- 8.
Ivy clung to Jerry’s arm, looking at me provocatively.
Jerry felt guilty and shook off Ivy’s hand. “Susie, sorry.
take you
meet my parents tomorrow.”
“We’ll see. Want something to eat? I just made some simple disor
I knew that as long as Ivy was around, I would never meet Jerry’s parents.
But it didn’t matter. I didn’t care anymore.
“Susie, this food is a bit too salty. It’s making my chest feel tight.” Ivy clutched her chest, looking pitiful.
“I’ll make you some noodles.” Jerry stood up and went to the kitchen.
“Susie, isn’t this ring pretty? Jerry helped me pick it out.”
“He said it suits me. It’s a pity he couldn’t wear a matching one with me. Susie, don’t misunderstand!”
I glanced at the ring in her hand and smiled faintly. “Don’t worry. There will be a chance. He’ll wear a matching one with you.”
Jerry came out with the noodles. Ivy kept praising his cooking skills.
“Back when I used to get my period, Jerry would always make me a bowl of noodles like this and comfort me until I fell asleep. I don’t know what I’d do without Jerry.”
Jerry elbowed lyy, signaling her to stop talking.
Whenever I got my period, Jerry would dismissively say, “Drink more hot water. Everyone gets stomach pain. Don’t be so dramatic.”
It turns out he was capable of being attentive and gentle in taking care of a girl. Just not me.
After eating my fill, I stood up. “You two keep eating. I’m going to rest for a bit.”
Jerry followed me into the bedroom. “Susie, I’m sorry…”
3:44 PM
<
I smiled faintly. “It’s fine. We can go another time. It’s not like there won’t be other chances.”
“Susie, don’t worry. I will definitely marry you. When the time comes, we’ll have a…”
“Jerry, my chest really hurts. Can you come take a look?” Ivy’s sudden cry cut Jerry off mid–sentence. He rushed out.
“Are you okay? I’ll drive you home.”
Jerry drove Ivy home. I stayed in the house alone, with period cramps plaguing me all day.
I lay in bed, tossing and turning unable to sleep.
I got up wanting to make some brown sugar water. Jerry had returned. Seeing my pale face, he immediately helped me sit down.
“Stomach not feeling well? Drink some hot water.”
Looking at that steaming cup of water, I just felt bitter irony.
Sure enough, Ivy was still the most important one in his heart.
“Thank you.”
Jerry felt uncomfortable. “Susie, why do we need to say thank you between us?”
I smiled, finished the hot water, and went back to the bedroom to sleep.
“Susie, my birthday is in a couple days. Let’s cook some food at home to celebrate, okay?”
“You arrange it.” I covered myself with the blanket and turned my back to him. “Close the door when you leave, thanks.”
Jerry clutched his chest, feeling an increasing emptiness in his heart. The feeling of loss and uncertainty grew stronger.
