Chapter 8
I was making change for a customer when my dad called.[]
“Sweetie, they’re tearing down the old neighborhood.“]
The night market was loud so I couldn’t hear clearly, shouting into the phone: “What? Aunt Martha’s having a heart attack?”
“No no, what aunt having a heart attack? Listen to me–you don’t need to work anymore. Come home, daddy will take care of you.”
I heard that clearly, stuffing bills in my bag: “Dad, did farming scramble your brain? How you gonna take care of me? With loans? Banks won’t even approve you anymore.“[]
“I’m telling you the old neighborhood got demolished–we don’t have to pay back those debts.“]
CRASH-” My phone slipped from my hands.[]
the
4
N
I’d just peeled off the screen protector and hadn’t put the new one on yet–the phone hit my corn dog machine and went black instantly.
My dad’s voice kept coming from the phone: “Sweetie, book a train ticket home right now. Hello? You listening…?“]]
“AHHHHH!!!”
I jumped up and hugged Bennett: “Bennett, I’ve got money! I don’t have to pay back debts anymore! Hahaha…“[]
After my family went bankrupt, my parents moved back to their hometown in Georgia.]
Couldn’t even afford a basement in Boston, but at least back home they could live in a big house.
The house was built when I was born–back then zoning wasn’t as strict, so my dad just built 5,000 square feet.
Since you can’t sell family land, the house didn’t get auctioned off.[]
Plus my grandparents had always stayed home farming.]]
I went back home with Bennett.]
Seeing me bring home some guy, my dad’s face went dark.]
He found an excuse to get rid of Bennett and whispered: “Where’d you find this broke boy? I don’t approve of you two being together.“[]
He knew about River and ine–used to really like River.]]
After we went bankrupt and broke up, he ranted in that basement about how if he ever saw River again, he’d definitely beat his ass.
I acted cute with him: “Daddy, he’s not some broke boy!“]
My dad: “You’re right, he’s not some broke boy–he’s about to be a DEAD boy.“]
I quickly stopped my dad who was grabbing a pitchfork.]
Bennett came back from my grandma’s grape vineyard carrying a basket of grapes. Seeing my dad holding a pitchfork, he looked
S.I
confused: “Uncle, you going farming? Want me to help? I’m really good at farming.“]
“And you still say he’s not a broke boy?”
The day I proposed to Bennett, he posted on Instagram:
“My amazing wife lifts my spirits high, and I give her gold in return.“]
The picture was of the gold ring I gave him.[]
I originally wanted to buy a diamond ring but figured gold held its value better.]]
At our wedding, Lily came.]
She gave us $99,999 and wished Bennett and me a lifetime of happiness.]
J
She brought up River on her own, saying he’d accepted an offer from a French company and was planning to settle abroad permanently.
I smiled and asked: “Why aren’t you going overseas?“]
Lily replied: “I still prefer staying in the States.“]]
I clinked glasses with her: “I think America’s better too.”
Good thing–at least the flower didn’t get planted in manure.]
That night, Bennett was insatiable–we fucked again and again.
Next morning I was woken
up
by our cat licking me.[]
ne
Half–asleep, I thought I heard meowing.
“Baby, you smell so good“]]
“Baby, can I have you just once more?“]
“Baby, if you don’t say no, I’m taking that as a yes.“]
I heard a heavy, ragged breath by my ear.[]
That’s when I realized–we didn’t have a cat.
I told Bennett to get his ass off me.
He whined and acted cute: “Baby, I love you so much. Will you stay with me forever?”
Just then, my phone buzzed with a notification-
સો
River: [I’ve thought about it over and over–whether you believe me or not, if you’d said you needed me two years ago, I definitely would’ve stayed to be with you.]]
Bennett saw it and snorted.[]
“Baby, look at me. Don’t get distracted.“]]
