She lowered her chin to her chest. “As friends, right?” She expected him to start laughing so they could dispel the awkwardness. But he didn’t laugh.

He regarded her in silence.

When he finally opened his mouth to speak, Helen pushed her chair back and stood up. “I need to go to the restroom.”

16

16

Sara’s bedroom looked like something straight out of an American teen movie. It was bigger than her brother’s or sister’s, with a deep-pile carpet and plenty of pink, white, and red. Her bed was soft and smelled good.

Naomi was lying half underneath Ralf, her clothes still on. She had unhooked her bra, but he hadn’t gone near it yet. The moment he put his hands on her breasts, he would lose all track of time. It was difficult enough to keep his head in the game as it was.

“You’re an odd one, Ralf,” she whispered.

Ralf smiled dreamily. He stroked her hair. Smooth, thick strands slipped through his fingers.

Her hand, which had been resting on his bare stomach, now made its way downward; her fingers disappeared nimbly beneath the taut elastic of his boxer shorts.

He trembled; his breath caught. Swiftly, he grabbed her wrist.

“What’s the matter?” she whispered against his lips. She threw her leg over him; her foot ran up his calf. “Don’t you want to?”

“Of course I do.” He was ready to explode.

“Then why are you stopping me?”

He extricated himself from her. “I care about you. I don’t want to do it here—in Sara’s room, like this.” He looked around as if searching for something. “This just isn’t right.”

“Should we go to your car? We could leave early.”

He closed his eyes briefly. What do you think? Yes. Of course. Right now. “No.”

“Huh?”

“Not tonight,” he whispered. “Not now.”

“Why not?”

“Because—” Ralf looked at Naomi regretfully. “I can’t stay.”

“Hey, you guys! Naomi? Ralf? Do you want some chicken nuggets?” The shouting came from downstairs. Ralf heard Jackie giggling.

“I have to go soon,” he murmured.

“Go? I don’t understand you at all.” She sat up, stiffly rehooked her bra, and dropped her T-shirt back down over it.

When Ralf realized she was about to stand up, he held her back.

“Hey, hello-o?” came from the kitchen. Floris was babbling as if he’d had too much to drink.

“Come and be social, Naomi!” called Sara, before letting out a shriek. “Stop pinching me!”

They looked at each other in the dim light. “Do you remember about that dealer?” asked Ralf.

“Of course I remember. I’m not an idiot.”

“I’m meeting him tomorrow.”

She looked alarmed. “Why?”

He ran his hand through his hair and rested it on his neck. “I need to make sure I have enough money for him. That’s why I have to leave. I’m working on something.”