The Stranger In My Room

I dodge Dad's hand, with which he wants to lead me inside the apartment. Somehow, he disgusts me. I can't quite put my finger on why, but it's not just his appearance. I've never seen him so unkempt before. Beneath the pungent smell of his sweat, there's something else I can't quite place at the moment.

The reason lies deeper, where I can't see it. The fact that he is so upset and at the same time unnaturally cheerful are only external symptoms.

I walk ahead, around the bend in the hallway, and...

“Mom?”

I can't believe my eyes. I blink several times to make sure I'm not mistaken. My mother is scurrying barefoot through the hallway, almost naked. She's wearing—well, what is that? Colorful. I vaguely remember the kimono I had as a carnival costume—I don't know how many years ago—because I really wanted to be a geisha, without knowing what that meant at the time.

Now Mom is wearing that old outfit. It's too short and too tight. She pulls it together across her chest so that the silk fabric stretches over her breasts and the curves underneath are clearly visible. Are those her nipples that have become erect? Eww. I quickly look away.

“Oh. Hello, Sina. You're here already?”

Why does she say that? She knows I'm coming home for the weekend today. Like every two weeks. I have no idea what happened to my parents. They seem like they've changed. First there's Dad in a messy, almost neglected state. And now Mom... so... I don't have the words to describe it.

“I... um...” she stammers, “I have... uh... I need to take a shower. Let’s talk later.”

I shake my head internally. Whatever is going on here is beyond my imagination.

At that moment, the next unexpected thing happens. A man steps into the hallway, right next to me. At first, I don't even realize that he's coming out of my room, I'm so caught off guard.

Blond, slim. So tall that I have to look up to see his face. His blue eyes sparkle mischievously. He seems to be about my dad's age, but his easy-going manner makes him appear much younger. He is dressed casually in a red polo shirt, white jeans, and sneakers. He takes his hand out of his pocket and holds it out to me.

“Hi! You must be Sina. Your parents have told me a lot about you. I'm glad to finally meet you.”

Who is that?

I close my mouth without knowing when I opened it. How embarrassing. I must have looked like a goldfish in a bowl.

Dad pulls me and the stranger into the living room. I'm confused.

“Come on, let's sit down and have a drink. Then Jessica will have time to freshen up.”

I sit down on the sofa. The man plops down next to me. Our thighs touch. No personal space. I pull back a little, not wanting to seem rude. His teeth shine like in a toothpaste commercial.

“I'm Dirk. A friend of your father's.”

As if that explains anything.