Chapter Seventeen
This year Malee’s birthday fell on a Monday. The restaurant was closed, and her family held a birthday party for her there. Her Aunt Tan came, of course, as well as relatives on her mother’s side that drove in from Denver: Uncle Rama, Aunt Nin and her three cousins, who were around her age. Together with herself, Lawan, and Kiet, the young adults filled one table, giggling and talking, while their elders laughed and gossiped at another.
After they ate dinner, they put on music and Chula, her oldest cousin showed them some crazy dance he’d put up on Youtube that was getting lots of hits. They pushed tables out of the way and all did the dance in a line. Malee couldn’t hear the music he’d pulled up on his smartphone, but she could feel the beat with the stomp of their feet vibrating on the floor.
Malee enjoyed her time, but she kept sneaking looks at the clock. She had told Max about the party in the note she’d left for him yesterday.
He’d written her one back, saying he understood she had to spend it with her family, but asked if she could sneak out and meet him later, after his class was over and her party was finished. He told her to leave the lamp in her window if she could sneak out the back. He would wait for her in the alley.
After everyone left, Malee snuck down the stairs, tiptoeing as quietly as she could. She threw on her jacket and peered out the back door. Max’s truck was parked in their usual spot. It was dark, and she couldn’t see his face, but he must have seen her, because he flashed his headlights.
She slipped out the door and dashed through the alley and across the side street. A moment later she was hopping into the warm cab of his truck.
They flew into each other’s arms, kissing as if they hadn’t seen each other in months rather than days.
When they finally came up for air, he grinned down at her, pulling back to sign, How’s my birthday girl?
“Good. Thank you. We danced and had cake.”
Can you slip away with me for an hour?
She nodded. “Lawan said she’d cover for me.”
Max grinned and put the truck in gear.
“Where are we going?”
You’ll see.
They drove through town, Max finally pulling into the parking lot of a small Italian place called Nino’s. When he put the truck in park, she turned to him. “Max, I already had dinner.”
That’s okay. We don’t have to eat.
She looked down at her jeans. “But I’m not dressed up.”
You look beautiful to me. His eyes swept over the sequined tank she wore with her jeans and leather jacket.
He climbed out of the truck, came around to her door, and gave her a hand down from the big truck that sat so high up with its lift kit. He led her inside.
The place was tiny, no bigger than the Pizza Hut down the street. But it had charm going for it. There was a dining room through an arched doorway to the right. Glancing in, Malee saw little square tables set with white linen and candles. Max led her through a doorway on the left to the bar. The place was dimly lit, with tiny colored lights strung everywhere. Malee had the impression the place always had them up and not just for the approaching holidays.
Max led her to two stools at the end and pulled one out for her. She settled on it, giving him a questioning look.
He took the stool next to her. You’re twenty-one. You have to go out for a drink. It’s the rule.
She gave him a big grin. “I wouldn’t want to break the rules.”
The bartender came over and put two coasters down on the bar. Luckily for Malee, he didn’t even ask for her ID, because she realized she didn’t have her purse. Perhaps it was because she was with Max, and he was older, and the bartender assumed she had to be older, too, if they were together.
Max turned to her and signed, What’ll you have?
She shrugged, having no clue what to even order.
Max grinned and turned to the bartender and ordered for both of them.
When the bartender left to make their drinks, Max swiveled toward her and grabbed her knees, spinning her to face him.
I ordered you a Pina Colada. It’s sweet and not too strong. You’ll like it.
“What did you get?”
A cola.
She frowned.
I’m driving. I’m your designated driver for the evening, my lady.
A moment later, the bartender brought their drinks. Max lifted his glass and clinked it to hers. His was a small rocks glass, while hers was a more elaborate stemmed goblet with a straw, which she put in her mouth and sipped. She noticed Max’s eyes on her mouth.
Do you like it?
She nodded. It was delicious. After another couple of sips, she set her glass down.
Max leaned forward and kissed her, just a sweet brush of his lips. Then he leaned back and signed, I have something for you.
She grinned. “You do?”
He nodded, grinning back and pulled a small box from inside his coat pocket. It was about the size of a box of checks, and tied with a sparkly red ribbon. She pulled it off and stuffed it in her pocket to save as a keepsake. Then she tore open the silver paper.
Her mouth fell open and she stared down at the gift. It was a smart phone. Her eyes flew up to Max’s to find him grinning back at her.
I added you to my plan. Now we can text back and forth.
Her eyes teared up at the expensive present. He looked so happy, too. But she knew she couldn’t accept it. She shook her head and held it back out to him.
The smile on his face fell, and that tore at her heart.
“I can’t,” she murmured the words.
Baby, why not?
She shook her head, tears spilling down her cheeks at how thoughtful his gift was and how much it must have cost. “It’s too much.”
He opened the box, pulled out the phone and closed her hands around it. Then he signed, I already programed my phone number in it and set you up with some cool apps.
She stared down at it, reaching up to wipe the wetness from her cheeks with one hand.
He pulled out his phone and typed out a text.
A moment later her phone lit up with his incoming message. He showed her how to open it.
She read her very first text.
No one has to know.
The phone is set on silent.
You just have to check it now and then for a message from me.
Or you can put it on vibrate.
Baby, please take it.
We’ll be able to talk anytime, day or night.
She looked up at the imploring look on his face, and then she leaned forward and wrapped her arms around his neck, hugging him tight and sobbing.
His arms tightened protectively and reassuringly around her, and she felt him shushing her, the soft puffs of his breath at her ear.
She held him a long time.
Finally, she pulled back, and he cupped her face, his thumbs brushing the tear tracks away. Then he smiled down at her, pressing his forehead to hers. He kissed her again, and then pulled back to sign, I have something else for you.
She held up the phone. “This is already too much.”
Too bad. You’re getting this, too. He pulled something from his pocket. It was a small velvet jewelry box.
She took it and opened the lid. It was a necklace with a silver heart shaped pendent. There was an engraving in the center. I love you.
She put a hand to her mouth and broke down in sobs again.
I saw you admiring the silver jewelry from that crafter the other day. I had her engrave it for me. He took the necklace from the box, and his hands lifted to clasp it behind her neck.
She reached up to touch it. “It’s beautiful. Thank you.”
He grinned down into her face. Happy birthday, sweetheart.
After she stopped crying and they were on their second drink, Max took her cell phone and held it at arm’s length, then cuddled her close and snapped a selfie of the two of them smiling at the camera.
She watched as he looked down at the phone, his thumb moving over the screen.
“What are you doing?”
He grinned up at her. I sent it to my phone. I’m going to put it as my screen saver.
“Put it on my phone, too.”
He turned the phone to show her that he’d already done so.
She took it, smiling down at the photo of the two of them. They both looked happy. It was a great shot. Now she could pull out her phone and look at his gorgeous face whenever she wanted.
***
After Max dropped her off and Malee was back home in her warm bed with her cell phone in her hand, it lit up with an incoming message from Max.
Safe in bed?
Yes.
I’m glad I got to see you tonight.
Thank you for the presents.
Isn’t this easier than passing notes?
We can talk all the time now.
Yes. But I like your notes.
Then maybe I’ll keep writing you those, too.
I love my necklace.
And I love you.
Happy birthday, baby.
Now get some sleep.
I love you, Max.
Goodnight.
Goodnight, baby.
***
Now that they had an easier way to communicate, they texted each other all the time. Malee kept her phone in her pocket all day while she worked at the restaurant, checking it often and slipping in the back to find a corner or closet to text him. Those nights she stayed with her aunt, she would sneak time with Max. Mostly it was on the weekend. The nights she stayed at home, she would have to find an opportunity to sneak away, but when she couldn’t, they texted.
One night Max asked her a question.
Will you be staying at your aunt’s Friday?
I think so. Why?
My brother, Rory’s band is playing.
I want to take you to see them.
I know you can’t hear them,
but I think you’ll have a good time.
It sounds like fun.
Only one problem.
What’s that?
They’re playing in Telluride.
It’s a couple hours away.
We might not get back until midnight or later.
Oh.
Charlotte Justice is playing a practice gig for an upcoming tour.
Rory’s band is opening for her.
She’s pretty famous.
I guess they met her on the road somewhere.
They became friends, and she wants them to open the show.
He’s so excited about it.
I’ll bet he is.
It sounds wonderful.
Do you think your aunt will let you go with me?
Liam will be coming with us, too.
We’ll take my truck.
I can ask her when I go over there tomorrow.
I could come over, and we could ask her together.
That way she can ask me any questions she has,
and I can put her worries to rest.
Okay.
That would be great.
I think she would appreciate
you respecting her enough
to come and ask her.
You know I’d ask your father if you want me to.
No! He’d never let me go.
All right.
I’ll see you tomorrow.
I love you.
I love you, too, baby.
Goodnight.