Page 77 of Baby Love

“I’ll miss you,” he says, which melts my heart.

“I’ll miss you, too.”

I’m doing laundry when I hear a knock.

“Baby, it’s me.” I recognize Kiet’s voice through the door but look through the viewer hole in the door anyway.

“What are you doing here so late?” I ask, hugging him.

“I need to talk. Is that okay? Are you wiped out after your event?”

“I’m fine. Want a beer?”

“Sure.”

We sit in the living room, and Kiet seems to be looking everywhere except at me. Oh, crap. What if he’s gotten back with Daw and doesn’t want to tell me?

“Out with it,” I say, unable to stand the tension.

Kiet looks sheepish. “Um.” Focusing his attention on the label of his beer bottle, he begins scratching it off. “I, uh.” He clears his throat. “Cushion told me you know about that time we got drunk and slept together.”

I frown. “Yeah. She told me. “

Kiet looks embarrassed. “I know it was a stupid thing to do. That’s why I never told you about it.”

“You didn’t like her enough to date her?” I ask, getting pissed off all over again that he used her like that.

“I don’t know, Baby! She was a friend, and I was attracted to her. One night we were drinking, and she suggested it. I knew we shouldn’t, but we were so drunk and I was perpetually horny in college. We all were.” He glances at me, but I didn’t help him out. “I knew we couldn’t do it again and remain friends. Back then, I was testing the waters of being away from home and single. I wasn’t looking for a girlfriend.”

“Why are you telling me about it now?”

“Because Cushion’s been helping me through this breakup.”

“And you’re going to use her as a rebound?” I get to my feet.

Kiet grabs my hand and pulls me back down to the sofa. “No! No. But after everything that happened with Daw, I want to clear the air with you. I started to realize a while back that what you guys were saying about her might be true, but I resisted. She was different when we were alone together, and…hell, I don’t know. I was just confused. But Cushion’s helped me see that part of me just wanted Daw to force me into doing what my father wants me to do. I just wanted the decision taken out of my hands because I was being gutless. Anyway, Cushions been great, and I know it’s too soon to start looking at her in a different light, but if it happens someday, I want you to know I don’t take her feelings lightly. We’ve talked about the past and agreed that we’re friends. But I’m telling you that someday…well, maybe it may be more. And I want you to be okay with that.”

“I just don’t want you to hurt her,” I say, crossing my arms over my chest. “I’m glad you aren’t going to jump from Daw to Cushion. It wouldn’t be right.”

Kiet nods. “I understand. I know I shouldn’t date anyone for a while. I need to work on myself.” He smiles. “Cushion says I should open up my own hair studio.”

Grabbing a pillow off the couch, I smack him in the face with it. “I’ve been telling you that for years, asshole!”

Kiet comes at me with the pillow, and I grab another one, and we fight it out until we’re both rolling on the floor, laughing.

Kiet stays the night, and the next morning we’re sitting at the kitchen table eating some warmed-up congee when P’Park walks in the front door. I gave him my key, but I didn’t expect to see him this morning. I run to him and give him a hug, and when I pull back and get a look at his face, my heart stops.

“What’s wrong?” I ask. “P’Park…is it Anya?”

But then Anya pops her head around her brother. “P’Pear got hurt, P’Spin!” she says, bottom lip trembling. She rushes into my arms, and I hold her.

I look at P’Park questioningly.

“Pear was in a car accident this morning. Auntie had us drive her to the hospital. I need to go back there and be with Auntie. She doesn’t have anyone else, and she’s upset about calling her son to tell him about it. Could you watch Anya?”

“Of course,” I say.

P’Park seems to notice Kiet for the first time.

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