“Fine. Maheen agrees everything looks good.”
So not forgotten. They’d just skipped him and gone to the family doctor instead.
“I promise you don’t have to worry.”
“I can’t help it.”
“Oh, my son.” Persis set her tea down and wrapped Farzan in a hug. When he was growing up, her hugs had always been bone-crushing. When had they gotten tender? “Everything will be all right. I promise.”
“I just worry about you.”
“I know. You don’t have to take care of me, though. That’s my job.”
Farzan wasn’t convinced. But Persis rubbed her thumb along his jaw. “You need a shave, maman. How is your boyfriend supposed to kiss you through all this? You can’t hide your handsome face.”
Farzan snorted. “David has stubble too.”
“Hmm, but his is neater. When are we going to see him again?”
“You know he works at a restaurant too. It’s hard to find time.”
“Well, your sister’s hosting a dinner Saturday. Can he get off in time?”
“Saturday? Maybe, but I can’t—”
“Sure you can.”
Farzan bit his lip. He couldn’t tell his mom he’d already taken last Saturday off for a canceled dick appointment. So had David.
Plus David was leaving for LA on Tuesday.
Leaving for a visit, Farzan reminded himself, but that didn’t help the dread in his stomach much.
“I’ll ask David,” he finally said. “And see how busy we’re looking that night. No promises, though.”
“Good. I’ll see you both there,” Persis said, ignoring everything Farzan just told her.
She slurped the last of her tea. Farzan followed her out, taking her cup and setting it in the dishwasher.
“I love you, azizam,” she said as he held her coat for her. “I only want you to be happy. You know that, don’t you?”
“I know, Maman. I love you too. See you soon.”
He kissed his mom on both cheeks and let her out, waving as she drove off.
Farzan stood at the door, enjoying a bit of sunshine through the windows and rolling out his neck until a shout of “Fuck fuck fuck!” from the kitchen grabbed his attention.
He spun around. “What was that?”
“Nothing…” Spencer called.
And then: “We have any spare skewers?”
Farzan sighed. They bought new skewers every month, but sometimes they needed to be replaced early. “I’ll get some.”
Farzan was still getting dressed when David knocked on his door. He left his shirt unbuttoned and ran to let him in.
“Hey, you.” David’s smile was luminous. “You got a haircut.”
