The Sleepwalker's Guide to Dancing: A Novel by Mira Jacob Read Free Book Online

house!”
    “He
gave
it to me.”
    “Because he is always taking care of you.”
    “Because he
wanted me to take it from him
.” Sunil rose from the couch. “You think he wants to live here?”
    “He doesn’t know what he wants yet!”
    “He doesn’t … You
believe
that, Amma? That Thomas has been gone these ten years because he doesn’t know what he wants?” Sunillaughed, but underneath there was tightness in his voice. “You think he wants to
sit
and
rot
every day in this place instead of running off to America and sending checks?”
    “He sends the money for you!”
    “He sends it for
himself
, Amma! He sends it so he doesn’t have to come. My God, you
must
know that by now.”
    If she did know it, Ammachy gave no sign, choosing instead to wrap the end of her sari tightly around her shoulders. “Go to bed!”
    “You think Thomas would ever give me something he actually
wanted
?” Sunil shouted as she walked into the hallway, and Amina covered her ears, suddenly understanding that she had heard too much. She felt for the step behind her with one foot, then the other, hoping illogically that if she walked all the way to her parents’ room backward, she would unremember the entire conversation. The knob was cool against her palm as she twisted it and shuffled into the bedroom.
    “What’s wrong with you?”
    Amina turned around to find her mother frowning at her.
    “Nothing.” Amina sat on the bed.
    “You’re feeling sick?”
    “No.”
    “Did you make BM today?”
    “Yes!”
    Akhil rolled his eyes. “Sure you did, poo bag.”
    “Akhil,” Kamala snapped. “Enough. Your move.”
    “Helloooo, Mom, anyone home? I
won
already.”
    “Fine, so do something with yourself.”
    “Like what? Make Amina poo?”
    Amina rushed at him, digging deep into his belly with her nails so that he shrieked, knocking over the game and the marbles, which spilled across the bed, providing an unlikely torture device as he slammed her on her back. He twisted his head to spit on her, and Amina grabbed an ear, pulling as hard as she could.
    “AMINAKHIL! STOP THIS BUSINESS AT ONCE!” Kamala pushed between them, sharp hands collaring their necks. She forced them apart.
    “Jerkface!”
    “Diaper!”
    Amina kicked at him again, and her mother squeezed her throat. “Ow!”
    “My God,” Thomas said from the doorway. “What is all that about?”
    The family turned to him, panting, and Thomas walked into the room, a sweet and funky cloud of toddy on him. He smiled his lopsided smile, and no one knew what to say.
    “You missed dinner,” Kamala finally said.
    “I know, I know. Sorry.”
    “Where were you?”
    “Out.”
    “Out where? Doing what?”
    “Well …” Thomas looked at them, as if considering something. “Making plans, actually.”
    “What plans?”
    “Well …” He looked from Akhil to Amina to Kamala and back again. “Okay, listen. I have some big news.”
    “You do?” Kamala’s hands dropped, and her voice was soft with excitement.
    “We’re going on a trip!”
    “What?”
    “To the beach! Sundar Mukherjee’s wife is a travel agent, and she booked us rooms at the Royal Crown Suites in Kovalam!”
    “What’s Kovalam?” Akhil asked.
    “Rooms?” Kamala’s face darkened. “What for?”
    “Kovalam is the beach on the peninsula,” Thomas told Akhil. “It’s very nice.”
    “But we don’t have time, Thomas! My sisters will be—” Kamala began.
    “We’ll get to Lila’s on time. We’ll just leave here a little early.”
    “Early?” Kamala asked. “How early?”
    “Tomorrow midday.”
    “What?”
    “We need to rest,
koche
. A real vacation.”
    “Vacation?” Kamala’s voice dropped an octave, like she was saying
drug binge
or
spending spree
. “Thomas, what are you talking about?”
    “A break! A little peace and quiet! You know, a chance for us to just relax.”
    “I’m relaxed!” Kamala protested, looking anything but.
    “No you’re not. And how could you be