Page 39 of Baby Love

I shake my head at the cuteness—hers and his.

I can’t stop thinking of that question he asked me yesterday. I want to ask him about it but can’t with Anya around.

After we eat, I suggest she go lie down in her room for a while and read. I’m surprised when she falls asleep before she’s finished one book. I might worry she caught the virus I just had if she didn’t just scarf down two helpings of khao soi. It’s more likely playing with Spin wore her out.

I join Spin in the living room where he’s studying his script and waste no time beating around the bush.

“Why did you ask me that question when we were texting yesterday?”

Spin’s cheeks get pink. “Oh. Um, well, Bass said that’s what he did with this guy he used to date, and I didn’t want to admit I didn’t know what it was. He and Cushion were in a heated discussion, and I didn’t have time to explain. But I, uh, looked it up when I got home.”

I nod. “Okay. I would have told you, but you caught me off guard.”

“Yeah. I guess it did seem to come out of nowhere. Kind of crazy how it happens that my character pretty much does that in the love scene we’re about to film.”

Our eyes meet and the moment hangs suspended between us.

Clearing my throat, I say, “Right. Anything in particular you’re worried about for these scenes this week? P’Big and Khun Aat will be coaching us.”

“I’m kind of worried about the scene where Boom cries about his cat that died while he was gone. I’m not sure I can cry on cue,” Spin admits.

“You did great with the last emotional scene you did,” I remind him.

“I didn’t have to actually cry in that one. All my tears came afterward, when I was having trouble pulling myself out of it.”

“Hm.” I think about it. “Have you ever had a pet die?”

Spin shakes his head. “Pa wouldn’t let us have pets, not even fish. Nok begged him for a dog once, but he refused. I was kind of glad he did.”

“Why?”

“I think Pa would have been mean to it.”

I swallow. “Was he mean to you and Nok?”

Looking away, Spin says, “He could be. Anyway, I’m worried about the crying part.”

“Find something in your memories that makes you sad and think about it hard before you have to cry. That’s what works for me. I, uh, think about the day my dad and stepmom died.”

Spin looks so upset by that, I wish I didn’t tell him.

He nods. “Thanks for the advice.”

“Do you want to try it now?” I ask.

“You mean crying?”

“Yeah. See if you can do it by just thinking about something sad.”

Taking a deep breath, Spin nods. “Okay.”

I sit quietly while he prepares himself. It isn’t long before his lower lip trembles and a fat tear rolls down his cheek.

“Wow, it worked!” Spin says, grinning through his tears. “Thanks, P’Park.”

We read through a few scenes, discussing different ways we might say our lines. When we come to the scene when Khao pins Boom against the wall and kisses him, we agree to try it all the way through without breaking character, no matter what happens.

Khao (as Boom turns to walk away from him): That’s the problem with you, Boom. You never take what I say seriously.

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