He lifts my chin up. “You can tell me.”
For a second, I think about playing it off. But maybe I should be honest. At least a little bit. I take a deep breathand say, “I thought I saw someone I knew… But it wasn’t him…”
“A friend?”
“Yeah. Someone I hadn’t seen in a while.”
“You must be disappointed.”
“Yeah,” I say. But I don’t want to keep talking about Daniel. Especially now that Haru is here. “Anyway, though, there’s something else I have to tell you. I just got a new job. It’s at the Chicago Theater.”
Haru tilts his brow. “I didn’t know you were an actor.”
“No, no.” I laugh. “I’m just selling tickets at the box office. It’s actually right there.” I turn around, pointing at the marquee.
Haru looks up. “The famous Chicago sign. It’s a lot bigger than I imagined.”
“Yeah, it’s pretty iconic. You should see the theater.”
“Are you offering another tour?”
“Maybe after I start the job,” I say. “Hopefully you’re still around then.”
“I’ll be around.”
I smile at this. “I’m glad to hear that. Because there’s a lot of places I want to take you. I still haven’t shown you around the city yet.”
“I was just about to remind you.”
“Well, let’s start now.”
I take Haru by the arm, turning him toward the street, facing Chicago traffic. We’re north of the Loop, which is basically the heart of the city. There’s a million things to do,many of them within walking distance. “The Riverwalk is right across the street. And Millennium Park is two blocks that way, which is right next to the Art Institute, if you’re into museums. Is there anything you want to do first?”
Haru rubs his chin, thinking about it. Then he smiles at me and says, “I want to see a movie.”
I give him a look. “A movie?Really?”
“Wouldn’t you enjoy that?”
“Yeah, but we can do that anytime,” I say.
“So why not right now?”
“Because there’s a million other things we can do.”
Haru shrugs. “I want to do something we both like.”
I stare at him for a moment. Part of me wants to suggest a museum or something. But I suppose this is his tour. “Well, okay. We’ll go see a movie. Was there one you had in mind?”
Haru smirks again. “Surprise me.”
The theater is tucked betweena laundromat and a yogurt shop. The sign on the box office readsFIVE-DOLLAR TUESDAY. The films are usually a few years older, which Haru doesn’t mind. He hasn’t seen most of them anyway. We grab some popcorn and a box of Cookie Dough Bites that caught Haru’s eye. There’s only one other person in the theater, making it feel like we have the place to ourselves. We decided onLa La Land, one of my favorite movie musicals. Jasmine always had the soundtrack playing in the car. My favorite scene is when they’re floating in the planetarium together, stars swirlingaround them. I turn to Haru the moment it comes on. Purple and blue lights flicker across his face as the music plays. For a second, I imagine it’s us dancing through the stars together. Haru glances over at me, making me wonder if he’s imagining the same thing. Then he moves his arm over mine, lacing our fingers together over the armrest. Our hands stay like this for the rest of the movie.
The piano music continues inmy head as we leave the theater. The streetlamps have come on, illuminating the sidewalk as we head through town together. I notice Haru hasn’t said much about the film. He just walks straight ahead, hands in his pockets as we pause at the crosswalk.
“What did you think of the movie?” I ask.
“It was good,” he says. “But the ending ruined it.”
