“I know, buddy,” Devyn, who is standing next to me answers in a calm voice. I look back and forth at the two of them. I gradually realize that the man standing near the big window is none other than Devyn’s twin, Jack. They look very much alike. Jack takes a step towards us. When he gets closer, he stops. I stare at his face. I notice a small scar on his left cheek. Up close, I can see the slight difference of his physical features with Devyn’s. Jack’s chin is a little sharp and he looks thin. His eyes are a different shades of blue. His eyebrows meet as he turns to me. “Who is she?” “Her name is Betsy,” replies Devyn. “She’s my girlfriend.” Jack ignores me and takes a step forward to Devyn. He grabs his arm. “Devyn, when are you going to get me out of here?” I can see a flash of pity on Devyn’s eyes. “When you’re well.” “I am well!” insists Jack. “Jack, we have talked about this,” replies Devyn g

  I can’t explain how I feel. I feel like I am having a bad dream or an out of the body experience. It is as if my whole body feels dry and trembling. I absentmindedly put the smartphone back on Ashley’s hand and glance around the room in panic. “Where is Sue?” I ask. My gaze lands on her cubicle. “She’s not here,” says Ashley, frowning at me. “We can’t ask Pam because she’s also off today. Why are you looking for Sue anyway?” I ignore her question and turn away. I massage my temple. “I need to go.” “Why? Betsy, what is going on-” I never let her finish because I am already walking out of the office with long strides. There is only one thing in my mind. I need to talk to Devyn. I’m pretty sure the news has reached him. I need to explain! I have to make everything right again. I am hastily wanting my way out of the building that I completely forget about my things in the locker. My cellphone is inside there. I can’t contact Devyn w

  My jaw almost drops to the floor. I rub my eyes several times just to make sure that I am really seeing her. What is she even doing here in front of me? How did she find me here? “Ms. Haruko? What are you doing here?” I ask. She calmly shrugs and glances around. “I was in the neighborhood.” I quickly look around in the neighborhood she’s saying. I can see the shack dwellings. Some drunk guy in the middle of the day is even urinating on the side of the pole. I scratch the back of my neck disappointingly and turn my attention back to the Japanese woman. “What can I do for you this time?” I ask. I am sure the Japanese has a purpose of seeing me. She nods. I am really bothered by the size of the fedora she is wearing. I think I can even fit inside it. “It’s not what you can do for me. It’s what I can do for you,” she says mysteriously. Yeah right. I already knew this infamous lines of hers.

  Devyn and I hold hands as we both enter Dad’s house in Sequim. Dad is waiting for us inside. Before I open the door, I turn to Devyn. “Are you nervous?” “No, I’m cool,” says Devyn and then turns to stare at the door. “He’s not… he isn’t mad at me, right?” I wince. I remember Dad’s reaction the last time I went home. “I think…not,” I manage to say. I know that it is a bad thing to lie but I just don’t want Devyn to worry about a thing. Maybe Dad has forgotten and he is probably in a good mood because of his flourishing love life. “Right.” Devyn lets out one last sigh and then we both face the door. I open it and we both get inside. I am not mistaken. Dad is really sitting on the armchair in our living room. He is currently playing with a swiss knife on his hand. He acts like he’s honing it with a calm demeanor. “G-Good day, sir,” Devyn greets as we approach my Dad. Dad looks up and gives a small nod. His e

  “What are we doing here?” asks Pam as we usher her inside.“To drink beer,” says Ashley mockingly. “What else are we be doing inside a hair salon? Of course we’re here to give you a makeover for your revenge.”“I don’t want a revenge,” says Pam.“Well that’s too bad because we want it.” Ashley grabs her on the arm, almost dragging her inside. I quietly follow them.Pam gives up resisting and goes in. We all take our seats and soon enough, a gay hairstylist approaches us. Ashley and I both turn to look at Pam. She rolls her eyes at us and finally obliges.“What kind of hairstyle do you want, Madam,” asks Peter.“The one that best suits her.” Ashley is the one who answers. “Makes her even more beautiful.”Peter nods and turns his attention to Pam who now sits in front of the huge