Charley Brindley - Sea Of Sorrows

“We’re not devout. We don’t even pray five times a day toward Mecca, unless we’re at home. And then we just go through the motions to please the people there.”

Now I was lost again, overwhelmed. Pattani Province. So many years since I’d heard those two words spoken. That was to be our destination on my return to Thailand.

“What kind of doctor?”

“What?”

“I wonder what kind of doctor you are.”

“Oh, just a doctor.”

“You said you were here in Bangkok before.” She ate a bite of rice curry.

“Yes.” I held up the empty glass for Ringy to see.

I don’t want to answer these questions. But I can’t be rude to the girl. There’s no reason for that.

“Over fifty years ago.”

“So long, and you remember how to speak our language.”

“When I arrived two weeks ago, I had some trouble, but then it began to come back to me.”

“You speak very well. Why were you here before?”

I turned my glass on the table, watching the condensation pool. “Such a simple question, Siskit. But the answer is so—”

“I thought you left.”

“And here comes Prija,” I said. “Interrupting as usual.”

“Interrupting what?” Prija said as she took a chair and my fresh glass of orange fizz.

“An intellectual conversation with my friend.”

“You have a friend?” She laid her cell phone on the table and smiled at Siskit.

“I stole her from you.” I took my drink from her and sipped. “I thought you were working?”

“I am working.”

“You won’t make any money goofing off here.”

“I might make money here. From you.”

“Not very freaking likely,” I said.

“He’s a doctor,” Siskit said. “And he has written sixteen books.”

“What kind of doctor?”

“Um…” I took a deep breath and let it go. “Gynecologist,” I said in English.

“What?” Siskit asked.

“A woman doctor.” Prija grinned at me.

“Just drop it, okay?”

Her phone chimed. “Gotta go work.” She stood. “Stay right there till I get back. We’re not finished with this.” She hurried away.

“Oh, my God,” I said. “Sometimes I think I should just keep my mouth shut.”

“Why? You don’t like being a woman doctor?”

“I like it just fine, but Prija is not going to let it go.”

Siskit smiled. “You’re right about that.”

“We were talking about you and your job. Are you in sales?”

“No. My job is logistics.”

“Sounds complicated.”

“Not so much. I use software to route goods to fill containers to the maximum capacity, then assign the containers to be loaded on ships going to America and Europe.”

She explained about using carton dimensions to calculate the most efficient filling of the containers. Then how to assign containers to ships in a particular order so that the ones to be unloaded first were on top of the stack.

“Wow. That’s fascinating. How do you—”

“I have this rash.”

“And she’s back.” I ran my hands down my face. “Monistat, Prija. Get it at the drug store. You don’t need a prescription. Siskit and I were in the middle of a conversation.”

“About me?” She smiled again, third time tonight.

I’ve got to get out of here before I spill the whole ugly story .

“Ladies,” I leaned back in my chair to take money from my pocket, “it’s been fun.” I stood. “I have to go.”

“Why do you have to go?” Siskit asked.

“I need sleep.”

“Tomorrow is Sunday. No one works,” Prija said.

“Some of us have to work every day,” I said.

“On women or books?”

“You’re never going to let this go, are you?”

She shook her head, grinning.

“I’m starting a new book tomorrow.”

“About what?”

“It’s a sad story. You wouldn’t like it.”

“I like to read.”

“You think you can read?”

“I read better than you write.”

“Goodnight, ladies.”

“Be ready tomorrow evening,” Prija said.

“We’re taking you to a nice restaurant,” Siskit said.

I waved over my shoulder as I walked away. I knew they were joking.

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