- 15.
The dining table was covered in plates of
sashimi, every kind imaginable. And a plate of
oranges, perfectly sliced. “I called your boss.
You don’t have to work today.” “Oh.” I sat
down, then shot back up. “You called my
boss?” “Yes.” “What did you tell him?” “What’s
the problem?” “He’ll get the wrong idea!”
“Everything between us is real. What’s there to
misunderstand?” I was speechless. “I talked to
<
your boss. You switched jobs to accommodate
your side hustles?” “Yeah. The programming
job pays better, but the hours are long. I make
more with multiple part–time jobs.” “Go back to
programming next month. Quit the side
hustles.” “No,” I said, shaking my head. “I
haven’t coded in so long. I’m rusty.” “It’s okay,
I’ll teach you again.” He meticulously peeled a
shrimp, dipped it in sauce, and placed it in my
bowl. Just like he always used to do. In college,
I wasn’t great at programming. But having a
genius boyfriend for a free tutor kept my
grades afloat. “I really have forgotten
everything,” I mumbled. Ethan scribbled a few
lines of code on a napkin and sat next to me.
“Just some basics. I’ll help you remember.” For
a moment, it felt like we were back in college.
My boy, sitting beside me, patiently explaining
code. After breakfast, I insisted on going home
alone. On the subway, lost in thought, I received
a text from Ashley. “Maya, please don’t hurt
Ethan anymore, okay?” Me: “What do you
mean?” “All these years, he’s been trying to pay
you back.” “Pay me back for what?” “The
money.” Ashley sent a screenshot. A chat in a
group with Ethan and his college roommates.
Ethan: “Finally paid it off. Huge relief.” Others:
“Congrats!” “Glad to see you lift that weight
off your shoulders.” “Free at last, haha” I
stared at the message, confused. Then a debt
notification popped up on my phone. “Your
outstanding balance has been paid in full. Paid
by: Ethan Jones.”
