When "Summer Lovin" goes "back to school" in a whole different country. Greaser Kit meets good boy Ming while on summer vacation with this family in Thailand. Now, back home in the USA, he's left his love in the foreign land and is starting his fi...
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"Ming!"
"Ming!"
"Mingkwan!"
I have just met the man of my dreams. Excuse me for being distracted. I glare at my brother who in turn breaks out in a fit of giggles.
"What, Rune!" I say with an eye roll.
"I've been trying to talk to you for ten minutes. What has you so zoned out?" Rune wonders.
Rune is seven. He came as a happy surprise to my parents. He knows I like boys, but I think I'll leave explaining I met the one for another day.
"Nothing, just enjoying the sun." Which is partly true. This staycation of ours was highly needed. My poor parents both work in stressful jobs and we didn't see them that often. It was nice getting to spend time with them when they both weren't glued to their phones or computers.
"You want to go to Dusit Zoo tomorrow?"
Rune's eyes light up. "Yes! You know I want to be zoologist when I grow up."
Yes, I do know that. Last year he wanted to be a doctor, the year before an actor, and on and on. Rune does love animals and he takes special care of our dog and cat.
"Ming! Rune! It's getting late. Let's go get some dinner," our mother calls. Gathering up our belongings we run to catch up with our parents.
Is it tomorrow yet? Sigh...
*************
Rune wakes me up way before I need to be but in my excitement to see Kit again I don't mind. We are both showered, dressed, and on our way to the front desk by 9:30. As we round the corner I'm surprised to see Kit and Kaari already there waiting.
"P'Ming! Good morning!" Kaari greets.
"Good morning!"
"Who is this cute nugget?" Kaari asks looking at Rune.
Rune has a look of awe on his face staring at Kaari. I think I detect a crush.
"Rune," he whispers.
"My brother," I provide since Rune has lost his ability to speak.
"It's nice to meet you n'Rune."
"You too, p'Kaari," Rune says with a wai. Our parents would be so proud right now. Rune has always been a polite kid.
"Are you excited to see the animals?" and with that one simple question I see Rune fall more in love with Kit's sister.
"I love animals! I want to be a zoologist when I grow up," Rune exclaims as they start walking out of the hotel leaving me and Kit still at the desk.
"I see my sister has a fan. Your brother is cute...like you," Kit adds making me blush.
I find Kit to be incredibly handsome and adorable. I think it's the dimples that brings out his adorableness. "You too," I say quietly earning me that dimpled grin.
"Shall we..." he says.
I nod my head and we head out.
It takes about an hour and a half to get to the zoo, but the drive is a nice one with Kaari and Rune singing to the music on her phone.
"I'm impressed with how well you speak English. As you can tell our Thai is rusty," Kaari observes.
"Our mom is a translator and knows several languages. She started teaching me English when I was old enough to talk. I've learned a few more as I've grown older. She did the same with Rune. Our dad on the other hand only knows Thai and English and the three of us have fun having conversations our dad can't understand," I say with a laugh. Our dad gets really mad when we slip so easily in and out of the languages we know.
"Dad says we can't speak in other tongues in front of him," Rune adds laughing too.
"But it's so much fun right?" Kaari asks Rune.
Rune nods his head yes still giggling.
"Oh wow look at this place Kit," Kaari exclaims as I park the car.
"This has been around since the late 1800's but it started as a botanical garden. It didn't transition into a public zoo until the 1980's," I explain. After paying the entrance fee Rune drags us first to see the elephants and camels quickly followed by the seals. Before he can whisk us away to the next stop I suggest that we eat lunch. At the food court we settle on KFC. After we eat Rune wants to go feed the animals but I can tell Kit would like to go on the water bicycles.
"I would love to go feed the animals, n'Rune. Why don't we go do that and let our brothers go on the water bicycles?" Kaari suggests.
"Let's go, p'Kaari," Rune says taking her hand.
"You be good for Kaari, okay."
Rune waves as he and Kaari take off towards the hippos.
"So, I guess that just leaves you and me..."
Kit smiles taking my hand and we set off towards the water.
