Page 12 of Fruitbat

I watch him sway as I sit on the stool and sip coffee, suppressing the urge to join.

“This reminds me of Nanny Grace.” His face is dreamy. “She used to listen to this music, while cleaning up our toys, or prepping dinner.” He twirls down the center aisle, rolling his head and closing his eyes, mouthing the lyrics.

I turn to gaze out the window but stare at the Si show, broadcasting in the dark glass. I’m mesmerized by his body movement and free spirit. He bops and shimmies around the back of the store, mouthing the lyrics of the sweet song.

“Do you still see her?” I ask.

He turns back and scoots three steps forward, pausing to straighten a row of potato chips.

“No. —She died when I was thirteen.” He swipes the back of his hand across his cheek and smiles up at me. Fluorescent light bounces off his glossy yellow curls.

“Sorry.”

“It was a long time ago,” he shrugs. “She was like a mother though.” He trots back to the counter.

“I lost my mother ten years ago.’’

“Sorry,” he frowns, leaning in on folded arms, squeezing his pecs together.

“Thanks,” I swig.

—and gulp.

“What about your father?” His apatite gaze fixes on me.

“I never knew him.”

“Me either, really.” Si folds his wrist and dangles the energy drink in his fingers, swirling the fizzing fluid in the can. “My parents both traveled a lot.” His eyes climb down to my grungy t-shirt.

I wish I had worn something nicer, but I hadn't expected this night to be different from any other.

“I’m sorry you’ve lost your parents.”

“Oh no. My parents are alive, just too busy,” he chuckles. “They’re sitting on a yacht, somewhere off the coast of Santorini. —I think?”

Fancy.

“A yacht?” I scoff.

His sweet face flushes red.

—And now I feel like an asshole.

“Yeah,” he spins and floats away to the dairy cooler.

“You really don’t need to hang around this place. It’s going to get boring real soon.”

“I don’t have anywhere to be.” Si folds over with his nose inches from the glass door, displaying rows of milk and cream.

Are you sure about that?

9

Si

1:42 am

I sense Danny wants me to go, but I don’t think he’s okay. He still seems jarred by the fall and may need me. I’m not leaving just yet. It’s too early to go back home. Our house parties don’t end until the sun comes up. Myfriendscan use my place as long as they need. I’m occupied with more interesting distractions.

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