Chapter 10
I replied obediently, “Okay.”
There was a brief silence on the other end of the phone before he asked, “Aren‘ t you mad?”
“No, I’m not angry.”
“Aren’t you going to ask where I went, who I was with?”
“You‘ re an adult. You don’t need anyone to manage you like a child.”
There was a pause on his end and his voice. grew strained. “Claire, I feel like you‘ ve drifted so far away from me lately.”
“I feel like I can’t hold onto you anymore.”
I found it strange. In the past, he would always say I shouldn’t be jealous, I shouldn’t get angry, or make a fuss. Now, when I was calm and composed, with a good attitude, he still thought I was bad.
301210
1/6
330
12:10
30
Chapter 10
But it didn’t matter. He would soon realize that the only things we don’t get emotional about are those we no longer care about.
“Claire, do you not love me anymore?”
His final question was so light and soft that it seemed to vanish into the air, swept away by the sound of a passing bus.
Then, he sighed faintly. “Claire, I won’t be coming home tonight. I will pick you up at nine a.m. tomorrow. Trust me, I will make these days unforgettable for you.”
Tomorrow? I wouldn’t be able to wait for him.
But I figured he would break his promise again.
So, with a gentle tone, I responded,
“Okay.”
***
My professor had told me that I was scheduled to leave at 1 a.m. and that
30 12:10
2/6
Chapter 10
someone would be coming to pick me up.
“Have you wrapped everything up?”
“I heard from your junior that you were planning to get married?”
I raised my right hand, now without a ring and smiled warmly. “I’m single.
The professor nodded. “Claire, it’s a ten- year closure. If there‘ s anyone you need to say goodbye to, you should do it quickly. After this, you won’t be able to see them. again.”
I nodded in agreement.
At noon, the whole department gathered to throw me a farewell party.
My
r was or
with red eyes. “Miss
Claire, I really envy you. I want to follow in your footsteps.”
I patted her head. “Work hard and I will wait for you in there.”
“Mm! Wait for me! I will come to find
30% 12 10
3/6
12:10
Chapter 10
you!”
The real estate agent called in the afternoon to tell me it was time to sign the contract.
I was surprised at how quickly everything was moving. The agent explained that in the internet age, everything moves fast. The buyer was a teacher from the nearby high school. They were looking for a place close to work and could pay the full amount upfront. I rushed to sign the contract and the authorization letter, allowing the agent to handle everything else.
By evening, I found myself back at my alma mater. I retraced the path Vincent and I had once walked together.
In fact, we had had some sweet times, too. On the playground, twenty–year–old Vincent held my hand for the first time, his face turning bright red. He kissed me for the first time in the little grove, his breath erratic and nervous. In the library, we
90% 12 10
4/6
30
Chapter 10
studied our homework and exchanged a smile over our textbooks. Underneath the dorm building, we hug each other tightly, reluctant to say goodbye.
When I was twenty–two, Vincent placed that ring on my finger, his eyes red as he told me he would marry me and give me a good life. At twenty–five, he had become. successful in his business and he held me tightly, counting the zeros in our bank. account, dreaming of how many kids we would have in the future. At twenty–seven, he said, “Claire, let’s get married. We didn’t have the so–called seven–year itch. I will always love you.” But by the time I was twenty–eight, he had started to abandon me for another woman. I was no longer his first choice.
I remembered that song.
The love that burned so brightly had cooled first, while the slow–building affection kept. bubbling, never stopping.
I looked up and wiped away the tears.
30 12 10
5/6
Chapter 10
I thought I had moved on, but thinking back on those years we spent together, I couldn’t help but feel a pang of sadness..
