The shop sells mainly noodles, but does a roaring trade from mid-evening with Thais who like to drink hot milk before bed. Its buttered toast, dripping with honey, is also popular. Once the milk and toast go on sale, people turn up by the dozen to order. Some arrive on motorbikes, call out an order, and wait. Often the girlfriend or family members are perched on the back, already in their pyjamas.
The hot milk and buttered toast crowd compete for space with the noodle customers, who take a seat in the main part of the shop. They include tertiary students, just back from school. Many arrive on buses, and take a noodle together before catching a Suzuki (open-sided passenger van) for the final leg of their journey home.
I noticed the young man selling toast there last Monday. His job is to butter the toast, which he does wearing gloves, and with a fussy hand, which made me suspect he was gay. Most guys would just slap the butter on. This one applies it carefully all over, like paint.
Last week he wore his hair pulled up in a bun; last night, when I made a special trip down to see him, it was spiked. He has Chinese looks ...fine white skin, slender arms, almond-shaped face. His cutest feature is probably his lips, which pucker up when he talks.
I stared at him for ages last week, and he didn't seem to mind. He may have been too busy to notice. In any event, the crowds gave me perfect cover, for him and me both (assuming he liked the attention). For five minutes I was able to stand there, just metres away, and watch. If he was self-conscious he did not show it...and his parents, who own the shop, were standing even closer to him than me.
After taking another long look at him last night, I was still unsure if he was gay.
'I have seen a handsome guy down there. Tell me what you think,' I told Maiyuu.
Obligingly, he went down to order. His verdict?
'He's nothing special, and I watched him up close. He is the owner's son, and he's not gay.'
Maiyuu and I obviously have different taste in men. I don't know what he likes, but Mr Toast can butter my bread any time he likes.
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