Chapter Twenty-one

Mae Sua – the Meaning of Life

My thoughts are on Dawkmymy. Knowing that the girls living at The Regal Garment Factory are ones who have been rescued from harsh situations, she has taken in a girl who needs loving. She is one who was saved from the Pink Handkerchief Gang on the island in the Thai Gulf. Adopting Malsa is unselfish. Maybe even to be acknowledged as heroic.

Perhaps Dawkmymy is not as self-centered as Bobby thought. I evaluated her correctly as a good woman with integrity, because of my past involvement with her. Martha and Rufus have been bragging on how good of a young woman she is. They trust her with their grandchildren.

My jaw tightened and I experienced pain in my stomach. Hearing Bobby apologize was not difficult as he shouted every sentence. He is still obstinate. She is equally pig-headed even though they had experienced a marvelous change in their lives. I comprehend they are made for each other. His apology is a foundation on which to build.

I wanted to whip them both. They knew the truth or most of the facts. I shook my head in confusion. In spite of the hints he acts as if he does not understand that Seebhabe is his son.

She has had many opportunities and her reluctance does not make sense why he has not been told. He had been the only man with which she had been intimate. At least he knew that she was not the loose woman about whom Bert had originally written. Maybe he will discover the precious disclosure of his son.

It was evident that there is a spark of romance between them as they gazed at each other. It seemed as if they are afraid of hurting each other. I am troubled that if they do not get together soon, they may never reunite. A restriction in my throat prevented me from eating. It is sad because of the wonderful time they have wasted.

John has revealed there is another plausibility. It seems as if Bobby has met a woman of significance. John and Bobby had gone to the FFF junior division of the national championship fight. The former Miss Chiang Mai and Miss Thailand - (เพื่อนที่ดี meaning 'a good friend') sat next to Bobby.

They talked to each other during the elimination process. She is a professor and assistant dean of the medical school at the university. At the end of the exhibitions they were holding hands. John claimed, "I do not think anyone noticed it except me." I was almost on the verge of experiencing a heart attack. I would not rule out the possibilities for me. My thoughts could prevent me from the ability to attend to my business. My talk went to warp speed. I found myself constantly distracted. Her younger brother won first place in the junior section.

The sister and brother were elated from different aspects. The brother saw Bobby as a role model and trainer. Puanteedee visualized him as more than a date, as she was more prone to see him as a spousal candidate.

John had told Bobby that he had done a security check on Dawkmymy and discovered that she had only been intimate with one man. Bobby responded whoever he is did not stand up and be a man and accept his responsibility.

Anger took over every part of my mind. My feelings were, "What more can I do or say?" For a smart man, he is slow to pick up on hints.

Highly educated women were poor prospects for marital bliss in Southeast Asia. Thai men preferred women who will walk behind them rather than side by side. Scholarly females were often portrayed as troublemakers.

Most of the women that work directly for me are intelligent and committed. I might also say they are family. I take satisfaction that they are more educated than most men. We had to send several out of the country to make that accomplishment of receiving a great education.

Women were commonly viewed as a man's property. Some believe that females still are today, even other women. I grieve over the injustice they have had to bare over the years. My body tightens as I recall the unfairness that they have suffered. Ladies like and Dawkmymy gravitate toward American men. They could be smart and the United States men would not be threatened.

In poor villages girls are encouraged to drop out of school early and work on the farm and have boy babies. A wife brings shame to her husband if she had the audacity to produce a girl offspring. Brainless wives were limited to cooking, cleaning and community gossiping.

In the Northeast part of Thailand known as the Issan, communities were worse. In economic downfalls girls were drowned, smothered to death or left on the side of the road to die. My four sisters and I were discovered by Methodist missionaries on the shoulder of a dirt road in Issan. Otherwise, we would have perished. Tears overwhelmed me at the thought of what could have happened if we had not been rescued.

Dawkmymy remembers only the good times of economic swings. Her Daddy was a major in the Thai Army when she was born and a colonel when she graduated from the university.

Her father is revered in Thailand since he is a Grand Master and Champion of Muay Thai. She has never gone hungry, or grown up without proper clothes. Her grandmother is my sister. I am elated that she is one of my wonderful great nieces.

Thus, the Crystal Dragon Foundation provided her one of the five full scholarships available. Not because she is my great niece, but she earned it. Her grades were superior to the other applicants She had participated in several community service projects. In high school and college, she played girls football (soccer.) She received a MBA degree qualifying her for the next promotion. She has a little boy to look after, whose name is Seebhabee. Her class load was heavy while at the University, but her grades were high. I oozed with pride.

After contemplating, I felt good about Dawkmymy. Now, if I could help her find the right man. It will be Bobby, although an alternative has not surfaced. We will have to seize the moment when it comes. It has already appeared in one of my visions.

Having a girlfriend, Bobby might not be available. Puanteedee is also a great niece. Her grandmother is my sister. I pondered, what if I find someone important for her? However, she needs to have someone closer to her interests.

Yes, I am meddling, but the happiness of my great nieces, is important. I want to pair the right aspirant for each of them. It is an important task for me as head of the family. I take my duty seriously.

The perfect candidate has appeared on my list of new arrivals. is becoming the Chief Surgeon over all the United States military doctors in Thailand. He is single. General James Matthews is his boss.

The picture of him in his doctor garb shows he is a couple of years older than Bobby. He is very distinguished in appearance, and he has that powerful athletic build. According to my initial report, he is one of the most brilliant brain surgeons in the world. Surely, he will be interested in one of my great nieces.

I was deep into a daydream, while I exhibited a smile on my face as Ling Noy emerged at my door. "What interference are you about to consider for today? The look on your face gives you away!" She interrogated me about my smile.

Friendliness exuded from head to toe. In reply I responded, "Why do you enquire?" "Because you have that thought provocative expression." "We should do something to help Puanteedee and Dawkmymy."