Ong noi breathed in the cold air. His breath made a puff of white when he exhaled. He said, “It is good to smell the earth.” The look on his face was one of quiet exultation. With cane in hand he headed for the cow trail. Once there had been a tractor trail to the field, but it was now overgrown. Side by side, Thahn Ho and Munch followed him. The old man did not miss a thing. He saw the crow fly and the Spanish Moss in the trees. He burst into delighted laughter when a covey of quail burst into flight at his feet. He commented on all the new green leaves that were beginning to bud on the trees. “Soon,” he said, “Spring will be upon us. And all life will be renewed again.” As he walked he seemed to grow younger. It was as if Time was falling away from him. When they reached the stream, he stopped. His legs were too unstable to climb down the bank. With regret in his eyes, he looked at the bank he could not conquer. “It would be good to sit by the water, but,” a slight sparkle came to his eyes, “I will not grieve over this. Instead I will accept this gift of water music. If you don’t mind, I would like to listen in solitude. Do not go far.” He nodded at them and turned back to the stream.

Thahn Ho and Munch just looked at each other for a long second. Had they just been given the gift of time together? Thahn Ho said, “Okay, Ong noi. Call us when you are ready to head back.”

“I will. Now please go.”

Munch felt like his heart was about to explode from happiness. It was a rare gift when someone knowingly granted a person’s fondest wish. Side by side, he and Thahn Ho headed across the pasture to the old cotton field. As they gained some distance away from Ong noi, they drew closer together. Once they reached the shelter of the trees, Munch took a look around him, and then reached for Thahn Ho’s hand. This time it was not cold and clammy. It was soft and warm. He looked down at her and she looked up at him. In one move they came together. He had her in his arms. She pressed her face against his coat. He raised a hand to stroke her beautiful hair. It did not feel the way he expected. It shone like satin, but felt like rough silk. It was coarse and luxurious. His heart beat went up a notch. They were so close. He had never been this close to a girl before. He was just a tad taller than her. It wasn’t much, but for a short guy it was important. Shyly, she looked up at him. Her smile went through him, like no one’s smile had ever done before. How could this be happening? The next thing she did, surprised and delighted him. She raised her lips to his and kissed him. Though the contact was brief the sweetness of it traveled through his entire body. Shyly, she hid her face against his shoulder. He pulled her closer.

So many thoughts and sensations were rushing through him. He felt dizzy and excited and oddly at peace. They fit. As different as they were, they fit. He kissed the side of her head and pressed his cheek against her hair. She smelled of lavender and roses.

In the distance, Munch heard the hum of the tractor. It was Old Man Jenkins. He was bringing feed out for the wild hogs that lived in the woods. Thahn Ho and Munch broke apart. Both were a little breathless. Quickly, Munch drew Thahn Ho deeper into the shade of trees. The last thing they needed was to be spotted together by that crazy old man. In silence they watched his rickety tractor and wagon head into the woods. When he had disappeared, Munch reached for Thahn Ho’s hand. Her fingers curled around his. He drew her close again and tilted her chin up. Gently, he kissed her. This was an evening in his life that he would not forget. When he opened his eyes, Thahn Ho was smiling up at him. Neither of them took a second of their time for granted. Who knew when they would get to be together alone again.

Too soon, Ong noi call out, “This old man’s bones have grown cold.”

Thahn Ho called out, “We are on our way.”

Hand in hand they walked toward the stream. When they saw Ong noi, Munch released the warm hand in his. Letting it go hurt.

Ong noi was still focused on the stream. He heard their steps and turned to them. He smiled. There was a bit of mischief in his smile. He asked, “Is it not a beautiful evening?”

“It is beautiful,” said Thahn Ho.

A slow smile spread across his wrinkled lips. “Yes, it is. If you will agree Michael. We will come again. I must hear the water sing. It feeds my spirit.”

There would be another time. It was more than Munch had even hoped for. “You are welcome any time, Sir.”

“Good. Now, let us be on our way.” He put his cane out solidly in front of him and began to move forward. His pace was slow, but neither Thahn Ho nor Munch minded.

In the distance, Munch could see Grandma Toady on her porch. She was hard to miss in her poppy red coat. The sound of Mitzi tap dancing shattered the silence. So she was back to that again. When they reached the trailer, Grandma Toady was all smiles. Mitzi, thank God, stopped her dancing. The little girl saw Ong noi and rushed down the porch steps. She threw her arms around him and said, “It is so good to see you Ong noi!”

Ong noi said, “It is good to see you too.” Mitzi released him. Ong noi’s eyes went from Mitzi to Grandma Toady. He smiled and said, “You must be the famous Grandma Toady that I have heard so much about.”

“I am. And your must be the famous Ong noi.” Grandma Toady came forward and extended her hand to him.

Obvious admiration shown in Ong noi’s eyes as he took her hand. “It is a pleasure to meet you Mrs. Phelps.” The hand shake lingered just a fraction of a second long.

Munch wasn’t sure, maybe it was just the evening sunlight, but it looked like Grandma Toady blushed. “Please, call me Toady, everyone does.”

With a tilt of his head Ong noi asked, “How did such a lovely woman come to be called Toady?”

“I was blessed with four brothers and that’s the nick name they gave me. It just stuck.”

Ong noi shook his head, “American nicknames are very peculiar. If you do not mind, may I inquire as to your given name?”

Munch realized he had no idea what Grandma Toady’s real name was.

“It is Ruby.”

Ong noi smiled, “Now, that suits you. May I call you Ruby?”

Grandma Toady laughed. “It’s been so long since anyone called me that, I’m not sure I’ll know to answer to it. But, please do, it would be nice.”

With a slight bow, Ong noi said, “And you must call me Le.”

So Le was named after his grandfather.”

“Of course.” With a smile, Grandma Toady asked, “Would you like to come in and have a drink. Y’all must be thirsty after your walk. I have water, juice, milk, soda, koolaide and iced sweet tea.”

A smile spread across Ong noi’s face. He said, “Yes, that would nice. I would like some of that sweet tea, please.”

“Good as done.” Grandma Toady asked, “Munch, Thahn Ho what would you like to drink?”

Grandma Toady made the best sweet tea. “Tea for me,” said Munch.

Thahn Ho said, “The same.”

With a frown on her face, Mitzi asked, “What about me?”

Grandma Toady said, “I know what you and Puccini want. Koolaide.”

”Yup.”

Mitzi opened the door and they went inside. While they waited for their drinks, Ong noi took in the family photos on the wall. He whispered to Munch, “I do not see a grandfather in these pictures.”

From across the room Mitzi said, “He runned away a long time ago. I think he lives in Florida with his new better than us family.”

Ong noi did not know quite how to respond to this information. Fortunately, Grandma Toady came in with the tray of tea.

Munch wished this evening could go on forever.