62. No return
- What? said Bjorn.
- You heard me, said Larson. I am staying.
- You can’t just stay.
- Yes I can.
- You must be joking, said Bjorn. You having a job to return to. A life. Obligations. Kids to teach English.
- Look at him, said Larson to the others and pretended to be insulted. - See how eager Bjorn is to kick me out of Thailand?
- You had sunstroke Pelle, said Bjorn. You are going to skip your return on a whim?
- You forget something Bjorn, said Larson patiently. I have this semester off. I can do whatever I want.
- No, said Bjorn. I have not forgotten that. But you have to go back to your studies at the university.
- Which is the point, said Larson. I study but I don’t have to be there. I have no duty to attend the lectures. I will have mom send me the books and my notes and then I can read Old English right here in Bangkok, in my hotel room.
- You are crazy, said Bjorn. You know that won’t work.
Robert Miller joined the discussion.
- Are you sure you will not be too distracted by all the temptations in Bangkok? asked Robert.
- It will work if I want it to, said Larson. All I have to do is to read every day and then show up for exams in Sweden in June.
The reaction around the table differed. Most were surprised. Bjorn was shocked. Lek was happy and Larson was satisfied with himself.
*
After the lunch Peter was eager to hear what was up with Robert Miller and the new boy. Robert had lived with Ae for many years and they looked happy. Why did this Tui boy suddenly appear? Had Robert broken up with Ae all of a sudden?
Peter called Robert’s mobile.
- I can’t talk right now, said Robert. I am on the Skytrain. But the keyword is part time.
- Part time? asked Peter, not getting it.
- I will call you when I come home, said Robert.
After a while Robert called Peter back.
- I have spent the last 20 minutes trying to decipher what you mean by part time, said Peter. But I am afraid that one was too cryptic for me.
- A part time lover, said Robert. I assume you know what that is?
- A part time lover? Yes, I know what that is, said Peter. But you have a boyfriend. I thought you and Ae were happy.
- We are happy.
- So what is this Tui fellow doing?
- As fond as I am of Ae, said Robert, I am not getting anything.
- Why?
- I don’t know, said Robert. But we have been together for eight years. He isn’t interested anymore.
- You want but it he doesn’t?
- I have to admit it gets boring after eight years, said Robert. But yes, I want some at least but he has lost the spirit.
- I didn’t think Thai boys could lose the spirit, said Peter. This sounds fishy. Are you sure Ae doesn’t have something on the side?
- I don’t think he has, said Robert. These things happen. Thais are not the sex machines they are cranked up to be.
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