Outside my door, I heard my father pacing in the living room, his steps heavy and restless. This time, I didn’t go out to comfort him as I usually did. Some boundaries, once set, are hard to erase. Some truths, once said, are hard to take back.
The next few days were quiet. But I knew Virginia and Madison wouldn’t let it go easily, so I prepared in advance.
Sure enough, on the day I got my graduation certificate, a big group of relatives came to the door.
Virginia led the way, followed by Madison, my cousin, my older cousin and several distant uncles and aunts who liked to join in. The large group crowded into my living room, making the spacious room feel cramped.
My mother quickly went to pour tea, while my father stood in the middle of the room, his face showing clear unease and anxiety.
“Brother, sister-in-law,” Virginia spoke first, loudly as if the neighbors needed to hear. “We’re here just to demand an explanation! Look, this is my son from the Finance Bureau! His official employment notice just came out!”
She held up a piece of paper, almost pushing it into my dad’s face. “Last time, your Tristan slandered him, saying he failed the exam. This can’t go unchallenged!”
Several relatives leaned in to look, clicking their tongues in disapproval. Madison immediately spoke up, just as loudly as Virginia. “And our daughter! Look at that, a brand-new Mercedes, an E300!”
She pointed downstairs at a white Mercedes, shining in the sunlight. “Last time, Tristan said it was a beat-up used car worth $2,500. That’s nonsense! We need an explanation today!”
My cousin stood to the side with her arms crossed, face blank but eyes showing slight condescension. The other relatives started whispering among themselves.
“Exactly, Tristan’s words were really hurtful last time.”
“How could he speak about his own family like that?”
“Virginia and Madison are elders who raised him and he didn’t respect them at all.”
“This bad influence can’t continue; they need to be properly taught.”
“Too much studying makes people arrogant; they don’t even understand basic respect for elders.”
“If this isn’t resolved today, we can’t remain relatives.”
Their voices from the slightly open doors and windows drew neighbors, who peeked into the hallway and whispered to each other.
My parents grew more embarrassed. My father kept bowing. “I’m so sorry, everyone. The boy is young and doesn’t understand…”
My mother, holding a cup of tea with trembling hands, pleaded, “Virginia, Madison, have some tea and calm down. Tristan knows he was wrong…”
