We got to the restaurant and ordered.
Then Tess had to go and stir things up. She raised her eyebrows and said, “I heard Mom’s
く
trying to set you up on a date. You gonna
go?”
Winnie’s hand jumped.
I didn’t answer Tess. I just looked at her.
“Yeah, I’m going. You didn’t think I was
kidding, did you?”
Winnie laughed, but it was strained. She said,
“Luke, I’m not dead yet. Who said you could
go on a date?”
Tess looked confused. “What’s that supposed
to mean? Why would you care if he goes on a
date?”
“He’s my boyfriend. Why wouldn’t I care?”
<
She stared at me, waiting for me to back her
- up.
I didn’t say a word.
Tess was getting pissed. “What are you talking about? I’ve never heard of you guys dating!”
“Luke, tell me she’s lying.”
I looked at the two of them and shook my
head.
“Winnie and I are not together.”
Winnie jumped up, like I’d stabbed her. “Luke,
I don’t care if you’re mad at me, but how can you say that?”
<
Tess couldn’t believe it. She tried to think
straight.
“Wait a second. If you guys were together,
show me some proof! Let me see
something!”
Winnie froze.
We never took any pictures.
She didn’t like taking photos.
One time, I took a picture of our shadows, and she made me delete it.
When we went out, she always stayed a few feet away from me, so nobody would see us.
When we tout
<
When we texted, I’d always start the
conversation.
We didn’t have any evidence.
Tess rolled her eyes.
“I know you’re good–looking and awesome,
but are you sure you’re not imagining
things?”
“Winnie, you should see a doctor. This isn’t
healthy.”
Winnie’s eyes were red. She yelled, “Luke is
my boyfriend! We’ve been together for seven
years!”
She looked at me, pleading. “Tell her, Luke!
<
Tell her it’s true! I’m your girlfriend!”
I shook my head. “Winnie, please stop. You’re
gonna embarrass yourself.”
No matter what she said, I didn’t admit it.
She couldn’t prove anything.
We were the only ones who knew.
Tess finally decided she was crazy. She didn’t
even finish her dinner. She just left with me.
On the way home, she warned me, “Winnie’s
been acting weird. You should stay away from
her.”
I told her I would.
く
When I got home, I burned all the drawings I
made for a wedding ring.
Now there was no proof at all.
The past seven years were gone.
I told my mom I was moving back home.
I didn’t want Winnie showing up at my door.
My mom complained, but she helped me
move.
I went on that date.
It turned out the girl was in my fraternity, and
I used to tutor her.
く
She was sweet and pretty, just like my mom
said. She was already attracted to me.
But I couldn’t move on that fast. I told her I
wasn’t ready for a relationship.
She smiled. “That’s okay. I’ll wait.‘
She’d had a crush on me since college.
I was too focused on school to notice.
We became friends.
Winnie didn’t give up. She kept showing up at
my work.
Tess saw her stalking me and lost it. She
yelled at her.
く
She was with Winnie and Tess at that
meeting.
Tess was telling the story and eating dinner
when she said “She was so angry, the lady
didn’t get the contract, what is with her
acting like this!”
I agreed. “I have no idea what she’s thinking. There’s no way we could be together.”
I forgot about the past and looked ahead.
Later, I got a chance to study abroad. I didn’t
hesitate.
I told my girlfriend and my family.
I booked my flight and left.
<
When I got off the plane, I saw my girlfriend
waiting for me.
I was so happy. “What are you doing here?”
“I’m here for work. I knew you were coming
today, so I wanted to meet you.”
She was amazing.
“You’re good. You even knew what time I’d
be arriving.”
Just then, a guy walked by with a sign. “This
young woman has been waiting all morning.
She’s been looking at every arrival from
Paris.”
The girlfriend blushed.
く
She was so cute.
I smiled. “Thank you.”
You give me something to look forward to.
The girlfriend stayed with me. She showed me
all around.
She wrote me out directions, where I should
go, who I should contact.
One day, when she had time, she flew from
her job and took me to Paris to see the sites.
Half a year later, I knew that I loved her, and I
told her.
Soon after, Tess sent me a message about the good news.
She added, “It’s a good thing you left.
Winnie’s a mess. She didn’t get back
together with Ethan. Instead, she found a few
guys who look like you. She’s been getting
drunk and crying your name. She’s gone
crazy.”
I didn’t say anything.
Winnie and I were over.
I was moving on. I wasn’t looking back.