Page 184 of The Encore’s Crown

“I don’t placate you.”

I climb out, smoothing my dress over my hips, and Rithy nods at me.

“Always good to see a fellow black sheep.”

“Thank you. I’ve continued to work hard at disappointing them since our last meeting.”

He presses a hand to his chest.

“An artist.”

Kiri comes around the car and reaches for my hand.

“Don’t encourage his bullshit.”

Rithy pushes his sunglasses onto the top of his head and looks toward the driveway.

“Dad’s car is gone.”

Kiri’s grip tightens around mine.

“Bar?”

Rithy glances at the house.

“Where else?”

They exchange a few quick words in Khmer, too fast for me to catch anything except the change in their voices. Kiri’s gets lower. Rithy’s loses the teasing edge.

They do that sometimes, slip into Khmer without realizing it, especially when they’re talking about family or something they don’t want the rest of the room touching. I don’t mind. It makes me feel oddly closer to them in a way I can’t explain. Kasia and I do the same thing with Polish sometimes, falling back into it because it feels familiar. Like home.

“What?” I ask.

Kiri looks over as if he forgot I was standing there.

“Nothing.”

“That sounded like a very serious nothing.”

Rithy hooks his thumbs into his pockets.

“I told him the golden boy should go first.”

Kiri scoffs and gives him the finger.

“I’m not the golden boy.”

Before Rithy can return it, the front door flies open. A tiny woman rushes out so quickly I barely have time to take her in. Black hair threaded with wisps of silver is twisted into a bun, and she wears a soft pink blouse with dark trousers. She can’t be much taller than my shoulder, but she moves with the force of weather. Her arms are already outstretched.

“My boys!”

Kiri lets go of my hand just in time for her to throw herself between them. Both brothers fold around her immediately. She disappears almost completely, swallowed by black shirts, broad shoulders and tattooed arms. Rithy bends low enough to kiss her cheek. Kiri presses his face into her hair. She’s crying before either of them says a word. I stand beside the car pretending the sight isn’t doing something vicious to my chest.

When she finally pulls back, I see it. Kiri’s smile. It’s hers. I understand where the warmth in it comes from. The way it spreads slowly and then takes over his entire face. She has Rithy’s eyes, though. Dark and expressive, missing absolutely nothing. Especially me. Her gaze lands on me over Kiri’s arm. She freezes, then she looks up at him like he’s just announced he’s been elected Pope. Kiri adjusts his weight. That might be the first time I’ve ever seen him look shy. He reaches back for me.

“Ma, this is Nat.” He draws me closer. “Nat, this is Ma Chhim.”

She swats his arm.