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"How were exams?" Dad asks eventually, after forcing himself to swallow some broccoli.
"I have a good feeling. I have this very interesting business course—”
"Wait, you took a business course?" Dad gapes at me as I nod. "And you liked it?"
"I loved it." I tell them more about the course as we eat, then Mom gives us some more details about the wedding. Dad keeps his eyes trained on her, absorbing every word. I'm not sure if it's the words themselves he's absorbing, or just her presence. From time to time, he drags his hand over the table toward her, as if he’d like to take her hand, but doesn’t quite dare to. Yet.
"Tell us more about Damon," Mom beckons as if reading my thoughts. I gulp, playing around with my fork.
"Yeah, we hear more about him from James than from you," Dad adds.
"This is news to me." I squint. "What's all this you hear from James?"
"That he has an excellent work ethic and is very determined." Mom rubs her chin, pinching her brows together. "And talented," Mom adds.
"I used to think Damon was very bad for you." Dad says this so matter-of-factly, I can't help laughing.
"Now you don't anymore?" It's not like his opinion of Damon would change my feelings for him, but I'd be less tense when they eventually meet each other.
Dad holds his hands up, as if saying, I’m not sure. "According to your brother, he's changed a lot from the rebel with self-destructing tendencies he was in high school. I will give the benefit of the doubt to anyone who's willing to put so much effort into turning his life around."
Mom leans over the table, dropping her voice to a conspiratorial whisper, "Your brother has been lobbying Damon a lot.”
I am so happy right now I could hug them. "I think you two can finally meet Damon."
"So, this was a test?" Dad grins.
"Yes, sir. Can't have you scare off my boyfriend."
Dad shrugs, pleased with himself, then tries to steal a slice of beef from my plate. Mom slaps his hand, frowning at him.
"You're not allowed red meat, you know that," she says.
"I can't be condemned forever to a life of fish and vegetables. I need some toxins in my system."
"You're not eating that." She glares at him while pointing at the tiny piece of beef stuck in his fork.
"Okay, okay." Dad puts the beef back on my plate and resumes eating his food. Mom makes a point of looking at him until he gulps down the very last bite. He looks up at me hopefully a few times, silently pleading for me to help out. I love my dad, but I draw the line at steamed broccoli and fish. I just give him my most sympathetic look.
"Did we tell you we plan to move?" Mom asks.
"No. When? Where?"
"Nothing's set yet, but somewhere next to San Francisco, so we'll be closer to you and James."
"We're thinking of buying a small house, maybe a bungalow," Dad fills me in.
I stare at them. "You live in a palace and want to move into a bungalow?"
"Our house is just too big. We don't need that much space," he explains. "It's just the two of us now."
"Wow. Do you have any other life-changing news to share?" I ask.
"I'm thinking of selling the chocolate factory, too."
"No way." It feels like a punch in my gut. "Why?"
My father starts explaining his reasons, and I can't say he's wrong, but I feel a deep sense of loss at the news.
