He drifted slowly into the living room, pulling off his cap and tucking it into his back pocket as he took in the new space.
"It looks incredible in here." He turned slowly, taking in each change with quiet consideration. He pointed to one of the armchairs. "Did you reupholster that?"
I laughed and nodded as I closed the door with a steady thud behind me. “Yeah, it was probably one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, and don’t you dare lift up that seat cushion. It’s where I’m hiding the extra fabric.”
He smiled softly. “It really looks incredible. I like the color. I hadn’t even thought about painting a ceiling. It really ties it all together.”
I held back an eye roll because he didn’t know the pain that ceiling had caused and instead I pointed at the tray of coffees he was still holding. “You bring me something?”
“Oh, yeah.” He shook his head as if he were recentering himself after getting lost in his head. "I got your usual oat milk macchiato, but then I wasn't sure if that had changed, so I also got a latte with almond milk, because of your lactose intolerance issues. And then I realized how late it was, so I got two decaf options as well.” He set the tray down on the coffee table, turned to me, and stuffed his hands in his pockets. “I think I panicked.”
I laughed softly and reached for the macchiato. "Thank you. Truly." I took a sip before looking back up at him. "You said you just need the birth certificate?" I asked, trying to ignore how myheart felt knowing he had gone through so much effort to get me something I would like.
He nodded. “Yeah, I thought it was in the office, but I couldn’t find it. I figured you must have grabbed it and brought it home.” He trailed off and looked around the room. “Toyourhome.”
“You’re mostly right,” I began. “I needed it when we reissued our passports like five years ago. Let me grab it." I slipped out of the living room toward the bedroom where the safe was.
I thought about Fai as I keyed into the safe and pulled out the document folder holding his birth certificate. He looked like himself again. His hair was still its usual mess, his clothes well-lived in, but his caramel skin had more color to it and his eyes were clear. I didn't want to hope, but I couldn't help wondering if he was sober.
I turned to leave the room but stopped in front of the mirror. I straightened my sweater. It was an off-the-shoulder, cream one I had bought a few years back but still fit me well. My hair was in goddess braids with the top currently pulled back away from my face. I looked good, and I was honest enough to admit that I wanted Fai to think so too.
I took a breath and walked back into the living room to find Fai perched on the edge of the couch, looking as though he didn't quite belong there, which was strange given that this house had been his home for a decade.
I held up the folder and gave it a small wave. "One birth certificate."
He sighed in relief and took the paper from me as I stepped closer. “Thank you.”
“Of course. I may have a few more of your documents if you need them,” I offered.
He waved me off. “You can just toss them out. This is the last thing of any importance.”
I settled onto the arm of one of the chairs, unable to fully relax with him here. The fire crackled softly behind me, and the smell of cookies baking in the oven, originally intended for Nate, helped settle my nerves somewhat.
“What do you need it for?” I asked curiously.
He ran a hand through his hair and across his jaw. “I was hoping I would be able to make out my mother’s name.”
“Haven’t you tried before?”
He nodded. “Yeah, a hundred times. But,” he paused and swallowed, “now I know her name. I was curious if I would be able to make it out.”
My eyes went wide. "What? How?"
"That story I mentioned earlier," he said, leaning back into the couch. "Want to hear it?"
Fai had fully settled into the couch by now, another cookie in hand. His jacket was draped over the arm, his cap on the coffee table, and his shoes by the door. He had his feet up, leaning back into the pillows with a plate balanced on his chest as he ate.
While his story wasn’t long, the number of questions I had was endless. He had an entire brother out there. Not only did I make him tell me the story, I insisted he let me read the letter, and I proceeded to analyze it thoroughly. It was straightforward enough on the surface—his brother explained who he was, how he had found Fai, and ended with an invitation to his home. But something in the undertone felt off to me.
I couldn't put my finger on it, but I wasn't ready to trust the brother's account at face value. I kept those reservations to myself, for a couple of reasons, both of them about Fai.
He was so visibly hopeful at the idea of having someone out there who shared his blood, and I didn't want to take that from him. I also suspected my reluctance had as much to do with wanting to protect him as it did with any real instinct about the letter. For so long, protecting Fai had been my primary role. Though more often than not, it had been from himself.
Alwayshimself.
“Are you going to go?” I asked from my spot in the armchair. I had my feet folded up underneath me, a blanket draped over my lap, and was sipping on the latte Fai had brought after finishing the macchiato.
He shrugged. “I think so? I… I don’t know. I’m nervous and scared, but damn am I curious. If that letter is true, he knew my mom. He must have, she raised him for almost thirty years. Think of all I could learn.”
