Mama drove to Bell Street. Oak trees lined the street. The houses were modest and rectangular. All of them were made out of brick with a different trim. When Munch got into the car, for something reason it didn’t even occur to him that they would be going to Thahn Ho’s house. Mama pulled into the drive of a white brick house with black trim. Le threw off his seat belt and burst out of the car. He ran to the front door and opened it and shouted, “Ong noi, I’m home!”

Mama said, “Good grief that child is quick.” She jumped out of the car rushed to the open front door. Munch followed close behind. .They might not be in there long. Mama came to an abrupt stop at the front door. An older gentleman stood there. He wore thick glasses and hearing aids. His accent was pronounced. Mama seemed to understand him, but Munch didn’t have a clue.

Mama said, “It is good to meet you Mr. Phan, I am Estelle and this is my son, Michael?”

The old man looked at Munch with confusion.

Mama continued, “Huong called me and asked me to take care of Le for the night. I’ve come to get his things.”

The old man nodded. Distinctly he said, “Thank you. Le is much.” He let them inside.

The house was sparsely furnished. It only contained what was necessary. Simple chairs and tables. There was a deep blue fold out couch. Two things were in abundance in the living area, potted plants and framed art work. Some of the art was obviously Thahn Ho’s, others were not. There was one Japanese ink drawing on yellowing rice paper of trees in the mist. It was delicate and beautiful.

Le was in the kitchen banging doors and slamming drawers as he fixed himself a peanut butter sandwich.

Mr. Phan shook his head. “My chau trai.” He turned to the kitchen and said something very firmly in Vietnamese.

“Sorry Ong noi!”

In English, Mr. Phan said, “Come, get your things.”

With peanut butter sandwich in hand, Le led Mama down the hall. Munch followed. He was hoping for a glimpse of Thahn Ho’s room. He passed a door with drawings of kittens on it, but it was closed. He would keep his door closed too, if Le were his little brother.

In Le’s room Le gave Mama doughy instructions as to where his things were, while he ate. In the center of his room was a table with an entire Lego city. It even had cars. Munch asked, “Did you make this?”

“Yup, me and Ong noi did. Some times Papa helps.”

“It’s really good.”

Le studied the table a second and said, “Yup it is.”

Mama got Le’s clothes, his tooth brush, pillow and a stuffed alligator named, Ca Sau. The alligator was big and could probably eat Puccini in one bite if he wanted to. They went back into the living room. Mr. Phan was on the couch watching television. The volume was rather loud. Mama said, “We are leaving. It was a pleasure to meet you.”

“You too.” To Le he said, “Be good.”

Le smiled brightly and said, “Of course.” He ran to the front door, threw it open and headed outside.

“Bye,” Mama said as she ran after him.

Mr. Phan smiled and said, “The house will be quiet tonight.”

Munch smiled. It would be.

*

Before they headed out the door for Karate, Mrs. Duong called to check on Le and let them know that Thahn Ho had come out of anesthesia and was doing better. That was such a relief.

The red Volkswagen was packed. Mama and Max were in the front seat. Lolly was still at the hospital with Trevor. This was fortunate in one way because there wouldn’t have been any place for her to sit tonight. In the backseat were Mitzi, Le, Munch, Puccini the bear and Ca Sau the alligator. Both Mitzi and Le were so excited. Neither of them had ever been to a Karate class before. From time to time they punctuated the air with a chop.

The class was held in a small studio, much like a dance studio. There were thin gray mats on the floor and mirrors on the walls. The class was supposed to start in January, but something had happened that had pushed it back to February 5th. The room was divided into two sections. One was for older kids and the other was for the little kids. Mitzi saw a girls she knew. “Look Aunt Estelle, Sunny’s here!” She shoved Puccini into Mama’s hands and ran across the room.

Disgruntled, Le said, “I didn’t know there would be girls in my class.”

Mama said, “Go on Le, there are some boys.”

His voice caught a little when he said, “But, I don’t know them.”

Though Mitzi had not needed an introduction, Le did. Mama took Ca Sau and said, “Come on, I will introduce you to the teacher.” She held out her hand and Le took it. Munch watched them cross the floor. Mama was practically having to drag Le over to the teacher.

As soon as Mama was out of ear shot, Max asked, “Does Grandma Toady know about our trip to the barn?”

“If she does, she didn’t hear it from me.”

Max’s eyes narrowed and he asked, “Lolly?”

This question did not deserve an answer so Munch remained silent.

A man with hair cut very close to his scalp, came out of the office wearing a white uniform. He bowed to the class and said, “I am Ito-san. This uniform I am wearing is called a keikogi. Some call it Gi, others dogi. I choose keikogi because it means cloth of practice."

The words, cloth of practice seemed to echo inside of Munch. They spoke to him on such a deep level. Cloth was his muse and clothing were his art.

Ito-san continued, "All of our lives are about practice. You practiced to roll over as a baby, to crawl, to walk. In this class you will practice the art of Karate. You will learn how to defend yourselves. Your will grow strong and confident. Each of you will have to earn your keikogi. That is for later. Tonight we come together as a class. We will do some simple exercises to limber our bodies. Follow me. I will go slowly.”

The slow movements were not hard for Munch to follow. He loved to dance and in a way the movements were like a very slow dance. Max was struggling a bit but he was determined. They both were. The exercises seem pulled the tension from Munch’s body. Ito-san’s calm voice broke through all the chaos in Munch’s mind. He felt his anxiety begin to ease. Too soon the class was over and Munch had really like it.

Max said, “That was so cool. Kevin needs to come to this. I think it would be good for him.”

Kevin was Max’s very tall, very thin friend. Would Kevin want to come to a Karate class? If Lolly was in it he would. That boy had such a crush on Lolly.

Across the way, Munch saw Le and Mitzi with Mama. By their animated faces he could tell they had a good time too. In that instant he realized neither of them had had a single outburst during their class. That was close to miraculous. On the way out of the studio, Mitzi clutched Puccini in her arms. As for the alligator, Ca Sau, Mama was holding him. Obviously, Le didn’t want the other boys to think he loved a stuffed animal.

On the car ride home, Le was very quiet. Mitzi was not. She told Munch, “I was really good. You were too. I saw you. I want to be a ninja. I want to wear a keikogi and chop wood with my hands and feet.” She was thoughtful a few moments and then she said, “I will miss dance recitals, but when I am older I can compete in tournaments and kick everybody’s butt because I am going to be so awesome.”

Oh, to have the confidence of youth. Munch had no aspirations of competing in any tournaments. He just wanted some skills so he would feel a little safer in his world.

*

It was after 10:00 p.m. when Munch heard a car in the drive. He looked out his bedroom window. He saw Trevor’s sister, Amber’s Mustang. Lolly got out of the car. She waved at Amber as she backed out of the drive. The instant the car disappeared, Lolly broke out into hard sobs. Munch was through his window in less than a minute and running toward her. When he reached her he asked, “What is it Lolly? Did something happen to Mr. Long?”

Her voice quavered when she said, “Not yet. It’s awful. He’s scheduled for by pass surgery early tomorrow morning. He will be in intensive care afterwards for I don’t remember how long. Oh, and Amber said, he really appreciated the card you made.” She paused took in a deep breath and said, “Trevor’s mother hates me. She was so awful today. Amber called her B— to her face and she wasn’t even phased. Worst of all,” Lolly’s voice broke. “Trevor told me that if his dad dies, his mom is moving back to Dallas and taking him with her. He doesn’t want to go. He hates his mom. Oh Munch I don’t understand how any one could be so selfish and mean.”

Munch wrapped his arms around her and said, “Of course you don’t. You are so kind and generous, nothing like her.”

Grandma Toady came out onto the front porch. “That you Lolly? It’s cold outside. You need to come in. Hey Munch. Nice PJ’s.”

Lolly pulled away from him. She said, “I’m coming. Just a sec.”

“Okay, but hurry up. It’s late and you have school tomorrow.”

“I will.”

Grandma Toady went back inside.

Lolly asked, “How is Thahn Ho?”

“She is doing better. Her mom called and she said, that she was able to have a little jello and she kept it down. She’s groggy, but mending well so far.”

“Oh, Munch that is so good to hear..”

A voice called out, “Hey, Crunchy, aren’t you supposed to be in bed?” It was Le, leaning out Munch’s bedroom window.

Lolly’s voice brightened a little when she said, “So you have a visitor. How’s that going?”

“Not so bad. Mitzi has trained me well.”

“I bet she has.” She gave Munch a peck on the cheek and said, “Love you buddy.”

“Love you more!”

“Not possible.” Lolly turned from him and ran to the trailer.

Munch went back to the house. When he reached his window Le asked, “Is Lolly your girlfriend?”

“No.”

Le argued, “She is too. She kissed you. I saw. Man, you just got so many cooties. I bet you got a whole city of cooties on you.”

Munch reached up and grabbed Le's arm. "Now you're infected too!"

Le squealed.