“Well, if this were a romantic comedy, this would be the part where Paul would go out searching for the love of his life,” Sandy said. “There’d be really cheesy music playing in the background while he went over to his boyfriend’s apartment to apologize for being an idiot and to hug him and kiss him and then get down to bidness.”
“Oh my,” Mom said. “I think we’ve been watching the wrong movies.”
“By ‘bidness’, do you mean Paul would be a pony again?” Dad asked. “I must admit, I’m fascinated by that idea now.” He glanced back over to my mom. “We should get a riding crop.”
“Deal,” Mom said.
“I’m not a fucking pony!”
“Language,” Dad scolded.
“I should just call him first,” I said.
“No!” everyone said back.
“It’s not spontaneous enough,” Sandy said with a sigh.
“It has to be face to face,” Mom said, a wistful look in her eye.
“He has to see that you mean it,” Dad said, patting my arm.
“You should probably dress sexy,” Nana said.
“I’m not going over to his house if I don’t even know if he’s there. I don’t want to have to stand outside his apartment and have one of his neighbors call the police three hours later because I look creepy and bored. And lonely.”
“His car was there when we drove by,” Mom said without a hint of guilt. “So most likely he’s already home.”
I stared at them. They stared back.
“This isn’t like some fucking romantic comedy,” I said finally, grasping at my only and final excuse.
“Why?” Sandy asked.
“Because, this was just a fight. I think.” I hope. “We haven’t done the whole clichéd big misunderstanding, breakup thing before we get back together. That always happens before things get better. I don’t want it to get to that. I just… I can’t.”
“Maybe this time will be different,” Mom said.
“Or maybe it won’t,” Dad said. “Maybe this was your big breakup. Maybe it won’t work out. The point is that you’ll never know unless you try.”
“That’s reassuring,” I muttered.
“And you’re going whether you like it or not,” Nana said. “Even if I have to drag your ass there myself. Or maybe I could just call him for you right now?” She pulled out her phone. I made a lunge for her, but Mom and Dad traitorously held me back by my arms.
“I will call him,” Nana said.
“Why is everyone threatening me with phone calls today?” I growled.
“Because that’s the only thing you understand,” Sandy said.
“Oh, look,” Nana said. “I just hit another button.”
“You don’t even have his phone number,” I smirked, calling her bluff.
She read it off. She had his phone number.
“Oh sweat balls,” I mumbled, knowing I’d lost. “Fine. Jesus Christ.”
“I’m pretty sure I want to hug all of you right now,” Sandy gushed.