“Hmm. I know what you’re doing,” she says with narrow eyes as she walks toward the door. “You’re trying to distract me so I don’t make you wear these shoes.” She looks me up and down while she drums her fingers on the red, shiny high heels. “But you’re right. You need to be able to walk, and not break your neck. But I’m doing whatever I want on your face.”
“Can you just go, and let me relax before you make me into your own personal Barbie-doll?”
“Hey, I’m allowing you to wear your Converse. You should be happy.” I lower my chin, and raise my brows. “I’m going, I’m going.” She walks out, and closes my door behind her.
I lay down again on my bed, and stare up at the ceiling. Reaching over, I get my Air Pods, switch my music on, and close my eyes.
Zhen has been curled up at the foot of my bed, sleeping this entire time. Zhen’s my chocolate Labrador. He’s our family’s dog, but for some reason, he really gravitates toward me.
Meditation starts and I instantly relax as I listen to the cool drawl of the woman who’s narrating. There’s something about meditation that helps me calm down when things get to be too much. It takes me away from the now, and allows me to live in a harmony.
“Wow, you look really nice,” Mom says as I make my way down our grand staircase.
“I did her make up,” Tina proudly says as she looks up at me.
“You both look amazing,” Dad says as he slides his suit jacket over his shoulders. “I can’t believe my girls are eighteen.”
I get to the bottom of the stairs, and Tina looks at my shoes. “They actually look good,” she says, though I can tell it’s killing her to admit it.
“See, told ya.”
“Are you two ready?” Mom asks as she slings her bag over her shoulder. Mom always looks beautiful. She has this old-world glamor about her. Like she’s a black-and-white movie star. Mom’s fair features are truly breathtaking, but her heart is even more exquisite.
“We’re ready,” Tina answers for us both.
“You be a good boy, Zhen. We’ll be back home soon,” I say to my boy, who’s wagging his tail. I know he’ll disappear upstairs to my room and go to sleep, waiting for me.
“I’m the luckiest man in the world, to have such a breathtaking wife, and two perfect daughters.” Dad hugs both Tina and me together, then places gentle kisses on our heads. “Come on; I’m hungry,” he says.
“You’re always hungry,” Mom teases.
Mom locks the front door, as Dad reverses the car from the garage. We all get in, and Dad starts driving toward the restaurant they picked. I’m never fussed by extravagant things, they’re simply objects. I’d be just as happy going to The Cheesecake Factory for dinner, as I am going to Chapter, the two Michelin star restaurant we’re heading to.
Mom, Dad, and Tina talk, and I look out the window. Distant from the happy, animated conversation they’re having. Going to fancy places isn’t my scene, but I know Mom, Dad, and Tina love going.
I take my Air Pods out of the charging case, and slip them into my ears. Turning on some gentle, easy listening music. No one talks to me, or if they do, they know I’ve got my headset in, which means, I’m zoning out.
Another easy song comes through the headphones, then another, and I close my eyes and relax.
I feel a soft whack on my thigh. Looking over, I see Tina smiling. I can faintly hear her over the music. “We’re here.”
I take my headphones off, and slide the small charging case into the pocket on the back of the passenger seat. “I was listening to music,” I say.
“We know,” Mom says from the front. Dad pulls up to the curb, where there’s a valet waiting to park our car.
Dad takes Mom’s hand, and they walk ahead of us. “You okay?” Tina whispers as we approach the doors to Chapter.
“Yeah, I’m good.”
“Cool.” She smiles. “You look so hot.”
“Thanks.”
We’re quickly shown to our seats, where a waiter in a full tuxedo approaches us with a bizarrely flamboyant glass pitcher of water. He doesn’t say anything, only pours the water and leaves.
“This is way too fancy for me,” I say as I look around the room. There’s another two families sitting on the far-right hand side of the restaurant, and several couples who are all eating, and enjoying quiet conversation.
“We wanted to make it special,” Mom says. “It’s not every day our girls turn eighteen.”
I feel awkward, way out of my comfort zone. That’s funny though, because Mom and Dad always give us nice things, and take us to expensive places. I just don’t know if I’ll ever get used to it.
“Thank you for bringing us here,” I say to them.
“Yeah, thank you. This place is sick,” Tina says looking around at the simple, stylish décor.
“This is why we work hard, because we want you both to have the best we can give,” Dad says.
They’ve never made us feel like we’re just two adopted girls. They’ve never talked about us like we aren’t part of their family. But I often wonder why they chose me. As for Tina, I understand that. She’s so bubbly and warm, it’s easy for anyone to fall in love with her. But I’m not like Tina. I’m more reserved, and introverted, the total opposite.
A different waiter approaches us. She’s dressed in smart black clothing too. She tells us the specials for the evening, without even reading it from a menu. Her voice is controlled and calm as she says words like, ‘truffle, lobster, kobe beef and caviar.’ Of course, they all sound delicious, but the moment she said lobster, my mouth began watering.
She stands and waits for our order.
She doesn’t write anything down, which blows my mind. If I worked in such a fancy restaurant, I’d want to write it all down to make sure I don’t screw anything up.
“I’ve got to go to the rest room,” I say as I stand. I look around the room, and quickly spot where the bathrooms are.
“Hurry back. We want to give you our presents,” Mom says with a huge smile.
Once I’m out of the restroom, I head back to our table. “Latte girl,” I hear from beside me.
The voice is familiar, and the hair stands to attention on my arms. Turning, I see Dylan. “Dylan.” I smile. “You already forgot my name? It’s good we’re not going on a date then.” I step away from him. Before I do, I quickly glimpse at his table. I’m half expecting to see a gorgeous woman sitting opposite him, but I don’t. I see an older man, who looks exactly like Dylan, only older.
“She got you good, son,” his father says as he chuckles.
“You’re supposed to be on my side.” He gives the man who must be his Dad a pointed annoyed look. His Dad flips his hand, and adds a chuckle. “Can we talk?” Dylan asks.
“Nothing to say.” I take a step away, but Dylan reaches out and puts his hand on my upper arm. It’s not hard, or forceful. “I’m sorry about yesterday.”
“What part? The fact you heard I was eighteen and you made the decision for me that you’re too old for me? Or was it something else?”