Chapter 13

All four entered. This temple featured a large Buddha who lay on his side. While Pad marveled at the recumbent figure, RJ focused on Pad, who still hadn’t said anything since they left the garden. Other tourists streamed past them. RJ inched next to Pad so close he could see the glisten of perspiration on the back of Pad’s neck. Without asking, RJ grabbed the back of Pad’s arm then slid his hand to stroke it.

Pad turned and smiled in response. “This is amazing, don’t you think?”

“What?”

“Just the size of this thing. I think it’s beautiful. Don’t you?”

RJ looked at the statue, and shrugged. Looking at this religious symbol didn’t do anything for him. His family never pushed church and only went twice a year. He only came here to Thailand to have fun, to visit Chaz, and now, as luck would have it, to spend time with Pad before he left.

“Hey, Pad, let’s talk.”

Pad nodded, stepped out, barefoot, and scanned for his shoes.