by Nicole James
“Okay.”
You can paint anything—scarves, sarongs, parasols, kimonos, even something to be framed and hung on the wall. But you must decide, so we will know how much silk to buy. Okay?
Malee nodded. “I’m so excited. I think I’ll be up all night sketching some designs. Thank you, Aunt Tan. This means a great deal to me.”
Aunt Tan wagged her hands, motioning Malee into her waiting arms and giving her a big hug. When she pushed back to look into Malee’s face, she signed, I’m so happy to share this with you. From the drawings you’ve shown me, I know you will have a great talent for it.
Malee’s eyes glazed over at her kind words, and Aunt Tan pulled her in for another hug.
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. I
t 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.
Chapter Eighteen
The day of the concert, Max picked Malee up at her aunt’s door like a gentleman. She already had her coat on and was waiting when he knocked. He barely had a chance to tell her aunt that he would bring her straight back home after the concert before Malee was kissing her goodbye and hustling him out the door.
His big black crew-cab truck was parked in front of Brothers Ink, and he held her hand as they dashed across the street. But instead of leading her to his pickup, he pulled her toward the door to the shop, signing, Just for a minute.
She let him pull her inside the business she had only been in once since the day she’d delivered them food and had first laid eyes on Max. The sun had gone down, and she immediately noticed the place had a different vibe after dark. The neon Brothers Ink sign against the exposed brick wall washed the entry in a soft blue. There was a pretty blonde lady behind the reception counter. She looked up when they entered, a big smile forming on her face.
Maxwell signed to Malee. This is Ava, my sister-in-law. Ava this is Malee.
She came around the counter and surprised her with a hug. Malee’s eyes connected with Maxwell’s over her shoulder.
Grinning, he signed, She’s a hugger.
When Ava pushed back out of her arms, she turned to say something to Max, but Malee couldn’t read her lips; she was excited and talking too fast.
Max translated for her. She’s happy to finally meet you. She told me you’re beautiful. I told her, I know. He winked.
Ava pulled her in for another hug, and Max signed over her shoulder. Told you.
When she finally let go, Malee said, “Hello, Ava. I’m happy to meet you, too.”
Ava looked to Max and said something.
She wants us to come to the house for dinner one night.
“That would be nice,” Malee said.
Maxwell signed, Liam is coming with us. It will be just a minute. Let me go find him, okay?
Malee nodded.
Maxwell moved to take her coat off, and she let him slide it down her arms. He tossed it on one of the leather sofas.
Ava pointed at what she had on underneath. She was wearing a silk kimono that she had made out of a hand-painted silk piece she’d created just for tonight. It was a mix of blues and greens with dragonflies on it. It was loosely belted at the waist over a sparkly tank top. She’d worn it with a pair of jeans and a cute pair of boots.
Malee wasn’t great at lip reading, but she could tell what Ava had said even before Maxwell translated for her.
She said, ‘Oh my God, I love that!’
Ava’s face beamed with the compliment. “Thank you. I made it.”
Ava’s mouth dropped open. “You made that?”
Malee nodded.
Maxwell beamed with pride for her as he told Ava and signed along for Malee, “She hand-painted the silk. Isn’t it beautiful?”
“It’s amazing! I want one! Do you sell them?”
Max translated.
Malee shook her head bashfully. “I’ve just started learning. I’ve only done a few things.”
“You’re very talented! Maxwell, tell her she’s talented.” She slapped Maxwell on the arm.
He signed the words to her, but that time Malee had read Ava’s lips. “Thank you.”
She said something else, and Maxwell signed, She says you should sell your pieces. Says she knows several people who would buy something this beautiful.
Malee blushed again.
A man she recognized as Maxwell’s oldest brother, Jameson, walked up. He pulled his wife to him in a side hug and kissed her cheek, his palm running over her pregnant belly. He whispered something in her ear that made her smile and slap him on the chest. Then Jameson turned to Malee with a smile.
Maxwell signed, Malee, this is my brother, Jameso
n. Jameson, Malee.
Jameson extended his hand, and she shook it.
He said something to Max, who signed to her, He says to tell you that you’re too pretty to be with his little brother. Max looked at Jameson, continuing to sign. Who are you calling little?
Jameson laughed.
Maxwell’s brother Liam walked up. Malee remembered him from that first day. He winked at her and signed, Hello, Malee, then gave her a hug. I see you haven’t dumped my big brother yet.
She grinned at his joke and shook her head.
When you do, I’m available… and more fun, and much better looking.
Maxwell elbowed him in the solar plexus, and then signed while giving Liam a death stare. Keep that up and you’ll be walking home tonight, Liam.
Liam chuckled and rolled his eyes so Malee could see what he thought of that threat.
We’d better get going, Max signed.
***
It was a two and a half hour drive down for the show. Max drove, and Liam sat in the back. It was nice to spend some time with one of Maxwell’s brothers and get to know him better. It also put Malee at ease to know she would have someone else who knew sign language.
Malee found that, just like Max, Liam was easy to talk to, and he made her feel comfortable, like she fit right in with the O’Rourke family—like her and Maxwell being together made sense and wasn’t an odd fit at all.
He included her in all the conversation, too, not talking around her like she wasn’t there. He told her some childhood stories about Maxwell that—judging by Max’s body language and the death glare he gave Liam in the rearview mirror—made him uncomfortable. Liam just snickered.
And then there was the time we ran out of dish detergent, and Max thought he could just squirt a ton of dish soap in the machine instead.