The senator laughed “I’ll interpret that as a need for privacy,” he said. He backed away from the truth. He sensed it already and it was really none of his business. In a strange way he was even beginning to like their presence. It was the closest thing he had to family, and so he told himself that maybe he should enjoy it.
Jatupon looked out across the senator’s spacious living room and then returned to the center where they were. He noticed a bowl on an end table. The bowl contained wrapped caramel within it.
“Help yourself,” said the senator as he passed the bowl first to Kumpee who was seated nearest to him.
They chewed. The senator continued translating pertinent bits that were anchored on the news program. “America under attack” was the logo at the bottom of the screen. The brothers had no label for this snack but they knew that it was catered to the higher status of palate and because of this they ate it gluttonously. The taste and the gummy texture were foreign to them. Jatupon thought of his own insatiable need for sweets any time he saw his aunt. If she continued to buy candy necklaces for him to slobber on she continued to care and it was for that reason that he craved for sweets so voraciously.
“The wrappers are labeled with the names of American states on them.”
“Yes, I like caramel. I always have since Chusanee and I were married. She liked them so much. Anyhow that’s over now. By the way, I’m not sure if you know this, Jatupon, but after your mother and father separated briefly, your mother went away to the states. You were born in America.” Jatupon sat there in numb surprise with a caramel square smashed into the back of his mouth. He didn’t chew or swallow as the senator elaborated on a trip that their aunt had arranged for their mother to give her some time to think. “I’m mentioning it to you now because you are American and you should know that fact if ever you have an opportunity to travel. It is easier with an American passport.”
Then his face focused on the images. A second tower imploded. How many thousands were dead and dying was anyone’s guess. It was a horrible thing and yet he felt that they all, rightly or wrongly, were linked together in the belief that gluttony and poverty were the main instigators. He wondered if his brothers thought that justice was being rendered.
Later, when Jatupon was returning from the bathroom, Vanont stopped him and asked him to go into the study. Ten minutes later the senator came in and sat down at his desk. He handed Jatupon a can of Coca Cola. The senator had a second one that he also opened and drank.
“Why do you think that your brothers have been so persistent about seeing me?” asked the senator.
“I don’t know for sure. That’s the truth. I don’t think there is anything too planned in it. They’re selfish. I know that. It was wrong how Kumpee arranged the meeting. Even Kazem thinks that; but it isn’t so calculating for a bunch of boys with no real family—not even with each other—to want to know their uncle. I know that you aren’t married now and it isn’t as if you are an uncle like blood or have to have anything to do with us. Anyhow I think more than anything they just wanted to meet someone respectable when their lives aren’t of any consequence. At least that is how I feel about it. Maybe they think that they can get something out of it but I don’t think they’ve really isolated what they want. Maybe it isn’t much more than just wanting to feel a bit linked to you. I guess I want that in ways, but in ways I don’t. I mean you’ve been really nice but I don’t understand why you didn’t go to my parents’ funeral. There was nobody really but us. Nobody came at all really.”