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I glanced toward my father, who had both his eyebrows raised. My mother had a similar look, except her mouth had fallen open.
We all stayed like that, frozen, as what I just said sunk in.
"What do you mean you're not single?" my father asked, finally breaking the silence.
I had to think quickly on my feet. They wouldn't believe me if I confessed that I was lying or back-tracked in any way.
"I've been seeing this guy for a few months. We didn't want to go public with our relationship and ruin it since he is in the public eye," I lied through my teeth.
I needed to explain why I hadn't told them, and this was the first thing to come to mind. If they thought I was dating a public figure, they would have to stop this nonsense of trying to set me up. Plus, they would be impressed that I was dating someone they thought was a bit famous.
"Who is it?" my mother demanded, her eyes filled with awe.
I had no idea how to respond.
"I can't say," I replied, avoiding eye contact. "We haven't decided to start telling people yet."
"Then why tell us if you don't disclose any more information? How can we even believe you?" my mother questioned me.
Even though I was lying, I was offended by her questions.
"I have to go meet him, so I need to go," I said as I got up from the table. "Thank you for dinner. We'll have to do this again sometime soon."
"Honey, you don't have to leave," my father said.
"I do. I'm supposed to be meeting my boyfriend in an hour."
I walked out of the dining room and approached the front door but was stopped by my mother before I could exit.
"Darling," my mother said as she touched my shoulder. "We are happy for you. We want you to find love and are happy you've found someone. We just hope we can meet him soon."
My mother had the best intentions but made me feel horrible for lying. Yet, I had to lie to keep her off my back.
"Thanks, Mom, but I do need to get going."
I shot her a short smile before turning around and exiting my parents' home.
Getting to my car, I rushed inside and locked the doors. I glanced back at the house and saw that the door was closed, and no one was watching me.
I groaned loudly and let my head fall into my hands.
I had dug myself a grave, and my parents were expecting more news about my new boyfriend as soon as possible. I could lie and tell them he broke up with me, but then they'd return to trying to set me up, which I didn't want. I wanted to pick my future partner. I tried to find love on my own. While I appreciated my mother, her constant pandering and matchmaking were getting old, and I had just reached my boiling point. I needed a break; this lie would allow me to do that.
I let out a low breath as I got myself together. I would just continue this lie, even if it bit me in the butt. For now, it was helping keep my mother at bay.
***
I got home and quickly undressed before getting into my shower. I let the hot water run down my back as I stared at my shower's blue and white tile walls.
What was I going to do?
Keeping up this charade, at least for the time being, was a given, but how would I keep it up? I had no man in sight, and it was hard to have a relationship when you knew no one.
I felt bad lying to my parents, but it had to be done.
Rubbing shampoo and conditioner into my hair, I thought of different ways to keep this lie going. I could go on dates alone or buy presents and flowers. But that all felt too fake and too much.
I was supposed to meet with my mystery boyfriend, but here I was, washing my lies away. After rinsing out my hair, I got out of the shower and stared at myself in my big mirror.
