Where do we go from here?
*
End of part 3:
Ang gave me a look that told she wasn't ready to tell me about her income. I hoped it wasn't something illegal. "When we get home, and can sit down with a beer, I'll explain a lot of stuff to you. And, don't think it is anything illegal or immoral," she paused for effect, "or fattening - unless I stop swallowing those little pink pills in the morning."
We found a parking spot and began to walk into the grocery store. I took Ang's hand in mine.
"I like Vietnamese food, too Wil. I'll drive to my favorite store someday and pick up a few things I like."
Ang clung to me peacefully and comfortably. We walked the isles of the store picking and choosing different foods we both like. Most of it was fresh foods and foods needing refrigeration.
"We can go to your store after we get home and put away these things. I'm interested in seeing where you shop and what things you like. You'll have to teach the teacher."
Ang became gleeful at the thought we could shop for her foods together. "Don't be surprised at what you see, and hear, and smell. It's a different world than what you're used to."
"Don't forget, you have something to tell me later."
Part 4
With groceries loaded, we were on our way home. "Wil, the short story is that Vietnam pays me a small wage to serve in the role of Princess of the Realm. It is equal to about a thousand dollars a month. Wil, when we go the Vietnamese store you will have to accept what you see. They know who I am."
I felt an unease come over me. "Will that affect how you and I are?" I know the answer without hearing it and I wanted to hear it.
Ang bowed her head and spoke softly. "Yes." She turned and looked at me with pain in her eyes. "Just so you keep remembering, I am not lying about how much I love you."
The rest of the ride was silent; I sensed Ang was deep in thought and confusion. We got home and stashed away the groceries. Beer was in the refrigerator staying cold.
Ang told me to wait for her in the kitchen, "I need to take care of a couple things."
My eyes beheld my princess when she returned to the kitchen. This time she was a Princess dressed in a traditional way. I couldn't speak, she was more beautiful now that she had been in her shorts and shirt.
"You are a princess with a capital 'P'."
"Dr. Hoffer," I thought about this for a while in the car. I wish I could say you are the man I'm in love with, but for now, can you play the part of a senior advisor?"
I nodded my head. "Much different than roles I'm used to playing. And, I've never been in love with a princess or a Princess."
"I promise to show you my gratitude when we get home." She looked at my pants then smiled, "I see you are getting ready for gratitude."
The shock of a life time awaited me at the big Vietnamese store she directed me to. "I must go in first, Wil."
The store went on alert as Ang entered. There were gongs and bows and what I could only comprehend as welcoming salutations. Ang spoke carefully and people began to relax their tenseness. She used Vietnamese and I heard her speak my name distinctly, "... Doctor Hoffer ..." Then she spoke English for my understanding. "Doctor Hoffer is my close confidant, advisor, and professor at the university."
I didn't expect her to say confidant for what it could imply. Then she continued with more in Vietnamese and English, "I have come to be close to him and greatly respect who he is in my life."
I wondered if the people there understood the double meaning possibly implied. I began to pick up the vibe that they knew we were lovers despite the vast age difference.
Ang bought many different foods telling me the benefits of eating each. She picked a couple of items that she said would make me very virile. The smile on her face told me what she was hoping for.
"Should I start eating now?" She smiled even more broadly. "How much should I eat? How virile do you want me to be?"
Ang then picked up another item that she said was for her. "This ointment is a stimulant for me." The wink told me to be prepared.
"Won't these people know we are lovers if you buy all these things."
"Yes. Try starting with three of these now," she handed me three. "Chew them slowly no matter how bad you think they taste."
I bit into the first and the taste was worse than her warning. As I chewed, however, the taste became more pleasant. It took about five minutes to completely chew and swallow one. I chewed the other two equally slowly.
There were stares and smiles as we checked out and left the store. "How do you feel, Wil? What are you sensing?"
