Secret Love Nest

T-Shirts

Qing and I sat beside each other on the couch as we stare at the gifts his mother brought for us.

Qing's Mom: (gesturing at the shirts) These were made by the young teenagers in the Center for Abused Teens. We held a charity event there. Those poor kids, they were so young but the horror they have gone through.

Qing's mother shuddered and I shuddered with her. I also can't imagine going through any kind of abuse when I was young.

The sad truth is, some of those abused teens experienced it at the hands of the people that should have protected them in the first place. Like their own parents or guardians.

The most abusive things my parents ever done to me, was forced me to eat vegetables and nagged me to do my homeworks.

I never thought that them refusing to buy me the latest phone model is an abuse but I know some teenagers nowadays will think otherwise.

Anyway. Back to the story of Qing's mother.

Qing's Mom: In that center, they help those kids to recover from the abuse they endured and to be able to cope with any psychological and physical manifestation of what happened to them. They have psychiatrists and counselors volunteering to help. We, at the Wang Corporation, decided to donate to and adopt that center as one of our major projects to help.

I wanted to clap at his mother's passionate speech and good intentions. But Qing opens his mouth before I can clap.

Qing: (in a bored tone) So what do you want me to do? If you are asking money from me to give to that center, I can give you a check but this...

He gestured at the shirts laying innocently on the top of the center table.

Qing: (clearly dismayed) I will not wear that, Mama.

Qing's Mom: But why? Those kids made those shirts as part of a donation drive for the center. I bought those shirts for you and Dayu. And I also bought a pair for your sister and her husband. They love them.

Qing: I highly doubt that.

I highly doubt it too. Qing's sister is like my lover. She has an innate fashion style that doesn't include wearing cute couple shirts.

Qing's Mom: (turning to me) Dayu. What do you think of the shirts?

Me: (smiling) They are cute!

Qing: (looked at me like I was a traitor) They are tacky!

I smack his arm and gave him a warning look.

Me: (smiling back at his mother) They look cute, Mama. I like them.

Qing's Mom: (clearly satisfied with me) See, Qing? Dayu knew how to appreciate gifts. And he has good taste.

Qing: Dayu doesn't have any fashion sense, Ma.

Me: (smacking his arm again) But I have good taste. I am with you after all.

Qing's Mom: (snorting) Maybe you have wonderful taste in clothes but you have poor taste in men, Dayu.

She gave me a pitying look while glaring annoyingly at her son. Qing threw his hand in the air.

Qing: So I am the villain again?

I patted his thigh and he sighed defeatedly and agreed. His mother smiled happily before she sipped her tea that I served for her.

After more talks and another cup of tea, Qing's mother left with an instruction that we should wear the shirts and take a picture as evidence.