Alex shivered, her father’s gaze piercing through her. Great. Apparently, her father still held a grudge against that. She drank some water to help wash down the big bite of food she just had. Then, she proceeded to scoop up another bite.
“That’s different…” she mumbled. Her head remained low. The only sound on the table was her spoon hitting her plate. She couldn’t see her parents’ expressions but she could hear her father’s in his voice.
“How is it different?”
Taking the napkin, Alex patted it on her lips and took a deep breath. When she glanced up, the outer corners of her eyes were turned down. She looked at her father then, at her mother and then, at both of them. Her voice was soft as she spoke, “You’re my parents. I know you know I wouldn’t do it hastily. Plus… you know my reasons. Would you have stopped me after I’ve already done it?”
“No, and we didn’t stop you either when we found out before you could” her mother answered. Mr. Greenwood stayed silent. Crying girls weren’t his specialty. His wife had better empathy and he let her take the reigns.
“I know, mom. I know” Alex sighed inwardly, relieved that the bomb was defused before it could explode, “I was too nervous. I was committed to do it. Nothing you would have said would have changed my mind so I’d rather not fight before I even got a chance.”
“Fine, fine. You did it to ensure that you get to be a boy for your high school years” her mother huffed. Alex had told the same thing when they first found out.
Mrs. Greenwood didn’t often show it but she didn’t feel that happy with her daughter’s schemes. She understood it, yes, but it failed to broaden Alex’ horizons. Instead, it had limited her. In her best motherly tone, she said, “But, Alex, sweetie, that doesn’t mean you can’t make friends. Male or female, rich or poor, real friends wouldn’t care.”
“Yeah, well… I didn’t think it would be that hard until it happened. What if they realize my secret? Then, what’s the point in going in the first place if you’ll drag me back home once its out? I’d rather not take that risk.”
Mr. Greenwood’s temple ticked, completely aware of his daughter’s intentions. By wording it that way, she implied that his side of the bargain kept her from fulfilling his wife’s wishes.
Mrs. Greenwood sighed. She also knew what Alex was doing. The girl purposely didn’t want to get close to anyone knowing she couldn’t be fully honest. Her daughter didn’t need to say it, she knew that was the truth. The argument she presented was just an excuse she knew they wouldn’t compromise on. Thus, gaining her victory.
But… she wasn’t about to back down. Things needed to change, “How about this? You make one friend—just one! Even if this friend finds out your gender, your real identity or both and does not reveal it to anyone at all… we won’t bring you home.”
“Dearest!”
“I’ve made up my mind. Our daughter needs someone she can rely on” the woman stared her husband down, After a careful thought—which included whether to face his wife’s wrath or not to face his wife’s wrath—he sighed, nodding in agreement. Mrs. Greenwood gave him a small smile before she turned back to Alex, “With this, you have no more reason to isolate yourself, right?”
Alex bit her inner cheek. Her mother drove a hard bargain. Her request wasn’t simple to achieve so Alex could probably avoid it for a while. For the time being though, it was better to please her mother.
“Alright.”
Her daughter’s answer played like music to the woman’s ears. Her eyes and lips lit up.
“Truly?” She asked. Even her voice rose higher. Alex chuckled. Her mother’s happy aura sure was overwhelming—like a little sun burning bright.
“Yes, I’ll do as you ask” Alex affirmed, “But, please be patient.”
“That’s understandable. It won’t be easy to find such a person.”
“I’m glad to hear you agree.”
“Well, then, shall we continue?” Mrs. Greenwood gestured to their food. As she took a bite, she asked Alex, “Oh, right, sweetie. We were calling you earlier. Why didn’t you answer?”
Alex opened her mouth to say she didn’t feel it vibrate in her pocket…
But closed it again when she realized…
“I must have left my phone inside the ca—taxi”
“Alex!”
Alex pressed her lips together. Her grip tightened around the spoon she held. That good for nothing son of a cockroach stole my phone! She fumed in her mind.
Alex did her best to stay composed and to assure her parents about the matter, “Yes, I know, I know. It’s irresponsible of me. Don’t worry. There’s nothing significant on that phone. It doesn’t even have any picture of me.”
Neither of them relaxed. These days one’s phone contained valuable information. If the person who possessed it was smart, he/she could find something useful in its memory.
Mr. Greenwood’s eyes squinted at her, “Did anyone see you?”
Alex took a bite, hoping they could see it wasn’t a big deal, “Relax, dad. I was careful.” To lighten the mood, she gave him a half smile, “If anyone becomes suspicious, I’ll just say Alex and I are twins.”
Her father was quiet. He clearly didn’t appreciate her humor.
She sighed and wiped her lips with the table napkin, “Come on, you and aunt Lilly are twins. Who is to say it doesn’t run in the family?”
“It’s very risky” her father retaliated. Something was wrong. He could sense it. Like him, his daughter usually answered in a straightforward manner. If she avoided a direct answer then, she had something to hide.
Mr. Greenwood thought to himself for a while, wondering whether he should call her out for it or wait and see how she’ll handle the situation.
Alex wasn’t a child anymore. She was more than capable of facing her own problems but… parents always worry about their children no matter how old they grow up to be.
In the end, he decided to let it go but he will always be ready for her in case she needed him.
