by Mei Silk
“Stop it. It’s my line now.” She put her finger on his lips and continued, “Because it was first spoken to me by those hot lips.”
Then, she once again pressed those lips with hers.
* * *
“Thanks, sweetie.” Sara put her hand on Mateo’s when they arrived the Y parking lot.
“You’re welcome, sweetie.” Mateo smiled. “Give me a kiss before you go.”
Sara hesitated. Here? There were cars in the lot and people running behind the machines in the Y.
“Come on, don’t be shy. A kiss on the cheek, that’s it.”
“Okay, on the cheek,” Sara said and leant toward him.
Before her lips could touch his skin, he turned and their lips touched.
“Naughty!” Sara cried. Blushing, she got out of the car.
“Safe drive. I’ll see you Tuesday.”
Sara turned her radio loud and sang her way home. When was the last time when she was in a fantastic mood like this? When she was still a teenager, perhaps. Everything around her was interesting, new, exciting. Nothing annoying or depressing. Sex really was good for you. She had thought that people put too much emphasis on sex nowadays. She had believed that people could be equally happy without it, and she had even settled on the possibility of never having sex again, but she wasn’t that sure anymore.
She had tons of plans for the day. She would not spend the whole day to prepare for the next day’s class for sure, and she would do something that she hadn’t done for a while, such as embroidery. She wanted to make a pillowcase for Mateo. Would it be old fashioned? The idea just popped into her mind. It was already noon and too late to visit her dad’s flower shop.
* * *
When Sara got to her yard, she was horrified by what she saw. The geraniums by the doorstep were all trampled, and some of the rose bush’s twigs were snapped. Some roses that had been blooming just yesterday morning were withered, with petals falling all over the ground. What happened? Did some kids trample over her garden or was it done by some sort of animal? Cats, dogs, skunks? There had been skunks in the community, but they seldom came in her yard since there weren’t much edible plants here. They might have been desperate. Looking around, she saw no place where a skunk could have come in the yard. Her gate was solid metal in the lower part, with fence-like patterns on the top. And to her understanding, skunks couldn’t climb. And none of the herbs seemed like they had been eaten. When she got closer to the patio, she gasped and covered her mouth with her hand. The roses were completely rooted out, with petals scattering on the ground! Could it have been the children? She hadn’t seen any bad-mannered kids in the community, and why would kids do it anyway? Tears blurred Sara’s vision. Mateo had planted the flowers so carefully, and now everything was ruined.
As she was wondering, Mrs. Yang, her neighbor came to her yard.
“Sara, you’re back, finally. I was looking for you many times this morning.”
“What happened?” Sara asked.
“There was a man in your yard last night.”
“Really?”
“Yes, my son saw him at first. It was about ten. And my son said a man was doing something in your yard. At first, we thought he was your friend, but then I checked and the lights in your house weren’t on. We were about to call the police but he left quickly.”
“Really?” Sara’s heart pounded. “What did he look like?”
“Uh, a skinny white guy, wearing a baseball cap. Couldn’t see his face clearly.”
Sara’s hands went cold as she recalled the few times in the past month when she saw a guy with a baseball cap. Could they be the same person?
While Sara was thinking, Mrs. Yang asked, “Do you know him?”
Sara shook her head. “Have you seen him around before?”
“No. We don’t have that many white guys around here, you know. It’s an Asian community. Is your house all right? Any damage inside?”
Sara opened the door and went in to inspect the house.
When she came back to the yard, she told Mrs. Yang, “Everything is fine.”
“Good. But you should still call the police.”
Sara nodded. “I will. Thank you for your help.”
“Oh, you’re welcome, Sara. We have to watch out for each other. Lately there are quite a few robberies in this area. I’ll ask the home association to issue a security alert to the residents. People must remember to close the community gate.”
After Mrs. Yang left, Sara lingered in the yard to fix the maltreated plants. She cleared the broken twigs, swept the fallen petals, and taking up the shovel, replanted the roses. While she was doing the work, her mind circled around the horrifying question: Was it Bill?
She could no longer avoid the possibility like she had been doing in the past month. The skinny white man with a baseball cap that she had seen twice on the fourth of July was probably not a resident of the community, but Bill. Oh no, no, no! She shook her head. It was an unhappy event, but remembering that made her feel less worried. The baseball cap should rule out the possibility that the man was Bill. But then, who else could it be?
She put down the shovel and dashed into the house. She had to call and find out whether Bill was in Oregon. It was Sunday, and no one would be in the university, but she had Jessica’s number, the secretary of the math department. Jessica was a sister to Sara when she worked there, and she had helped her when Sara was having a hard time with Bill. Sara had called her as soon as she had moved to LA, but they hadn’t spoken much since.
Jessica picked up the phone after a couple of rings.
“Hello, is that Sara?” Jessica’s voice was cheerful on the other end of the line.
“Yes, Jessica, how are you?”
“I’m just fine, and you? How’s the weather up there in California?”
“It’s hot. The hottest season of the year. The sun is going to be scorching pretty soon. Is it better in Oregon?”
“We’ve had a couple of hot days last week, but it’s been cooling off. So what’s up?”
“Listen, Jessica,” Sara lowered her voice and looked around, as if someone was nearby. “I know it sounds paranoid, but could Bill possibly be spending his summer in California? I mean, his family does have a farm house in Fresno.”
“Oh, but he never goes there,” Jessica said. “Did something happen? Did he call you?”
“No. But a guy his size kept showing up lately. I haven’t gotten to see his face because he’s always wearing sunglasses, but from the back it looks like him. I couldn’t see his hair either because he wears a baseball cap.”
“How long has been going on?”
“About a month.”
“Oh, that’s weird. But I’m pretty sure it’s not Bill.”
“Have you seen him lately?”
“I haven’t seen him lately, but he should be in Oregon. He’s teaching an independent study course with a graduate student who’s working on his master’s thesis. The student is going to present his thesis at the end of summer. There is no way Bill can get out of state for so long.”
Sara sighed. “Thank you, Jessica. That makes me feel so much better.”
“You’re welcome, Sara. Don’t think too much. Now, tell me how life is in LA.”
“Uh,” Sara paused for just a moment, and said, “I’m seeing a guy.”
“Already?” Jessica’s voice was excited. “Congratulations! What does he do? How did you meet?”
“We met at the Y. He’s the lifeguard over there.”
“No kidding? He must be hot! How old is he?”
“He is very athletic. He’s twenty-eight.”
Jessica giggled. “Way to go, Sara. I didn’t know you cared for young athletes!”
“Me neither.”
“I wonder what Bill would say if he found out! Oops, don’t mean to trouble you with the bad joke.”
“Hopefully, he’ll never find out,” Sara said.
“Don’t worry, Sara, I won’t tell him. Listen, I
wish you happiness. You deserve it.”
“Thank you so much, Jessica. But it might be just a fling. You know, what with him being so much younger than me.”
“It’s okay, just have some fun, as long as you don’t get hurt.”
“I’ll try.”
Putting down the phone, Sara exhaled with relief and went back to the yard. The person must have been a thief or a lunatic that lived around here. Tomorrow after school she would go to the police station to file a report. She also had to put a lock on her own gate. This community wasn’t as safe as it appeared to be.
Chapter 14
The week after the fundraiser passed quickly, and Sara thought it was the happiest week of her life. Everything delighted her—the birds and flowers in her garden, the kids in the swimming pool, and the students in the college. She sang when she was watering the garden, when she was driving, and when she was grading. She even let her students convince her with their excuses for late homework. Of course, it was because of Mateo, she thought as she was combing her hair on Sunday morning, getting ready for Teresa’s birthday party.
Mateo had possessed her completely. There was not a minute in her life that she wasn’t thinking about him. Even when she was working, correcting a kid’s stroke in the water, or explaining a math problem in class, Mateo was in the back of her mind. He was the reason that she was feeling more energetic than ever. Was it the magic of love? No, she wouldn’t go that far. The magic of love-making, probably. Mateo was so good. The best guy she had ever had—not that she had had that many. Just remembering the time they were together last Sunday made her heart beat faster. They last saw each other on Thursday at the Y, and then he went away to the camp again for Friday and Saturday. Although they spoke over the phone every night for over an hour a time, Sara missed him madly, and hearing his voice always made her long for his body.
As if Mateo had heard her thoughts from wherever he was, he called her.
“Hi babe, are you ready?”
“Um, not yet.”
“Are you sure you don’t want me to pick you up?”
“I’m sure. I need to go to my dad’s shop first.”
“I can go with you.”
“Uh . . .”
“All right, I’ll go by myself, then. See you later.”
“See you later.”
For a moment after she had hung up, Sara regretted not inviting her with him. She hoped Mateo didn’t mind. Why didn’t she want Mateo to go with her to the flower shop? She didn’t know how to introduce him to her dad. She didn’t want Derek to think too much about their relationship. Anyway, it was just too early for her dad to know about Mateo.
After putting on some makeup, Sara walked quickly to her wardrobe and looked for the dress that she had bought from Macy’s the day before. It was a knee-length, lightweight dress with puff sleeves and a ruffled collar. The printed pattern was burgundy mixed with light brown. She was thrilled when she looked at herself in the mirror in the closet. She looked like a heroine in a classic movie, feminine and elegant, an image that she didn’t normally see when she was in a rigid set of shirt and trousers. She loved trying on clothes simply for the reason of discovering a different person in herself. It opened up new possibilities to her life. With satisfaction, Sara left her house.
* * *
Sara gaped at the basket her father handed her. Four braided branches of lucky bamboo stood in the center a traditional Chinese ceramic container, mimicking a garden fence, with a dozen mini roses in crimson and pink weaved through it. In the center above the bamboo, stood a single branch of white Bletilla orchid.
“A simple combination of luck, beauty, and elegance.” Sara nodded with approval. “Dad, you’re a genius.”
“I omitted the pine for longevity. I don’t think a woman that age cares for that.”
“Probably not,” said Sara. “Thanks, Dad! You’re the best!”
“Best what? Best dad or best artist?” Derek laughed as he helped Sara secure the flower arrangement on the passenger seat, with the help of the seatbelt.
“Both!” Sara gave him a big hug before getting into the driver’s seat.
“I hope it’ll please your friend’s mom.”
“I’m sure it will.” Sara smiled as she started the engine.
“And I would like to meet this friend of yours,” Derek said to her before she released the brake.
Sara bushed. “He’s just a friend.”
“Oh, it’s a he? Now I really want to meet him.”
“Dad!” Sara backed the car away and said, “I’ll try to come back this afternoon.”
“Oh, don’t worry about it. I can manage.”
* * *
The streets of Rosemead were straight and easy to navigate. Sara found Molina Street easily. It was a quiet end street lined with camphor trees, and the houses had huge lawns.
Holding the flower basket in hand, Sara walked nervously towards the house that was hidden behind a fence climbed with jasmine bushes. She could smell smoky scent of barbeque in the air.
Mateo himself opened the door for her. He was in a pair of beige slacks and an orange T-shirt, looking hotter than ever. For a moment, he just looked at her with startled eyes. Then he murmured, “Stunning!”
“Me or the basket?”
“You.” He pulled her to him, and kissed her lips.
Sara reddened as she saw the child standing behind him. She pulled herself away from his hot lips. “Thanks, you look good, too. Hello!”
“Are you Sara?” A little girl about five came to her.
“Yes. I am. And who are you?” Putting the basket on the floor, Sara crouched down to speak to the darling little girl.
“I’m Emily, Mateo’s niece. Nice to meet you.” Emily extended her little hand to Sara for a handshake. Her imitated adult manner had Sara suppressing a laugh as she took Emily’s hand.
“Nice to meet you, Emily.”
“Look at my Barbie, Sara. Mateo brought it for me.” It didn’t take Emily long to return to her child’s nature as she held up a box of toys excitedly. The box contained a Barbie doll and some fancy accessories.
“How beautiful!” Sara exclaimed.
“Could you help me to dress up my Barbie? I want to redo her hair and put on some earrings for her.”
“Certainly,” Sara said. “But can we do it later?”
Emily pouted. “Everyone keeps telling me the same thing. Mommy and Daddy, Teresa and Mateo. Now you, too.”
Sara pitied the little girl.
Mateo picked Emily up and gave her a kiss on her cheek. “How old are you, Emily?”
“Five,” Emily answered grumpily.
“Are you a child, or a baby?”
“I’m a child. A baby would be in a cradle.”
“Right. A child is not a baby,” Mateo said, “A child must not behave like a baby, right?”
“Right.” Emily nodded. “I get it. I’m not a baby. I can play by myself.”
“Smart girl.” Mateo gave her another kiss and put her down.
“I promise I’ll play with you later, Emily,” Sara said to the girl before she followed Mateo into the yard.
“You’re our first guest. The others probably won’t arrive until noon.”
The yard was a mini park. Shrubs, trees, and bushes overflowed in it. Tables and chairs were set by the pool. Mateo’s sister was nursing her baby on a patio chair. A Latino man about Mateo’s age was standing in front of the griller.
“Everyone, meet Sara. And Sara, meet Angela and Jose, and their baby, Danny.”
Sara greeted Angela and Jose, and gently squeezed Danny’s tiny hand, who was three months old.
“Where’s Teresa?” Mateo asked his sister.
“She’s getting something from the garage.”
While Mateo went to the garage to look for his mother, Sara chatted with Angela and Jose. Jose was a native-born Latino American and an engineer at Edison. Angela was a nurse practitioner at Kaiser. Angela was a beauty. She had
delicate Asian features and fine skin, and the tall, curvy figure of a Venezuelan girl. Sara couldn’t believe that she had given birth to two babies, and one not that long ago.
A moment later, Mateo came out of the garage with his mother.
Teresa was smaller than she had expected. From the way Mateo spoke of his mother, Sara had pictured her as a big woman with a tough character. But in her sleeveless summer floral dress, the Teresa in front of her was a petite woman with delicate feature and a soft demeanor.
“Sara, this is my mother, Teresa. Mom, this is Sara,” Mateo said sheepishly.
“Nice to meet you,” Sara and Teresa said simultaneously, and they both laughed.
“That’s a good sign. We have something in common already!” Teresa said after she stopped laughing.
“Happy birthday!” Sara said next, timidly handing the flower basket to Teresa.
“It’s beautiful!” Teresa said, stunned as she accepted the basket. “That’s incredible. The best flower basket I’ve seen. It’s like a natural rose garden in miniature. The orchid on top makes it all the more unusual. I love it! Whoever made it, is quite an artist.”
“Thank you. My father made it,” Sara said. “He’ll be really flattered. He always thinks himself an artist, but no one ever calls him that.”
“Your dad? Your dad is a florist? Tell him I think he is a fine artist. And thank you for bringing such a nice present to me.” Teresa let Mateo to hold the basket for her, and gave Sara a warm embrace.
* * *
Teresa presented a combination of Venezuelan and Chinese food. Among them were tequeño, a kind of bread roll with white cheese inside; hallaca, steamed corn meal with chicken and raisins wrapped in banana leaves; Polenta with sausages, and empanada with mushroom and cheese fillings. There were also some shrimp chow mein and egg rolls.
“What a feast you have here!” Sara exclaimed.
“Try something. Don’t wait for others. Some people had to take kids to lessons, and others had to go to the church.”
Everything looked delicious. Sara had a hard time deciding what to try first. Finally, she decided to try the hallacas. Its main ingredient was corn and was similar to Mexican tamales.