Broken With My Mother In Law

I watched the girl leave in a panic. I somehow remember her. Was she the girl on the beach with dogs that look like she can’t tame them and being pulled by them? I thought. Maybe it was her. She intrigues me. Should I follow her and talk to her or should I just stay here and maybe regret this chance all my life? While I was thinking, I heard the woman beside me said, 

“Was she eavesdropping on our conversation?” Caroline seems to mind being eavesdropped on our conversation by that girl.

“Excuse me.” Somehow, I said hello to several colleagues to leave, but trotted to find the girl who had just delivered the meal. Oops, I guess my feet have a brain of its own. I saw my colleagues look at me when they saw me standing up but I paid no mind to them. I hurriedly left my seat and went to the direction the girl took earlier. 

When I was near her, I reached for her shoulder and spoke. 

“Wait,” I tapped her on the shoulder and stopped her. She turned and looked at me.

“I know two things about you, you provide food service, and you have a lot of dogs.” She looked at me, surprised that I knew so much, and had to admit that for some reason, I investigated her in advance. This content © Nôv/elDr(a)m/a.Org.

I believe she was also the girl who bumped into me at a cafe the other day. I smiled at her. 

“Well, no, I’m a dog walker. I’m not the crazy woman who owns 12, 000 dogs,” she quipped, explaining that she’s not like some other dog-owners.

“That’s why,” I said with a smile. I really want to know her more and talk to her. If I can, I really want to take her out of here and talk with her in private. Okay that was a little creepy, but I couldn’t help it. 

“I’m sorry about that. I didn’t mean to eavesdrop,” she explained shyly.

“You’re right, you shouldn’t have done that, you should have talked to me there.” I really want to know this girl. I don’t care if she eavesdropped on my conversation with my colleagues, so I want to talk to her directly. I want to talk with her and get to know her better. 

“Your girlfriend seems very upset.” She looked awkwardly at Carolyn. It was Carolyn’s words that made her think Carolyn was my girlfriend. But she was not. She was just my friend and I could never imagine myself liking her as a girlfriend. She is beautiful, yes, but she has been my friend ever since so I never would’ve thought that. 

“No, that, she’s not my girlfriend, I, I don’t, I’m single, I don’t have a girlfriend.” My explanation made her a little unbelievable. How can I explain to her that we are nothing more than friends? She would believe me, right? 

“What’s the matter?” She looked at me and became speechless. What happened?

“Nothing.” She came to her senses and shook her head. “Nothing. I’m Linda Charlotte, but they call me Linda.”

“I’m Donald. Nice to meet you.” I said, extending my hands to shake hers. 

“Me too.” So we introduced ourselves to each other for the first time.

Linda’s POV

It is the first time that I can stare at him this close. I look at his eyes, to his nose, down to his lips then his chin. I gulped at the sight. What a treat. I thought. 

“Uhm, I’m sorry I need to go back. I need to do my job or else my friend will nag at me.” I explained. Even though I don’t want to leave yet and want to talk to him, I have no choice. After all, I am a waitress for this event. 

“Ah yes, okay. That’s fine. I’m sorry to bother you as well.” He said as he looked guilty but he should not be. We said our goodbyes first then I went back to the kitchen. 

I want to look back, so I did. Then I saw him, going back to their table. I turned around and smiled to myself. 

I casually came to see Donald at their table, trying to find a chance to talk to him again.

“My shoes are terrible, but that means they must be beautiful.” I leaned halfway in search of Donald when Caroline came over and sat on the sofa in front of me with a glass of wine.

“Can I get you anything?” Watching her sit there, I stood up and asked her what she needed.

“It’s a waste to have a plate of that man.” She said, pointing to Donald. I am confused. 

“What is wasted?” I don’t understand what she is talking about. 

“Don’t you know? Donald is gay.” She deadpanned. 

“What?” This makes me wonder what crazy things this woman said. I could not believe her. Or should I? 

“Yes, that’s Enoch, the groom, maybe the bride. I can’t remember which one is attacking and which one is suffering. They will get married in Maui next Christmas.” I looked at Donald and Enoch, who were sitting together and communicating, and took Caroline’s words with a grain of salt.

“Why can’t I see it?” How can that good man like men?

“Believe me.” Caroline said with a firm look, which made me feel that what she said might be true.

“Thank you.” She handed me a sip of the glass and left.

After hearing what Caroline said just now, to be honest, I really didn’t believe it, and even wanted to find a chance to prove it, but when I saw Donald’s bracelet on Enoch’s shoulder, they were so close that I had to believe it.

“Look at that guy’s arm.” I listened to their cheerful slapstick. They seem to have a good relationship.

“My gay radar is generally very easy to use.” I think my gay radar is very accurate. Is he really gay? Why can’t I even see it? I took a doubtful sip and Caroline handed me the rest of the wine to try to calm down. 

I went back to the kitchen and could not still believe what she told me and what I saw. Was he really gay? I asked myself. As far as I know, he was so dreamy and manlike that it was impossible that he would be one. On the other hand, I only saw him a few times and exchanged a few words with him so I could say that I really did not know him. 

But my instinct is telling me that what she said is a bluff and my opinion is right. Although, what proof do I have? I am getting tired because of thinking too much. Maybe I should take a break first. So I went to Dylan and stole the dessert in his hand that he was about to eat. 

“Hey! That’s mine.” He said, but became quiet after since the food was already inside my mouth. 

Sighing, I lay down in bed with a heavy feeling. I am thinking about what happened earlier. Is he really gay? Well, there’s a lot of people nowadays that you will not notice that they are different. But if he is, I don’t even want to continue thinking about it anymore. It is making me more exhausted. 

So I straightened myself, got out of the bed and went to the bathroom. I need to do my routine first before going to sleep. 

I started washing my face with soap, yes, I am just using soap then rinse it with water. After I am done, I then get my toothbrush and brush my teeth. 

I looked at the clock and found that it was already late so I turned on my alarm and went to bed. 

—

On the edge of the bridge, I walked my dog as always. The sun was always dazzling. I went down to the beach and watched people feel free. 

I thought about life and I want the same peace that they have too. I wonder, what would it feel like if I am contented in life? I mean, I am contented with what I have now. What I meant was that, what would it feel to not worry about anything anymore? Can someone imagine that feeling? 

The feeling wherein you won’t have to worry about work, or money or people around you, something like that. 

Anyway, I was busy walking and then a wave beat over me. I screamed with the dogs, and my body was splashed with water stains. What a day. So with a disappointed smile, I went back to the shop earlier with the dogs. 

The auntie in the shop was shocked to see us a little wet so she hurried us in and got a towel for me and them. 

“It’s fine Auntie, my house is just over there so I will just go home immediately.” I said and gave her a polite smile.