Kenneth pushed the door open, apology written all over his face, both hands loaded down with bags.
When he saw me, he wiped the sweat from his forehead and swept me into a big hug.
Then he held out a bouquet.
"Lady Joanna, this humble servant is late. Please accept my apologies!"
It made me laugh, and I took the things from his hands.
A neck-and-shoulder massager for my dad, chamomile tea for my mom.
You could tell he'd put thought into it.
Mom and Dad hurried over, beaming.
"You silly boy, why bring so much just for a visit!"
"Really, look at you, all worked up and sweaty. Sit down, take a rest!"
The few people at the table kept changing color.
When Kenneth sat down beside me, Jerome's face went dark and he gave a cold snort.
"Smooth-talker. All flash, no substance."
Dad's eyes cooled a few degrees at that, but Kenneth pressed a hand over his.
He smiled, laid a piece of food in my bowl, and said mildly,
"Still better than the ones who put on airs. My worry would be holding that pose too long, until it's too late to regret it."
Mom, all smiles, ladled him some soup.
Jerome's face went red, but Lola pulled him back.
The whole meal ended in an eerie silence.
Afterward, my parents rose to see the guests out.
Jerome hung back at the end, saying he wanted to talk with me.
Lola seemed to sense it. She turned back, eyes reddening, and called out to him.
"Jerome…"
His step faltered. I smiled and said,
"No need. Your girlfriend's calling you. Go on."
And with that I linked my arm through Kenneth's and went back inside.
Jerome ground his teeth, but he still turned and left.
Early the next morning, though, the one who showed up at the door was Lola.
She came straight to the point.
"I'll say it plainly. I know you and Jerome had a thing once."
She paused, a trace of scorn in her eyes.
"But I don't care. You've seen how Jerome loves me, haven't you?"
"He never forgot me."
"Getting with you back then was just to spite me."
My hands didn't stop tidying the room. I answered without much interest.
"Fine. Got it."
Lola clearly hadn't expected that reaction. She drew a few sharp breaths, then grabbed my hand.
"Enough! Stop standing there pretending you don't care!"
"Everyone knows you had a crush on Jerome back then!"
I shook her hand off.
Before I could get a word out, Jerome rushed over and threw himself in front of Lola.
"Joanna! Sulk all you want, but don't hurt Lola!"
The look he gave me was full of disgust. He never once noticed my wrist, red where she'd grabbed it.
Only when Lola spoke up did he register what had actually just happened.
He raised his voice, a little uneasy.
"Lola's emotionally fragile. I was just afraid you'd set her off."
I let out a scoffing laugh.
"If that's how you want to see it, there's nothing I can do."
Furious, Jerome charged forward without another word and tore apart the thing clenched in my hand.
I looked at the scraps all over the floor, and for a moment I couldn't breathe.
It was the blessing letter my grandmother wrote me before she died.
Back then I'd told her I'd met someone truly wonderful.
Someone who would stand in front of me when classmates bullied me, who would stay up late organizing notes for me.
Because of him,
I'd finally gone from "the diner owner's daughter" in people's mouths to Harding the Straight-A Star.
I told her this was the person I loved.
And so my grandmother wished for the two of us to end up together.
I crouched down and picked up the pieces one by one, dropping them into the trash.
Panic flickered through Jerome's eyes. He reached out, wanting to wipe the tears from the corner of my eye.
I dodged his hand and said, my voice gone hoarse,
"My boyfriend's coming soon. The two of you should go."
"I've forgotten everything that happened before. I wish you a long and happy life together."
Jerome tried to say something more, but Kenneth stepped in front of me.
