“No, not at all. I like Paul.”
“Oh yeah?”
“Not in that way.” I chuckle nervously. “Not that he’s not an attractive man, in fact…” I’m making it worse. “Let’s just say he’s not my type.”
I finally close my mouth, waiting for the question I hope will come, but it doesn’t happen.
“He is teaching the kids how to play Blackjack. I’m sorry. It’s a bad influence.”
I sigh quietly, hoping he can’t sense my disappointment.
“Don’t worry. Mr Yang already taught them how to play Poker.”
“They didn’t mention that.”
“Watch out for Logan. He counts the cards.”
“I suspected that.”
“Are the kids giving you a hard time?”
“No more than I expected. They are well behaved kids.”
“Their parents have done a good job.” Sadness creeps into my voice, but I don’t let it take over.
“So did you.”
A different feeling is now stirring inside me, and I’m unsure if I can control it.
“You’re… nice to say that.”
“It’s the truth.”
It’s important you think so, perhaps too much for me, so I decide not to say it out loud.
“How is the night? I don’t hear any music in the background or any chaos.”
“I went outside to call you. The night is busy and crazy.”
And I really hope no one outside is taking pictures to share, or I’ll be in even more trouble.
“But…” I add, with the fear that I have almost no right to. “…I can’t wait to come home.”
The awkward silence that follows my audacious statement almost stops my pulse.
“I’ll wait for you.” From the other side comes a hope I should not cling to.
“Do you have to work?” I ask, my voice shaking.
“No.”
I almost let the phone slip from my fingers.
“O-okay,” I reply, nervous. “I’ll try not to be late.”
“Don’t worry.”
I don’t know how to hold him more on the phone, so I just let him go.
