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“But I remember that one the most. I don’t remember much before then.”
“You remember being homeless, staying in shelters, being hungry.”
“Yeah. What about it?”
“I’m just saying, you could be reminded of all that just by seeing a homeless person on the street or seeing hungry people waiting in line at a food pantry. There are all kinds of ways you could be reminded of your past. Why am I the one your dad is so worried about?”
“I don’t know. Maybe he’s just using that as an excuse for why he doesn’t want you in my life. Maybe the real reason is something else.”
“Like he’s embarrassed to have you dating someone like me,” I say, glancing around the coffee shop at all the girls with their expensive outfits and perfect hair. We’re in Easton’s neighborhood at a coffee shop that looks like one you’d see on TV, with leather sofas and upholstered chairs and fancy artwork on the walls. The place is full of girls my age that would be a much better fit for Easton, at least his dad would think so. They all look rich, and like they just stepped out of a fashion magazine. Compared to them, I’m trash.
“I’d like to think he’s not that way,” Easton says, “but maybe you’re right. My dad grew up with money. He went to private school. I didn’t think he was a snob until I saw how he treated you. Now I think back and realize he’s always been that way. I just didn’t pay attention to it.”
“What way?”
“Looking down at people who don’t have money.”
“Was your mom rich?”
“No, but her family wasn’t poor. And when my dad met her, she was a lawyer and had a really good job. My dad likes successful people. If you don’t have money, but you’re trying to get it by going to school or starting a business, he has more respect for you. People like my parents, my biological parents, are the type of people he can’t stand.”
“Because they didn’t work?”
“Yeah. He says they lived off handouts, people giving them shit. He has no respect for people like that.”
“Maybe that’s why he doesn’t like you talking about them.”
“I think that’s part of it. He doesn’t want me associating myself with them. He wants me to be like him, always setting goals and trying to achieve them. Always trying to be better.”
“That’s a lot of pressure.”
“I’m used to it.” He checks his phone. “Still nothing.”
“Did you hear your parents talking when you went in the house to get my keys?”
“Yeah, but it didn’t make sense.”
“What did they say?”
“I don’t remember. It was just a lot of yelling and then they went in my dad’s office and shut the door.”
“Do you think they’re still talking?”
“No. I think my mom’s calling everyone she knows to try to find you a place to live.”
“She mentioned this one lady to me, but she doesn’t live here.”
“Where does she live?”
“I don’t know. She didn’t say.”
“What was the woman’s name?”
“She didn’t tell me. The lady didn’t agree to it.” My eyes meet up with Easton’s. “And I don’t want to move. I’m kind of in love with you.”
He smiles. “I love you too.”
I lean back in my chair and gaze down at the table. “I told myself I wouldn’t let this happen. I promised myself it wouldn’t.”
