moved to Colorado to attend the University of Colorado in Boulder, Rose followed. They acted more like sisters.
While they gossiped about one of their distant relatives, I scanned the restaurant and noticed a professor who had taught me during my undergrad days. For a brief moment, I panicked. I hated socializing and kissing ass just to aid my career, and I was so awkward and shy in those situations that it made both parties uncomfortable. He obviously didn’t recognize or remember me. Thank goodness.
After we were seated, Rose looked me directly in the eyes. “So, Lizzie, I heard you are a Les-Bi-An.”
I looked at Sarah, her expression mortified.
Then I started to laugh. I laughed so hard my cheeks hurt. Finally, I said, “I take it Sarah told you about her first, and maybe last, meeting with my family.”
“It better not be my last.” Sarah crossed her arms and glowered at me.
“Well, I can’t see why you would want to endure them again.”
“They are your family, Lizzie … unfortunately,” she mumbled the last word. Around her mom, Sarah let her guard down completely.
“You’re telling me. You know what they say: you can’t choose your relatives.” I shrugged.
“That’s a bunch of hogwash. Family is what you make it. And as far as I am concerned, you’re more part of our family than your own. How often do we all see each other? Once, maybe twice a week.” Rose winked.
Of course, we met only briefly on Saturdays before their shopping excursions. From my first introduction, Rose had always accepted me as one of her daughters.
“I’m glad you feel that way, Mom, because Lizzie and I have something to tell you.” Sarah took a deep breath and turned to me. “We are moving in together.”
We are what? Oh no, she didn’t. She did not just put me in this situation! I looked at Rose and then at Sarah. Their faces were glowing. Did they plan this?
The waitress came by and announced the dinner specials. She departed quickly, giving us more time to think over our choices. Maybe she sensed the awkwardness. I’m sure my face was a brilliant scarlet, and I was gasping for air.
Rose was the first to speak. “Well, it’s about time. It’s no secret Sarah spends every night at your house. You two are going to buy a house, right? There’s no sense throwing away your money on rent.”
Sarah took a sip of her wine and left me to respond.
“I guess so … we really haven’t talked about the details yet … but I guess you’re right … only making someone else rich by paying rent.” Oh shut up, Lizzie . I knew I was digging an even bigger hole for myself. I swayed in my seat, dizzy from the oppressive air.
“And Sarah, didn’t you tell me Lizzie’s brother is marrying an interior designer? If you ask me, all of the signs are pointing to home ownership.”
Someone please throw me a fucking rope.
Chapter Thirteen
After dinner, I texted Ethan and begged him to meet me the following day. Both of us arrived at the same time. Distraught, I couldn’t wait to sit down and tell him the news. While we waited in line, I explained what had happened.
“You’re buying a house together?” blurted Ethan.
I put my fingers to my lips to shush him. As I guided us towards the back of the store, away from the crowd, I said, “I don’t know what happened. When you think about it, Sarah played a masterful hand to do it in front of her mother. She knew I wouldn’t have the gumption to say anything. And now it’s too late. They practically have an interior designer hired.” I collapsed into a seat.
Ethan sat down too, and whispered, “Did they call her?”
“No, but it’s only a matter of time. These people don’t mess around, Ethan.” I looked nervously around the store. Why? I don’t know. Was I expecting Sarah and her mom to pop out with brochures advertising homes for sale? “Once they have an idea, they strike like a king cobra.”
He started to laugh. “Like a king cobra?”
“I
While they gossiped about one of their distant relatives, I scanned the restaurant and noticed a professor who had taught me during my undergrad days. For a brief moment, I panicked. I hated socializing and kissing ass just to aid my career, and I was so awkward and shy in those situations that it made both parties uncomfortable. He obviously didn’t recognize or remember me. Thank goodness.
After we were seated, Rose looked me directly in the eyes. “So, Lizzie, I heard you are a Les-Bi-An.”
I looked at Sarah, her expression mortified.
Then I started to laugh. I laughed so hard my cheeks hurt. Finally, I said, “I take it Sarah told you about her first, and maybe last, meeting with my family.”
“It better not be my last.” Sarah crossed her arms and glowered at me.
“Well, I can’t see why you would want to endure them again.”
“They are your family, Lizzie … unfortunately,” she mumbled the last word. Around her mom, Sarah let her guard down completely.
“You’re telling me. You know what they say: you can’t choose your relatives.” I shrugged.
“That’s a bunch of hogwash. Family is what you make it. And as far as I am concerned, you’re more part of our family than your own. How often do we all see each other? Once, maybe twice a week.” Rose winked.
Of course, we met only briefly on Saturdays before their shopping excursions. From my first introduction, Rose had always accepted me as one of her daughters.
“I’m glad you feel that way, Mom, because Lizzie and I have something to tell you.” Sarah took a deep breath and turned to me. “We are moving in together.”
We are what? Oh no, she didn’t. She did not just put me in this situation! I looked at Rose and then at Sarah. Their faces were glowing. Did they plan this?
The waitress came by and announced the dinner specials. She departed quickly, giving us more time to think over our choices. Maybe she sensed the awkwardness. I’m sure my face was a brilliant scarlet, and I was gasping for air.
Rose was the first to speak. “Well, it’s about time. It’s no secret Sarah spends every night at your house. You two are going to buy a house, right? There’s no sense throwing away your money on rent.”
Sarah took a sip of her wine and left me to respond.
“I guess so … we really haven’t talked about the details yet … but I guess you’re right … only making someone else rich by paying rent.” Oh shut up, Lizzie . I knew I was digging an even bigger hole for myself. I swayed in my seat, dizzy from the oppressive air.
“And Sarah, didn’t you tell me Lizzie’s brother is marrying an interior designer? If you ask me, all of the signs are pointing to home ownership.”
Someone please throw me a fucking rope.
Chapter Thirteen
After dinner, I texted Ethan and begged him to meet me the following day. Both of us arrived at the same time. Distraught, I couldn’t wait to sit down and tell him the news. While we waited in line, I explained what had happened.
“You’re buying a house together?” blurted Ethan.
I put my fingers to my lips to shush him. As I guided us towards the back of the store, away from the crowd, I said, “I don’t know what happened. When you think about it, Sarah played a masterful hand to do it in front of her mother. She knew I wouldn’t have the gumption to say anything. And now it’s too late. They practically have an interior designer hired.” I collapsed into a seat.
Ethan sat down too, and whispered, “Did they call her?”
“No, but it’s only a matter of time. These people don’t mess around, Ethan.” I looked nervously around the store. Why? I don’t know. Was I expecting Sarah and her mom to pop out with brochures advertising homes for sale? “Once they have an idea, they strike like a king cobra.”
He started to laugh. “Like a king cobra?”
“I
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