The Day We Met

Does He Make You Happy

Beam had been reluctant to return his sibling to the disorganized dorm. He couldn't sit somewhere comfortable anyway. The best spot for them to meet was Mo2 Ice because it was too cool outside for them to go for a walk. They could converse and eat, and given that they were on a college campus, Mo2 Ice was also reasonably priced. Perfect for them both.

Saturday, and it was somewhat crowded. Although other people were still waking up, they chose to have lunch, therefore this was their breakfast. But they managed to snag one after asking for a booth near the back.

It was a little less awkward this time around, something Beam hadn't anticipated. Phayu took his wallet out while they waited for lunch.

"I'll pay for my food," Beam said.

"It's not that." Phayu pulled out several photos and moved them to Beam along the table. "I didn't get to show these to you."

Beam captured the images while gazing into snapshots of his early life. "Are we this? He turned to Phayu and asked, pointing to a picture of two lads, the larger one with his arms loosely—not in a chokehold—around the neck of the smaller one.

Phayu leaned forward and brushed a few of the images away until he spotted one and said, "It is." He pointed at the man and woman in it. "Before we were born, our parents. I believe a few months following their marriage."

Beam stared. He noticed how much he looked like his father, with the same jaw and body, but with his mother's hair and height.

"You said you don't remember them." Phayu continued.

"I don't," Beam spoke softly.

While Beam took them in, Phayu remained mute. It took some time for him to set aside that particular image and turn to the others. They were present as a unit there. There was either Phayu or Beam as a baby— Beam, Phayu told him.

"Do you remember now?" Phayu asked gently, hopefully.

Beam shook his head.

Phayu leaned back in his seat. "You were young. It was a long time ago."

"I remember you." Beam was still mesmerized by the sights and still searching for a memory, but he wasn't able to tell if the images he was conjuring were genuine or just in his head. They didn't seem authentic. "I wish I remembered them."

"Keep them. Maybe something will come back to you."

Beam looked up at his brother. "I can't--"

"It's all right. I made copies."

"Thank you." Beam didn't know what else to say.

When they had done eating, they went outside, but Phayu didn't go back to his car right away. "Want to take a stroll? "He enquired. " You may show me around your school."

"I'd like that."

Beam walked with him. He pointed out which structures he went to class in, talked about what his classes were like or just things in general.

They had likely been strolling for 30 minutes when Beam heard his name.

"Beam!"

Beam and his sibling both turned. Forth was approaching them while grinning one second and then stopping as he must have understood who was with Beam. They did resemble one another. They shared the same eyes, were nearly the same height (Phayu was fortunate to be taller), had a similar-shaped face even though Phayu's jaw wasn't as strong, and had the same build.

Forth smiled once again as he approached them. "Sorry, I didn't know you were with-- Phayu, right? Beam told me about you." He held out his hand.

"This is Forth." Beam was unsure of another way to introduce him. His boyfriend? His friend? Since you hadn't seen your adopted brother in a few weeks and didn't know what he thought about homosexuality, there was no actual procedure on whether or not you should come out to him.