And… I reached out to my parents. In a cowardly way, with a letter, but Chloe assures me it was the best choice given their preferences and our history. It was a way to make a move while respecting their space. A month later I’m still waiting for a response, but that’s okay. I have faith that one day it’ll be okay again, then good.

Chloe CHAPTER 71 EPILOGUE

The more days that pass, the more ridiculous I feel about how much time and money and energy I spent protecting my parents’ feelings at the expense of my own. Like, I hired a fake boyfriend? Who does that? And I needed that experience to learn the bumper-sticker slogan BE YOURSELF? Jesus, Chloe! Except that when I talk to potential Rent for Your ’Rents clients in my capacity as part-time director of Our Two Cents on Your ’Rents, it’s still like, Yup, yup, I totally get it. The first time I video-chatted with another client, we both ended up bawling on-screen. Now I at least hold it together somewhat—enough to offer some thoughts and give my testimonial, which does reopen a wound, but it’s becoming less painful each time.

My parents and I are… fine. They’re freaking out that Drew moved to Chicago, and I hear questions about “the sex” way too much, but I gave them the choice of what role to play in the life I chose, and they want to be involved. Maybe too involved, if we’re being honest, but that’s not the worst option.

My father is in remission, and he updates me on his health in phone calls and emails. My mother is still figuring out how many toes to dip in the water, but I know that her cringeworthy questions and mailings of whale tails stuck with No hanky panky! notes are her way of saying she cares. About the wrong things, but I want her to be herself too. She recently commented that she was relieved Drew’s family was actually in California and not Chicago so she could stop worrying about us staying in the Midwest after I graduate. Even though I’m not sure I want to move back in the future, I count it a temporary win that she wants me around.

I don’t spiral while falling asleep as often anymore—I’m usually busy co-designing sheep pajamas—but the few times I do and whimper out loud, a loving arm will reach out and embrace me, and I fall asleep immediately, hugging my string-cheese-shaped xiǎo zhěntóu.

Snippets from Chloe’s application

Q: Does your family have any superstitions?

A: Not that I know of.

Q: What would be the ideal gift to get your parents?

A: Anything, really. I guess something Chinese would be ideal? They love mooncakes, Taiwanese pineapple cakes, Asian fruits, that type of thing.

Q: What are some traditions they follow?