Lom raced up the stairs to the small bedroom that had been Fah's. No one was there. He ran through the hallway checking each room. Upon returning to Fah’s room he noticed the note on the boxes:

None of this is mine. It all belongs to you. I only won the trophies because you paid for my lessons and equipment. Thank you for everything. Love, Fah

Lom felt sick to his stomach. Where had Fah gone? He ran to the kitchen. Taeng had her back to him, frying something. He tapped her on her shoulder; when she turned around she was crying, her nose running. She tried speaking but her lips merely quivered.

“Taeng, have you seen Fah?”

“Yes, he thanked me for being kind to him and said goodbye.” At this, Taeng let out a sob and fell onto Lom's chest. 

“Did he say where he was going?” Using both arms he lifted her off his chest to face him. 

“No, he only said he’d never be back here again and for me to take care of you.” Taeng wailed and again collapsed onto Lom. Hearing her words Lom felt even worse. 

Pushing Taeng aside, he ran out the back door hoping to find Fah waiting in the car. His SUV was empty and no one was in the driveway. Pulling his phone out of his pocket he called Fah's number; it rang but no one answered. Lom hadn't heard a ringtone nearby so either Fah wasn't in the area or his phone was set to silent. 

Running back to his SUV he jumped in and headed out to search the streets. He racked his brain for places Fah might have gone. Without a car, he would have called a cab and headed to the train, bus, or airport. He doubted the airport because Fah would be trying to use as little money as possible now. He tried the bus station first. He parked, got out, and looked around but saw no one. He tried calling and listening for Fah’s phone but he heard nothing. 

He proceeded to the train station and searched again to no avail. He walked to the ticket counter and asked when trains were heading back to the university. The agent told him one had just left and the next one was in two hours. After taking another look around, Lom decided to head back to the condo. Fah would show up sooner or later. 

Several times on the ride back Lom saw a train running parallel to him. He wondered if Fah was on it and if so, did Fah see his car? Once back in town, he encountered stoplight after stoplight which increased his stress level. Arriving at the condo he knocked but no one was home. Once again he drove to the train station. He discovered the train had arrived 20 minutes earlier while he was at the condo. He doubled back. 

As he pulled into the parking lot, he was shocked to see Fah getting out of a strange car. After Fah got out, Manao stepped out from the driver's side. They stood and spoke for a few minutes and then hugged goodbye. Manao left and Fah went upstairs. 

What the hell is going on, wondered Lom. 

Without knocking, Lom entered the condo. Fah was packing everything he owned. He glanced at Lom, remained silent, and continued his task. Methodically he emptied each drawer. He had two piles: one of folded clothes on the bed, and the other a heap on the floor. 

“What’s going on? Where are you going? What are you doing?” asked Lom.

“I don’t understand how it’s any concern of yours. I’m not part of your family. Instead, I’m the evil person who seduced you.” Fah spoke as if spitting venom, jutting his chin out and scowling. 

“I’m sorry about that, I have no idea why mom thought that. I guess Dad never told her about me,” Lom said, trying to appease Fah. He offered a small smile.

“Well, I noticed neither you nor Ton corrected her. You threw me under the bus.” Fah’s voice was dead and cold. His eyes flashed black. 

“Why were you with Manao?” asked Lom, trying to change the topic.

“Again, what business is it of yours?” Fah’s expression was icy. 

“I'm surprised. I didn’t think she’d ever speak to you again after yesterday morning.” Lom shrugged and tried another small smile.

“Yesterday morning, was it that recent? Hmm, yesterday morning I felt guilty about hurting Manao but I was happy because I was in love with someone who I thought loved me. It’s funny how stupid I can be and how fast the world can change. Yesterday I was a university student with a promising future, today I’m homeless and discovered the family that adopted me never considered me to be one of their own. I was always an outsider.” 

Fah stopped folding clothes to pull another suitcase out of the closet and began to fill it. 

“Why are you packing to leave? You could get a job and pay the rent,” said Lom.

“Do you have any idea what the monthly rent is for this place? I could never afford it without a degree. Besides, it’s not an apartment, it’s a condo. Your father owns it. He can make sure I’m out whenever he wants. I’m trying to avoid another scene so I’m leaving now.”

“Where are you going?” Lom asked.

“Again, asking questions to which you don’t need to know the answer. I’m not someone you love; as you told the family, I was a mistake. One you’ll never repeat. We all heard you say it.” Fah’s voice cracked as he spoke, and his eyes teared up but he continued packing. 

“First,  I said that to stop Dad from being angry. Second, I was still mad at you for sleeping with Mek. You said you loved me and then went right out and had sex with someone else.” 

“You said you didn’t love me so what does it matter?” Fah cocked his head to the side as he asked the question and glared at Lom.

“I didn’t say I don’t love you. I said I’d need more time to date and get to know you before I could be in love with you.”

“Semantics,” Fah snapped.

“What about you and Mek? Our first fight and you ran right to a bar, left with the first person you knew, and fucked him?”

“What I do and with whom is not for you to comment on. Besides, or did you forget, I already got to watch you fuck him.” 

Lom could tell Fah’s anger was growing. He'd never seen him this angry. It was all going so wrong; no matter what he said it upset Fah all over again. Maybe, if he hugged him, Fah would calm down. He walked towards him and Fah backed up. 

“What are you trying to do?” asked Fah. Lom said nothing and smiled as he reached out to hug Fah. 

-Thwack!

Lom’s cheek stung from the slap. His hand went to his face as he looked at Fah in astonishment. 

“What the hell?” 

“Don’t you ever touch me again! You had your chance. I offered you everything and you said you didn’t love me, you said I was a mistake. You didn’t defend me when your mother accused me of seducing you and you stood by as the only family I’ve ever known threw me out. You took no responsibility for your part in all of this.” 

Instead of screaming, Fah’s voice had gone soft and menacing. Hatred emanated off him in waves. Lom was shocked. He walked out of the bedroom into the living room and sat on the couch. 

Had his words been that cruel yesterday? He had thought he was being honest. He hadn’t said they couldn’t become a couple but that he needed time. Why wouldn’t Fah listen to him? Fah was right – he should have said something and stood up for him to his parents. Even now he wasn't sure why he’d been such a coward; he'd never expected his mother to be so cold and calculating. 

Their whole lives Fah had been happy and calm. He seldom got angry. Remembering this he realized how deeply Fah must be hurting now. 

“Fah,” Lom said, softly. 

“What,” snapped Fah.

“I know you’re furious with me and I know I hurt you, but please, before you leave here, calm down and talk to me. You’re right, I should have stood up for you back at the house and I'll go back and do that. It's late, but I will. I honestly never thought they’d be like this. I just want to talk to you nicely, and I don’t have a clue as to what I can say to make things okay between us. What do you want me to do? I’ll do it. Please give us a chance to talk.” 

Fah didn’t reply. The sound of drawers and closets being opened and shut continued. At least the drawers are no longer being slammed shut, thought Lom. He got up and went into the kitchen to cook.