Chapter Five
Malee slipped off her shoes and crept up the back staircase to the second floor apartment. Her father owned the building, and the place was quite spacious. There was a small kitchen at the back, a dining room, and a large living room that looked out over Main Street. There were three bedrooms, one for her parents on one side of the living area, one for her brother in the back next to the kitchen, and one she shared with her older sister.
She crept through the quiet apartment. Her sister was in the living room. The TV was on, but Lawan wasn’t watching it. She looked up from a magazine when Malee came into the room. She signed, Where were you? Did you follow Kiet to that smelly gym again?
Yes.
He came home a while ago. Where have you been?
Does he know I wasn’t here?
No, he went to his room. I told him you were sleeping.
Mother and Father?
They haven’t come up yet. You’re lucky, Malee. You know I can’t keep covering for you. Why do you want to sneak down there anyway? Do you want to take the class Kiet is taking?
She shook her head. I just like to watch. I get bored sitting at home all the time. Why are Father and Mother afraid for me to go anywhere? It’s not fair.
Her sister patted the couch next to her.
Malee sat down, and Lawan pulled her into her arms, tucking her feet under her. She rubbed Malee’s arm and signed with the other hand. I know, baby. They are just trying to protect you.
I don’t need to be protected. I’m twenty years old.
Lawan’s hand stroked her upper arm and hugged her. What do you want to do? You’re not happy working at the restaurant, that’s obvious.
Father will leave the restaurant to Kiet someday. Not me and not you. You know that. He won’t even take any of the suggestions I make. I can’t wait tables in the dining room, like you. I don’t like to cook. What is there for me? I bus tables and wash dishes the rest of my life?
I think father wants you to marry.
So I can be someone else’s responsibility.
You know that’s not it. He wants you to be happy. But, Malee, he’s a traditional man. He wants us both married. He thinks if we were wives and mothers it would make us happy.
Would that make you happy?
Her sister seemed uncomfortable with the question. She signed. I overheard them talking. Father is bringing some boys from Thailand, supposedly to help with the restaurant. But I don’t think that’s why.
What do you mean?
I think he’s trying to arrange a marriage for me.
Malee sat up straight. What? No.
Lawan nodded. I think he is.
But you’ve been dating that paramedic. What about him?
Lawan shrugged. He’s not Thai.
So?
Jake and I have been having problems. I think he cheated on me. I don’t think he’s the one. And besides, you know Father wants us to marry a nice Thai boy.
And you’re going to go along with that? Marry some boy he picks for you?
I haven’t even met him yet. Maybe I’ll like him. Mother showed me a picture. He’s very attractive. Mother says Father might leave him the restaurant, if I marry him and if Kiet doesn’t want it.
Kiet doesn’t want it? This was news to her. She’d always assumed…
I think he wants to go to college. He’s brilliant, Malee. He wants to be an engineer. Maybe even work for NASA.
Our brother, the rocket scientist? Malee grinned.
Don’t laugh, Malee. He’s serious. He doesn’t want the restaurant.
There’s no money for college. Father says so.
Kiet thinks he can get a scholarship.
If he did, Malee would be happy for him. She didn’t begrudge her brother that. She herself had wanted to go to art school, but there was no money for it. So, you marry this Thai boy…
His name’s Kai.
So you marry Kai, and the two of you run the restaurant?
Maybe. Someday. She shrugged. I don’t know.
Tears formed in Malee’s eyes. It wasn’t supposed to be like this. There had to be more to life than letting someone else plan out her life for her. And suddenly Malee longed to be free of it all—the restaurant, her father’s expectations, a future that held no joy for her…
It’s not just Kai, Malee.
What do you mean?
Father has plans for you, too.
Me?
There’s a boy. Mother says his name is San’ya…
Malee looked at her sister. She knew Lawan felt the same pressure to please their parents as she did, to not disappoint them, to not shame them, but that wasn’t the life she wanted. She had always confided in Lawan, so she told her about Max.
I met someone.
Lawan’s face lit up in a surprised but bright smile. You did? A boy?
Malee couldn’t hold back the giggle that bubbled up as she nodded.
Tell me. Lawan was almost ecstatic.
I met him when I delivered food to the place he works.
You took a delivery? I didn’t know that. When?
A couple of weeks ago. I just grabbed the bag and ran out. I couldn’t take being in that kitchen one more minute.
Tell me about him.
He’s very tall with big muscles, but he’s very kind, very considerate. And guess what?
What?
He didn’t know how to sign when I delivered his food. But when I saw him again today, he had learned the alphabet. Just for me.
Lawan smiled. That’s so sweet. Then she frowned. Wait, you saw him today? How? Did you deliver food again?
Malee shook her head. No. He was at the gym where Kiet takes his class.
Lawan’s chin came up, and she gave her a knowing smile. Aha. That’s why you want to go there.
Malee blushed and admitted, Maybe.
Is that where you made the food delivery? Is that where he works, the gym?
Malee looked down, plucking at a thread. No.
Where does he work?
She stared into her sister’s eyes. He’s very nice.
You said that already. Why won’t you tell me?
Father won’t approve.
Lawan frowned. Why not?
Malee straightened her shoulders and lifted her chin. You know the place a block down and on the other side of the street? He works there. Brothers Ink.
Lawan signed in a jerky motion, a stunned expression on her face. The tattoo place?
Yes.
The place where all those bikers go? Malee, what are you thinking?
I like him.
Is that why you’ve been gone so long tonight? You were with him?
He was at the gym. I talked to him a little, that’s all. Then he drove me home.
You went in his car? Malee, that could be dangerous. You hardly know him.
He’d never hurt me.
How do you know?
I just know, Malee signed angrily, her motions abrupt.
He dropped you off here?
Malee shook her head. At the end of the alley so no one would see.
Malee, you need to be careful. Sometimes men want to take advantage.
She rolled her eyes. I know! But he’s not like that! He held the door for me and gave me his jacket and everything. She held up the folded black garment that was clutched in her arms.
Lawan frowned. He gave you his jacket?
Malee stroked the fabric lovingly. So I would be warm. So I wouldn’t get wet in the rain. See how sweet he is?
Malee, are you going to see him again?
Maybe. Okay, yes. I promised him I’d come to the gym next week.
Baby sister, please be careful.
I will. I’m not a child anymore, you know.
I know. Lawan touched her cheek. Father will never approve, Malee.
We’re just talking.
Is that all?
Well, he kissed me goodnight.
Lawan held her tongue, but Malee could tell she was worried. This time she made no foreboding statements, instead she asked, How was it?
Malee couldn’t help but smile. It was amazing.
At that admission, her sister grinned. My little sister is growing up.
I’m already grown up!
I know. But you’ll always be my baby sister. And I’ll always worry about you.
I know.
I love you.
I love you, too.
Just please promise me you’ll be careful.
I will.
They hugged.
I’m going to bed. Malee stood.
Lawan nodded. Goodnight, Pumpkin.
Malee walked into her room. It was in the front corner of the apartment with a turret window that overlooked the intersection of Main and Fourth Streets. It was the largest room and had the best view. That was compensation for having to share it with her sister, not that she didn’t love Lawan, but it would be nice to have her own space. At least her sister had allowed her to have the bed next to the window.
Malee went into the connecting bathroom and changed into a sleep set with a spaghetti-strap tank and matching short bottoms. Then she washed her face, brushed her teeth, and climbed into bed. She grabbed Max’s jacket that she’d laid on her bed and pulled it under the comforter with her, hugging it to her chest and breathing in the scent of him that still lingered on the fabric.
She gazed out the window at the lights of town. A vehicle moved up the street, its tires kicking up a wet spray, its wipers moving back and forth. She looked into the distance and could barely see the old-fashioned gooseneck light that hung over the door to Fourth Street Gym. Usually that light was out this time of night, but Max must have forgotten to turn it off as they ran out the door into the rain.
She thought of how he’d hidden her in the closet, of how he’d taken the time to show her how to punch the bag, and of the ride home he’d given her in his pretty black truck. But especially she thought about that kiss. Pressing her fingertips to her lips, she swore she could still feel the sensation. He had a beard, and she’d been surprised at its softness when he’d leaned in that first time to gently brush her lips with his. And then the second time, when his tongue had sought entry to her mouth, and the way he’d pulled her closer. She hadn’t wanted it to stop, but he knew they shouldn’t go too far. He’d been respectful. He’d called her a sweet girl and said he wanted to treat her right.
She believed him. Every word.
But Lawan was right. Her father would never approve of him. And it wasn’t even the fact that he wasn’t Thai. Her father would never approve of him because of what he did for a living, of who he was and who his family was. He would look at Max and see only the ink that covered his body.
Malee knew well that her father hated Brothers Ink. He hated the bikers and other clientele it brought to Main Street. He thought they were nothing but trouble, and not a respectable business. He’d even been one of the downtown businesses that had fought hard to get rid of them. He said those O’Rourke brothers were no good, had never been any good, and had never been anything but trouble to this town.
He’d even gotten some other business owners to agree with him, and they’d tried to see that the shop’s business license be revoked. That had all changed when Max’s older brother had become famous. Now he was the darling of the town, and her father knew he would never be able to get rid of that shop.
Sometimes Malee would see her father sweeping up on the street in front of the restaurant late at night when some motorcycles would ride past, headed to Brothers Ink, and she would see him shake his fist and mutter angrily.
No, her father would never approve of Max. So, she just wouldn’t tell him.
Lawan was right, she needed to be careful, and not just about Max, but about making sure her parents didn’t find out. Malee knew this wasn’t the proper behavior expected of her, but as much as she tried to squelch it, she had a rebellious streak. Most days, the only thing holding it in check were the responsibilities of being part of a family business, the expectations of her parents, and a ton of guilt that she’d never measure up to those expectations.
She always tried to do what was proper, what was expected of her, but sometimes she just wanted to do what she wanted and to hell with all of the rest.
She didn’t, though, because one thing that was ingrained in her from a very young age was that you never acted in a way that would bring shame to your parents. Seeing Max would shame her father.
But she wasn’t ready to give Max up… not that she really had Max. They had only spoken twice now. And he probably wasn’t looking for a real relationship with her, not one that would go anywhere. A man like him may tolerate her disability, but would he really want a wife who couldn’t hear him? She didn’t think many men would. There were only a couple of boys in high school who would go out with her, and they never went out more than once. Things with Max probably would never go very far, but whatever happened, she would enjoy the time she could.
Malee inhaled deeply, taking in Max’s scent once again. No, she wasn’t ready to give him up yet.