Page 9 of Status Undefined
“It wasn’t on purpose. I didn’t know it would be like that. Anyway, it’s none of your business.”
“Of course it’s my business! Without me you wouldn’t even know who he is.”
“Maybe that would have been better. It’s because of you that I thought he was super shallow!”
“How…?”
“Hey kids, quit arguing. There are plenty of Americans on the beach. And, if not, then Australians. I think they’re better looking, actually.” Naama winked at her husband.
Keren screwed up her face in disgust and slammed her door.
She’d touched a nerve about the dirty beach. That’s why I got annoyed. Daniel’s reassurances hadn’t convinced me that it was okay. I’d apologize later – or go one better and make one of her dreams come true….
May 7
(earlier that year)
“A caramel Frappuccino please.”
“Name?”
“A-mit.” I tried to articulate the syllables as clearly as possible but still…
“Amitz?”
“OK.” I gave up.
As I was waiting for my drink, Liam came in carrying a shopping bag. We’d left home together but he’d stopped at a shop in the mall to check out clothes for his graduation party.
“You ordered already?” he asked.
“Yeah. A second ago.”
“Frappuccino again?”
“Don’t give me that look. There’s nothing else here worth drinking.”
“You haven’t tried their new spring drink!” He pointed to a nearby sign featuring a multi-colored drink that apparently contained strawberry, pitaya and pineapple. You had to be brave.
“Name?”
“Liam.”
“220 baht.”
Liam paid with his Starbucks card while I marveled that the barista got his name right the first time.
We found an empty table. It was Monday morning and the place was quiet. Liam should have been at school, but I figured cutting class was no big deal in senior year. Yet it was obvious that he was stressed. It seemed like something serious was bothering him. He looked down, bit his lip and jiggled his leg.
“Amit, I have to tell you something.”
I waited but he hesitated. I knew this look and I got themessage. Liam and I were friends, and brothers, and I knew him well. About two weeks earlier I’d seen him holding hands with a young guy near our building. I hadn’t said anything. If he wanted to, he would tell me.
Now he clearly did. I wanted to give him time to spit it out, but I couldn’t stand to see him in such agony.
“Liam it’s ok. I know.”
“You know?”
