Page 43 of Kiss Collector
I climb on his board and hold his shoulders as he walks down the sidewalk pulling me. Taro watches us go, shaking his head in amusement. We laugh the whole time as I try not to fall off. It’s crazy how much coordination and balance I have when it comes to cheer, but put me on moving wheels and it all disappears.
When we get down the street I realize I didn’t get to ask Taro if he was the poet, but I can’t go back without looking stupid. Besides, I’m pretty sure I know who the probable culprit is, and now I have his number.
Zeb is sweating by the time we get back to the apartment. Mom points him directly to the bathroom since he stinks like only a boy can.
After dinner, before Zebby can get lazy again, I say, “Let’s play,” and toss him a controller. We play boxing, and I kick his butt two out of three times. He’s a good sport, though, and we even manage to laugh a few times.
As he’s switching games he asks nonchalantly, “Heard from Dad?”
My heart tightens with sadness, then burns with wrath.
“No,” I say. “But I’m sure he’ll call soon.”
Whenever he can spare a moment away fromher. Whoever she is. The woman he’s playing house with. No kids to worry about. No wife to nag him. Just fun and freedom while we sit here hurting and waiting.
I wonder what she looks like. How old she is. If he’ll getbored with her eventually and miss Mom. Miss us. Would Mom accept him back? Would I want that? Right now, the answer is a definite no. I don’t know when, if ever, I’ll be able to forgive him. I don’t care if I ever see him again, but Zeb does. Dad can ignore me all he wants—whatever—but it’s unacceptable for him to ignore his son.
After we play a round of a game of Zeb’s choice, in which he slaughters me without mercy, I go to the bedroom and text Dad.
Zeb misses u. Make time for him.
I don’t care if I sound bossy, rude, or disrespectful. I hope it annoys him.
He doesn’t respond. Jerk.
But then I hear a chirp from the living room followed by Zebby’s voice. I open the door to listen.
“Hey!... Yeah, I’m good. When can I see you and your new place?... Okay, I understand.” His voice falls, and I lock my jaw. “Okay... Love you, too. Bye.”
I walk out just as he’s hanging up, his shoulders slumped in despondence.
“He’s working double shifts to pay his new security deposit,” Zeb mumbles. The burn of anger is back in my chest, seeping up my throat until I swallow it down.
“I’m sure you’ll get to see him soon.”
I ruffle his hair.
Mom comes through the front door and smiles at me inquisitively. “So, how did you manage to get no charge for the tire?”
“I know the owner’s son from school,” I tell her. “Just don’ttell his dad that he did it for free.”
Mom wears the same look of tearful gratitude that I had earlier today as she nods.
“How was your first day at the job?”
“Good,” I say. “I’m tired though.”
Her mouth opens like she wants to chat, but I turn and head for my room. I try not to feel guilty when I think about the look on her face, so hopeful, only to be denied again. We used to talk a lot. I enjoyed time with Mom. I loved confiding in her, but it’s too hard now. Everything’s changed. She and Dad upended our lives. If they can be selfish, so can I.
I put my headphones on tight and blast the music, staring up at my international dream-destination posters.
Let the forgetting commence.
Chapter Seventeen
Wednesday Night
Ican’t believe spring break is nearly halfway over already, but I’m looking forward to tonight. Vincent is gone to Williamsburg with his family until tomorrow, so Kenzie is all ours. When she starts gushing about how amazing he is, I shut her up by passing around the video of Taro from yesterday afternoon and telling them all about it.
