It Wasn't That Way

Chapter 9

Cake was eventually going to tell Eiw he was moving, he really was. He was just waiting for the right time to present itself, and when it did, he was going to tell him.

It just so happened that his dad beat him to it.

Cake's entire family, including Eiw, sat down for dinner; a rare occurrence as his dad always came home late.

Dinner was especially tasty that night, and Cake felt like he could eat everything on the table by himself. He'd eaten ravenously at lunch and had a snack when he came home, but he was starving already.

His mom had really gone all out. He noticed that she'd been going all out ever since she told him that they would be moving. It was like she was missing her bakery before she even left. Her creations were tastier than usual and much more fanciful. Cake felt sorry that she would have to leave her bakery for three years, but they were all giving up something for the greater good. At least that was what she had told him. She had also been going crazy making all of these Thai delicacies as though they wouldn't be able to eat them in America, and what did Cake know? Maybe they wouldn't, he didn't know what the future held anymore.

His dad promised them that one thing was for sure though. Apparently, if he took this job, he'd be able to spend more time with his family. In America, his dad said, he was going to be able to have more work life balance. But in his heart of hearts, Cake didn't know if he cared much for the trade off. He loved his dad, but he couldn't help but resent him just a little right now. Of course he wanted to spend more time with him, just not at the expense of Eiw.

Cake pushed thoughts of leaving to the back of his mind lest he ruin the time he had now. He just wanted to enjoy dinner with his family and Eiw, unburdened by the eventual reality of leaving.

He scanned the dinner table for what was left and noticed an egg. He reached for it and clashed spoons with Cream, who had gone for it at the same time. They slashed at each other's spoons ferociously until their mother stopped them.

"Quit that!" His mom admonished them, she split the egg and gave Cake and Cream each a half.

"Are you already done eating?" She asked Eiw.

"Yes." Eiw said, he'd been done eating for a minute. He was notoriously a light eater, something that everyone endlessly nagged him for.

"You never ate much, huh?" Cake's dad asked Eiw with a chortle. "I always thought that Cake ate all of your food when you two were growing up. You better eat up now if you want to catch up with him while he's over there."

Cream and his mom laughed, but Cake went still. He was frozen in place, spoon halfway to his mouth. The bottom of his stomach fell out and his heart thudded with dread.

It was time, wasn't it?

Eiw tensed up next to him, sensing that something was off.

"I haven't told him yet, Dad." Cake said quietly. He lowered his spoon but kept his eyes trained on his plate.

The conversation hushed and everyone went still. His family members looked back and forth between Cake and Eiw with sad, piteous eyes.

Eiw stared at Cake, his expression unsure and questioning, but Cake carefully avoided his gaze.

He had been super hungry just before this, ready to inhale everything his mom made, but now that he knew it was time to bring his best friend's world crashing down, his appetite was reduced to ashes.

"You're done eating, right, Eiw?" Cake asked, unable to force his eyes up.

Eiw nodded and Cake steeled himself.