Mission accomplished.
0530
During winter break, Matt drove me to the
airport.
“Are you sure you don’t want me to come with you?” he asked, feigning distress.
“You’ve asked me that like a hundred times
already.” I rolled my eyes.
“I don’t need a label. I’ll just stay at a hotel nearby. I just want to see you sometimes. Please don’t forget about me.”
When did he become so dramatic?
“Okay, okay. I’ll video chat with you every day.”
“Promise?”
Finally managing to appease him, I waved
goodbye and turned to go through security.
<
A few days before New Year’s, my mom told
me that Ethan’s mom had invited our family
over for dinner.
“Ethan’s bringing his girlfriend home today,”
she said. “His mom said it’s been a while since
our families had dinner together, so it would be
nice to catch up.”
“Wow, Ethan’s bringing a girlfriend home?
That’s a first.” My curiosity was piqued. “Is she
pretty?”
“His mom has only seen pictures, but she says
she’s very pretty.”
“Figures. Ethan always had high standards.”
My mom chuckled. “Remember when we used
to joke about you and Ethan being a couple
when you were little?”
I feigned ignorance. “Did we? I don’t remember.
<
I always thought of Ethan as an older brother.”
“You never know with these things. You and Ethan grew up together, but it never turned into romance. Just sibling affection, which is fine
too. But Ethan has had several girlfriends, and
you’re in grad school now. Haven’t you met anyone yet?” My mom’s tone turned serious. “I
used to worry about you dating too young, but
now you’re in your twenties… it’s time.”
I coughed. “Mom… do you have anything
against younger men?”
My mom’s eyes lit up. “You’re dating someone
younger? How much younger?”
“Just three years.”
“Three years older, a treasure she holds. That’s
great! Where does he go to school?”
My mom continued grilling me about Matt all
<
the way to Ethan’s house. My dad pretended to
be indifferent, but his ears were perked,
listening intently.
At Ethan’s house, I saw the girlfriend sitting on
the sofa. Long, straight black hair, a white
dress, quiet and refined. After graduating,
Ethan had joined his family’s business instead
of going to grad school. This girl was his
assistant. Apparently, she was also a graduate
of a prestigious university and had become
Ethan’s assistant within a month of joining the
company. Shortly after that, they started dating.
Ethan’s mom had told my mom that the girl’s
parents were both high school teachers, a
“good family.” Compared to Ethan’s previous
girlfriend, a bartender with tattoos, his mom
was clearly thrilled with this one.
“He never brought any of his other girlfriends
home, but he’s certainly dated a few,” she’d
confided in my mom. “I was worried about him
<
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getting serious with that bartender girl. You know, girls who work in bars… can they really
be simple? Thankfully, they broke up after a
month.”
So, Ethan had been busy.
At Ethan’s house, the parents went into the living room to chat, while I sat on the sofa in the den, playing on my phone and observing Ethan and his girlfriend. They were practically glued to each other the entire time. Ethan had briefly acknowledged me when we arrived, but then went back to showing his girlfriend how to play a mobile game.
“You’re so bad at this.”
“Stop running around. Just stay behind me.”
“How did you manage to shoot yourself again?
You’re going to attract all the enemies!”
<
I recognized the game. It was the same one
Matt and I played. I was terrible at it, constantly
getting lost, even in small buildings. But Matt
was much more patient with me. No matter
what mistakes I made, even if I accidentally
revealed our position in the final round and got
him killed, he never got mad. He’d just say, “It’s
okay, it’s just a game.”
During dinner, everyone complimented Ethan’s
girlfriend on her beauty and good manners. My
mom even asked, “So, when are you two
getting married?”
Ethan just smiled and didn’t answer. I noticed
his girlfriend’s smile falter slightly.
“By the way, Chloe, are you seeing anyone?”
Ethan’s mom asked me.
Before I could answer, my mom jumped in. “She
is! She’s dating a younger man.”
<
10:43
Ethan choked on his drink, and his girlfriend
patted him on the back.
“A younger man? How much younger?” Ethan’s
dad asked, curious.
“Three years younger. He’s a sophomore,” |
replied.
