But when we pull into our street, there’s a car in front of our house.
His car.
I shoot up in my seat so quickly, the belt catches and throws me back.
Anthony is standing at our door.
He turns when the garage door opens.
Ethan leans forward. “Dad?” he asks. “Did we hire a new yard guy?”
Chapter Thirty-Four
Anthony
She said today.
Today is nearly tonight.
I can tell by the faces of her family that Mai didn’t tell them a thing. I shouldn’t be surprised. First, the text putting me off. Then silence after my last one. But I said things last night. Asked her to be my girlfriend. She said yes. We can’t go back. I won’t go back. I’m done being her secret.
So here I am. I’m trying to hide how nervous I am, but I’m not going to hide. We have a plan. I meet the parents. We break the ice. It’s all good.
She’s the first one out of the car, walking toward me calmly, but her eyes are frantic. “I didn’t tell them yet!” she mouths.
Her parents and brother are just behind. Her dad looks like I’d expect. Graying hair at the temples. Glasses. Looks like he belongs behind a lectern with a pointer in his hand. Her mom is pretty. Smooth brown hair, summer dress, shoes with gold buckles. Ethan is thin, sandy-brown hair. Collared shirt and pressed khakis. Frown around his mouth that looks permanent from overuse.
They stop beside Mai, and she does the introductions. “This is Anthony Adams. He’s a friend from Cholla.”
“Really?” Mai’s mom steps forward and holds out her hand. I shake it and then her dad’s.
“You know Mai from class?” he asks.
“Not exactly.”
“One of her honor societies?”
“I played baseball.”
“We’re not much of a sports family.” He smiles, but his eyes are puzzled.
“Mai never missed a game,” I say. “Did you?”
Ethan shoots her a look. “Mai?”
“Josie was on the broadcast team,” she says.
I wait for her eyes to meet mine. They hover around my chin. Chicken.
“I’m also part of the Community Cares crew,” I say.
“Really?” That from her dad, who doesn’t look happy anymore. “Mai hasn’t mentioned you.”
Now all eyes are on Mai. Maybe I shouldn’t put her on the spot, but I’ve always been one of those “rip off the Band-Aid” guys.
“I was going to text you,” she says, but I hear the real question. Why are you here?
“I made you something. Thought I’d drop it by.”
“You—?” Finally, her eyes meet mine.
I pull the necklace from my pocket, let it unravel and hang. A twist of my hand and sunlight sparks off the silver chain.
Her mouth opens just before a surprised smile transforms her face.
It goes straight to my gut, lighting me up like a bottle rocket. I came up with the idea last night, spent nearly the whole day working on it. Feels so worth it right now.
“What is that?” Ethan asks.
“Bottle caps.”
“The ones from the desert?” Mai asks. She takes it carefully—not sure if she thinks it’s going to break or thinks it’s going to cut her. I spent hours sanding it smooth and soft as her skin. She turns to her family. “I’ll just be a second. You go in.”
“Nonsense,” her mom says. “We’ll all go inside. It’s a million degrees out here. Besides, I’d like to take a closer look, if Anthony doesn’t mind.”
“Of course not.” I think maybe I like her mom. I’m not sure about her dad. Now that I see her brother, I remember him from Cholla. He worked in the math tutoring lab my freshman year. He was the one you avoided because he made you feel second-rate. It’s okay, though. Her parents are the ones I have to impress.
Mrs. Senn opens the door, and I follow everyone into the cool hall. There’s a formal living room and dining room, carpet too light to risk walking on, a smell of lemon in the air. Keys and purses are dropped on a console table that’s nicer than anything in my house. Hand-carved wood and some metal inset work that I’d love to get a closer look at.
“So you made this yourself?” Mrs. Senn asks, taking the necklace from Mai.
Mr. Senn stands beside her, and they study the design. “A snake?”
“In honor of Mai overcoming her fear.”
“You’re not afraid of snakes anymore?” Mr. Senn is clearly shocked.
“Yes, I’m still afraid. I’m just not terrified.”
“Well, that’s progress.” Mrs. Senn smiles.
Everyone is smiling, except for Ethan. I don’t know what his problem is, but I’m not going to let him rile me. I’m here to make a good impression, smooth the way for whatever happens next.
“How did you make it?” Mr. Senn asks.
“I picked up the bottle caps in the desert. There’s a shitlo—a ton of trash out there.” I shrug. “I took three bottle caps, flattened them, laid them side-by-side. I took an image of a snake, broke it into three parts and affixed each one to a cap. I welded the three onto a chain, and there it is.”
“You weld?” Mrs. Senn asks. “Isn’t that dangerous?”
“Not if you know what you’re doing. My mom made sure I took all the safety classes.”
“He’s very talented,” Mai says. “He has some other pieces he’s working on.”
“Really?” Mrs. Senn says. “This might make for an interesting Community Cares project.”
“I was thinking the same thing.” Mr. Senn is still turning the necklace over in his hands.
“You’re going to cut yourself,” Ethan says.
“No,” I say. “He isn’t.”
Mr. Senn looks up, studying me. “It really is a clever idea. I’d like to hear more about it.”
Mai looks at me, a smile in her eyes.
“We were just going to have dinner, Anthony,” Mrs. Senn says. “Would you like to stay?”
I flash a dimple at Mai. “I’d love to. I got busy with the necklace and forgot to eat lunch.”
“Well, that settles it,” Mrs. Senn says. “We can’t have you starving for your art.”