Page 186 of The Encore’s Crown

“I’m checking it for poison.”

“You are the poison.”

"Now that's a killer song title."

He kisses her cheek.

Kiri sets the cups on the table, then straightens one that isn’t even crooked. His shoulders are still held high and tight. His movements controlled, like he pulled a muscle. I take the seat beside him and rest my hand on his thigh beneath the table. He glances at me but I don’t say anything, I just leave it there. She pours the tea, then sits across from us and looks between Kiri and me with such open delight that he clears his throat and fidgets uncomfortably.

“So,” she says.

Kiri closes his eyes.

“Ma.”

She takes a sip of tea. Rithy leans back in his chair.

“This should be good.”

She points at him.

“You be quiet. You bring no one.”

“Yeah, no shit. I like leaving the rare family gathering alive.”

She dismisses him with one flick of her hand and turns to me.

“How long you know my son?”

Kiri looks at me in warning. I smile sweetly.

“Long enough to know he’s the golden boy.”

Rithy nearly chokes on his tea. Kiri stares at me.

“You’re both dead to me.”

Ma reaches across the table and pats his cheek.

“My precious boy.”

Rithy points triumphantly.

“There. Witnessed and confirmed.”

Kiri groans and drops his head into one hand. For the first time since we pulled into the driveway, the tension leaves his shoulders. I squeeze his thigh beneath the table, and his hand drops over mine. The house might still be unnervingly clean, every object afraid to slip out of place.

But his father’s car is gone, his mother is smiling and Kiri’s hand is over mine.

Chapter 64

Sweetness

Natalia

Rithy leaves to collect the cake from what he calls the only bakery in Seattle worthy of Mrs. Chhim’s birthday.

According to him, it’s a masterpiece. Pandan chiffon layered with coconut cream, palm-sugar caramel and enough hand-painted sugar flowers to make the price offensive.