Page 67 of The Rom-Commers

But boyfriends sleeping over at our apartment was not part of the plan.

“I thought he was spending the summer in Brazil with his grandma,” I said.

“Change of plans.”

“Since when?”

“Since he got into grad school here.”

“He’s starting grad school?”

“Not till August. But he’s taking prerequisites this summer.”

And then, with dread, I asked a question I could alreadysensethe answer to. “He’s just staying there a day or two, right? Until he finds a place of his own?”

“Umm,” Sylvie said.

“He can’t stay with you there long term,” I said.

“The point is, we have an empty bed,” Sylvie said.

“That’s my bed,” I said.

“Yes. And as soon as you come back—whenever that is—we’ll kick him right out.”

But she was missing the point. I wasn’t worried about my bed. “Sylvie, he can’t be there,” I said.

“Why not? Dad is cool with it. He loves Salvador.”

“Wealllove Salvador,” I said. “That’s not the issue.”

“Then whatisthe issue?”

“He’s a distraction,” I said.

“He’s not a distraction,” Sylvie said. “He’s helping.”

“He’s too handsome to help.”

“Can I just remind you that the master’s he’s getting is to become a physician’s assistant? He’s a medical professional.”

“Not yet he isn’t.”

“The point is, he’s a good guy to have around.”

“Sylvie,” I said, aware that I had no real power beyond a stern voice,“Salvador can’t stay there. Dad is a full-time, round-the-clock, twenty-four seven job. You can’tbe in loveand do it right at the same time. Don’t you think if there were a way to do that I would’ve figured it out by now?”

“Fine,” Sylvie said.

I hadn’t expected her to give in that fast. “Fine?”

“Sure—fine. We’ll find Salvador another place. I mean, he’s been doing morning yoga with Dad, and folding all the laundry, and taking Dad down to help Mrs. Otsuka with the community garden, but it’s fine. Also he’s been babysitting Mrs. Otsuka’s grandson Kenji, who’s visiting for the summer and kind of shy—andadorable. But it’s no biggie. I’ll just kick Salvador out.”

“Good,” I said. Guilt trip not accepted.

“Fine,” Sylvie said.

“Great,” I said.

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