At school, Speed told everyone she was “one of those uptight Asian chics.” Elle even felt weird on the soccer team now. She was never sure if Mr. Pure had said anything to his daughter or anyone else. She became a self-imposed loner although, deep down, she was relieved. The pressure was off.

Over two months passed before Elle and Sophia got to hang out together. It was for a family gathering. Elle’s dad had gotten a new job at an accounting firm, and they were going to celebrated with a barbeque in Golden Gate Park. “Finally, for once, some good news for this family,” her mother said. Elle’s mom had marinated baby back ribs over night and her dad had them cooking on the grill. They had claimed a spot near the rose gardens beneath a cluster of plum trees. Marcel was playing catch with Michelle and showing her some moves. Uncle Tri was playing the guitar and serenading his pretty new Thai girlfriend. Aunt Trang arrived with Dean and Sammie and some good news from Frank’s lawyer. Aunt Kim arrived hugging a bucket of KFC chicken legs and a container of slaw.

She said, “I knew no one would remember to bring the American food if I didn’t.” But Elle knew the truth. Aunt Kim was plain tired and Vietnamese food took forever to make.

Elle ran up and offered to unload the food. Her aunt greeted her with bluish bags beneath her eyes. Elle asked, “Where’s Sophia?”

Aunt Kim shrugged her shoulders as if she had given up even trying and then said, “She said she might be late.”

And then as if on cue, Sophia roared up on the back seat of a motorcycle with her long black hair flapping in the wind. Elle watched Sophia dismount and then hug the guy good-bye. Sophia looked beautiful. She wore a blue floral sundress that pinched at the waist and a red scarf around her neck that made her look sophisticated and chic.

When they stood face to face, Elle said, “Miss you.” Sophia didn’t say it back.

Then Elle said, “Cute scarf,” which got Sophia’s attention. Sophia gave her a mischievous grin and then looked over both shoulders. When she was sure none of the adults were looking, she untied the knot at her throat. Beneath the red scarf, she revealed three hickeys the size of robin eggs above her collar-bone and below her earlobe.

Sophia bit her bottom lip. “Motorcycle man gave them to me. Do you remember him? The hot older guy from The Steps of Rome? Can you believe it? He’s crazy. He has these three boas at his apartment he keeps in the kitchen. He let me feed it a mouse last night.”

Elle wanted to ask, “How old is he?” But she didn’t. She didn’t want to dim the glorious light in Sophia’s eyes.