04
Mom’s phone rang.
It was Dad.
<
I ran over, wanting to answer it.
But it rang only once, then stopped.
I shook Mom in bed, saying, “Mom! It’s Dad’s
phone! Dad’s coming to get us!”
Mom didn’t move.
It’s true.
Every time Dad comes home, he fights with
Mom.
It’s okay she doesn’t want Dad to come home.
I tucked the blankets around Mom.
And sat quietly on the couch, waiting for Dad
book
<
to come back.
Dad came back soon.
The key turned in the lock.
I jumped up, running to the door.
Dad opened the door, saw me, surprised,
asking, “Where’s your mother?”
“Mom’s in the bedroom…”
“Never mind, I don’t need to talk to her. Lily,
go get changed, we’re going out.”
“Dad…”
I couldn’t stop him.
L
He already walked to the elevator, smoking.
Mom hates smoke.
Dad never smokes at home.
Before, when people came over, he made
them smoke outside.
“Go smoke outside, my wife can’t stand
smoke.”
Then, people would laugh, saying, “Jason
really loves his wife.”
“Yeah, Sarah’s so lucky.”
And Mom would blush, saying, “It’s okay,
smoke in here. Don’t make them go outside.”
く
And Dad would wrap his arm around Mom’s
waist, stop her.
Kiss her, saying, “Don’t worry about them, let
them go outside. See who dares to smoke in
front of my wife.”
They used to be so in love.
What broke it?
Was it me?
Was it me always wanting burgers?
Was it me always crying?
Was it me not wanting them to get divorced?
Was it me trying to steal Dad away from
Tiffany?
Was it my fault?
Did I make Dad hate Mom?
Mom, I’m sorry.
It seems.
Like everything. I messed up.
