37. The dentist
Peter Hart, the x-priest from Australia now living in Bangkok, had boy problems. It started when his Thai boyfriend walked in and spoke matter-of-factly about his travel plans.
- You NEED a holiday in Europe? asked Peter.
- Yes, said the boy. I wan go Farangset. Pari. I wan see Eiffen Tower.
- I could use a holiday in Europe too. You could even say I NEED it. Do you think money grows on trees?
- My friend go lat mon. Him say ticket only 35 thousan baht. Go Air Fran.
- Is that your friend the ABAC guy? His dad is rich. He can go anywhere he wants.
- I wan go nek mon.
- Next month? And 35 000 is for the ticket only, right? Plus hotel plus living expenses plus pocket money. You are dreaming. Forget it! If I had that kind of money I would go back to Melbourne to visit my family.
Peter watched the boyfriend develop his personal storm cloud. The boy turned his back on Peter and left without a word. He compensated for his cold silence by slamming the door.
Peter was bald and when he was angry one could see a vein pulsate on the left side of this head. The vein was now clearly visible even as Peter sat down and tried to breathe slowly. The ungrateful little scamp, Peter thought. He is demanding a trip just to pick a fight. A holiday in France? Why not throw in the Riviera and the Swiss Alps while he is at it? He knows I can’t afford this.
*
As much as Larson enjoyed the company of Lek he didn’t mind when Lek left at noon to do some errands. A Malaysia hotel room was not that big and Larson felt Lek was sitting on top of him most of the time.
Lek had not asked for a single baht and Larson was touched. When Bjorn called and said Lek was a moneyboy this was easy for Larson to dismiss as the paranoid fantasy it was.
Larson thought about the tooth filling Lek had lost. Lek had to get that fixed soon before it became worse. Lek said he liked me so much, thought Larson. He said I am his type. Judging from how he is in bed he means it. This is Thailand as I had imagined it - a steamy romance with a Thai stud.
When Lek came back Larson had made up his mind.
- I want you to go to the dentist today, said Larson.
- I no money, said Lek.
- I will pay for it.
- No, no, said Lek. I wai. Boss pay me two week. No problem.
- I insist, said Larson. You are in pain. You must have that filling replaced quickly before the tooth is damaged. You risk an infection if you don’t have it repaired.
- Never mind, said Lek. I no pain. You save money you.
- Nonsense, said Larson. Go to the dentist right away. I will give you the money.
And so he did. Larson went to the ATM across the soi to get cash and Lek, still saying he didn’t need any help, went to the dentist. Larson felt he had done a good deed.
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