The Bad Son (Book 2)

Chapter 45

Phupha stared at Can with his tousled hair, jeans and one of Tin's white dress shirts. He had woken up before Tin, starving. "Hey kid, do you know where a guy can get some food? I'm starving!"

Pha pointed to the laden breakfast table, not saying a single word. Can's tummy grumbled loudly. Can laughed in delight. Pulling out a chair, he sat down. "Hey? Where are the plates?"

Again, without a word, Pha pointed. Can sighed. "That's too far. Are you finished eating, kid?" Pha nodded. Can reached over and took his dishes. Pha rarely ate everything he was served. Can ate what was left and then helped himself. 

Phupha gasped. "That's dirty! We have plenty of food. I can get you clean plates, Mister!"

Shaking his head, Can simply said, "Waste of good food. I'll eat it. Don't like to see it go to waste. Besides, I'm always hungry. Who are you?"

"Master Phupha Medthanan" Pha puffed up his chest importantly. "Who are you?"

"Can Kirakorn, nice to meetcha." Can was still busy eating as Tul crawled into the dining room, rubbing his temples. 

"Ah, I see Tin has mended fences. I'm Tul." He crawled into a chair. "Pha, get daddy a coffee, please." Pha sniffed. 

"No. I'm late for school. Ring for a maid." He huffed out since he was upset. He knew that daddy had been drinking. Daddy broke his promise again.

Tul sighed and whispered confidentially, "The maids hate me. I don't suppose you have any sympathy for a man with a hangover? Pour me a coffee?"

Can shrugged. "I hear you tormented Tin. Want to tell me why?" He found the coffee carafe and poured two, one for each of them. He slid it to Tul and sat down again. 

"Ah, well, besides being young and dumb? I thought I could save the world and got caught in the trap I set. I was too stupid to get help." Tul shrugged. "I really fucked Tin up because of her manipulations, but you know something, I always loved him."

His head hit the table. "I just couldn't protect him. I couldn't even save myself." He stood, a round mark visible on his forehead. "Look after him, Can, he's a sensitive boy, even if he hides it well." Tul disappeared, coffee cup in hand.

Can shook his head. "This is one fucked up house."

"That's not nice to say, even if it's true." Tin commented, sliding his arms around Can's waist from behind. "I see you found breakfast. Your nose lead you here?"

"Pretty much. Why is there so much food cooked?"

"Habit, I guess. Cook wants to ensure we eat in the morning." Tin took a plate and began to eat. "I ensure all left over food goes to the temples." He glanced at Can's shocked face and laughed. "Nothing is wasted, Can. I have the money, but money isn't always the best way to help. Food is a better choice in helping. I choose to feed people. That way, the money they earn can be spent on shelter or clothes, even education."

"Oh." Philanthropy wasn't a word in Can's vocabulary. "Is this a family thing?" 

Tin shook his head. "No, Father gave charitable donations for the publicity. I think Tul does the same thing. I keep my donations private. I have several other feeding programs, some in rural areas. One donation program is helping farmers, from raising crops to selling. The area is so poor, they need constant funding. The government can't afford it."

"People should know, Tin. They call you so many bad names. Why do you hide it?" Can tried to wrap his head around this.

Tul reappeared, and with a laugh, "Ah, poor Can. Tin wants to be underestimated. He wants that bad image. It helps him with making business deals."