Aunt Jessie wasn’t feeling well, Munch suspected lady troubles, but he didn’t comment on this. Since Aunt Jessie couldn’t take them to Karate, the burden of this naturally fell on Grandma Toady. Now, Grandma Toady had a bit of a lead foot and Munch did not much like going anywhere with her, but sometimes he had to, like tonight. Still, it might not be all bad. The evening sky was cloudless and a ride in the back of a truck might be nice.

When he got over to the trailer, Max was in a mood. Mitzi was too. Only Grandma Toady was her usual even self. Or was she? Munch sensed a slight difference. He couldn’t put his finger on it but he knew it was there. Grandma Toady was a bit on the scrawny side, but in Munch’s eyes she was lovely. He still remembered the first time he knew she loved him. It was at his failed sixth birthday party. She had been so kind and so interesting. Even back in the day, Munch was very aware of her sense of color and clothing choices. Grandma Toady had style. Tonight she was wearing pale green overalls with tiny strawberries embroidered on the cuff. In her hair was a matching bandana made of the same fabric as he soft pink blouse. She gave him a smile and said, “Come on in. We will be ready in a sec.”

Petulantly Mitzi said, “But I wanted Mama to see me fight.”

“She will, another day.”

With a scowl Mitzi said, “You know, you say that a lot. Tell me, just when is this ‘nother day gonna happen?”

There was a nod of agreement from Max.

Grandma Toady didn’t try to smooth things over, she just jumped right passed the question and asked, “Are you ready?”

Sullenly, Mitzi nodded.

Grandma Toady asked, “Where is Puccini?”

“He’s on my bed. Someone hurt his feelings last week and he refuses to go with me.”

“Okay.”

This was a first, Puccini never refused to go anywhere. He always went with Mitzi. Munch abruptly stopped his train of thought. Puccini was not real. He did not have thoughts. Sheesh. How could he forget that Puccini was a toy?

Lolly came out of her room and they were all ready to go.

Outside, Grandma Toady did not get into her truck. She crossed the drive to Aunt Jessie’s little Pinto. Max shouted, “Shot gun.” Lolly didn’t challenge his call. She put Mitzi in the middle of the back seat and strapped her seat belt and then she got in and closed the door. Munch got in on his side. The ride to the studio was pretty quiet due to Mitzi’ sulking and Max’s mood. Had Max talked to his mom yet about moving out?

Once they reached the studio, Munch saw Ong noi’s old Falcon. Hope instantly sprang up in him. Would the old man remember to offer him another lesson? Please God. They got out of the car. The night air was fragrant with the smell of exhaust and freshly cut grass.

Inside the studio, Mitzi broke away from Grandma Toady and hugged Ong noi. He smiled down at her and said, “Hello cô bé.”

Mitzi smiled up at him. “That means little girl. See, I remembered.”

“You did indeed.” He touch her lightly on the head. Mitzi gave him another smile and rushed off to her side of the room. The old man’s eyes then went to Grandma Toady. He bowed slightly and said, “Good evening Ruby.”

Grandma Toady actually looked a little flustered and Grandma Toady almost never looked flustered. She said, “Good evening Le.”

Max nor Lolly seemed to notice the exchange. They headed to their class and Munch followed.

During class, Munch noticed, Ong noi and Grandma Toady sat together and talked. What did old people talk about? They really seemed to enjoy each other’s company. Was it possible they might like each other? Did old people have feelings like that? Nah. As far as Munch knew Grandma Toady had not even dated since her husband left her years ago. He never understood why anyone would want to leave her. More than once he had heard Grandma Toady say, “One man was one too many for me.” But, what if he was a nice man, a gentleman like Ong noi? What the heck, seriously, he was thinking about this?

Ito-san said, “Michael, you are distracted. Focus.”

“Yes, Ito-san.”

After class was over, Ong noi brought Le over to where Munch was putting on his shoes. Mitzi had tagged along with Le. Before Ong noi could say anything, Le said, “On Wednesday we are gonna have ink brush painting class!”

Munch took a glance in Mitzi’s direction. He waited and sure enough she asked, “Can I be in that painting class. I color real good. I can show you if you don’t believe me.”

A gentle smile came to Ong noi. He said, “If your Grandma agrees we will try one lesson cô bé. All right?”

“Okay. Thank you Ong noi.”

“You are most welcome.”

Ong noi had such a calming effect on Mitzi. It seemed he was the only one in the universe who did.

Le protested, “I don’t want no girl in me and Crunchy’s class.”

Ong noi said, “I am the teacher. If you do not wish to participate in a class run as I see fit, you can stop. Do you want to stop?”

Le hung his head. “No Ong noi.”

Poor little guy. Munch honestly didn’t want Mitzi in the class either.

To Munch, Ong noi said, “Class will begin at 5:45. Le and I will be waiting for you both in the studio. See you then.”

Mitzi said, “See you then.” She gave Le a look of triumph.

Le glanced up at his grandfather and then quickly flicked his tongue out at Mitzi.

Since she had gotten her way, she just smiled at him.

Munch saw Ong noi cast a glance in Grandma Toady’s direction before he said, “Come along Le.”

Beside Munch, Lolly said, “Gees, I wish I was artistic.”

Mitzi asked, “Have you ever tried to be?”

Lolly shook her head, “No. I seem to lack the interest.”

On the ride home, Grandma Toady was humming under her breath. She seemed happy. It was good to see her happy. Grandma Toady carried the entire family on her shoulders and despite her steady personality, sometimes it wore on her. Mama thought Grandma Toady needed to let her kids grow up, and yet Mama had installed half the clan on their property. Adults, go figure.

*

Wednesday evening, Grandma Toady took Mitzi and Munch to the Duong residence in her truck. She had a little lipstick on and had put on a fresh dress with pansies on it. Mitzi asked her, “Are you gonna learn Ink brush painting too?”

“No Sweetie, I’m gonna stop by the church and change the sheets in the nursery while y’all are in class.”

Mitzi asked, “Then why are you dressed up for?”

At this question, Munch detected the slightest bit of a blush. Good God! Was Grandma Toady interested in Ong noi? She didn’t answer the question. She pulled the truck into the drive way and got out. Munch got out and then helped Mitzi out. It was then that he noticed she did not have Puccini. He wanted to ask where the bear was, but thought better of it. Was it possible Mitzi was out growing the bear?

Thahn Ho came out of the house. She said, “Hello, please follow me, Ong noi is in his studio with Le.” Though she smiled at everyone Munch felt like the smile was just for him.

Grandma Toady hesitated, “I guess I will head for the church.”

Thahn Ho said, “Mrs. Phelps, Ong noi had prepared tea. Please, join us.”

A nervous smile spread across Grandma Toady’s lips. “All right.”

Thahn Ho lead them through the back gate. Grandma Toady was quite impressed with the yard. So was Munch. Since the last time he had been there all the flowers and plants had been planted. There was a sea of flowers in different shades of purple set off by white cosmos. It was beautiful.

Inside the studio Ong noi greeted them. As usual Mitzi gave him a hug that nearly toppled him.

The tea was Ginseng. It had a slightly bitter flavor. Mitzi ladled so much sugar into hers it was syrup, but she drank it without complaining. Munch and Thahn Ho cast covert glances at each other. How was it possible to know some one you never got tired of being around. Munch got tired of everyone, including himself.

Too soon, the tea was drunk and Grandma Toady said her good byes. Munch didn’t know if it was his imagination, and he honestly hoped it was, but Grandma Toady was reluctant to go. Thahn Ho went with her.

Like everything Mitzi touched, she excelled at. Her lines were straighter and more fluid than Munch’s. They were almost as good as Le’s, but not quite. Le was aware he had competition and he was being extra careful this evening.

When the class was over, Ong noi was pleased with their progress. He told Mitzi, “Cô bé you have done well.”

“Thank you, Ong noi. Will we get to paint trees next week?” Mitzi was fascinated by the paintings of trees on the wall.

“Not yet.”

“How much longer?”

“A month or more.”

Mitzi cocked her head to the side and said, “I don’t think I can wait that long.”

“You will, if you want to be in this class.”

She let out a huff of air and said, “Well, I will try.”

“That is the most any of us can do.” He rose from the table and they stood up too. Outside it was dark. Little lanterns lit the yard. Thahn Ho was in the yard swing holding a cat. This was the first time Munch had seen her cat, Hoa. This was an old cat, older than Fluff. Why did she draw pictures of this cat as a kitten?

Mitzi asked, “Can I pet her?”

“Gently.”

With a careful hand, Mitzi stroked Hoa. The cat didn’t seem to mind. One thing Munch did notice was that with each stroke of Mitzi’s hand cat hair flew like dandelion fluff.

In the drive was the crunch of truck tires. Grandma Toady came through the gate. In this soft light she looked younger than her years. Ong noi said, “Hello Ruby. Come, join us.”

Curious, Munch glanced at Ong noi, the old man was smitten, and why wouldn’t he be? Grandma Toady was one of the best people in Munch’s world.

Pleasantries were exchanged. Thahn Ho stood up. Good byes came far too quickly. To Munch she said, “See you tomorrow.”

“See you.”

Once they were inside the truck. Mitzi asked Grandma Toady, “Is Ong noi your boyfriend?”

Flustered, Grandma Toady said, “Heavens no.”

“Well, he’s really nice and I’d like a Grandpa, so I think you should tell him he’s your boyfriend.”

“Sweetie, you don’t just tell someone they’re your boyfriend.”

Mitzi gave Grandma Toady a knowing smile. “I do and it works.”