stone. If looks could kill, she would be dead. "Why did you not tell me?" "Tell you what?" "That Seebhabe was my son." It caught me off guard. She screamed, "I had tried many times, but I was afraid that you would act like an idiot."

His voice was raised to the point of straining. Declaring that he was a responsible man, he would have accepted his manly duty, if he had only known. It was part of his obligation to provide financial support for her and his son. She shouted back that she did not want his money. As far as she was concerned, he could burn his cash, not caring how many dollars he had.

She disclosed that there had been written to him a hundred letters and that twenty-five were about the baby with pictures. He was extremely stupid not to read his letters when given the chance. She revealed that it did not make a difference now.

She called him a senseless idiot, warning him to stay away from her son, and never to appear at her house again. He yelled, "If that's what you want." Slamming the door as he left, the whole house shook because of the force with which he closed the door.

Malsa came asking if anything was wrong? Dawkmymy sadly disclosed, "I may have ruined my whole life."

Dawkmymy had called me that she believed she was going to throw up. There was an unpleasant taste in her mouth. The tossing and turning all night kept her from sleep. The bed provided her no comfort.

She trudged to her feet, and carefully walked to the front room where she plopped down into her rocker. Attempting to sooth her mind by rocking back and forward much of the night, a rooster call awakened her from slumber. Her memory failed her of where or how she got there.

Dawkmymy woke up with an aching neck, tingling left arm, an extremely dry mouth and the front of her night gown damp from tears. Slogging through the hallway blurry eyed, she barely bumped her way into the bathroom. Gripping the safety bars of the shower tightly, she let the cool water flood her face until she became awake.

Regretting the argument, she was tormented by her thoughts. She knew that it was her fault, but stubbornly she did not want to admit she was wrong

How to restore or redeem herself was the leading consideration on her mind. It was terrifying to revert to the person who she was previously.

Her conduct is not the easiest thing to deal with on the face of the earth. One would think Dawkmymy is redheaded and Irish. Nonetheless, she was a beautiful Thai woman with a temper. It is totally unlike what Thai women are taught, which is to be calm and non-combatant. That is instilled in her from birth.