Page 4 of Status Undefined
“Tenk you,” I said, aware of my Israeli accent. I felt my face flush, probably because I’d been caught at the feet of a stranger. What else could it be?
I looked at the floor, wondering how to get out of there without embarrassing myself even more with my terrible English.
“Is that your hobby?” The American said in Hebrew, pointing at the gecko trying to escape my grasp.
“No, it’s just…Wait, what? You speak Hebrew?”
“I do. Why does that surprise you?”
“You’re American.”
“Uh huh. Does my accent give me away? Or is it something else?”
“I’m not one of your followers, if that’s what you mean.” I clenched my hand in irritation and the gecko wriggled even harder.
“But you know who I am. I’m flattered.”
“Don’t be. It’s only because of my weird sister. I don’t understand why she does it.” I snuck a glance at his straight brown hair as I spoke. It was styled to perfection, with a cowlick in front.
“Ouch. You think I’m just a shallow person only interested in collecting followers, right?”
“No. I …” I was lost for words because that’s exactly what I was thinking.
“It’s ok. I know some people judge me. You can’t please everyone. But you seem like a smart guy. How come you’re so quick to judge me when you don’t even know me?”
“Sorry,” I said, abashed.
“I’ll accept your apology on one condition.”
“What?”
“That you give me a chance to prove I’m not the kind of person you think I am.”
“Planning to work a miracle?” I said half-joking and then immediately wished I could crawl into a hole.
“One meeting. Starbucks in the Central Phuket Mall. Tomorrow at four.”
I tried not to roll my eyes. Starbucks? Really? That’s how he was going to change my mind? So far he was doing the opposite.
“Ok, one meeting. But my sister can’t know.”
“I think she already does.”
I turned and there she was. Looped in. Perhaps thinking of joining the conversation if she ever remembered how to speak.
“See you.” And he left, without waiting for my answer.
I watched him walk away and then I saw another gecko above the exit. Another one?
I looked down at my hand. It was empty.
December 3
(visa expires in 42 days)
Keren begged Naama to cancel her tutoring sessions so that she could tag along to Starbucks. But Eli and Naama threatened to cut off the Wi-Fi in her room if she ditched, and she gave in. I didn’t see why the sessions couldn’t be put off for a day, but I suspected they were more concerned with my social life than with Keren’s academics. I hadn’t really made any friends since I got to Thailand. I spoke to my friends back in Israel on the phone, or video chatted, but I didn’t try to meet any local Israelis. Liam and I used to go to the island beaches on the weekends. There was a hole in my social life since he left. I’ve blamed COVID-19 until now, but I’m starting to think it was just a good excuse.
The Central Phuket mall was pretty close to my apartment. For safety’s sake, I decided to cross the busy street rather than take the bridge. Yep, safety not speed. The stairs up to the bridge, and even more so those down from the bridge, were designed for feet about half the size of a westerner’s feet. A fall was all but guaranteed. I looked at the busy road and told myself over and over, like a mantra, that no one would accelerate just to run me down. I waited for a relatively safe gap between two cars and bolted for the opposite sidewalk. A vehicle whizzed behind me, a split second after I got out of its way. I felt the whoosh of air as it passed. I breathed a sigh of relief and headed for the nearest entrance. There was no one there. Just an improvised altar.
