“What was that?” my mother asked when I returned to the table.

Had she actually noticed my spiraling? Sometimes I forgot that when she wanted to, she could see me.

“He was trying to get back to his sick grandmother, and you were so selfish to want him to stay,” she clarified.

Oh.

I said nothing.

“Thank you for staying behind, Jing-Jing,” my father said. “I’m glad we’ll have a little more time together.”

Please just tell me.

But he didn’t. And I also didn’t spill what I knew, because I was a hot mess of emotions right now, and I trusted Drew. Or maybe I was just a coward who couldn’t stand how my parents already looked at me, even without knowing I’d invaded their privacy earlier today.

“So kind, caring about his family like that,” my mother muttered into her rice. Then she looked up at me. “I’m glad you found a nice boy with such a promising future. Certainly makes me worry less.”

“Me too,” my father said—mostly to his bowl, but still.

“Yeah, me three,” I answered. He just may not have the exact “promising future” you were hoping for.

In the silence that followed, I could hear the sand passing through the hourglass, counting down the time I had left before the consequences bit me in my tired ass.

December 26, 10:32 p.m. PST

<Chloe>

Why’d you have to go?

<Drew>

I’m sorry

I thought it was for the best

Pause.

Do you want me to come back?

I could say I missed my flight

Another pause.

I don’t know

Longest pause.

Yes and no

Maybe I just need to have a good night’s sleep and I’ll feel better in the morning

I’m so tired but can’t seem to fall asleep

I’ve already counted so many Chang’e sheep, but… nothing

A little help?

Hmm

How about a sheep being chased by a piece of stinky tofu?

Poor guy!

The sheep or the tofu?

Because the tofu just wants to be friends

And then there’s Tiger Balm sheep, who carries it on him and uses it to cure everything

He’s currently trying to wipe some on Stinky Tofu to help him smell like spicy menthol instead of feet

Does Tiger Balm sheep resemble an old Chinese dad in an undershirt, sitting on a white turned-over bucket, cooling himself with a circular fan?

Of course

I’m glad you got that one

Wasn’t sure you would

I’ve been around the Chinese block once or twice

I used to work at our local Chinese grocery store

And I already knew that because of your application

This is fun

Another falling asleep tip…

I have a xiao zhentou I hug

A little pillow? How little?

Perfect cuddle size. And it has Toucan Sam on it