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“And if I heard correctly, Kathy is hard to say no to,” he stated.
I have no issues saying no to Kathy. Crystal might be another story.
Leaving his office, I headed back to the lobby where I was supposed to meet Crystal. When I got there, I found her sitting by the fireplace.Damn it.How was I going to explain already being here?
She was so deep in thought that she didn’t even seem to realize I was in the lobby as well. I cleared my throat, and she turned around.
“Oh, I’m sorry. I’m a bit ... tired, I guess. Maybe jet lag. I never even noticed you coming in,” she said, getting up.
“If you need to sleep, I’m sure Kathy will understand.”
She yawned but shook her head. “No. I’d like to join you all.”
I had hoped she’d take my suggestion and put my mind at ease. But instead, we were on our way to Orion’s.
We were almost there, when I asked, “Not that it’s any of my business, but what makes you want to spend your first day here amongst strangers?”
She smiled. “It doesn’t really matter where I am. Everyone is a stranger here except for Kathy. And I only know what she told me on the flight over here.”
“Then I am glad you’re joining us. My brother’s house can be a bit...loud. First, there is my grandmother who is probably stuck listening to Kathy’s ramblings right now. And Raya’s son Joey, who is ten. I think he’s missing the States even though he doesn’t admit it. And then Raya, who has the patience of a saint, putting up with my brother Orion.”
“Sounds like a normal family to me. Where do you fit in with all of that?” she asked.
Not sure I do.
“I give them the space they need, and I’m around when they want me,” I said.
She just stared at me. “That’s it?”
“I’m a busy man.”
I worked but I had plenty of time for other things. But things have been different since Raya came to Tabiq a year ago. I no longer just popped in Orion’s house, and helped myself to beer and dinner, even if he wasn’t home. I felt more like a guest there now. The doors were locked, and I didn’t have a key.
“Can I ask you a question?” I nodded. She asked, “Why are you going?”
“You mean to my brother’s?” I asked.
“Yes. There’s something in your expression that makes me feel as though you’d rather be somewhere else,” she stated.
I needed to watch out for her because she nailed it. “No place specific, but I know they will be talking wedding stuff, and I don’t want to hear about flowers or music.”
“Maybe it won’t be like that tonight. I mean Kathy will be there, and I’m sure she will have a lot to talk about,” she said, then winked.
I laughed. “Very true.”
“Maybe you and I should come up with a code word,” she suggested.
“Code word?” I had no idea what that meant.
“You never had a code word with your brother?” she asked.
“No.”
“It’s a word that only the two of you know what it means when you say it. Let's see. For us, it can mean, ‘let’s escape’.” she giggled.
“That’s great. How can we have a code word if we can’t get a word in?” I laughed.
She bit her bottom lip. “Good point. I know. I will yawn and say jet lag.”
