My Heart Was Wounded Deep
Chapter 49's

Kikan was impressed with Rey's house. The house was nice with three bedrooms and two bathrooms built by Rey and Jason themselves, and there were many wall panel improvements, shiny marble floors, wooden staircases, and a lot of wall panels, various equipment of stainless steel, and beautiful cabinets. Kikan wondered what it was like to live in such a place, and felt a little envious of them. Especially when stepping behind the house and seeing they have a large yard with a small path to the pool that Jason mentioned when he picked up Kikan.

" Wow, this is great" he said.

Rey was taking care of the grill, but she turned to smile at him. Rey is proud, but not as proud as Jason, who takes Kikan around the house.

"We're going to have a cool party if the air's not too cold" Jason said.

Jason waved to his mother to follow her back into the house. "Come on. I showed Mom my room."

Kikan finds himself interfering too much when going up the second floor, to a more private part of the house, but Rey does not forbid. Rey closes the grill hoods and accompanies them up the L-shaped staircase, as if she too is eager to see Kikan's reaction.

" What about mom?" jason asked as they walked into the room that was clearly a teenage room.

The furniture was harmonious, and it was something new to Kikan. And there were ceiling fans, wardrobes, and autographed sports posters hanging on the walls. "You're a lucky boy. That's my opinion, your father is able to give you so much" Kikan said.

The boy stuffed his hands into his pocket and looked around as if he was looking at all of it with a new look. "Yes, I know. But that doesn't mean it's not fun that there's a Mom in my life."

Being moved by Jason saying that when Kikan didn't have much to give him, Kikan smiled. "Thank you, that's so sweet."

Her expression of gratitude must have embarrassed Jason as he lowered his head and continued to show off the house. "This is Papa's office" he said as they walked into the next room.

The office is not as clean as the rest of the house, but also not dirty. Just messy. From what Kikan sees, it's clear Rey is running a successful business, and Kikan feels very happy for Rey and Jason. Rey has everything Kikan doesn't have. But we love Rey so much that we always expect the best for her.

" How long have you been holding your contract?" he asked while staring in awe at expensive computer systems, as well as work desks and bookshelves.

In addition to the brief greeting, Rey let Jason play the host, but now he answers this question. "When I was twenty-two. I got it right after graduating from university with a degree in management economics."

" Management economics?"

" It's basically a business degree."

Kikan touches a smooth wooden surface. "What do you think is more valuable to you? Your education? Or practical experience?"

" In construction, practical experience is more valuable to get the job done. But there are many good contractors out there who can build a house but cannot run a business. So I think those two things are necessary to be able to earn in the present."

" That's why Jason's also going to college to get a degree, right?" Kikan teased, then nudged his son.

" The plan is so." Jason pointed across the room. "This is my father's bedroom."

Kikan did not feel the need to look at Rey's bedroom. He hopes Rey will stop Jason and take him down the stairs, to the living room and kitchen. But Rey didn't do it, and Kikan said nothing. He was very curious. Besides, they built all this. They don't show her what they can afford, they show her the fruits of their labor.

Jason took her to Rey's bathroom and the clothes storage area next to her, which, when combined, was about the same size as her bedroom.

" It's amazingly big here" said Kikan, half expecting his voice to echo on the marble floor and the granite countertop.

" I thought about selling it again when I built it" Rey explained. "I don't need this much space, but women generally like it."

" I'm sure they like it." Kikan couldn't bear to not compare that space to where he lived. The bathroom wasn't even half of Rey's wardrobe. "Your hard work is great."

The look they meet. "Thank you." Said Rey.

Kikan looked away. "And if you don't sell it, I'm sure your wife, if you find the right woman, will love it."

" That's if Papa finds the right woman" Jason murmured. "It's hard if Papa doesn't date."

Rey did not react immediately, so Kikan tried to divert the conversation with a calming answer. "It's hard to meet someone when you're out of college and working, especially if you live in a small town."

" And that means you're going to have the same problem" Jason said, frowning. "But there are no dating sites to find a partner. That's how many people now find a partner."

" A lot of people? I didn't know that" Kikan turned to look at Rey. "You met the woman you dated over the internet?"

Rey shakes. "Never tried it." Said Rey.

Kikan opened the bathroom to check that the place was big enough for two people, with benches and all the gear. "I have never been either. I don't even know where to start."

" It's easy" Jason said. "Like Facebook. mom can learn it fast. I can help you guys use match.com"

" Please be a matchmaker for your father" Kikan said with a laugh. "I think I'm delaying that for a while. I'm also not sure my profile is interesting enough, ex-con, poor, hated by the whole community, looking for love while living in the trash and taking care of his sick mother."

Kikan laughed at the thought of someone reacting to something so sad, but they seemed distracted instead of entertained. "Oh, that's it" he said. "It was just kidding. I'm fine, I'll be independent later. And I'll find someone when I'm ready."

" Why not find someone who can help you through it all?" ask Jason. "Mom doesn't need to mention anything."

" You mean I can lie, like everyone else?" Kikan laughed again. "No, thank you."

" Mom is beautiful" said his son. "If you put up a photo, Mom can attract more men."

" Because a lot of guys aren't smart enough to know that they need to pay attention to more than just looks?" kikan said jokingly.

" That's not all you got" Jason argued. "There's a lot of good things about Mom, things that don't have anything to do with the past."