by Liwen Y. Ho
Lucy followed him out of the main office building and into the half-empty parking lot. She hopped into Micah’s sedan as she did every morning and afternoon when they carpooled to and from work. Although they were no longer neighbors—they had both moved out of their parents’ houses—their apartment complexes were within a few blocks of each other. “At least the parents sound supportive. That makes a huge difference.”
“I agree. I feel like my hands are tied though. I can talk to the kid, but it’s up to them to change.”
This didn’t sound like the optimistic Micah she knew. She squeezed his arm. “They will. They’ll want to change once you talk to them. It may take some time, but things will turn out okay.”
He turned in the driver’s seat and gave her a curious glance. “What makes you so sure?”
“You just gotta have faith that God will work things out. A wise boy taught me that a long time ago.”
Her words seemed to catch him by surprise. He didn’t say anything for a moment, but his eyes brightened as he studied her. “You don’t say?”
“He was right, too.” She narrowed her eyes as soon as she spotted his smug smile. “But don’t tell him I said so.”
Chuckling, Micah leaned close and cupped her chin. “Too late, Luce. He heard every word.”
The spicy scent of his aftershave coupled with the heat from his hand stole her thoughts. She swallowed hard, trying to make sense of his intense expression. What was happening? Old emotions she had stuffed away for years bubbled to the surface. No, stop. She had a boyfriend now. A kind, sweet man who cared for her and—oh, what was his name again? “John! He’s waiting for us. We better go.”
“Sure thing,” he replied, his eyes zeroing in on her mouth. “We should go.”
If she had any brain cells left, she would’ve broken off their contact right then. Unfortunately, she still couldn’t think straight. Only when he dropped his hand and began driving did she give herself permission to breathe again.
“We’re going to your favorite place, right?”
“Right.” Lucy turned to face her window, allowing her blonde locks to shield her face from view. Not until they pulled up to the Japanese restaurant twenties minutes later did she dare look at Micah. “Thanks for driving—again. You know I have a car, too. I can pick you up and drop you off sometimes.”
“I don’t mind being your chauffeur.” He paused, a smile playing on his lips. “Anyways, I value my life too much to ride in a car with you behind the wheel. I still remember the time you jumped the curb and landed in my parents’ front yard.”
She groaned. This was the Micah she knew, the man who had too much dirt on her. “I was sixteen! Don’t you dare tell John any stories about my driving. We’re still in the honeymoon stage and I don’t want to scare him off. Got it, Mikey?”
Holding up his hand, he pledged, “Got it. I will not mention your awesome driving skills. You didn’t say other topics were off limits though.”
“Micah David Chan!”
“Ooh, not my middle name,” he winced with one hand covering his heart. “Anything but that.”
She rolled her eyes, but couldn’t stop herself from grinning. “You are so dramatic.”
“It takes one to know one,” he winked before getting out of the car.
Before she could open the door, he’d done it for her. “Thanks. What’s up with the chivalrous act today?”
“Nothing’s up.” He extended a hand to help her out. “I’m just making sure you know how you should be treated. Does John open doors for you?”
“He does.” She quickened her pace to keep up with his long strides as they walked across the lot. She held down the skirt of her plum-colored sweater dress to prevent it from flying up around her knees. She had a hard time keeping up with Micah in her high-heeled boots, but following him was nothing new; she’d been following in his footsteps for most of her life. “You don’t have to worry about John. Dad already grilled him. He’s passed with flying colors.”
Micah stopped in his tracks. “You introduced him to your parents?”
“Yeah. What’s the big deal?”
“You’ve never brought a guy home before. What makes this one different?”
She shrugged. “I feel more sure about John. And to be honest, I’m tired of dating. I want something real, something lasting like what my parents and your parents have.”
“Marriage takes a lot of work, Lucy. It’s not all roses and Hallmark cards. It’s better to be single and mostly happy than married and miserable.”
“Oo-kay.” Micah was as prickly as a cactus today. She knew he was wary of marriage because of what his parents had gone through, but this was taking it a bit far. “Of course relationships take work, but they’re worth it. Don’t you want to get married one day?”
“If I meet the right person. Someone I can see myself committing to for the long haul who feels the same about me.”
Ouch, the poor guy. She couldn’t believe he was still hung up on his high school sweetheart who’d cheated on him. But that was Micah. Strong on the outside, sensitive on the inside. He gave his all—to his family and friends and work—even when he didn’t get the same in return. But he’d gotten gun-shy about relationships. As far as she remembered, he ended them before they got too serious, or the girl did so because he wouldn’t get serious. Perhaps he just needed some encouragement—or a kick in the behind. “It’s time to stop feeling sorry for yourself. What happened with Becca—not all girls are like her. There are some great ones out there. The perfect woman is out there for you.”
He shrugged. “Maybe.”
“Maybe? You need to change your attitude and get serious. We’re not getting any younger, you know. You just turned twenty-eight.”
“I’m well aware of that fact,” he smirked as he motioned for her to cross the street with him. “But you shouldn’t settle for any guy just because you want to get married.”
“I’m not settling. John’s really great. He reminds me of you actually.”
“So, he’s tall and handsome?” Micah quipped as he opened the restaurant door.
“I am not going to feed your ego by answering that question.”
“You just did, Luce,” he winked before turning his attention to the restaurant attendant. “We’re here to meet a friend,” he informed the young woman. “A tall and handsome man in his late-twenties who supposedly resembles me.”
“I cannot believe you said that,” Lucy exclaimed as she hit Micah on the arm. She gave the attendant an exasperated smile. “Don’t mind my brother, he’s under a lot of stress. The reservation’s for three people and it’s under the name—”
“I’m pretty sure I know which table you’re at,” she cut in with a grin. “Right this way.”
The attendant led them to the back of the candlelit restaurant where a man in a blue dress shirt was sitting at a table for four. When he spotted them, he stood up, revealing a pair of khaki pants. He smiled and waved as they approached.
Micah quirked a brow and muttered out of the corner of his mouth, “You weren’t kidding.”
“Huh?” Lucy watched the two men exchange a handshake, and that’s when her jaw dropped. She blinked quickly, unsure if she should be amused or concerned at the sight before her. Other than his blond hair and blue eyes, her boyfriend looked like a carbon copy of Micah. John’s outfit, down to his leather belt and brown loafers, matched Micah’s. They even parted their hair the same way.
She’d never been so sure of anything in her life. Make that two things. One: it was going to be a very interesting evening. Two: she needed to get her head—or at least her eyes—examined because this was too much of a coincidence. The only thing she could do was laugh along with Micah and John, and pray she would get her heart straightened out soon.
Revelation
March, 12 years ago
Micah
Micah stepped up to the ticket window and spoke into the round metal plate of the intercom system. “Three
kids and one adult for Ice Princess, please.”
“Mikey!”
He felt a tug on the sleeve of his polo shirt and turned to his right. Lucy glared at him with her hands on her hips as she stood next to their little sisters. “Huh? What’s wrong?”
“I turned thirteen last week!” Pointing to the movie ticket prices listed on the wall above them, she emphasized her point. “Ages thirteen and up need an adult ticket. I’m an adult now.”
Lucy, an adult? Not even close. She might’ve been two inches taller than when they first met three years ago—thanks to a pair of platform flip-flops—but she was still a child in his book. Her shiny pink lip gloss and the black fishnet tights she wore under a jean skirt made her look more silly than sophisticated. He was surprised she’d managed to sneak both items past her dad. He didn’t have the heart to burst her bubble though; she looked so cute, like a firecracker ready to combust if she didn’t get her way. Speaking to the attendant again, he corrected his order. “Sorry, I meant two kids and two”—he shot Lucy a grin—“adults.”
Lucy beamed when he handed her a ticket. “My very first adult ticket. I’m going to save this forever.”
Her expression was priceless. He gently tugged on her jet-black braid as they walked to the concession stand. She had finally gotten her dad’s blessing to dye her hair and she’d chosen the darkest shade possible. If she had been excited after her trip to the salon, she was beyond ecstatic today. “I’m glad you’re happy. Let’s hope I don’t run into anyone I know here. I like hanging out with the three of you, but I sure wish we could watch something else.”
“But our friends said it’s a good movie,” Hope touted while Lexi nodded in agreement. “Why don’t you want to watch it?”
“I’m sure it’s great, but it’s not really my type. Ice skating seems kinda boring.”
“Don’t listen to Micah. He’s just being a boy,” Lucy winked. “He’d rather watch a movie about guys in capes who wear their underwear outside of their tights.”
Her comment started the girls giggling. Micah couldn’t help but smile himself. To some sixteen-year-olds, spending an afternoon at the movies with three—make that two—kids might seem like a chore, but he enjoyed it. He didn’t mind the responsibility if it meant putting his new driver’s license to use. Having Lucy along was a plus. He could always count on her for some fun conversation topics. “Superheroes are always in a hurry. That’s why they forget to put on their underwear first. It’s a small price to pay to save the day.”
Lucy shot him a look that made him feel a lot older and a little less cool. “Sorry, Mikey, but that’s a lame story.”
Both Hope and Lexi grinned in agreement.
“So, now I’m lame?” Sniffling, Micah put on a sad face. He gestured to the overflowing popcorn maker in front of them. “Hm. I’m guessing you guys won’t want to share snacks with a lame person. Too bad.” He placed an order with the attendant, then watched the young girls’ eyes grow wide as he held a large tub of popcorn under their noses. They were practically drooling over the rich smell of butter wafting in the air.
“We don’t think you’re lame, Micah!” Hope exclaimed. “Can we have some popcorn?”
“Please?” Lexi chimed in.
“Sure thing.” Turning to Lucy, he asked, “Would you like some, too?”
Lucy pretended to give his question some thought before answering. “I suppose so. But only for your own good. If you ate that all by yourself, you wouldn’t be able to fit in the car later and we’d be stuck here all night.”
“That’s a good one,” Micah laughed. “Come on, the movie’s starting soon. Let’s go get some good seats.” He slung one arm around Lucy’s shoulder as they walked behind their sisters. He was going to enjoy himself, regardless of the movie choice. His sisters were happy and there was fresh popcorn; what more could he want?
They were outside the theater doors when a female voice called out, “Micah!”
He dropped his arm and turned around. Whoa. The last person he expected to see was running up to him. “Hey, Becca. What’re you doing here?”
A blonde teenager wearing skinny jeans enveloped him in a hug and stepped back with a smile lighting up her blue eyes. “I knew it was you. I’m here with my sister to watch a movie of course. Are these your sisters?”
One of the most popular girls at school was talking to him. And the way she was touching his arm made his whole body warm up. Was she flirting? Either way, he didn’t mind. She could permanently attach herself to him and he’d be fine. He just hoped she didn’t think he was lame for watching a kiddie movie. “This is my sister Hope and our neighbors, Lucy and Lexi. I drove them here to watch”—he lowered his voice in shame—“Ice Princess. Totally their idea, not mine.”
“That is so sweet of you!” Becca gushed, her hand still on his arm. She gestured to the little girl standing beside her and asked, “Do you mind if we sit with you guys?”
“Of course not—”
“I don’t think so,” Lucy cut Micah off. She shrugged when he gave her a confused look. “It’s going to be hard to find so many seats together.”
Now who was the lame one? He didn’t know why Lucy was being difficult, but she wasn’t getting her way. Not this time. Nothing would stop him from sitting with the prettiest girl in his class. “We’ll be fine. It’s not like this is a Harry Potter movie. I’ll find us somewhere to sit.”
He led the way into the theater, blinking as his eyes adjusted to the darkness. Most of the higher seats were filled, but he spotted an empty row a couple of steps up. He motioned for Becca and her sister to enter first, then followed to ensure he ended up beside his dream girl. Behind him, Lucy directed Hope and Lexi where to sit. Once seated, he turned to his left, expecting to see his sister; instead he saw Lucy next to him. Surprisingly, her pout from earlier had been replaced by an eager grin.
“These are great seats.” She pointed to the wide screen before them. “We’re right in the middle.”
“Yeah,” he agreed. “See, you didn’t have to worry.”
The theater lights dimmed. Micah sat back in his seat, balancing the large tub of popcorn on his right armrest so Becca could reach it. “Popcorn?”
“Sure, thanks.” She reached in and grabbed a handful for her and her sister. “Here, I can hold it.”
Micah inhaled quickly as Becca’s soft fingers closed around his hand as she took the tub. The sweet fruity scent of her lotion filled his senses and sent his pulse racing. He’d never been this close to a girl before or held hands with one—although it was debatable whether their contact qualified as such. It’d been short, but awesome. So awesome, it took him a while to realize the girl sitting on the other side of him was strangely quiet.
He caught a glimpse of Lucy’s profile as the screen brightened. She was usually a running commentary during previews, critiquing the actors’ wardrobes and hairstyles and even their acting skills. Today, however, she stared forward with her arms crossed. The grumpy version of Lucy had returned, this time in full force. What was up with her today?
Nudging her with his elbow, he asked, “Any thoughts about Hermione’s outfit?”
Lips pressed together, she shook her head.
“What about Ron?” When she didn’t respond, he tried a different tactic. “I really like his hair long. It makes him more handsome, don’t you think?”
She finally turned toward him, her pert nose wrinkled in disgust. “Handsome? It’s like a mop on his head! He’ll never win over Hermione looking like that.”
Micah didn’t know about Ron’s prospects, but he at least had won over Lucy for the time being. “Ha! I got you to talk.”
She glared at him, not amused in the least. “What happened to sharing your popcorn?”
“Popcorn?” So that’s what this was about? “Sure thing. I’ll get you some.”
“No! I don’t want any now.”
“Oo-kay. I’m not sure what’s going on with you, but you’re being a brat.�
�� Was it too late to return her adult ticket for a child one? He faced her and lowered his voice. “If you can’t tell, I’m trying to make a good impression with Becca. There’s enough popcorn to go around. If you want, I can buy you another tub.”
“That’s not the point. You’re supposed to share with me, not her.” She spat out the last word like it was poisonous. “Never mind. I’m not hungry anymore.”
It took a few seconds for Micah to make sense of her words. You’re supposed to share with me, not her? No, it couldn’t be ... but there was no other explanation he could think of. Lucy liked him! He clamped his mouth shut to keep his laughter contained. How was he going to let her down? Gently, of course. Getting your heart broken—no matter what the relationship was—always hurt. He’d witnessed heartbreak in his parents’ marriage and vowed never to hurt anyone he loved. He did love Lucy, but as a brother loves his kid sister.
He leaned close, confiding in her ear. “No one will ever take your place in my life, Luce. We go way back; we’ve got history together. I said I’d always be there for you and I will. Don’t forget that, okay?”
She turned to him, her hazel eyes almost twinkling like stars in the night sky. The scent of her cherry lip gloss filled the space between them. “I know, Mikey. Thanks.” She placed a quick peck on his cheek and sat back in her seat. “Look, the movie’s starting!”
Micah nodded, his thoughts swirling in his head. Lucy had kissed him. Sure, it was nothing, but he’d never had a girl’s lips on his face before. He glanced to his right and caught Becca smiling at him. This afternoon was turning out well, really well.
* * *
Present Day (March)
Micah learned there was something worse than being a third wheel: being a seventh wheel.
Although he and his parents had been regular guests in the Choi’s home over the years, he was not used to tonight’s company around the table. Three couples were gathered with him—his parents, Lucy’s parents, and Lucy and John. It had been nice of the Choi’s to open their home, but he should have declined the invitation. With Hope and Lexi away at college, he was the odd man out. The last single person standing—er, sitting—and it was starting to get uncomfortable.
