~*~

Joni, Noy and Rumsy rushed into the hospital and headed straight to the EMERGENCY room. “You‘re not allowed to go in!” The nurse shouted. “But my parents are in there ... they’re the accident victim,” Joni said. “I know how you feel but you‘re not allowed in there” The nurse shouted. “What the fuck .... shit my parents are in there probably dying and yall have the courtesy to tell us that you know how we feel .... that’s bull shit!” Noy retorted. “Noy ... don‘t be like that ...” Rumsy said. “I know you’re worried ... but why don’t you just take a seat and let the doctor do his job,” the nurse reasoned. Rumsy guided Noy to a chair and they both sat down. Suddenly a woman walked towards them crying, “Noy how’s your father .....” Noy looked up at the lady, “Do I know you?” She shouted rudely. Joni looked at the lady and recognized her. Joni grabbed her arm and pulled her to the side, where Noy couldn’t hear them. “What are you doing here Sone?” Joni asked angrily. “Well as y! ou know Joni ..... I’m your father s mistress ... I have the rights to be worried!” Sone responded. Joni took in a deep breath, “Look don’t tell Noy that you’re my father’s mistress okay ......” “why not?” Sone asked. “Because Noy will tear you apart!” Joni shouted. Sone looked at Joni mysteriously, “Oh I promise I won’t tell Noy ..... unlessss ......” “Unless what!” Joni shouted. “Oh nothing,” Sone responded, “But I just want to let you know that when I’m angry I can’t control what comes out .... so you just stay out of my way and maybe Noy doesn’t have to know about our little secret.” “Please just go ......,” Joni pleaded. Sone gave Joni a devilish smile, “Since you begged me I guess I won’t hang around then... don’t want Noy to find out anything she’s not suppose to.”

~*~

Noy and Rumsy looked at Joni and the lady talking. “Who‘s that lady?” Noy asked. Rumsy shrugged, “Beats me ....” At that moment the doctor came out of the emergency room with his head down. Joni rushed to the doctor, “How’s my parents?” Dr. Dillon looked up sadly, “I’m sorry ...your father is in critical condition ...and you’re mother didn’t make it .....” Noy’s mind began to whirl around ..... “this can’t be true,” Noy said in a harsh whisper.

~*~

The phone rang and Mrs. Faivre answered it. “Is Louis home?” The voice on the other end asked. “Yes Louis is home. May I ask who this is?” Mrs. Faivre asked. “My name’s Sone ..... I’m Louis’s biological mother.” Sone responded. “One moment ... I’ll go get him for you,” Mrs. Faivre said. Mrs. Faivre covered the receiver with her hand and shouted for Louis. Louis ran out of his room, “Arai krup?” Mrs. Faivre waved the phone in Louis’s face, “Your mom.” Louis took the phone, “Hello ...... “ he said into the receiver, “Mom?” Sone smiled to herself happy to hear her sons voice, “Yes Louis ... it’s mom ..... how have you been?” “Good,” Louis replied.

~*~

Everybody looked at Mrs. Anwar’s lifeless face one last time as she was lowered into her burial place. Everybody came up to Noy and Joni and gave their condolences. Noy, Joni and Rumsy piled into Joni’s car and headed to the hospital to visit their dad.

~*~ 2 years later ~*~

Noy marched down the stairs to the sight of her dad and step mom getting all mushy. “You know what you should really respect me more .... and get a room ......” Noy said rolling her eyes. Sone looked at Noy and gave Mr. Anwar a fake “I’m hurt” look, “Look your daughter doesn’t like me .....” Noy takes in an impatient breath, “Dang I guess you’re getting smarter Sone ..... when did it hit you that I actually hate you!” Noy turns her attention to her dad, “Dad your bitch is actually smart .... I guess she’s not as dumb as I thought she was!” Mr. Anwar slapped Noy, “Noy you have to respect your step mom more!” Mr. Anwar shouted. Noy put her hand to her cheek and looked at her dad angrily, “Why do I have to respect her .... You got married to this bitch only after a year of mom’s death ....... Is that respect Dad?” Mr. Anwar was stunned as he watched Noy stomp out of the house. “Where are you going Noy!” Mr. Anwar shouted after her. “Why the hell do you bother asking if you d! on’t really care dad...... Admit i t you want me to go .... you want me to go so you and this bitch won’t have anyone to bring up your guilty consciences!” “That’s not true Noy ...,” Sone said trying to sound convincing, but deep down inside she wanted Noy to just disappear off the face of the earth, “Your dad and I are very concerned about you.” Noy laughs sarcastically, “Damn you sounded very convincing .......BITCH!” “That’s it Noy!” Mr. Anwar roared, “I’ve had enough with your attitude and your guilt trips! I’ve had it with you! Give Sone and I some respect or get out of my house!” “Well I’ve had it with you and your bitch Dad! I hate you!” Noy shouted back grabbing her bag, “I’m outta here!” Noy walks out of the house empty handed with nothing but the close on her back and the accessories that her mom had bought her. Sone smiled happily as she watched Noy walk out of the gate. Noy turns back to face her dad one last time, “I hope mom comes back for you!”

Louis hops in his car and heads to the beach house that Patsone, his brother, had bought. The sky darkened, so Louis decided to take the shortcut. While driving Louis noticed a car on the side of the road, “Hmm I wonder what‘s up?” Louis asked himself. Nonetheless being the kind hearted person he is he pulls over to ask if they needed some help. As Louis approached the car the sky became dark and the wind blew. Louis shivered and shook off the feeling. Louis looked into the drivers side and was surprised to see a young girl sitting there furiously dialing her cell phone. “Sawadee krup, mee roung arai krup?” Louis asked. The girl didn‘t respond and continued to dial her cell phone. Louis asks again, “Mee roung arai krup, yak hai pom chouy ru mai?” Louis takes a good look at the girl. She had a small face with little red lips. Her long jet black hair outlined her exotic pale face, making her seem like a ghost. He listened quietly and realized she was crying. The girl finall! y looked up, with pleading eyes. A lthough it was dark and Louis couldn’t see the girl that clearly he noticed that somehow she looked very familiar. Then she spoke in a small airy voice, “Help me please, help me” her voice cracked as she said each word. Hearing her voice sent a chill up Louis’s spine. Then suddenly a bright light flashed and blinded Louis’s sight.

~*~

Welcome to Bangkok, the sign read. Noy sighed, “This is gonna have to be home for now,” Noy told herself, “I can probably forget all the shiet,” she said trying to convince herself. She pulled her baseball cap lower over her big brown eyes and trudged along in the cold rain. Lost in her thoughts Noy shifted her backpack to her other shoulder and walked aimlessly. Suddenly a car horn blared behind her. Noy whirled around as bright headlights exploded in her vision. Noy screamed as she felt the impact of the car skidding past her and gasped as the car grounded to a halt just inches past her. Noy remained in place, staring at the car, her whole body trembling. Patsone hoped out of his car, “Are you okay? I’m sorry ....I was in a hurry ........ my brother‘s in the hospital,” he said looking at her shivering body, “Are you okay?” Patsone asked again looking at Noy’s scabbed knees and elbows, “Look since I’m heading to the hospital anyways why don’t you let me take you to t! he hospital just to make sure ther e’s nothing broken. Can you walk?” Patsone asked, “I’m guessing you’re too in shocked to respond ......” Patsone scooped Noy up and placed her in his car carefully and headed to the hospital. Noy rested her head on the cushion of the car seat and closed her eyes, happy to be out of the rain.

~*~

The sun streaked on Louis’s face as he struggled to open his eyes. “He’s regaining consciousness!” He heard someone say. Louis opened his eyes and saw his family gathered around his bed with worried expressions on their faces. “Where am I?” Louis asked when he realized he wasn’t in his own room. Sone began to cry, “You’re in the hospital Louis. You‘ve been out for weeks!” “What?” Louis asked surprised, “How did I end up in the hospital.” Patsone cleared his throat and spoke in an “I told you so” tone, “Because you were a reckless driver ..... you‘re lucky there was no one else on the road,” Patsone shook his head disapprovingly. “What! I don’t remember getting in a car accident. The last thing I remembered was helping some girl........” His mom interrupted him before his finished his sentence, “What! You got out of your car in the middle of the night to help out some stranger! how many times I have to tell you not to talk to strangers!” His mom shouted. Louis laugh! ed. Mr. Scott gave Louis a look an d scolded him, “How can you be laughing at something like this Louis. It almost cost you your life.” Louis sighed, “I’m still alive ain’t I? You guys gotta lighten up.” “Well now that you’re okay ... Imma head back to my new husband,” Sone said, “If you need anything just call me up okay ... hunnie,” Sone said kissing her son on the forehead. “Take care of your brother Patsone,” Sone said walking out of the room. Louis sighed, “She’s always leaving us isn’t she .....” “Forget about her,” Patsone said, “As long as we got each other.” “Patsone’s right,” Mr. Scott said, “We’ve made it on our own before .......” All of a sudden there was a sharp scream on the other side of the room. “What the heck,” Louis asked looking around to see where the scream was coming from. Patsone cleared his throat, “You don’t mind sharing a room do you?” “Depends on who I’m sharing the room with. Who is it?,” Louis asked still skeptical. “I don’t know .... I accidentally hit her when I was on my way ! here,” Patsone responded. “Will yo u stop that!” Noy yelled, “That stings! How would you like it if I did that to you ...... daymnnnnnn! Ahhhhhhhhhh!!!!!” “Calm down Miss ... we’re just trying to clean your wound .... then we’ll check for broken bones,” the nurse said. Louis gave Patsone a look, “She’s a little noisy ...... I don’t know .......” “Come on Louis,” Patsone pleaded, “I owe you big time if you let her stay here okay?” Louis rubbed his chin, “Umm okay .... I guess.” Louis looked at Noy as she struggled against the nurses trying to give her a shot to make her sleep. “I don’t want to sleeeep!” Noy shouted trying to resist. “Relax,” the nurse urged soothingly.

~*~

Joni marched into the kitchen. Mr. Anwar looked up, “Hey son ..... you’re just in time for dinner. Take a seat .... Sone is cooking us her special today.” Joni looked at his dad unblinking. “Is something on your mind?” Mr. Anwar asked. Joni took a deep breath to contain his anger, “How can you kick Noy out of the house?” Mr. Anwar cleared his throat, “Noy doesn’t have any respect for anybody ....... and I will not tolerate any kind of disrespect towards Sone. That rule goes for you and Rumsy too... Now if that‘s all you wanted to talk about .... you can leave now before I get very angry.” “I can’t believe you Pa .... you changed ... It’s like Sone brain washed you ..... remember when Mom was alive .... You really loved us dad .... but now ... everything’s changing ......” Joni walked out of the room. “Where you going Joni,” Mr. Anwar asked, “Don’t you want something to eat?” “Imma go look for my sister dad ....” Joni responded angrily.

~*~

“Here’s your medication grandma,” Lynn said in her wispy voice. “Thank you Lynn,” Grandma said, “I don’t know what I’d do without you. My own grand kids doesn‘t even take good care of me the way you do .... Where‘d Taya go?” “Umm I think she went out,” Lynn replied. “Ahhh the undependable grand daughter of mine ... Taya,” Grandma whispered. Lynn smiled, “I thought you said that you other granddaughter was coming to stay with you .... what was her name ....” “Oh yes ...Araya .... she’s the baby .....,” Grandma laughs, “Everybody loves Araya.” “She suppose to be coming over right?” Lynn asked. “Yeah she called me and told me she was coming over ..... I don’t know what’s taking her so long.” “Oh I met one of the guys that just moved into the beach house next door,” Lynn said changing the subject. “Oh how was he?” Grandma asked. “He was nice,” Lynn replied, “My car broke down and he stopped to help me out,” Lynn said with a mysterious grin. Grandma nodded her head, “Is he you! r type .... You know I wouldn’t mi nd throwing you a wedding Lynn ..... I love you like you’re one of my grand kids.” “I’m too ugly no one would want an ugly girl who already has a kid ,” Lynn said. Grandma laughs, “Don’t lie to a blind old woman Lynn .... I might be old and blind but I can tell by your personality that you’re very beautiful .....and besides your baby‘s very quiet ... I don‘t think they‘d mind” Lynn began to feel sad, “Actually I already have someone .... he’s my baby’s father ... I’m just waiting for him to come back ....”