“Fine, you have a crush on the version Lin-Manuel brought to life.” He started shaking his head. “Oh man, please stop this before it’s too late. Wait, what about your date tonight?”

I said nothing, hoping he wouldn’t figure out that I’d been texting with my client, and that Jing-Jing’s last text had jarred me into making the date. You’re already in character, she’d said, when I wasn’t, not at all. I’d completely lost the line between job and reality, so in desperation I’d opened up the first dating app I spotted on my phone and swiped right until I made a match.

“Don’t shit where you eat,” Jason warned.

“I would never.” I turned off the iron to let it cool on the kitchen counter (a.k.a. our ironing board) and retreated to my room to finish getting ready. And I definitely did not tell him that it already tasted kind of poopy in my mouth.

Voicemails from Chloe’s mother

December 19

Wéi? Jing-Jing? Wéi, is anyone there? Oh. It’s voicemail. Jing-Jing? It’s your mǎmá. Look, I’ve been thinking, and I just can’t live with myself taking Andrew away from his family another holiday. Maybe he shouldn’t come here, so he can be a good son, of course, no other reason. What do you think? Tell him not to come. Okay, Jing-Jing? For everyone’s sake.

[silence]

Eh? How do you turn this thing

December 20

Ah, there’s the beep. Jing-Jing? It’s Mǎmá again. Why haven’t you text message me or called me back? I know you’re upset about some of the things I said, but I taught you better than to ignore your poor mǎmá who is just looking out for you. And Andrew. I’m looking out for him and his poor mǎmá who will surely want to see him over the holiday. Win-win, right? I mean, not a win for us. Lose for us, of course. But we will make the sacrifice for him and his family’s sake.

Okay? Please. If you don’t call me back, I’ll assume you just did what I asked!

December 21

Oh, clever. You call me when you know I’m working. Well, fine.

I am thinking about Andrew and his parents. Maybe I’m also thinking about us and Hongbo, but above everything, I’m thinking about you, Jing-Jing! It’s always you!