Page 37 of The Sitcom Star
When he parked on a residential street, a block from their old elementary school, he felt like he was stepping back in time, to the days of Netscape and dial-up.He remembered when they’d gotten high-speed internet, not long before he’d started high school.
Yes, he came to this general area often, had even lived nearby for part of the pandemic, but he didn’t usually come to the school.More than anything else, though, it was being here with Maddie that made it feel different from when he was in the neighborhood to see his family.Unlike her parents, his had never moved.
They walked to the field behind the school.A few kids were kicking around a soccer ball; others were playing on the playground.
“They put in a new playground,” Maddie said.“When was that?”
“Ten years ago, maybe more.”
“Huh.What about the plaza?Is it the same?I remember getting bubble tea there in grade seven and eight.”
“The bubble tea shop is still around—well, it’s a different chain, but same location.”
“We should go.”She put a hand on his arm.“Instead of eating the tapioca pearls, you can shoot them out your straw.I remember you and some other boys doing that.”
He chuckled and tried not to feel embarrassed.If it were anyone other than Maddie, he wouldn’t be embarrassed by his thirteen-year-old self’s antics, but…
Dammit, he did want to kiss her again.
She seemed to take his silence as reluctance.“Come on!I’ll make it worth your while.”
Now that got his attention.“What do you mean?”
She waggled her eyebrows.“Let’s go.”
Well, he certainly wasn’t going to say no.
He got the same thing as last time—the last time he’d had bubble tea, which was also the first night he’d seen her in years—and they sat on a bench in a small park.
After a few minutes of sipping their drinks, she said, “How about we walk around some more?”
“As your ‘relaxation instructor,’ I’m going to suggest that we sit here for longer.Watch that dog, the kite that isn’t lifting off…” He gestured to a family.
“Yes, Mr.Ma.”
He didn’t have a thing for being addressed like that, he really didn’t, but when Maddie said it in a saucy tone, wearing that dress, the strap slipping down her tanned shoulder…
Well,shedid it for him.
“That’s what I like to hear,” he said, in a voice that didn’t sound quite like his own.He leaned toward her.“What—”
“Maddie!”
He straightened up on instinct, just in time to see an older Asian couple heading toward them.He’d seen them before, when they were younger, attending school concerts and—
Oh, shit.
“Mom.Dad,” Maddie said pleasantly, sliding the strap of her dress up her shoulder as she stood.“What are you doing in the neighborhood?”
“Visiting some old friends,” her mother said.“What areyoudoing here?”She flicked her eyes over to Adrian before turning back to Maddie as she awaited an answer.
“Wanted to see the old neighborhood,” Maddie said breezily.
Her words from earlier echoed in Adrian’s head.I’ll make it worth your while.
But they hadn’t counted on her parents showing up.
“Ah, by the way,” Mrs.Ng said, “Phoebe’s daughter is very interested in screenwriting, and I said she could talk to you.”
