Page 29 of Follow My Voice
The story just keeps getting better and better. This guy leads a double life. I feel like I’m talking to Superman. By day, he’s a regular guy; by night, he’s a mysterious, masked singer. I can’t stop myself from giggling. I cover my mouth, but I realize he’s heard me. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s funny, I know. You can laugh, K.”
I press my lips together, holding in my laughter. “And what mask is it? Like the Flash?”
“Not far off. It’s actually…” He clears his throat. “Batman.”
I can’t help but crack up as I picture him singing in a crowded bar wearing a Batman mask.
Kang feels the need to defend himself. “It was the best option I could find. I needed a mask that would cover my face but still leave my mouth free so I could sing.”
I’m now laughing uncontrollably.
Kang groans. “Fine, fine, laugh all you want!”
I finally get ahold of myself, out of breath; a few tears have even escaped my eyes. I haven’t laughed like this in so long. I’d forgotten how therapeutic it can be.
“K?”
“Sorry, sorry. I’m here. Thank you! I needed that. I’m still curious as to why you need a mask at all though?”
“If making you laugh comes at my expense, then I’m okay with it. I’m glad I was able to do that for you. Though it was as much for my benefit as it was yours…”
Silence.
Kang coughs, then proceeds. “Anyway, I’ll save the story of the reason for my mask for another day. Now I know you’ll have a reason to continue to talk to me.”
Why are you saying these things to me, Kang?
I take a second to respond, willing my rapidly beating heart to slow down. “Well, then I guess this won’t be the last time you hear from me. Either way, I really enjoyed learning your dark secret.”
“I’d love for you to come see me play one of these nights. Are you twenty-one yet? I don’t even know your age.” Kang suddenly lets out an exaggerated gasp. “You’re not secretly an old woman trying to seduce a young college guy like me, are you?”
“That’s exactly it,” I joke. “That’s why I won’t tell you my name. So you can’t find me in the town’s nursing home records.”
“I knew it.”
I grin like an idiot. “What kind of music do you play?”
“That’s another part of the story you haven’t yet unlocked.”
“What?”
“My information for your information. Shall we resume negotiations?”
“Seriously?”
“Yeah. I mean, I don’t mind telling you about myself, but I know that if I don’t ask you for information in return, you’ll never reveal anything about yourself.”
I huff. “You talk as if you already know me.”
“Am I wrong?”
I hold in a chuckle. “Well… Since I already have to wait to hear more about your mask—what do you want in exchange for telling me more about your music right now?”
“Your name.”
“Fine, my name is… Claire.” It’s similar enough to my name, so I’m not technically lying.
