When the cab drops me off at Pete’s apartment building, I halt halfway to the entrance, suddenly remembering I’d meant to stop somewhere and eat. I stand a moment on the sidewalk, unsure. Should I get another cab and go to a restaurant? No, that would be silly. I’m already at the apartment building.
When I open the door to Pete and Alex’s place, the of smell garlic and oregano hits me, making my empty stomach growl. Sounds of conversation and the clink of glasses come from the living room. Pete and Alex must have company. That was probably why Pete called me.I wonder who it is and if I can get away with fixing a plate and eating it alone in my room. My head’s pounding, and the last thing I want is to make conversation.
I take a moment to splash water on my face from the kitchen sink and then straighten my clothes before heading into the living room to say hello to whoever it is and make an excuse.
“There he is,” I hear Pete say when I enter, and a smile curves my lips when I turn and recognize the woman seated on the couch with Alex. My heart staggers in my chest, and I automatically lift my hand to cover it. A female version of my father, I would know my Aunt Sunnee anywhere. Even after ten years.
“Kwang,” she says, and the world tilts.
Suddenly, Alex is beside me, arm around my waist. “Here, sit,” he says to me, leading me toward the couch. “He’s been working too hard.”
Digging my heels in, I resist. “I need to lie down.” My voice sounds hollow, and for a second, as pinpricks of light dance before my eyes, I think I’m going to pass right here on the living room floor. I’m grateful when Alex drapes my arm around his neck and helps me down the hall to my room.
He settles me on the bed and takes off my necktie.
“Breathe, Rama,” he says.
“What’s wrong with him?” Pete asks from the doorway.
“I’m okay,” I manage to say, then bend forward as my stomach lurches. Alex barely gets the trashcan under my chin in time.
“Get a wet towel,” Alex tells Pete as he unbuttons the cuffs of my sleeves. With barely anything in my stomach to throw up, I mostly dry heave.
“Did you eat something bad?” Pete asks when he returns from the bathroom with a rag.
I shake my head, then wince at the throbbing in my head.
“Aunt Sunnee has to get to the airport,” Pete says.
“You take her. I’ll stay with Rama,” Alex offers.
When Pete leaves the room, I ask hoarsely, “Why is she here?”
Pressing the cool, damp cloth to my face, Alex says, “She phoned us earlier saying she has a flight to Germany tonight and wanted to stop by. Pete tried to call you to let you know so you could come home early and see her.”
“I don’t want to see her,” I say.
Alex gives me a confused look but doesn’t question me as he continues to pat the sweat from my face.
“I’m okay,” I finally tell him, pushing his hand away. “I just want to lie down in the dark.”
Alex gets up from the bed. “Call me if you need anything. I’ll check on you in a while.” The door clicks shut behind him.
Despair, guilt, and self-hatred overwhelm me, and I let out a sob into the pillow. The dam, long held, has finally burst, and there’s no holding it back.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE: Pete
“Aunt Sunnee almost canceled her trip, she was so worried,” I say to Alex as I take off my shoes at the door. I freeze, listening. “Is hecrying?”
“He’s been like this since you left,” Alex says.
“I haven’t seen him cry since he was little.”
“I’m afraid pressure at work, lack of sleep, and improper eating have led him to a breakdown.”
“I’m going to take him a plate of dinner,” I say, hurrying to the stove.
“Take him this pain reliever, too,” Alex says, preparing a glass.