Thursday night, Munch was in the studio altering a pair of slacks for his mom, when Lolly came upstairs with Fluff in her arms. She had small suitcase slung over her shoulder. She said, “Just thought I’d bring some of my stuff over early.”

At first Munch’s brain went, What? And, then he remembered. THAT MAN was coming home tomorrow. How in the world had he forgotten! He had been so wrapped up in Thahn Ho, his brain had skipped right over basically everything. Fluff hopped on Lolly’s bed which he regarded as HIS bed. Munch wasn’t sure bringing the cat over was such a good idea. What if Fluff decided to spend the night? Lolly unpacked her suitcase and hung her clothes up on the clothes rack. There was something off with her. Munch asked, “Are you okay?”

“I guess. I just talked to Amber, her parents are making plans to go to Corpus Christi for the summer.”

Munch asked, “For the entire summer?”

“Right now, its just for two weeks.”

“That doesn’t sound so bad.”

“Yeah, but according to Amber her mom has been super agreeable since Trevor’s dad got home from the hospital. She doesn’t trust it. I don’t like Mrs. Long, but geez, Amber hates her own mother. I can’t even imagine what that feels like. Amber said her mom keeps saying things like, the beach will be soothing, and the sun and salt air are so invigorating. According to Amber, the two weeks will stretch into a month and then the entire summer and then forever. Her dad is being patiently agreeable and Amber is worried, he may just give in to moving. I don’t want them fighting anymore its not good for Amber or Trevor but I sure as hell don’t want them to move. I just have such a bad feeling about this.” She sat down on the bed beside Fluff and absently stroked his head.

Munch said, “Trevor won’t leave here. He told me so.”

“Yeah, me too, but that was when he thought his dad might die. Now, I think he would consider it and really,” her voice broke, “as much as I hate to say it, he should be with his dad. I’ve seen Mr. Long and he doesn’t look good. I don’t think Trevor would do anything to upset his dad or want to miss whatever time they have left. I just hate that his mom is so manipulative.” Huge tears rolled down her cheeks.

Munch put down his sewing and sat beside her. “I don’t know what to say except what Grandma Toady says, All you have is now. Now Trevor is still here. Now its Spring not Summer. Don’t get ahead of yourself. I am thinking a man who had major heart surgery won’t be able to leave his doctors.” A sob shuddered through Lolly. Munch hugged her tight. “Don’t get sucked into Amber’s drama. No one knows what’s gonna happen.”

“I know. Still, I sure wish I did know.”

“Do you really? Usually we aren’t ready for the future until it gets here.”

Lolly pulled back from Munch and looked him right in the eyes. She asked, “So when did you become a philosopher?”

He smiled at her. “Didn’t ya know, I’ve always been one.”

“Yeah, right.” She buried her head in his shoulder. “Why do some people have to suck so hard?”

“I don’t know.” Downstairs, Munch could hear his mother humming. It was what she did when she was happy. And of course she was happy since that man was coming home. Of all the mothers in the world he had gotten her. He was lucky. He could have been stuck with a mom like Mrs. Long.

Lolly pulled away from him. “I got some homework. I best be getting back.” She didn’t asked Fluff if he wanted to go, she just picked him up. He looked some pissed but he didn’t hiss. Lolly headed for the stairs and said, “See you in the morning.”

“Yeah.” He watched her go down the steps. He heard Mama wish Lolly a good night and then the back door opened and closed. Life was never easy. Lolly and Trevor were such a great couple but they had their problems too. Poor Trevor. To have such a selfish mother must be terrible. Down stairs Mama was still humming. It was good to hear her happy. The questions, Am I going to keep begrudging her her happiness? Why can’t I just accept that this is what has happened to my life and my family? Some marriages weren’t happy or good and maybe it was too soon to tell, but what Mama and that man had seemed to be working so far. Plus that man was Lolly’s Pa. If the two people he loved most in the world loved the same man maybe it was time for him to stop acting like a spoiled brat. He didn’t have to be best bud’s with Trace Phelps, but maybe he could stop being overtly hostile.

*

Friday morning was tough. Mama was fairly dancing on air, so great was her happiness that, that man was coming home. Munch did his absolute best not to be an ass hole but gosh it was hard. Several times he had to stop an eye roll before it took off. It was a relief to have his lunch packed and his books together. He gave her a peck on the cheek and went out the door. The morning was cold, but bright. All the new leaves were fresher and bright with dew. Spring was in full force. The earth smelled clean. All around them cotton farmers and maize farmers had turned the soil of their fields. The time for growing had come. For some weird reason he wondered if it hurt when seeds opened and broke through their shells. Oh God, the places his head went sometimes.

Lolly and Max were already at the bus stop. Lolly looked happier than she had last night because…he knew why. Her pa was coming home. If his daddy could come home for even an hour he would be happy. He must not begrudge her, her happiness. All at once he felt so odd. Not so long ago the only happiness he really thought about was his own.

As for Max, he stood beside the road lost in his own thoughts. If he noticed Munch’s arrival, he gave no indication. The rumble of the bus sounded down the road. It was strange how the bus would just suddenly appear bright and orange yellow in the mornings. It stopped on the road beside them and they climbed on.

In moments they reached Trevor’s stop, but he wasn’t there. He must have a track meet or something. That meant that Lolly would go to the library alone today. One characteristic that he and Lolly shared was that they both liked being alone. She could be with her precious books in her favorite space without the distraction of Trevor and all his family woes. As for Munch, when they reached the school, he was off the bus first and headed for the art room. He so wanted to see Thahn Ho.

The dash down the hall was swift. His heart picked up a beat or two as his hand grasped the door know and swung open the door. She was already at the table. She looked up at him and smiled. The smile went straight through him. For just a second he felt like he just might cry. Good gravy, his emotions were a pain in the ass. He went to their table and sat down. The first thing she did was ask, “Michael, are you all right?”

How did she know? He lowered his voice, “It’s just Lolly’s dad is coming in today and I…” He had no idea what to say next. The last thing he wanted to do was come off as some weirdo who hated his best friend’s dad.

She finished the sentence for him. “It is hard to let others into your life.”

He nodded. Quietly he admitted, “I have been a real jerk to him and I’m not sure I’m done being a jerk.”

At this confession she smiled. “You are trying to not be a jerk. That is the beginning. I will keep you in my thoughts.”

Oh how he liked being kept there! He felt a huge grin spread over his entire face. “Thank you. That helps.” Her lack of judgement and encouragement made him feel like he just might get through the week with Trace Phelps.

Too soon the first bell rang. It was then that he noticed Quack was not in the art room. Where was the big dummy? He and Thahn Ho stepped into the crowded hall. Side by side they walked to Thahn Ho’s lit class. It was hard to leave her at the door. Still, there was painting class. He would see her then.

One by one his classes came and went. The day was racing too quickly to its conclusion, a conclusion that lead to the situation he really wanted to avoid.

The last bell rang. Chaos erupted as everyone poured into the hall. In the sea of bodies swirling toward the doors and freedom, Munch saw Thahn Ho. She saw him and slowed her pace. People rushed passed her but she kept at her steady rate. When Munch reached her, she said, “I wanted to wish you courage and tolerance.” Her eyes shone bright for him. She pulled a piece of paper from he coat pocket and slipped it into his hand. Briefly her fingers touched his palm. For an instant time seemed to just stop. He looked down at his hand. It was a note, carefully folded. Did it have words or a picture? Her gentle smile curved her lips. She bowed to him and rushed down the hall.

Munch put the note in his jacket pocket and then counted to sixty before he headed for the front doors. He made it outside in time to see the green Volvo pass by the main entrance. Thahn Ho raised her hand to him. He held up his hand for her. Le was in the back seat and he made a goofy face at Munch. Crazy kid.

Dark clouds suddenly appeared on his inner horizon. Other couples were parting on the sidewalk. They hugged or smooched or just lingered together. It hurt to watch. He turned away and headed for the oak tree that had burst into tiny green leaves. The wind moved through them. He pulled the note from his pocket and unfolded it. It was typed. She must have done it in her typing class. He read:

A daydream takes me; I go into the private darkness of light.

The darkness differs significantly from reality, but it is still the reality

of a cow chewing the sunset; on one side is the yellow sunrise, on the other the darkness of sunset –

the faint border between

reunion, separation, reunion.

From “A Journey” by by Thahn Thao

Munch was not a literary guy but he knew Thahn Ho was sharing something precious to her. Sometimes he didn’t have to understand. Sometimes the gift of sharing one’s devotions was enough. He had talked to her a little about his issue’s with that man. She was aware of his struggle. She cared about his well being. That meant something. In this moment it meant everything. He put the note back in his pocket.