‘I will only say that you are off the hook.’I lavishly add spoonfuls of chilli oil and pickled garlic and chillies to the pho to add layers to the flavour and be further comforted by the hands of this magical Pho.
We let ourselves be fully engrossed in enjoying the dish, but after a while, Cooper bends to grab his bag and roots around in it for something.Seconds later, he grabs a CD and hands it to me.It is the CD ofParachutes, the album that the songYellowby Coldplay is from.‘This is for you.You can finally listen to the entire album,’ he says casually.
I freeze, my mouth parted.I can’t believe that he got me the album.I only mentioned it once.How did he remember such a small detail?I grab it from his hand, and he smiles at me before he goes back to eating.He looks composed, as if it is ingrained in his personality to be observant and thoughtful.
‘Thanks, Cooper, that is so sweet of you.’I feel like I'm perceiving this moment from outside my body; it doesn’t feel real.How is someone so intentional with their every single action?My heart settles; his presence steadies me.I might have made the right decision by saying okay to his invitation to spend more time with each other.But is there another shoe that is going to drop?I can never be too sure.
7
Luna
My decision to keepeveryone at arm’s length has officially been revoked.Or rather, because of Cooper’s patience, understanding and thoughtfulness, he has shown me that it might not always be the worst thing to let someone into my heart.I can talk to him about anything.We are slowly learning about each other with late-night calls, texting and spending time doing activities that interest us both.
I am going over to his house today to spend time with him and also to meet his Mum over dinner.Amy Murphy is usually busy and she has requested to meet me today, when she’s off from work.I am excited to meet her.
I ring the bell, and I hear voices on the other side.The door swings open to reveal Amy standing there, her blonde bob swinging from the momentum of walking to the door, and she beams at me.‘Come in, Luna.I have heard so much about you from Coop.’
My nerves settle from the warmth and genuineness radiating from her.Once I step into the house, she pulls me into her and gives me the biggest hug.I relax in her arms, and the same comfort I feel with Cooper washes over me.He must have learnt it from her.I like learning more about Cooper and his family.
Once she releases me from her arms, my eyes travel across the room, searching for Cooper.‘Is Cooper—’
‘He is in the kitchen, getting the plates ready for us to eat.’
Amy and I walk over to the kitchen, and Cooper is placing three plates on the table and setting the food down.He looks up at me, and his face immediately brightens.‘Hi, Luna.’
‘Hi,’ I respond.I have a feeling that there isn’t anyone else joining us for dinner, but I don’t want to assume.‘Um, is Cooper’s Dad joining us?’
Cooper freezes in the middle of setting the cutlery down, and the room falls silent, as if the sound got sucked into a vacuum.Cooper’s Mum walks towards me and gently places a hand on my shoulder.‘He isn’t a part of our lives, love.’
‘I’m sorry.’Guilt courses through me for asking the question, but it confirms what I suspected about the situation from what Cooper told me at the riverside.I don’t want to impose on either of them to talk about anything they don’t want to.I move past the subject.But the guilt steadily seeps into my thoughts.
Amy smiles softly at me.‘It’s okay, Luna, you didn’t know.’
We take our places at the table.I sit down, and Amy and Cooper follow suit.Cooper sits next to me.I stare into the distance, my eyes unfocused, still feeling bad for the question I asked.I didn’t want to even accidentally make them upset, especially when they are such lovely human beings.
Cooper extends his hand, his fingers tap my elbow.‘Hey, you alright?’
