By the time we reached their house, I began to feel a little cold. It's nothing like the freezing temperatures we had back home. It was only 39°F , which is pretty cold for California. It was late February. It was steaming hot all day but by nightfall, the temperature had dropped extremely.
It had bothered me that Marilyn had stolen something and I had been there to witness it. I heard the sound of something solid rattling against the bottom of the box. Whatever they had stolen, it was huge. It took up nearly all her jacket as it hid beneath it. Although I was feeling guilty, Marilyn and Adam looked unaffected, as if it was an everyday routine.
The gravel of their driveway made a crunching noise as we strolled up towards their house. A green vintage car was parked there now.
"Dad's home." Adam scowled.
"You guys go ahead inside. I'll go through a window." Marilyn sneered. I had no idea how she would reach her bedroom window. She was in the upper level and their house towered higher than an average home. She trotted away and disappeared around the side of the house. I followed timidly behind Adam as he shoved his hands into his pocket and entered the house. I heard the sounds of pots and pans clanging together. A sharp smell of seafood drifted through the house and I wrinkled my nose in disgust. I am allergic to seafood. The house reeked like shrimp. Adam took and deep breath and a smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. We travelled to the kitchen with me at Adam's heels. A tall and burly man stood with his back towards us, facing the stove. Turning towards us, I fought the urge to gape in awe. He looked nothing like either of the two. He had dark, curly hair and a round face. Not to be rude, but he wasn't all that good looking either. His eyebrows nearly grew together above his nose, forming a unibrow. They must have gotten their looks from their mother.
"Hello, father." Adam greeted in a plain voice. The dad mumbled something unintelligible and continued stirring a wooden spoon around in a pot with a bubbling substance, probably the sea food, that sat upon the stove. I heard a subtle thump somewhere above me. I gave a questioning expression to Adam and he responded with a wry smile. Jerking his thumb up to the ceiling, he mouthed the word, Marilyn. I nodded shortly and chewed my lip. Finally, the dad spoke. Well, spoke something I could understand.
"Who is this?" He grumbled. Adam rocked back onto his heels.
"This is Jaelyn. She's new to California." Adam replied. The dad took a pinch of seasoning from a small jar on a counter and drizzled it into the pot.
"Well, Jaelyn, would you like to..uh... stay for dinner?" He offered. Honestly, he sounded as if he really didn't want me to eat over. And he said my name in a funny tone that I couldn't put my finger on.
"No thanks. My dad is expecting me to eat at home tonight." I responded in a polite voice. I checked down at my phone. I had texted Dad on the way to their home on the bus earlier and said to pick me up at 4:00. It was 3:47.
"Well, we are going to head up to go see Marilyn." Adam stated.
"Did you pick up my bread?" The dad asked. Adam handed his father the loaf and we headed upstairs. Briskly entering, Marilyn was sitting on her bed, facing the door as if she had been expecting us to walk in at that moment. It was kind of strange. She just sat their with her head cocked slightly to the side.
"So, Jae. Not staying for supper?" She questioned suddenly.
"Um..no. I'm allergic to sea food..,I mean, if that's what your eating. It smelled like sea food so I was just guessing. Plus, I need to eat at home." I explained. My response seemed to please her. Her grin seemed to grow.
"Alright. Well, Jae...would it be ok with your father if Adam and I came over. I don't want to invite ourselves over or to trouble your family since you have just arrived but...I am hoping that you'll say yes." She was almost pleading. Her dialogue had changed from before. She was talking very formally and politely. Pulling my phone out of my pocket, I began to text Dad to ask if they could come over after dinner. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Marilyn smiling with her teeth showing. Her eyes flashed in excitement. Maybe they don't go to friends' houses much? Dad responded minutes later. As my text tone ringed off, Marilyn perked up eagerly.
"What'd he say?!" She hissed. I swallowed quietly. She was beginning to make me nervous. I checked my screen. Sure, it said.
"Sure." I repeated out loud. Marilyn beamed happily.
"Great! See you tonight!" Marilyn chirped. I looked away then glanced back at her.
"But I'm not leaving yet-..."
A car horn honked from outside. Marilyn grinned as I slowly made my way to her door.
"I...uh...see you guys...later." I mumbled. I turned for one last glance at them as I left the room into the hall. Marilyn gave a gentle wave, curving her fingers. Adam's smile seemed to be fighting back as small look of worry. His mouth had been smiling but his eyes told a different story. I left quickly. Dad was parked on the side of the road. I threw myself into our faded yellow Kia as its motor purred from the inside. Dad turned and gave me a huge grin.
"New friends already! My girl has always been so popular!" He reached back with look of pride and a joyful expression, tousling my hair. I forced out a weak look of happiness and he began to drive forward. I watched there house disappear into the distance as we drove away. But for some reason, I could still see the small outline of Marilyn's face, watching me leave through the window.
*****
I spooned a mouthful of Mac & Cheese into my mouth. I shovelled the last pile of noodles onto my spoon and stopped as a small message popped up on my phone lock screen. The name above the text was labelled ''Marilyn'. That's strange...I've never given her my number. I read the message.
"On our way. We are bringing it." It said. I reread it again. It?
"What do you mean 'it'?" I asked back. The small bubble popped up in the corner of my screen.
"The game."
