“What are you doing?”
He settles his laptop across his legs. “Just realized I forgot to email off the application.”
It takes me forty minutes to realize that it doesn’t take long to send an email, but Brandon sits contentedly in the corner, working away on who knows what.
We don’t speak.
We don’t even acknowledge each other.
But for the remainder of the afternoon, I’m not alone.
PAST
KATE
“I’m not alone,” I whisper to myself. “Not tonight.” I stroll the snow-dusted sidewalk beside the parade route, feeling maybe an ounce more happy than anxious. Because at this Lunar New Year Parade, Brandon will be meeting me.
I twiddle the belt on my red peacoat, the crowd jostling to and fro as I make my way to the corner of Wentworth Avenue. Red paper lanterns sway overhead in the coming night, and I’m filled with such warm appreciation for my heritage.
Childhood memories spark of holding Grandma Chen’s hand, the musty, sweet scent of her hugs, and her wrinkled smile as she’d stuff Liza’s and my pockets full of roasted nuts and candy. My Dad was never very traditional, but Grandma Chen made sure we knew and understood the customs she grew up with.
A few fan dancers scamper by in a blur of red lips and makeup. Their silk costumes disappear around a brick building as I continue walking. Either my left knee has absorbed ten energy drinks, or there’s a jackrabbit trapped behind my kneecap.
I’ve seen Liza plenty over the last three months, but I haven’t seen my parents since the night they kicked me out. I don’t think I’ll ever forget Dad’s harsh words, or my mom’s mottled rage distorting her pretty face.
“How could you be so stupid to throw everything away?”
“Selfish, even after all we’ve done for you.”
“You’re smarter than this, Katherine.”
“Maybe she’s not.”
My palms begin to sweat inside my black gloves. I yank the gloves off, plucking my phone from my pocket to shoot a text to Brandon.
KATE: Low-key freaking out. Can’t wait to see you. Is it too soon to escape on your motorcycle?
The distant drumming of a marching band announces the parade is starting, so I shove my phone back in my pocket and quicken my steps. My intricate braid bounces against my red peacoat, and I tracea hand along the length of it, ensuring it’s still smooth the way Liza taught me when we were kids.
“Kate!” Liza spots me in the crowd, waving like a maniac. She’s wearing a mauve puffy coat and matching earmuffs over her chestnut brown hair. Her cheeks are rosy with excitement. “You came!”
“I did.” I hug her, and it feels like hugging a marshmallow. It’s been a few weeks since I last saw her, and I never want to let go.
“I missed you!” she says. “Where’s Brandon? I cannot wait to meet him!”
I pull back and smile. “He’s on his way.”
A familiar set of glittering eyes meets mine over Liza’s shoulder.
“Hi, Dad,” I say.
His bedside-manner smile seems unsure, but his tone is even as he says, “It’s good to see you, Katherine.”
Mom appears by his shoulder. Her sleek, round bob is a little longer than when I last saw her, and the warm brown strands are freshly dyed. Is that a touch of worry in her amber eyes? They rove over me so quickly, I can’t tell.
“We’re glad you could make it,” Mom says, her smile seeming…genuine? “We’ve missed you.”
She’s still…smiling.
