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My eyes dart there before I force them up to her face. I am relieved that the only thing rising in me is confusion.
Ashanti and I have eaten meals together with her husband and Niko present. At those times, she did not serve me, nor did she wear such revealing clothing.
Expression stern, I remove the vegetable from my rice and place it in Niko’s. A twitch of disappointment flickers over Ashanti’s face, but she hides it well.
“Beth wants me to go to the farmhouse today,” Niko signs.
“What did she say?” Mother asks.
“Her friends invited her out today.” I tilt my head and think about it. “You have a test on Friday.”
“We will study together,” she signs.
Ashanti gets Niko’s attention. “Sweetheart, you need to focus on eating.”
Niko loses the twinkle in her eye.
I glance sharply at Ashanti, despite knowing it is slightly unfair to blame her. Breakfast is always a silent affair. And we have both scolded Niko in the past for signing instead of eating.
However, since our dinner with Dejonae showed us how lively and ‘loud’ a meal could be, I understand why Niko would want to engage in discussion this morning. I resent the fact that she was shut down.
Seeing that my daughter is dejected, I give my consent. “You can go to the farmhouse if Akira accompanies you.”
Niko brightens again like a dying balloon receiving hydrogen.
Ashanti turns to me. “What ‘farmhouse’ is she talking about?”
“Her friends from school are the children of several wealthy and influential couples in the city. The adults often gather together, allowing the children to meet outside of a school setting.”
“Interesting. Are these children deaf too?”
“They are hearing.”
Ashanti’s eyebrows drop low. “So how do they get along?”
“They make an effort,” I say simply.
The conversation becomes stilted. Perhaps it is my tone, my thunderous expression, or my lack of interest that convinces Ashanti to let it go.
After Niko excuses herself from the table, my mother leaves as well. I get up to take a shower when I feel Ashanti’s hand on my arm.
I stop and look down at her.
She is staring at the floor. Her fingers curl around my wrist urgently. “Ryotaro, can we talk?”
I wait—silently—for her to continue.
“Why are you treating me so coldly?” Three wrinkles appear above her eyebrows. “When we divorced, we agreed that we would be friends. We agreed never to be like the other divorced couples who are constantly fighting and talking badly about each other.”
“I am not fighting with you, Ashanti. I simply do not understand why you are here.”
Her eyes dart away. “I missed Niko.”
“And what of your husband? Did he agree to let you quit your job on the cruise ship midway?”
She rises to her feet. Her dress sways around her ankles. “Why didn’t you tell me you were dating someone?”
I am not surprised that she knows. Perhaps Akira informed both her and my mother.
