- 6.
Jake asked me, “Mrs. Callahan, want to keep
watching the show, or should we head
home?”
“Hold on, let’s see how this plays out.”
Just then, two cars pulled up. One was a
black Maybach, the other a beat–up old green
taxi.
“They’re here!” Liam said, dragging Maisie
toward the Maybach.
But the driver who got out was our driver. He
walked straight past them and over to my
parents.
“Mr. and Mrs. Jiang, please get in.”
They were completely ignored.
I almost felt bad for them.
My mother–in–law gave them a hint. “Liam,
your real parents are in the taxi.”
A plain–looking couple got out of the cab,
their hair mostly gray, shoulders hunched.
Next to them was a skinny kid, his face
vaguely resembling Liam’s.
The three of them rushed over to Liam and
Maisie.
“My son! Mommy and Daddy missed you so
much…”
They hugged him, crying and pouring out their
hearts.
“You must have missed us too. We can’t
believe we didn’t realize you were switched!
We should have known sooner…”
Liam stood there stiffly, letting them hug him.
Maisie asked, “Are you… are you really Liam’s
parents?”
Liam’s mom grabbed Maisie’s hand, her eyes
shining.
“Yes, honey! You must be my son’s
girlfriend.”
Maisie gave a nervous laugh. “That’s right.”
Liam’s mom shoved a red plastic bag into
Maisie’s arms. “Here, honey..
“What’s this?” Maisie asked, confused.
“Eggs! Fresh eggs from our chickens. A little
gift for you.”
“Eggs?” Maisie said, horrified. “Oh, no, thank
you…”
“Take them! You city folks don’t get fresh
eggs. I brought them especially for you.”
It should have been touching, but it was just
ridiculous.
I turned and saw Jake’s face was as cold as
ice.
He didn’t seem to know those people at all.
He saw me looking and softened a little,
raising an eyebrow and smiling. “Had
enough? Should we go?”
“Yeah, let’s go home. This is getting old.”
<
Mr. Callahan told Liam, “Go home with your
parents. We’ve packed up your stuff. I’ll have
someone send it over. That’s it.”
His mom was still chatting with Maisie.
“When are you two going to tie the knot? I’ll
help you plan the wedding back home.”
“I don’t know yet,” Maisie said, frowning a
little. “Um, where do you live?”
“In our farmhouse, of course.”
Maisie’s voice changed. “Farmhouse?”
