The Dividing Line

by Victoria H. Smith

  Lowering my hand, I stepped back. I was actually shaking. I raised my hands, moving away from her. “I never should have told you.”

  I charged off, but stopped at the sight of a familiar face. The face was the older black woman watering her plants the day I missed the bus, the one that let me cut across her lawn to catch it. She stepped out of a minivan that I’d believed was Natalia’s, and she wasn’t looking at me. Staring to my right, she opened her mouth and spoke.

  I was rendered speechless when the sounds of an Asian dialect left from her lips.

  The sounds were sharp, louder, and more direct than the Korean Natalia’s friends spoke, and I realized it held the same sound as the words Natalia said the day at the garage.

  Another voice came from behind me. Speaking in the same speech of the woman ahead, Natalia came to my side.

  “Drake,” she said, gesturing to the woman before her. “I want you to meet my mom.”

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Drake

  “You were adopted from China?” I flipped through the wide pages of the photo album Natalia handed me at her home. Natalia ranged in age in each photograph, a younger Ms. Johnson with her in nearly every photograph. There were ones of her at the orphanage with other small, raven-haired children, and some at the airport, where many others held signs with her name on it in both American and Chinese. Her name was Mei-Xing when she came to America. This album was one of many on the bookshelves. I didn’t have nearly this many. In fact, I only recalled seeing one. Most of my albums started after I came to America to live with my parents.

  Natalia sat next to me on the couch, her lips lifting at the sight of the photographs. “Yeah, I was. Mom and I go back every year. We visit the spot where I was abandoned.”

  I lifted my head. “You were abandoned?”

  She nodded, but she didn’t look sad. It was more like she was content. “Have you ever heard of the one child policy in China?”

  I had, but for some reason I hadn’t thought much about it until now. I told her yes.

  She closed the book, sitting back. “There are penalties, fines, if parents have more than one child. The government set the system up to control the growing population. Boys are seen as valuable. They can take care of the family and carry on the name after elders have passed. Because of this, so many girls are abandoned. I was born in the countryside. Left at a store when I was six. I don’t remember much, but I remember my dad telling me to stay there, and he’d be back. He never came back.”

  I swallowed, not knowing what to say. I know I came to America when I was barely two, but my mom never mentioned a story like Natalia’s. Such blatant abandonment.

  “Of course, I remember my mom when she adopted me.” She smiled faintly, staring away in her thoughts. “And after that day, it was just her and me. Taking on the world together.”

  “They allowed her to adopt you even though she was a single parent?” I didn’t know much about adoption, but I could imagine getting approved for a child as a single parent would be hard. High income and influence could possibly get around that, but they lived in the West Side. I didn’t want to assume they had financial issues, but many people here weren’t considered well off.

  “Mmmhmm. She didn’t have any problems. My mom served as State Superintendent of the Board of Education for years before she retired. We live here because this is where she grew up as a child. She wanted me to be raised here. We do lots of work in the community. Giving back where we can.”

  My brow went up at the information. “State Superintendent? Wow. I bet my father knows her then.” I shoved my lip into my mouth.

  Why did I just admit that…?

  She narrowed her eyebrows. “Who’s your father?”

  Very reluctantly, I decided to admit it. “Senator Philip T. Drake.”

  Now, she was the one taken aback. “He is? I thought you said you lived here? Senator Drake and his family are in the—”

  “North Shore. Yeah, I know. We don’t get along.”

  Sitting back in silence, Natalia decided to leave the issue alone. I think she understood. I bent in silence, grabbing and opening another photo book. The sight of a tan woman with weathered skin had me stopping. She smiled wide, her cheekbones high and partially hidden behind her lengthy, black hair.

  “That’s my birth mom.”

  I turned at Natalia’s words. My lips parted. “You have a picture of her?”

  She slipped the photo out of the clear sleeve and handed it to me. “I met her.”

  I took the photo on autopilot. In my awe, I whispered, “How?”

  “When I was seventeen, I told my mom I wanted to start looking for her. I’m a part of many adoption support groups and many adoptees do. Everyone’s journey is different, but I decided I was ready. My mom was all prepared too. Waiting with the files and contacts. I got lucky. My birth mom had been looking for me. Apparently, my dad left me without her knowledge. I found out he died about six years ago in a fishing accident.”

  I faced her. “How was it? Meeting her?”

  Her expression brightened. “Everything I dreamed. I see her every year when I go back.”

  In my thoughts, I couldn’t form words. Our adoption stories had been so different. She knew all the details of hers; had a family who supported her and acknowledged her differences. Whenever I brought up my adoption it had always been a sensitive issue, so eventually I stopped bringing it up. That still didn’t cancel the fact that I was adopted. That I was different from the family I was placed into. My mom always tried to urge me to see no color. That she didn’t see me as that Asian boy she adopted. In her eyes, I was hers. That was all fine until the minute I left home. The minute I stepped out into the real world and was reminded that I wasn’t like them. That I wasn’t white no matter how much that concept and the beliefs that went with it were shoved into my face at home. Natalia didn’t have to deny who she was. She was around it every day. Her mom had her in support groups and took her back to her home country every year, constantly acknowledging her adoption and where she came from. Not only that, but she spoke the language of her homeland to her. In the car on the way over, they exchanged many phrases, and I had a feeling they only stopped because I was present. Natalia probably only spoke English outside of her home. She was raised so differently. She had people of color as her friends and even spoke to them in their languages. I didn’t want to be, but I found myself angry. Resentful that we started out in similar situations, but ended up so different. Was there more I could have done to change that? Or was I doomed to the fate I had because of where I grew up? Either way, it all seemed redundant now. The past was unfortunately the past, and now, I had to deal with the repercussions of the future.

  I wouldn’t let these thoughts reflect to Natalia. She had nothing to do with our differences in adoption experience. I simply smiled at her and handed back her album. “Thanks for showing me this.”

  She tucked the album under her arm. “No problem. I told you. You’re not as alone as you think.”

  I still felt alone, but in a different way now.

  A door slammed from the direction of the kitchen and in came various chatter, all of which I didn’t understand.

  Natalia’s gaze went from the direction of the noise to me. “Hey. I forgot to mention everyone was coming over today. My mom makes these things called sweet ears. They’re like a fried sugar cake from China. We’re all just going to hang out and watch T.V. You should stay.”

  “All right.” I actually really wanted to.

  She patted my arm and raised her head. “Everyone, I’m in here. Drake’s here too.”

  Translation: that kid that doesn’t speak Korean is here too, so stop speaking Korean. I kept my internal comment to myself, and Luc rushed into the room with what I assumed to be a glazed sweet ear hanging from his mouth. He also had one of the same brown pastries in each hand.

  That kid really did like to eat.

  He hopped over the back of the couch, ploppin
g down beside Natalia. He tipped his head at me. “‘Sup, Drake?”

  I gave a small wave. “‘Sup.”

  He went back to munching while Kyle and Mina took a single chair, her on his lap as he held his arms around her. Kyle reached over and shook my hand, ending with a snap of his fingers. “Good to see you again, Drake.”

  “Yes, very good. What were you and Natalia up to?” Mina eyed us both.

  Natalia rolled her eyes at the insulation. I guess that was the game they played. Mina loved messing with Natalia. She seemed to do so anytime I saw them together. I suppose that was her personality.

  “Just hanging out,” I said. “Natalia mentioned some sweet ears I had to try.”

  “Speaking of…” Natalia whipped around in Luc’s direction, her long hair flowing with her. “Did you leave any for anyone else, Luc? Maybe I should take this one.”

  She playfully attempted to snatch one from the kid, but he shot back in his seat, hiding his bounty. “You better back up, sista,” he said, putting emphasis on the English word in his accent. “You’re lucky I don’t know Karate.”

  “You mean you don’t know Karate?” I mock tsked, shaking my head. “Are you sure you’re half Japanese?”

  The room busted out in laughter, and Kyle put his fist to his mouth. “Ooh, burn. Nice one, Drake.”

  The volume of the laughter in the room finally settled down, but Luc wasn’t a part of any of it. He eyed me, and I wondered if he took offense to the little joke I made. Out of nowhere, he smiled, tipping his chin at me.

  “I think I like this guy,” he said, before chowing down on one of his sweet ears.

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Lacey

  “Lacey.”

  I turned. Coming toward me was Jason Harrison, his long legs allowing him lengthy strides down the sidewalk bright with morning sun. He held a newspaper in hand, and his strong face was complemented by a wide smile.

  How was he so awake and lively this early in the morning? Even if it wasn’t over two hours before rehearsal started I’d be beat. Madame had been working us so hard. Not only that, I’d been working with Jason after hours on top of our already long days to perfect my songs. He did offer help, so I decided it would be okay to take advantage of the opportunity. Jason was so far ahead of me in his craft, and I didn’t want the show to suffer because I wasn’t at the same place in my career as him. Thank goodness the reopening of the show was soon. I was tired of waking up so early and had been missing Drake so much. A text couldn’t say much, but I could tell he was agitated that I kept missing our nightly chats. He understood my situation, but that still didn’t make it any easier to deal with.

  I waved at Jason, my expression just as lively as his so he wouldn’t know how I was brought down by my thoughts.

  He stopped in front of me, towering over me. “Good morning, Lacey. What brings you out so early today?” His rich, British accent managed to make him sound even more upbeat.

  “Work.” I laughed, holding up my sheet music. “I’m headed to the opera house to get a jump on things this morning. I was walking. My building is just down the street there.”

  He turned when I pointed in the general direction.

  “What are you up to so early?” I asked, sliding my music into my satchel.

  “I was talking a walk. I always do so before rehearsal. When I’m done, I usually take a bench somewhere and read the morning paper. Care if I walk you to the opera house since I’m headed that way?”

  “A little company is never a bad thing,” I said.

  This made him smile, and he guided me ahead of him. I’d only taken a few steps before I had to stop. My head spun, and I grew hot all of the sudden. I placed my hand to my forehead.

  Jason touched my shoulder, dipping his head. “Are you all right, Lacey?”

  I blinked. After taking a controlled breath, I came out of the head rush I just experienced. “Yeah. I’m just tired and got a little dizzy. Must be all those long practices.”

  “And I’m sure our after sessions haven’t helped,” he said, his dark eyebrows drawing together in concern. “Have you eaten anything this morning?”

  Chewing on my lip ring backing, I thought for a moment. Suddenly, I laughed. “No. Now that I think about it.”

  His lips lifted. “That will do it then, right? There’s actually a nice place in my hotel, and it’s not far from here. How about you let me take you to breakfast?”

  I opened my mouth to respond but hesitated when I made eye contact with a man behind Jason. He was rather large, Caucasian with a red goatee and baldhead. He quickly gazed away and stopped his strides toward us. Leaning against a building, he attempted to stare casually ahead like we weren’t the focus of his interest a moment ago.

  My heart pounded in my chest that he might be following Jason. He was an international celebrity and no doubt had stalkers. I slipped my hand around his arm. “Jason, I need you to follow my lead, okay?”

  His eyebrows narrowed. “What is it?”

  He attempted to turn his head, but I raised my hand. “Don’t. Just walk with me, okay?”

  He nodded, and I turned him away from the direction of the large man.

  Just as I thought, the creepy man pushed off the wall and followed us. I got a glimpse of him as we turned. This had me picking up my steps. I knew this area very well since I lived here, so I had some tricks to lose him.

  Jason stayed silent, striding along with me. I was glad. We needed to stay discreet so the man didn’t know we were on to him. We’d traveled half a block when we came to my saving grace, a small alley. I made it look as if we’d pass it, but before we did, I pushed Jason into it. The shove was a little rougher than I intended, and we fell into the alley against a brick wall together, me against his hard chest. I didn’t dare move until I confirmed we were no longer being followed.

  I kept my head down, and Jason held me in his arms in silence. The way he did was quite protective, his hand to my hair with his other to the small of my back. The touch reminded me of another, one who’d always made me feel this way—safe. The unexpected sadness my heart plummeted into was so sudden and severe I had to swallow hard to keep my emotions in check.

  God, I miss Drake so much….

  I let out a controlled breath, finally getting a hold of myself, and put my foot out to step back from Jason. The memories this touch elicited were too much, and I couldn’t handle it, but I stopped when the man came into view of the alley. He gazed around viciously, his eyes wide in alarm. His target had escaped him, and he was panicking. After a moment, he continued down the street. When the coast was clear, I finally released myself from Jason.

  “Sorry,” I said, rather awkwardly. I did just shove him into an alley… and throw myself into his arms. I shook my head. That didn’t matter. Only his safety did. “We were being followed by a weird guy. I had to make sure we lost him.”

  Jason’s reaction to a potential stalker was quite unusual. His cheeks stiffened like he was attempting not to smile. “Was this a large man?”

  I frowned. How did he know? I nodded.

  “Red goatee? Bald and dressed in all black?”

  I couldn’t believe it. His description was spot on. “Yes.”

  Jason actually did smile now, his deep dimple revealing. Taking his phone from his tan pants, he put his phone to his ear. “That was my bodyguard. Rene.”

  I slapped my hand over my mouth, my fingers falling from my lips. “Seriously?”

  He chuckled. “Yes. Just let me tell him where we are real quick.”

  My face fell, mortified. He really was famous, actually had a bodyguard, and I managed to single-handedly put him in danger by evading him.

  Jason spoke in French, no doubt confirming his whereabouts by the way he was gazing around. Suddenly, the large man appeared within view of the alley, his phone against his ear. He got a visual on Jason and his face flashed with relief. The two men dropped their phones and Rene stood outside the alley as if he never lost hi
s charge.

  “I’m so sorry, Jason. I didn’t know.”

  He simply flashed me a grin, slipping his phone into his pocket. “It’s all right. No harm done. Maybe I should hire you as my head of security. Getting away quickly from potential threats could come in quite handy.”

  I hung my head in a combination of shame and embarrassment. He laughed, gently shaking my shoulder. “It’s all right. Really.”

  I adjusted my arm bag. “Are you really in any danger?”

  He slid his hands into his pockets, directing me to follow him out of the alley with a nod of his head. “I don’t believe so. No one knows I’m in Paris. We led the press to believe my shooting schedule of Red Thief was extended in the UK. If the paparazzi knew, they’d probably be hiding outside my hotel and the theater, getting in the way a bit. I don’t really consider them dangerous, though. They’re there to snap a picture. Nothing more.”

  Paparazzi? My God. I couldn’t imagine. I never had a problem with that here. Our show was quite small, and though I randomly got recognition, I never got bombarded. I didn’t like the sound of someone following me all the time, trying to take my picture and not allowing me any privacy. My desire to be an actress was never for the recognition. That part was actually what I liked the least in the entertainment business. I sang and performed because it was something I loved, nothing more.

  Jason talked about the paparazzi so casually, as if it didn’t bother him at all. Like they were a part of his life. They were what came with his success, and he didn’t just acknowledge that fact… he accepted it.

  *

  After all the excitement that morning, practice was looking like a well-desired relief. Jason still urged me to eat though since I was dizzy before. I broke down and allowed him to take me to his hotel for breakfast. I was glad I did. I certainly felt a lot better after having something in my stomach.

  By the time we were done, it was just about time for rehearsal to start. The two of us came onto the stage together. Betsy and Dara were chatting with some of the crew on stage. After giving Jason a quick thank you for this morning, I met them there. I waved at them all, which the crew returned before heading offset.