Just Breathe Trilogy Box Set (7 page)

Aware of what he’s trying to do, I choose not to be rude. “In the Chinese culture, red is considered good luck.”

I guess his best friend failed to inform him. I wonder if this is his first Chinese New Year.

Overhearing us, Jade leans down and asks if he’s ever celebrated New Year before.

“Yes . . .” he replies, “But, not a Chinese New Year.”

Jade giggles and then leans over to me and whispers, “Can we get him something red? You know, for good luck.”

I look at Joe first as if I’m considering it. He gives me an inquisitive look indicating that he didn’t hear what Jade said to me, and because there is no way I’m turning down this beautiful little girl, I smile at her, reach into my purse and give her a twenty dollar bill. “You choose. Just don’t go too far,” I instruct.

Jade beams and asks Joe to be let down. She stays within view as she stops over at a cart that is about fifteen feet away. I notice that Joe keeps his attention on her as well. A minute or two later, Jade comes bouncing back with something. She holds out her one hand to give me the change and I tell her to keep it. Her happiness turns into a full ray of sunshine as she shoves the money into her jacket pocket before anyone sees.

Keeping what she bought hidden in her other hand, Jade directs Joe, “I need your wrist, but no peeking.”

Joe gladly obeys and fixes his gaze on me.

“There . . . all done,” Jade exclaims after tying it on. “Do you like it?”

Joe’s attention stays on me for a split second longer before looking down at his wrist. Jade found a beautiful, red beaded bracelet with a gold Chinese coin.

“It’s perfect. Thank you,” he confirms with a full smile directed at Jade. He takes her hand and kisses the back of it. “Ready to go back up?” he asks.

Jade nods, reaches her arms up, and in one fluid movement, she’s back up on his shoulders. For a moment, I can’t take my eyes off of him. When he starts to turn in my direction, I immediately look up at Jade to throw him off before I return my attention to the parade.

As the parade continues on for the next several hours, we all watch in amazement. At one point, I place my arms through the sleeves of Joe’s jacket. I purposefully resist from looking in Joe’s direction other than to look up at Jade only a few times. He’s bouncing up and down as she waves her arms in the air.

Once the parade is finished, Jade and Rey join some other children playing in the street. All of the children are picking up the pieces of paper confetti and then throwing them back up into the air. Maggie announces that she’s going with Henry to bring his parents back to the house. I ask if she wants us to join them, but she refuses my offer. She clearly wants some privacy with Henry. Kim starts to call Rey and Jade to join the family back at the house, but I tell her that I can stay with them so they can play until Maggie and Henry come back this way. Nǎinai grins deviously as she hands me my jacket and I take off Joe’s to return it to him. Everyone else heads to the house except Jared, Sadie, Joe, Rey, Jade and me. I stay near Rey as Jared starts running around with Jade and copies whatever she does. Joe stays within a few feet of me. I’m not sure why. He doesn’t strike up small talk, nor do I. Oddly, the silence isn’t uncomfortable between us. Is he quiet like me, or just doesn’t know what to say?

Suddenly, Jade and Jared are running toward us playfully screaming as they throw confetti at Rey, Sadie, Joe and myself. We grab some that fall to the ground and throw it back at them as Sadie tries to catch them in her mouth.

About fifteen minutes later, Maggie, Henry, and Henry’s parents arrive. Henry makes brief introductions in English after finding out that the rest of the family has gone to the house. Everyone walks quietly except Maggie and Henry who are talking with his parents. Rey is starting to fall asleep in my arms, Jared is to my right, Sadie is on my left and Jade has found her perch on Joe’s shoulders again who is standing on the other side of Sadie.

Back at the house, after more introductions, everyone sits down to start eating. The meal is slow and long, but entertaining. Everyone is speaking to each other in Mandarin during the entire meal but Nǎinai, Mŭqīn and Mrs. Wú are doing most of the talking with the exception of Fŭqīn, Henry and Mr. Wú on occasion.

Mŭqīn and Fŭqīn find out that they indirectly know Henry’s parents, Lin and Nuo Wú, through mutual acquaintances and share pleasant stories of their friends and the differences between living in China and America. Later into the meal, the conversation eventually steers over to Maggie and Henry and then over to general topics for discussion. Everyone talks from time to time, even Jade and Rey except for Joe and myself. Mr. and Mrs. Wú question how Jared and I became a part of the family and all eyes turn to us.

I know that Mŭqīn, Fŭqīn and Nǎinai are being respectful by allowing Jared and I to tell our own stories, especially me since I’m not generally one to speak about myself. If we were all more familiar with the Wú’s, I know that Nǎinai would be adding some of her own points. Jared instinctually knows to take the lead. I add in a sentence or two here and there, showing my respect to the Li family’s guests, though it’s uncomfortable for me. By the look on their faces, Mr. and Mrs. Wú seem impressed with the level of Mandarin both Jared and I speak.

Jared explains that he and I had met on my first day in California and that we became instant friends. His lack of a full explanation as to how I came to California comes up and he only mentions that I had just traveled across the country by train from the East Coast. He left a number of details out which he knows not to disclose. There is still a bit of information Maggie’s parents don’t know about me — I should say, I don’t think they know about me, unless Maggie has filled them in.

Jared goes into describing how I started working with him at the florist shop that is across from the Peking Wok in downtown LA and how we met Maggie. He adds to his story how I was very shy and didn’t speak much. He teases how Mŭqīn and Fŭqīn instantly fell in love with me because the first words that I spoke to them were in Mandarin. This creates smiles all around the table and Mr. and Mrs. Wú nod acceptingly of us. Jared jokes how Maggie’s family was a little suspicious of him at first, but when they found out he was gay and not interested in dating Maggie, he was instantly accepted. Jared is not in the closet, but confirms who he is to certain people who may question it as well as to see how receptive they are to his orientation. Mr. and Mrs. Wú seem pleased with Jared’s story telling and don’t pry for more details.

Nǎinai asks how Henry and
Blue Eyes
know each other. I guess she feels it’s only fair for them to share their story since Jared told ours. Before Henry begins his story, I look to Joe to watch for his reaction — nothing but smiles. Henry briefly explains that he and Joe had met their freshman year of college. They were roommates and have been like brothers ever since. Henry kept his story simple and short as well, obviously leaving out many details like where they went to school, what they were studying and other incidentals.

Later, as most of us finish eating, everyone continues sitting around talking and Jade joins me by sitting in my lap. She loves everyone in her family, but she usually singles me out at some point or another when we’re all together. Her legs are on either side of my lap as she faces me and twiddles with a lock of my hair.

“Do you think he likes his gift?” Jade asks me in Mandarin.

“Who?” I question to make sure I know to whom she’s referring.

“Joe silly,” She indicates with a giggle.

“I would think so. He’s wearing it isn’t he?” I encourage, smiling back at her.

“Yeah . . . but that doesn’t mean he likes it,” Jade states with a little disbelief.

“Then, ask him,” I politely instruct.

Jade turns her attention to Joe who is sitting across from me and poses her question.

“Yes. Very much so. I’ll keep it forever and ever,” Joe replies in Mandarin with a smile.

Everyone who hears Joe’s response stare in astonishment since he spoke Mandarin.

Crap. He knew what Nǎinai and I were talking about this whole time. It makes sense. No one ever asked him or Henry if he spoke Mandarin let alone ask him anything in Mandarin to hear his response. Everyone who didn’t know him just assumed he only spoke English.

I start to panic, knowing that he heard every single world Nǎinai was saying to me about him. I am mortified, but skillfully refrain from displaying my shock, other than my eyes widening momentarily. My mind races to recount everything that Nǎinai said and my responses. I’m safe with what I had said, nothing incriminating. Then, I get a little mad at how he kept himself composed and quiet the entire time.

“Well, look at that,” busts Nǎinai. “
Blue Eyes
does speak Mandarin.”

The rest of the families’ attention is on Joe now, not completely understanding Nǎinai’s declaration. If I’m not mistaken, Joe blushes slightly.

“Of course,” Mrs. Wú says nonchalantly. “Joe knew Mandarin before he and Henry met at in college.”

“And, here we thought he was just as quiet as you, Emma,” Jared chimes in.

I give Jared a slightly scolding look to avoid drawing to much attention my way. Thankfully, no one else adds their thoughts or opinions.

“I like to listen more than I talk,” Joe shares.

“Indeed,” confirms Mr. Wú. “Joe is very much like his father, John.”

“Well, he’s perfect for Emma,” Nǎinai proposes.

I inwardly wince and for some reason I look at Joe who is just grinning from ear to ear.

We sit for about another hour gathered around the dining table. After finishing her dessert, Jade gets daring and tries to steal some from Jared. She’s able to snitch a bite or two before they play a game of swords with their spoons. Jared usually lets Jade win, but not when it comes to Nǎinai homemade confections.

Still wanting more, Jade searches for a new target. “You gonna eat that?” She asks Joe in English.

“What?” he playfully inquires.

“That,” she says, pointing to the rest of his rice pudding. “Are you going to finish it?”

“Yes,” He smirks. “Why?”

“Doesn’t look like you’re eating it,” Jade states.

“I am . . . slowly,” Joe answers as he takes a small scoop and surrounds it with his gorgeous lips.

Jade laughs a little as she gives Joe a devilish look. He pulls his bowl closer to himself as his grin stretches outward. Kneeling on my legs, Jade gathers more courage and leans across the table, stretching her right arm out holding a spoon. Joe pulls his bowl in just a bit more, takes a spoonful to his mouth very slowly as his eyes shift to me for a few seconds and then back to Jade as she reaches farther. This has turn into a full on game of the battle of wits and I’m curiously watching to see who wins. Jade has been know to win simply by persistence.

Unable to reach without drawing attention from Kim or Peter, Jade backs away and slowly creeps off of my lap. Joe watches her out of the corner of his eye while he peers at me. My eyes dart back and forth between him and Jade’s movements. Joe shifts in his seat which gives Jade a clear shot to his rice pudding, pretending he doesn’t see her.

Last second, after Jade scopes some up on her spoon, Joe grabs her arm, startling her a little. “Hey,” he says, laughing and smiling.

She giggles in return as he raises her spoon to his mouth. “Hey!” Jade says softly as not to get caught by her parents.

Joe is obviously pleased with himself for tricking her.

“Take it,” he says to her reassuringly. “I’m done. You can have it.”

Jade beams with happiness as she takes the bowl quickly to make sure he wasn’t still teasing. She returns to my lap to enjoy her sweet victory.

Joe’s watches Jade as she enjoys his leftovers. Several times, Joe looks up at me before noting, “I have a niece Rey’s age and a nephew Jet’s age.”

I hope I don’t have a look of surprise on my face from his statement. Joe’s face doesn’t give me any indication to if I do.

As the group starts to break up in the house between clearing the table and having tea and smaller conversations, we younger adults migrate in one area as the senior adults congregate in another. Maggie, Henry and Jared are doing most of the talking while Joe and I stay fairly quiet. On occasion, I glance in Joe’s direction while I pet Sadie and I catch him looking at me. This is not good.

Jared mentions to Henry that the three of us were going to play some volleyball at the beach next weekend and invites Henry and Joe to join us. Maggie jumps in, insisting they come.

Henry looks to Joe and Joe replies, “I don’t have any plans. So, I’m in if you are.”

So it begins — socializing with Maggie’s new love interest and friend. A regular routine that I should be used to by now.

I excuse myself first from the celebration since I’ve got to be able to catch one of the last trains before they stop for the night. As I finish saying farewell to everyone who is awake, the children have all fallen asleep, Jared offers to walk me to the station. Maggie, Henry and Joe proclaim that they’ll join us which makes me a little uncomfortable. No one has escorted me to the station in a long time, not unless they’e joining me for the ride.

As we’re walking, Henry asks why I don’t just drive home.

Without thinking, Maggie blurts out, “Oh, Emma doesn’t drive. She hates cars.”

I spin sharply at her slip and glare. My discomfort is written in my eyes as I chide, “Maggie.”

“Oops. Sorry,” she sincerely apologizes.

“Why do you hate cars?” Joe asks with a hint of concern.

“No reason,” Jared interjects. “Besides, the train is the fastest way from here to Emma’s.“

We all climb the stairs to the platform and I wave my TAP card upon entering.

I can only hope that my two best friends keep their mouths shut and don’t disclose anything else about me after I leave. I prefer that they don’t talk about me at all, I don’t like strangers knowing too much — and my friends know that.