Untamed (Completed)

10. Decisions

The sun was up, high in the sky.... scorching heat was creeping up into the atmosphere. Arthit's mom was sitting inside the little shade, on a chair, near the backyard garden.

Arthit and kong were sitting on the tiny patch of grass in the backyard. Arthit picked through the rocks that surround the island of grass, selecting the ones that catched his eyes and placed them in a pile. Rose was intrigued by the interaction between Arthit and Kong, and the way they move around each other, like the Moon with the tide......

'When one moves the other follows'

It bothered her slightly, to watch how often they touched each other. Throughout the day they held hands and touched each other's hair or arms or cheeks.

Rose thought that she shouldn't feel that way, She owed Kongpob such a debt of gratitude for taking care of her son in this condition.

But.....she can't help herself though. Every time Arthit reached for Kong's hand or Kong brushed his fingers through Arthit's hair, it sent a little stab of 'jealous pain' through her heart.

She planned to have a talk with Kong sometimes soon, to find out his thoughts and feelings about Arthit...if he's willing.

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It took Arthit a long time to fall asleep that night. Kong believes having his mother around will take some getting used to. At least that's how he felt

Kong let his fingers linger a moment longer before slipping them from Arthit's soft hair and placed a gentle kiss to his temple as Kong eased himself from the bed.

He was not surprised when he tiptoed out of the door and almost bumped into Rose. All day he has felt like she's wanted to say something to him.

"Kong, do you mind if we sit and talk a bit ??"

"Sure... We can talk in the living room"

She nodded and followed Kong

"Can I get you anything ??
Some snacks...A cup of tea ??"

"No, thank you. I'm fine dear"

Rose and Kong sat in silence, her eyes shifting nervously around the room, while Kong picked at the small lint, on the knees of his jeans

"Do you...always sit with Arthit while he falls asleep ??"

Rose's question cut through the stillness of the room

"Yes...."

She looked directly at Kong

"Do you stay all night with him, sometimes...??"

Kong's face burned with embarrassment

"I have, Sometimes I fall asleep while I wait for him to doze off"

Kong was not comfortable with this at all

'Does she think I am taking advantage of her son ??'

Silence fell around them again, heavier this time.....

Rose opened her mouth to speak several times, but closed it again without saying a single word

Kong couldn't take this silence anymore

"I don't take advantage of him, if that's what you're worrying about"

"Kong..... I..."

Her voice trailed off, but her reddening face tell Kong it's at least crossed her mind

"I'm sorry, Kong. I...just...this is all so difficult to process. There aren't a lot of people in this world that would take on a challenge like Arthit, so I'm trying to understand"