Page 13 of Not Your Valentine
Have you told Mom and Dad about your boyfriend yet? Shirley asks.
When I posted the pictures, I was more focused on my friends seeing it. I’d forgotten about Shirley—my parents don’t do social media, thank God.
Now, I know some people’s siblings wouldn’t think twice before spilling such news to their parents, but Shirley wouldn’t do that unless she knew I was okay with it. I wouldn’t say we’re super close, but we did keep secrets for each other in high school.
ME: No
SHIRLEY: Are you going to? Do you want me to do it?
Actually, that’s not a bad idea. I do want my parents to know about Taylor, but I don’t relish the thought of saying the words out loud and having my mother shriek in my ear over the phone.
ME: Go ahead
SHIRLEY: You sure?
ME: Positive
The group chat is still active, but I set aside my phone, feeling like I’ve had enough socializing for now. Instead, I lie back on the couch and pick up the mystery novel I’m reading, but my gaze keeps straying to the enormous bouquet of flowers on the dining room table.
I put down my book, and before I know what I’m doing, I’ve walked across the apartment, picked up the vase, and set it on the end table next to the couch so that they’re closer to me and I can smell their fragrance.
Is that pathetic? I’ve never enjoyed flowers this much before and—
My phone rings, and I jump.
It’s my mother.
“Shirley tells me you have a boyfriend!” Mom yells.
“Thanks for destroying my hearing,” I mutter. “Did she just call you?”
“Yes,” Mom says, “with very interesting news. She says you went to high school with him? Aiyah, it took him so long to make a move!”
“Um.” I feel unprepared for this conversation, even though I knew it would happen. “Sometimes people’s feelings change over time?”
“What’s his name and what does he do and how much money does he make?”
“Mom!”
“Just kidding. You don’t need to tell me. I will invite him over for dinner so I can ask him all those questions myself. Does he like wonton soup?”
“I’m sure he’ll love your wonton soup.”
She clucks her tongue. “Don’t say that just to make me feel better.”
“No, I’m serious.”
“Good. And he will not embarrass you in public?”
“I can’t imagine he would.”
“I thought of another good comeback you could have said to Charlie—”
“Nearly eleven months too late,” I say.
“What if you discover you have secret powers and can time travel? Best to be prepared.”
“If I somehow found myself back at that restaurant on Valentine’s Day, I would leave. I wouldn’t let him say those words to me in public.”
