by J. F. Gump
The monk allowed himself a small smile. “Your father is fine, too. You wanted to see me?”
“Yes,” she said. “I need advice and I don’t know who to ask. You have always been very kind to me, and I think you are very wise. I thought maybe you could help me know what I must do.”
Math explained how Jabal and Sadayu had died.Then she told Jum how the electric company had denied all responsibility for their deaths. She told him about Neet’s lack of education and about her two-month-old baby, who now had no father or brother. How could Neet and her baby survive without Jabal? Shouldn’t the electric company be forced to help?
Jum listened until she had finished. When he spoke, his words were slow and deliberate. “I have known your family for a very long time, even before you were born. I know your sisters and your brothers. I know your father and your mother. Everything they have done was not always good, but they are not bad people. Of all the children, you are my favorite. We have always been close to each other. I will help you however I can. I already know what happened to your brother-in-law and your nephew. Truly, it is a tragedy. I have given it much thought.”
Jum paused for a moment, choosing his words carefully. “My brother is a lawyer and knows many people in the government. I have talked with him about the deaths, and I think he can help. Here is his number.” He handed Math a piece of paper. “Call him in the morning. He will be waiting. There will be no cost for his help.”
Math was in shock. She had expected comfort and advice, but she hadn’t expected this. Tears filled her eyes. “Thank you for your kindness and your help. How can I ever repay you for this? I came for advice, but you have given me hope instead. I am no one, yet you are helping me like I am somebody. I don’t understand why you are doing this.”
A sadness pulled at the monk’s face. “Because you are special, Math. More special than you know.” His voice choked and he stopped speaking for a moment. He took a deep breath and then stood. “I have things I must do for the temple today. You must leave now.” He turned and walked away. When he reached the doorway, he stopped and turned back to Math. “Soon, I will be leaving this temple. I wanted you to know that.”
“Why would you leave here?” she asked, wiping at her eyes. “This is your home. You have lived here as long as I can remember.”
Jum sighed. “There are many reasons, but mostly it is because I have not been a very good monk lately. I have let personal wants and desires enter my mind.”
“What do you mean?” She was surprised at his unexpected comment. “You are the kindest person I know. How can you say you are not a good monk?”
“I have allowed myself to love you as my daughter,” he answered, barely above a whisper. “I swore to Buddha I would never do that. I have asked to be transferred to another temple. Someday you will understand.” He motioned as if he had something more to say, but no words came. Abruptly, he turned and hurried away.
Math stared as he disappeared into the temple. She tried to make sense of what had just happened. Why should his feelings for her, make him want to leave his home? Suddenly, she felt very sad. Maybe it was from being in the temple again so soon after the funeral, or maybe it was because Jum had seemed so sad. She wasn’t sure which it was, if either. Maybe it was neither. Maybe it was because she would miss her friend. She sat in the temple for a while saying prayers and giving thanks to God and Buddha. Later, she shoved the paper into her purse and went home.
Math spent the rest of the day wondering at what Jum had said. None of it made any sense. Still, she had the piece of paper with the phone number. She would call in the morning.
That evening, Math and Nuang had dinner with their mother. When Math mentioned the monk and what he had said, her mother excused herself and left the room.
“What was that all about?” Math asked, looking at Nuang, as if expecting an answer.
“I’m not sure,” Nuang replied, shrugging. “Maybe she doesn’t like your monk friend. She seemed to be fine, until you mentioned him.”
“Maybe,” Math replied, “But I can’t imagine anyone not liking Jum.”
Again, Nuang shrugged.
Early on Monday morning, Math called the number Jum had given her and asked for Isara, the name on the paper. A man came on the phone.
“Sawasdee ka,” she said very politely. “I am Tippawan Bongkot, Math. My friend Jum said I should call you. He said maybe you can help me.”
“I am Isara,” the man responded. “I have been expecting your call. Where are you now? Can you be at my office by nine o’clock?”
“I think so,” she answered.
“Good. I will see you here at nine o’clock. Now I have some calls to make before you arrive.” He hung up the phone without saying goodbye.
Math dressed as quickly as she could and was at the lawyer’s office by nine o’clock. Suddenly, everything was happening with lightning speed. By nine thirty they were in Isara’s personal car driving across town. By ten o’clock, Math was in a meeting with top executives and lawyers from the electric company. By noon, the electric company agreed they were marginally culpable for what had happened to Jabal and Sadayu. By one o’clock that afternoon, they had agreed to compensate Neet and her new son 500,000 baht for the deaths of Jabal and Sadayu. Math told Isara it was too little for the loss, but he suggested it was the best they could hope for without risking everything. Eventually, Math agreed. By three o’clock, she was home and had told Neet and Nuang what had happened. Neet was very thankful. She had not expected anything from the electric company. For her, it was like a gift from God.
That night, Math and Nuang talked about what they would do now. Neet could take care of herself with the money from the electric company, and there wasn’t much more either of them could do. Nuang said she would go back to Surat in Chiang Mai. Math said she would return to Pattaya and live with Mike. Nuang agreed that was a good idea.
“When was the last time you talked to Mike?” Nuang asked. She knew of Math’s failed attempts to contact him.
“The day I left Pattaya,” she replied.
“That’s been over a week ago,” Nuang said. “He must be very worried about you. Or maybe he thinks you are never coming back.”
“I told him I would be back,” she retorted, but Nuang’s words made her uneasy.
“Without calling?” Nuang questioned, high pitched. She shook her head. “You have so much to learn about men.”
“Like you are an expert,” Math shot back, harsher than she intended.
Nuang ignored her barb. “If you want to keep that man, you should go back to Pattaya tomorrow. Right now, I suggest you find the nearest pay phone and keep calling Mike until you reach him, even if it takes you all night.” She pulled a handful of change from her purse and threw it on the bed. “Just in case you don’t have enough money.”
Math looked at the money disdainfully. “I have enough of my own, thank you.”
“Then what are you waiting on?” Nuang raised her voice, “Some other lady to steal him away? Now get out of here before you make me really angry with your stupidity.”
Math grabbed her purse and stomped out of the house. Nuang was right and Math knew it, but she didn’t like anyone pointing out her mistakes.
Her motorcycle was at her mother’s house, so she had to walk. Except for an occasional street light, it was dark on the streets of Phitsanulok. Math paused under one of the street lights to check the time. It was nine-thirty. She felt unsafe, but no one bothered her as she walked to the nearest pay phone.
The light in the phone booth was broken, but the dim street lamp gave enough light for her to dial the number. Over and over, for the next hour, she got a busy circuit signal. Between attempts at calling, she watched the traffic moving along the street. The phone booth was dark and no one seemed to notice her standing there. She was glad for that. She thought she saw Sawat drive past on a m
otorcycle-taxi, but it passed so quickly she couldn’t be sure. She was about to give up, when Mike’s phone rang. He answered on the fourth ring.
“Hello,” he said.
“I am Math,” she said into the phone.
“My god, Math. Where in the hell have you been?” Mike sounded half asleep. “I’ve been worried sick about you. Are you okay?”
“I am okay,” she whispered, breathless from hearing Mike’s voice. “The funeral is over. I am coming home to you in quickly time.”
“Math, listen” Mike said. “There is something I must tell you. I have some bad news. We must talk when you come home. I tried to call you, but your phone didn’t work. Can you be here tomorrow?”
“What is wrong?” Her voice raised several octaves.
“Tomorrow, Math,” was his response. “Promise me you will be here tomorrow.”
“I will be there tomorrow, teeluk, sweetheart,” she promised, fighting her growing panic.
“I will be waiting for you. I will explain everything then. Call me when you arrive at the bus station.”
“Call you at work?” she asked.
“No,” Mike said. “Call me at my condo. I am not working tomorrow. I will explain later.”
“Okay,” was all she could think to say.
“Thank you, Math. I love you.” He hung up the phone without waiting for a reply.
“I love you too, Mike,” she whispered into the dead phone.
Her mind whirled as she hurried back toward her house. What was Mike talking about? Something was wrong and it was driving her crazy that he didn’t tell her what it was. Her heart started doing its palpitations. Please not now, she thought. Suddenly, she was sick again. She stopped long enough to vomit at the edge of the sidewalk, then she hurried on.
She passed a drug store that was still open. She had promised her sister she would ask about her sickness. A druggist was not the same as a doctor but it was as close as she would find at this time of night. She explained her symptoms to the druggist on duty. She told him about the death in her family and all of the stress she had been under. Math suggested she needed something for an ulcer.
“Are you pregnant?” he asked.
Math was flustered. “I don’t think so,” she said. “Why would you ask that? I had my last menses on time.” She didn’t mention that during her last period she did little more than spot blood.
“Well, it happens sometimes,” the druggist said. “I am going to give you two things. One is a medicine for your stomach and the other is a self pregnancy test.”
“I am not pregnant,” she retorted, offended.
“Try it anyway,” the druggist said firmly. “It will give you one less thing to worry about.”
“Okay,” she conceded. She paid for the medicines and left. “Asshole.” she said under her breath, using another of Mike’s favorite words. “What does he know?”
Five minutes later, Math was at her house. As she approached, she could see that something was not right. The door wasn’t completely shut. Dread clutched at her chest. Nuang would not leave the door open like that. A sour rush of adrenaline exploded Math’s dread into cold panic. She ran to her house and flung open the door. Nuang was lying on the bed. Her blouse was ripped open down the front. She made no sound.
“Oh my God,” Math whimpered, as she moved closer to Nuang. “Oh my God. What happened? Are you okay?” She pulled the hair away from Nuang’s face - it was a bloody mess. Math looked around wild-eyed, not sure what she should do. She grabbed a towel and ran to the public toilet. There she soaked it with water and ran back to her house. Gently, she wiped Nuang’s face. Math cried as the blood came away and the true horror of Nuang’s cuts and bruises appeared. Swelling had already begun. By tomorrow, Nuang would not be recognizable. In a minute Nuang began to stir.
“I am calling an ambulance for you,” Math said. “And I’m calling the police too.”
“No, please don’t,” Nuang cried weakly, “If I look like I feel, I don’t want anyone to see me. I don’t want anyone to know anything has happened. I will be okay.”
“Oh, Nuang,” Math said. “This is terrible. Please tell me what happened. Who did this to you?” Math was sure she knew already, but she wanted confirmation.
“It was Sawat,” Nuang answered. “When he knocked at the door, I thought it was you coming back. I opened the door without thinking. He shoved his way inside. He was drunk. He started calling you names and saying bad things about you. I got very angry and I hit him. He hit me back harder. He hit me many times, Math. I cannot remember how many times. I must have passed out because I don’t remember anything else.” Nuang ran her tongue across her swollen lips and touched her face with her hands. “How bad do I look, Math?”
“Not too bad, sister,” she lied. “You look as beautiful as ever.”
“I don’t believe you,” Nuang said.
“Did he rape you?”
“No, I don’t think so,” Nuang whispered. “I don’t know.” Her tears started again. “I don’t remember.”
“I will kill that son-of-a-bitch for hurting you,” she said matter-of-factly.
“Math, he will be coming back for you. You must get away from here quickly. Promise me you will go away now, tonight.”
“Not without you,” she said. “We will both go away. I know a place where we will be safe. Come on, let’s pack our clothes.” She took another look at Nuang. “No, never mind. I will pack for both of us.”
In five minutes, Math had everything ready. Nuang had put on clean clothes and carefully applied make-up over her bruises and swelling.
“I am ready,” Nuang said.
“The next time I shoot Sawat, I will kill him.” Math promised to Nuang and to herself.
Together, they left the house. They walked to the main road and caught a taxi. Math directed the driver to the temple.
“Why are we going to the temple?” Nuang asked.
“I lied to you before,” she answered. “Your face looks very bad. I hope nothing is broken. I am taking you to my friend Jum. He is a monk at the temple. They have a safe house there for women. You will have your own room and everything. They will take care of you until you are better. I don’t think your husband should see you like this. In a couple of days you can go home.”
“This doesn’t seem right,” Nuang protested, touching her face tenderly.
“It is best, Nuang. Please trust me.” Math opened her purse, “Mike gave me some extra money in case of an emergency. I think this is an emergency.” She counted out 3,000 baht. “Here is enough to buy you a plane ticket to Chiang Mai.”
“What about you?” Nuang asked.
“Don’t worry about me. I still have enough for myself.”
Everyone at the temple was asleep except for one lone monk. After some coaxing, Math convinced him to get Jum. When Jum arrived, he didn’t look well, but he was polite anyway. He agreed that Nuang should stay at the temple, just to be safe. Finally, Nuang conceded. Math gave Nuang a hug and left.
The taxi dropped Math off at the airport. She bought a ticket for the next flight to Bangkok. Then she sat and waited.
Chapter 18
From the very first day that Math had gone to Phitsanulok for the funeral, Mike’s mood had been subdued. He had become accustomed to Math meeting him at the door when he came home from work. He had gotten used to her being there to hold him after a long day. He missed her smiling face and he missed her conversation, as broken as it sometimes was. He missed having someone he could love. Mostly, he missed having someone who loved him. He worried constantly whether she had made it to Phitsanulok okay or not. She had not called to let him know she had arrived.
The first couple of days after she had left, Mike was only a little worried when she didn’t call. After all, there had been a death in her family. He knew he was not important, compared
to the deaths. Except for dinner and a couple of beers after work, he stayed at home every night waiting for the phone to ring. Four days and nights came and went, and Math still hadn’t called. By then, he was worried shitless and totally depressed.
When Randy had found out that Math had gone home for the funeral, he had started bugging Mike every day to go and have a beer with him and his new girlfriend from Soi 2. Not the same girlfriend he had a few weeks earlier. It was a new lady; the third one since the girl at Soi 8. Mike was having trouble keeping up with Randy’s love life.
Until today, Mike had been declining Randy’s offers to go out. But he knew he had to get out of the condo and stop thinking about Math or he would go crazy with worry. He finally decided that the next time Randy asked, he would go.
Mike was getting dressed for dinner when the phone rang. It was the first time his phone had rang since Math had left. His heart skipped a beat. Maybe it was her. He nearly fell, hurrying to get to the phone. “Hello, Math?” he said excitedly.
“Hey, Mike. It’s me.” It was Randy.
His excitement fell flat. “What’s up, Randy?”
“I forgot to tell you,” Randy said. “One of the girls at Toy’s Bar is having a birthday party. A bunch of us kicked in a few baht to help her out. There’s gonna be lots of free food. You should come down. It’ll be a good chance to meet my new girlfriend.”
Mike sighed. “The Toy Bar, huh? I’m not sure I want to go to Toy’s bar. I’m about as popular there as airborne AIDS.”
“Oh, come on,” Randy persisted. “Get your head out of your ass. It stinks there and it’s so dark you can’t see anything very well. You need to get out and quit your brooding. If you are worried about Lek, you can forget that. She’s been asking about you every night. She said she feels bad about everything that’s happened. She told me she’d buy you a couple of beers next time you come in. I’ll even buy you a couple myself. What do you say?”
“Typical Lek,” Mike answered. “She thinks the way to a man’s heart is through a beer bottle.”
