Dissipate

Watching me with interest, Aiden waited for me to respond. “We actually met this afternoon briefly. I didn’t know he was your brother. He kind of ran me over.”

Aiden watched me as his smile got wider. The memory of this afternoon did not do him justice. Maybe it was because I wasn’t as nervous. Talking openly with guys was something I forced myself to get comfortable with in this culture.

Brooklyn looked admonishingly to her brother. “Aiden! What did you do?”

Aiden was still watching me amused. “I was playing football with the guys and they overthrew it to show off and try to make me miss it.”

Football was what the game with the ball was called.

As Brooklyn was about to say something else, I interjected. “It was no big deal.”

Brooklyn pulled me toward the kitchen again. Eight little white cartons were on the table as we sat. They smelled delicious and my appetite became apparent. Over the last couple of days, I hadn’t eaten near enough.

“Do you like Chinese? Brooklyn didn’t know.” Aiden looked at me as he spoke and opened up containers.

I had never had Chinese food, but knew about the country China. I assumed it was dishes that were attributed to the country. Thinking it would be weird not to know, I lied. ”Yes, I do. Thank you.”

“Good. Do you prefer chopsticks or silverware?” Aiden held out a white plastic fork or what looked like two wood sticks sheathed in paper.

How do I step around this question? My mind was tired from the day still, but I went with my first thought. “I never learned how to use them.”

“Oh, Aiden is a master with the chopsticks,” Brooklyn proudly declared as her phone rung. “Oh, it’s Mike. I’ll be right back.”

Mike was the guy she was somewhat interested in. The day Brooklyn had asked me to move in, she had filled me in on him. Apparently, he was one of Aiden’s good friends and a fraternity brother. Through the summer they had flirted via text, but Brooklyn was unsure if she wanted to be tied down. It seems like she talked in circles sometimes. Underneath all her words, I thought she really did like Mike. With all my lies and misdirection I had told, I didn’t ask her to clarify.

Calling after her before she picked up, Aiden yelled, “Be easy on his heart, Brooklyn.”

She didn’t respond as she answered the phone. Now, it was just Aiden and I at the table. Focusing on the pattern of the wood, I tried to think of what to say.

Aiden helped the transition as he laid down the chopsticks and the fork. “Brooklyn filled me in a little. She said you were from Montana. How are you liking Arkansas?”

For some reason, I felt like I was being assessed. Made sense considering Aiden was Brooklyn’s brother. I’d want to know who was living with my family—if I had one still. “It’s great. It’s different. I was homeschooled by my mom so it’s been an adjustment. I’m glad I met Brooklyn and she needed a roommate.”

“Me too. Brooklyn seemed pretty excited when she told me about you. Her last roommate was a little crazy. Are you ready for school?” Aiden relaxed a little more as he spoke and I felt like I had passed the initial round of assessment.

I shrugged. “I’m working on it. Being homeschooled my entire life definitely has me at a disadvantage to adjusting, but it’ll be fine.”

Shifting in my seat, I tried to relax.

“I bet.” He picked up the chopsticks again. “You’re going to be a pro at chopsticks before tonight is over. Here take these, I’ll show you.”

I took the wooden sticks.

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“Hold them like this.”

Mimicking Aiden’s chopsticks, I placed one to rest between my thumb and forefinger and the other I positioned similar to how I would hold a pencil.

“That’s perfect. Okay, now take your index finger and use it to move the top stick.” His tone was patient as he instructed me.

The top one moved within his hand. Trying to imitate his actions, my chopstick did move but in jerkier motions.

“Okay, now pick up some food.” As Aiden spoke, he lifted rice from one dish and chicken from another onto his plate masterfully.

Loosening my fingers as I practiced moving the chopsticks, I said, “You know, I’m not going to look as graceful as you. In fact, you might want to duck for cover.”

He chuckled. “Let’s see what you’ve got. Try the shrimp dish.”