Page 111 of Penalty Shot

We spent our little getaway with her two brothers and their families. Our relatives live in Detroit and rent a house by Lake Michigan for a summer weekend every year. Mom joins all the time, but this is the first reunion I’ve attended in ages. I caught up with my uncles, aunts, and cousins, leaving little private time with Ma.

Today I’m eager to share the news that Randall and I are taking our relationship to the next level.

Moving in a mere months after we first met probably sounds like lightning speed to some people. But I’m a big believer that chronological time is a guide for every day, but not a measure of meaningful experience. In this short amount of time, Randall has been my inspiration and sounding board. A friend. A lover. My everything.

I feel closer to Randall than I ever thought possible between two people. We’ve shared our insecurities and fears. We’ve celebrated the good times and stuck by each other through the bad.

Our disappointments, like the controversial reception of my play or the shortened playoff run for the Mavericks, hurt less because we withstood them together. He’s my harbor of care and my companion throughout the hurricane of our passion. It’s that combination of peace in my soul and mayhem of our bodies that surprises me every day.

And all the red flags I had vigilantly dreaded— belittlingmy dreams, making me feel neglectful and trite, or passive-aggressive bullshit of a disgruntled boyfriend— they simply didn’t exist. I’ve never met anyone who understands me like Randall does.

Most of all, I love waking up with him to start the day and then having my best friend in bed with me at night where we talk and laugh and make love.

Ma knows I love Randall, and I can’t imagine she’d be surprised that I want to live with him. But still, this is a conversation that deserves private time and baked goods.

Café Serenity is a short stroll from her bank branch downtown. It’s one of our favorite lunch spots because of its eclectic décor of exposed brick walls, local artwork, and comfy booths. There’s always a decent lunch special, too, although lunch is a mere prelude to the most buttery scones in all of Columbus.

To maximize her hour-long break, I’ve ordered our sandwiches and tea, grabbed some scones, and secured a booth.

When she enters, I’m immediately taken by her uncharacteristic expression. She’s slightly tanned and dressed for summer, so on the outside, she’s a pristine picture of a businesswoman strolling the city. But the lines over her forehead and blank stare are signs of stress. They definitely weren’t there when we were on vacation.

I stand to get her attention and offer a hug before she scoots into the booth. We sit side by side.

“I got you the chicken sandwich and today’s scones are lemon-blueberry,” I announce.

It’s important to get food details out of the way, otherwise who can concentrate?

A server brings us a pot of brewed tea.

We serve each other, which is customary.

We do it silently, which is not.

The chatter around us dims till all I hear is the clang of my teaspoon stirring sugar.

I’m excited to move in with Randall, but seeing Ma’s uncharacteristic sullenness is giving me pause. I take a deep breath.

I say, “I have something to tell you” at the exact moment Ma says, “We need to talk.”

We chuckle at the timing. Ma reaches over and pats my hand affectionately.

“You first.”

“Randall asked me to move in with him and I said yes.”

Band-Aid-ripping quickness is the way to go with Geraldine Chen. She won’t suffer fools or delays.

She nods. “When?”

“After Lake Michigan. Although he’s been hinting at the possibility for weeks.”

“Was he pressuring you?” She sounds concerned.

“No! Oh my god, not at all. It isn’t pressure. He makes it easy to be with him all the time.”

“Because you love him.”

“Because I love him,” I echo. Ma smiles and chuckles.