“She’s the friend I was telling you about,” Mason said, breathless from running after her. “She cooks at Janet.”
“I know who she is.”
“That kiss, it didn’t mean anything. That’s just the way she is. That’s how it was in Poland when she was growing up. They kiss everyone on the lips. It has nothing to do with us.”
“Really? That’s what you expect me to believe?”
He waited too long to answer. “I never meant to hurt you. Why would I hurt you? You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”
“Stop! No more lies.”
“Miri, please, listen…I wanted to tell you but I didn’t know how. I tried to end it…and now it’s over…I promise, it’s over.”
“I never want to see you again.”
“Miri…don’t do this.” He reached out to grab her but she was faster. She stopped only once before she got home, to see if he was following, but he wasn’t.
Mason
He couldn’t stand the idea of losing her. And losing her because of what—some stupid kiss he didn’t even want? Damn! He’d screwed up. He’d screwed up big-time. He should have told Polina he had a girlfriend a long time ago. Lately, Polina expected too much of him. She expected him to be the man of the family. She wanted him to quit school and get a job and move in and be a dad to Stash. But he wasn’t ready for that.
In another month he’d be seventeen. He’d be able to get his license. He had enough saved for a used car. He just wanted to be a seventeen-year-old guy with a girlfriend, a dog and a car. And he wanted to get out of here, away from Polina. He wanted to go to Las Vegas with his brother, who would teach him not only to be an electrician, but a man. Sure, it was exciting to be with her at first. It was like a fantasy. This grown woman who knew what she wanted and wasn’t shy about showing him. At first she made no demands. But now—now she wouldn’t leave him alone. Stashie misses you. I have big new bed just waiting. You come fill me up. I need you fill me up, Mason. And what guy wouldn’t want to fill her up? That was the problem. But he was done with her. Finished. Kaput.
Christina
Christina bumped into Zak Galanos in the hall at school. What was the Sewing Machine Man’s son doing at Battin? She tried not to look at him but, too late. He did a double take.
“I know you, don’t I?” he asked.
“You went to school with my sister, Athena.”
“Right. Athena Demetrious. And you’re the little sister.”
“Not so little. I’m a senior, graduating in less than a month.”
“And your name is…”
“Christina.”
“Right. Christina.” He smiled at her.
She didn’t like this. It felt awkward. “What are you doing here?” she asked.
“I have an interview for a teaching position for next year.”
Why on earth would he want to teach at the school right across the street from where his parents died, from the hole in the ground that was once his house?
“What will you teach?”
“History, maybe a few classes of civics. Mrs. Rinaldi is leaving.”
“I didn’t know that.”
“She wants to move someplace that’s sunny year-round.”
“Who doesn’t?” She shouldn’t have said that, given the fact that he was here looking for a job. A job in Elizabeth, New Jersey. A job in Plane Crash City.
“What about you, Christina? Are you going someplace sunny after graduation?”
“I’m thinking about it.”
“Can I call you this summer? Would you go out with me?”
This was so embarrassing. And the second bell was ringing. She was going to be late for class. “I have a boyfriend.”
“Serious?”
“Yes,” she said, her voice so soft he had to lean in to hear her. What would he say if she told him she was married? “My sister just had her second baby—another boy. They named him Ajax, like the cleanser. They’re going to call him AJ. I’ll bet she tries for a girl next year.”
“Send her my regards. And to your parents, too. They were very kind after the accident.”
The accident. As if they’d fallen down the stairs.
“I saw it, you know. I was helping Mr. Durkee after school when the airplane…when it came right at us. We thought it was coming through the window of the classroom.”
“I didn’t know that.”
“And after, I was there, when the fires and the explosion…” She felt dizzy. She needed to put her head down. She dropped the books she was holding and, as she fell forward, he caught her. Held her in his arms.
“It must have been terrible to see that.”
“Yes.” But no one she loved died. She reminded herself to breathe. Breathe deeply, like when the doctor inserted the speculum. When she recovered she said, “I’m late for class.” She collected her books and started off down the hall.
He caught up to her. “Listen…in case you need someone to talk to, here’s my number.” He passed her a piece of paper.
She looked at it and nodded.