I woke up with a knock at my door. I yell "Come in!". But nothing happens. They are still knocking. Oh...
I go and open the door, apologise to Tadashi for not getting the door at first. He signs "I's ok. I was just worried...you never wake up so late?"
"Lat...e.." I say as I look at the clock. My mouth falls wide-open. It was already 10AM!!! And Robert was suppose to come any minute now...if he wasn't already there. Was he?
I take Tadashi's hand to attract his attention, so he could read my lips. I usually talk to him in ASL (American Sign Language) or BSL (British Sign Language) (I learned BSL when we* were is middle school and ASL when I moved to America. Tadashi learned BSL with his family, when he was little. He also learned ASL when he came is America. He sometimes talk with his customers, when there is no one around to translate ASL, but he gets intimidated and shy because he can't hear his own voice, so it only happens in extreme situations.)
*note:(We've been friends since middle school. Tadashi was bullied, so I stood up for him. We've been friends ever since.)
"By any chance, did Robert came by?" He shook his head. "Oh...well"(starts talking in ASL)"He should come any minute now. I have to met up with his wife's nephew. He is looking for a job and Robert needs help with all of the work... so I offered to interview him for the job." He turned red. I don't know exactly why, but this makes me curious. "Do you know his nephew, big T?" I use the nickname to tease him. "o-one of the-em..." The response comes shyer then ever. He looks down. "I know Robert's sister's son...he is an art student...we meet during the last art contest I went to. His art was so..." He stoped for a second. He wasn't sure what to do in this moment. He looked up at me, straight in the eyes. His eyes sparkle. He smiled. "...divine!" He says. In English this time.
I blush. It's been a while since I've heard his voice. "That sounds nice!" I looked at him, telling with my eyes that I'm glad he likes someone. He blushes and turns away. "I-it's not the one we a-are talking about though..." He whispers. I take his face in my palms. "I don't care. You like him, right? Have you two talked?"He blushed even more and took a step back. "too close" he signs.
Then, after a few minutes of awkward silence, he says:
"He is mute..." He says, like this is a big issue. I opened my mouth to say something, but he shut me. "And he looks like Lucas...but a Japanese version of him..." He is upset about saying that.
Lucas is his shitty ex-boyfriend. We never talked about him. Not even when they were together. And now, to mention his name...it was something new.
"Can we..."He takes a deep breath"...talk about this another time?" he signs. I nod.
He went off to do breakfast, while I was talking a shower and overthinking what he said.
"Art student" I talk for myself "Robert never mentioned anything." Uh...I really want to help Tadashi, but I don't want to get involved in his life if he doesn't ask me to do so. I dress up in a vermilion costume, with a chest opened white shirt, and pair the clothes with some cute low black heels. I take my backpack, with my laptop, phone and contract papers for the new manager.
I eat my breakfast in a hurry, thanks Tadashi for the food, and tell him to get going if he wants. He waves goodbye.
Yes...I am now ready to meet the new manager!