Through the wall

XI

Two months after meeting Gun, Off was in a party shop with Sammy and his parents. It was a Saturday, and Sammy's birthday would be in a week. After much thought, they'd decided to go ahead and celebrate it. It had been several months since Nat's death, and though not much time had passed, Sammy was thrilled about her birthday and invited her school friends. Ploy, Off's mother, was helping them with the preparations. The party would be held in the garden, complete with a barbecue, bouncy castles, and entertainers for the children.

Sammy was happily picking things out with her grandfather, who was pushing her in the shopping trolley. A few paces behind, Off walked arm in arm with his mother, watching them and chatting.

"Darling, have you spoken to Lia?" Ploy asked.

Lia was the family lawyer.

"No, Mum," was all he said in reply.

She paused, gently stroking his head as she looked him in the eye.

"Darling, I know it's tough, but you need to go and see Lia to start the inheritance paperwork."

Off knew his mother was right, but it was something he'd been putting off.

"I know, Mum. It's just... I need time. My head's a mess, and I still can't get it straight. But don't worry, I've taken care of all the payments to keep things up to date—there are no debts—but I just... can't do it yet. I'll get to it soon, alright?"

"Alright, but don't leave it too long."

"I promise I won't."

"Right then, let's get a move on. We've lost sight of those two, and if we're not careful, they'll buy up the whole shop."

They finished their shopping and went for ice cream. As he looked out the window, Off saw him—his neighbour from next door, with his friend. He was always with her, or with that other guy. Each day he looked more handsome, and each day, Off liked him more. But it was impossible. He had too much going on to get involved in a relationship with a young man and all the new ways they approached things. He didn't want that. He'd only end up hurt again. He couldn't just trust and leap into the unknown... his heart couldn't bear that kind of pain again. And then there was Sammy. He had to be careful to ensure her well-being; he couldn't lose her.

He had spoken about it with Paula. She'd told him that there was no reason anything bad had to happen, that he was a good man and had every right to raise his daughter. But still, he was afraid. She'd also suggested that he talk to Gun, explain the whole situation, and let Gun decide. But the mere thought of it terrified him. Fear. It had been with him for years, and since Nat's death, it had nearly paralysed him. He felt fear was a wall that trapped him, yet he also saw it as a friend, a way to protect himself and his daughter.

"Darling, your phone's ringing. Aren't you going to answer it?" His mother's voice pulled him out of his thoughts. Off apologised and stepped outside to answer, realising that Gun had already left.

"Hello, who's speaking?" he asked, seeing that the number was unknown.

"Good afternoon, Mr Jumpol. This is Mrs Marly, the headteacher at Sammy's school."

"Good afternoon, Mrs Marly. I'm listening."

"Firstly, I'd like to apologise for calling you on a Saturday, but I couldn't reach you yesterday. I'd like to invite you to a meeting with our teaching team next Monday, after school hours. The initial assessments have been completed, and we'd like to share the results with you."

Off recalled that he'd missed three calls the previous day and had forgotten to return them.

"Yes, that's fine. Do I need someone to pick up Sammy, or can she be present?"