A Love Triangle Most Unusual (Season 1)

Come Home

"So when are you going home? You know, your mom has been calling me a lot lately. She thinks I know something she doesn't. Are you coming back soon, or what?"

I sighed, listening to the sound of the woman drying her hands with the automatic drier for a few minutes. I tried to pretend I was at some sort of fancy restaurant, where they played unique music for you that was created by an orchestra that only specialized in extremely unorthodox wind instruments.

"I might," I replied. Or maybe not.

"You should," Marie insisted. "Your grandmother is probably missing you so badly right now. Family is so important, you know."

"Yeah." I'm sure she's dying for a chance to beat me and cuss me out after she saw me bringing a man home. Assuming she hasn't even told Mom yet. "So, um...why are you calling again?"

There was a pause.

"What do you mean, why am I calling?" Marie laughed. "Am I not allowed to talk to my best friend?"

"No, of course you can," I replied. "I'm just...a bit surprised, is all."

"Aw, no need to be shy. You know, I missed you too," Marie teased.

I took a deep breath.

"I'm sorry, I have to go soon," I said, trying to compose myself as much as possible. "If there's anything you need from me, just let me know. Otherwise, I will have to go now."

"Oh come on," Marie said. "Hey, why haven't you come home or called me yet? Are you avoiding me?"

I felt my stomach drop in dread again. It felt like I was going to sink into the floor - or at least, I wished that I would. I wanted to shrink on myself and disappear, anything to get out of this conversation.

"Um..." Usually, if it was Mom, I'd lie and say I was getting another call and then hang up and never call her back. I tried to push myself to say the lie, to force it out of my throat, but it never came. Instead, I found my mouth moving against my will and speaking the words, "Sure, I'll come back sometime."

"Good!" Marie said, pleased. "Let us know what day! I'll ask Mom to prepare you some dinner ahead of time. I know you missed her cooking!"

"You know it," I laughed weakly.

"By the way, who was the girl who picked up your phone earlier?" Marie asked. "Was that...your new girlfriend?" she giggled.

"I..."

Next to me, I listened for the woman. She did not make any noise. I stood as still as possible, perhaps hoping she would forget about me and ignore our conversation.

"Just a friend," I swallowed.

"Oh?" Marie asked, her tone lighthearted and teasing. "Who's the lucky girl who finally captured your heart after all these years? Can I meet her?"

I swallowed.

It's you. Or least, it was supposed to be you. Still is, I think, sometimes.

I swallowed again, then suddenly felt like choking. I coughed loudly.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah...yeah, I'm fine. I'm sorry, I have to go now, I'm in the middle of something..."

"Oh, I see," Marie said. "Well, it was good talking to you again! Don't forget to call me back later, okay?"

Just say no. "Yes, I will," my stupid ass replied.

"Okay great! Love you."

I almost jumped, then swallowed again nervously.

"Uh, yeah...seeya," I replied.

I expected her to hang up, but she remained on the phone, the silence full and expectant. Unable to handle it, I raised a shaky finger and ended the call before I said anything else stupid.

As I did, I noticed an indication that I had an unread voicemail from Mom. I slowly reached for the screen and pressed it, waiting for it to play.

"David.  I am tired of calling you.  Call me back yourself sometime tonight when you are free.  I know that you do not want to talk to me, but you are our only son, and we need to discuss Popo's health with you.  Call me back later."  

As I put the jade bracelet back on, I felt whatever sense of calm and self-satisfaction that I had gained wash away. I now stood up, grim-faced and completely serious.

I'm going to have to figure out a way to sneak back in without Leo and Valentina noticing. And then, after that, I'm going to have to figure out how the hell I can escape coming home again.

Because there is no way I can return home now, not like this.

I wanted very hard to believe that if I returned home now, I would receive nothing but unconditional love and acceptance. But that was not the kind of home I came from. And there would be nobody happily waiting to receive me, only loose ends waiting to be cut or tied up.