Thai

Aunt Oy's noodle stall on a Sunday morning, the phone just put down: Jack, what does your mother say?

Master Wichai's yard on Khlong Bang Luang in the morning: Master Wichai, may I have a minute?

The arrivals hall at Suvarnabhumi at five in the morning, Tee beside Jack: passengers from Tokyo, gate three; there they are, your mother hasn't changed; Mom asked me to tell you thank you; a friend's parents are our parents; Dad asked me to ask whether the boat is there; still there, tell him you came for a month; Mom told me to ask whether she may hug; wai first, and hug after: passing a message on.

The head of the soi at the pier, garlands of jasmine and cold water, Aunt Oy and Uncle Chai at the door: welcome, please come in; please sit, cold water first; Mom says that the garlands smell wonderful; the room upstairs is ready; my parents have a hotel already; a hotel?

The house behind the pier, Jack's mother giving the wai he showed her in the taxi: is this your mother?

Aunt Oy's table on the first evening, som tam, grilled fish and sticky rice from Grandma's basket: Jack, tell your father to have more; Dad says that he's full; in this house the guest eats first; your mother asks what this is called; som tam, Mom asks how many chillies; two, Grandma says that's not spicy; Thais ask whether you've eaten yet; Dad asks how to answer; I'm full, but one more spoon: a reported question keeps its question word, and the table words.

The mouth of the soi, Jack's father about to ride on the back of Nui's motorbike to the main road: I heard that your father's here; Pi Nui, go slowly please; I've heard that America has no motorbikes; Dad says that he used to have one; people say that American houses are big; Dad says that's half true; tell him this bike has carried a fridge; Dad says that now he believes it: I've heard that, and people say that.

Master Wichai's yard on Khlong Bang Luang, Jack's father holding a Thai adze: this yard has been here since my father's time; how many years have you been building boats?

A silk shop on Charoen Krung, Nam choosing with Jack's mother: come and look, looking is free; I'm buying silk for my mother; hand-woven, from Isan; choose for her, Jack; Mom says that she likes the blue; exactly the boats' blue, I painted it; two thousand five hundred, a mother's price; the blue, please, and Grandma asked me to buy for her too: for someone, with the giving word after the verb.

The pier at night, the last boat tied up, Tee and Bee with Jack: Tee, I want to ask Nam to marry me; ask her at Loy Krathong, on the river; don't let Mom know first; and Uncle Chai?

A gold shop in Yaowarat, the red counters, the shopkeeper: may I see the gold rings; this one has a blue sapphire; my girlfriend's finger is smaller than this; we alter it free, within two days; will it be done in time for Loy Krathong; in time, Wednesday, before Loy Krathong day; how much, with the sizing; twelve thousand, and good luck: in time, within, before.

The pier at half past five, the family's biggest long-tail boat loading for Ayutthaya, nine people: take water along in case it's hot; Dad asks whether there are life jackets; nine and a spare; nine bags of rice and extra for Grandma; Mom asks whether to bring the umbrella; in the cool season it doesn't rain, bring it for the sun; don't forget Grandma's cushion; Dad says that he has a spare rope: in case, and spare for.

The river wide and brown above Nonthaburi, the morning wind, Nam beside Jack at the bow: your mother smiles all the time, what does she say; she feels that the wind is nice and cool; and what does your father think; he thinks the river is wider than the lake; it seems that Dave wants to steer; I think Lung Chai will let him; it seems your mother is counting the temples; Mom says that every temple is beautiful: feel that, think that, it seems that.

A riverside noodle stall in Pathum Thani, Aunt Oy ordering for nine: welcome, pork or beef; Mom says that she can't manage spicy; Jack's mom's with no chilli at all; sure, and your father; Jack's dad has pork, a little spicy; Dad asks whether he may taste it; one spoon, and if he can't manage there's tea; Dad says that he can't manage any more: can't manage, and ordering without.

Four o'clock on the river by the old city of Ayutthaya, the guesthouse of Uncle Chai's old friend: ask whether we may tie up; may we tie the boat up here; yes, the whole week; Mom asks whether she may swim; no, the sign says no swimming; may Grandma sit on the pier; yes, in the rooms no smoking; Dad says that he doesn't smoke any more: may we, yes and no, and a sign that forbids.

The ruins of Ayutthaya on a Friday morning, a guide with a licence card: this was once the capital; please tell my mother about it; the capital for over four hundred years; Dad asks where the roofs went; it is said that it burned seven days; did boats come from the sea; it is said that boats filled the river; Mom says that it's the most beautiful of all: tell me about it, it is said that, and over a number.

The guesthouse terrace on the Thursday night, the giant river prawns of Ayutthaya and nine people for one photo: please take a photo for us; sure, stand a bit closer to each other; the two mothers next to each other; the two fathers, put your arms around each other; Dad says it's as if they've known each other a long time; look at the camera, not at each other; one more, Jack and Nam; then let's go eat the prawns together: each other, and together.

The Friday afternoon, a calm stretch above Nonthaburi, the tiller to a guest: as soon as we pass the bridge, your dad steers; Dad says his hands are shaking; as soon as he steered, your mother took a photo; rain, as soon as it falls we tie up; Dad asks whether to slow down; as soon as the rain stops we go on; as soon as we reach the pier, Mom opens the stall; Dad says as soon as he's back, he'll buy a boat: as soon as, then.

The house behind the pier on the Monday afternoon, banana leaf, marigolds and a candle on the table: let your mother try folding; Mom says that it's very hard; no, let me show again; Mom says it looks just like a hat; tell her the river likes hats; have Jack's dad cut the banana trunk; Dad asks why we light the candle; make a wish, and don't let the candle go out: let someone, have someone do, don't let.

The family's boat in front of the pier at eight, the full moon, the two families at the stern and two krathongs just floated, Jack and Nam at the bow: did your krathong float straight; straight, yours went in a circle, what did you wish; that you'd answer yes; yes to what, ask me; will you marry me; yes, yes since Ayutthaya; Dad will go and talk to Lung Chai; before that, don't call me fiancee: marry with, talk with, and yes in one word.

The pier at seven the morning after Loy Krathong, Tee untying the first boat and Bee with the coffee: so?

Master Wichai's yard on the Tuesday, Jack asking his teacher to stand as his elder: Master, Nam has said yes; I know, the whole river knows, what is it?

The pier on the Wednesday evening after the last boat, the lamps on, Jack alone with Uncle Chai while his father and Master Wichai wait at the stall with the sweets: Uncle Chai, may I have a moment?

The house behind the pier the same night, the sweets going round, the Reeds beside Jack: Uncle told me everything, son-in-law to be!

The family's table on the Thursday evening, Uncle Chai and Aunt Oy, the Reeds, Jack as the mouth between them: we agree that the engagement is after New Year; what does the groom's side bring?

The mouth of the soi on the Friday morning, Nui on his bike and the vendor at her fruit cart: I heard you're getting married, is it true?

The shed behind the pier, the old boat on her blocks, Uncle Chai and Jack's father with Jack between them: this is my father's boat, still not finished; why is it still not finished?

Aunt Oy's stall at five on the Monday morning, the pots and the charcoal, Jack's mother with a notebook: teach us how to make the soup; bones first, then wait an hour; how do you know it's done?

The family's table on the Friday night before the flight, Grandma and Nam, a box of sweets packed for the plane: although they've stayed three weeks, they're family; although Mom can't speak, she understands; I say one thing only, come back; your father's been quiet all evening; Dad asks me to say thank you; no thank-yous, we're our own people; although Grandma sounds strict, she's packed sweets; Mom's counting the days to January: although, with the little word for then.

Suvarnabhumi departures on the Saturday, the announcer, Aunt Oy, a silk scarf and a box of sweets in the hand luggage: passengers for Tokyo, please go to gate seven; take care, safe journey; Mom will come back in January; this house is your mother's too; Mom asks me to say goodbye to Grandma; give our regards to Seattle; Mom will miss you; I'll miss you, come back again: the words of parting.