The other night Ma’am called from Thailand. I was sitting at Frank’s Bar on Fulton. the football game on the tiny TV was a distraction along with Rosa the svelte Vietnamese homegirl bartender. Before opening my flip phone I told everyone to be quiet. They knew my story and concentrated on their drinks.
“Mai mii daeng.” Wife # 2 was broke.
“I’ll head down to Western Union.” Money went fast with four kids like I was an NGO for the Buddha Foundation, but I knew the mah weell before I had my first child. My mother raised six kids on my father’s single salary.
“If you not want go. Not go. I mother. I take care babies.”
“Hoop barg, tilat.” Telling a woman to shut up was never a good idea unless they wanted money were are 9000 miles distant. “I’m going.”
I hung up and signaled everyone at Frank’s to resume their conversations. Most of it was about Brooke Shields selling eyeglass lengthener.
“It’s no good for you and you get raccoon eyes.” One elderly lady laughed, but Rosa checked the mirror for the length on hers. Her eyes fluttered and she smiled at us. I ordered another beer. Beauty was a beast and no math will tame its soul.