Summary

In June 1974, a Thai-born American photographer named Sammy flies from Los Angeles to London. His father, Apirak, has passed out while swimming, and the man's wife, Helen, urges Sammy to come to England as Apirak may die. Apirak is the ex-husband of Pehn, who is Sammy's mother. When Sammy arrives in London, his half-brother, Freddie, meets him at the airport. Freddie explains that Apirak is recovering. Sammy is surprised and slightly disappointed; he believes "he could have dealt better with finding his father in the state he'd expected" (41). As the two cab from the airport to the family house, the half-brothers talk about weather and work. When Sammy reaches his father's home, Helen greets him warmly. Sammy and Helen have an awkward relationship--Apirak left Pehn for her--but Sammy no longer hates her as he did before. Apirak is sleeping, so Sammy waits until morning...