Chapter 2

Three months ago, Michael had been anxious to get rid of me.

Three months later, I became his supervisor.

I switched off the email and checked my schedule for that day.

*****My mom learned of the result of my blind date the next day.

I didn't tell her myself, but Judy did over the phone.

"Betty, Michael isn't interested in Michelle," Judy said.

I was having breakfast in the living room when my mom answered the call from Judy in her bedroom. With the door between us, I still heard her clearly.

"Why?" my mom asked.

"Michael said that Michelle didn't dress up as she should." Judy didn't use the word, plain, but she had made it clear.

My mom hung up the phone and walked out of her bedroom.

I shifted all my attention back to my breakfast. I didn't raise my head.

"What did you wear for the blind date yesterday?" my mom asked.

"A shirt," I replied.

"Which one?"

"The plaid one."

My mom clicked her tongue. "Didn't I tell you to dress up for the bind date? But you just don't listen."

I put down my spoon. "Mom, it is not about the clothes."

"Then what?" my mom asked.

I fell silent.

"Your cousin is a good example for you. She dresses up whenever she leaves her house. Never will she forget her lipstick or blusher. As for you, you seem to be in your overalls forever..." my mom complained.

"I need to work," I responded.

My mom glared at me. "Why are you so stubborn? He is quite a catch. His dad has three houses and is in the building materials business..."

"Mom, right in front of me, he told his friend over the phone that I was ugly."

My mom was taken aback. One moment later, she said, "He didn't really mean it. Don't take it to heart. You know, men are vain. If you dress up..."

"I don't want to."

"You will die alone."

I put my spoon into the bowl, so there was a noise.

I picked up the bowl, went to the kitchen, and did the dishes.

My mom complained behind me. Her voice was not loud, but I didn't miss a word.

"It would save me a lot of trouble if you were like your cousin," she said.

The water was running. I put the bowl in the sink and slowly did the dishes.

*****

My cousin was Daisy Webb, 27 years old. She had been married for three years, and her kid was one and a half years old.

Daisy was Judy's daughter. Judy proudly told whoever she met about her daughter's happy life. "Daisy takes care of her kid at home while her husband works in the bank. What a happy family she has!"

In a family gathering, I counted that 13 people were sitting around the table.

Holding her kid, Daisy sat next to the seat of honor. Her kid soon became the center of attention.

"Daisy, your kid is so lovely."

"Like his dad, he has big eyes."

"Daisy is so lucky that she has found herself a good husband."

Nobody talked about me.

Half through the gathering, my second uncle, a bit tipsy, suddenly turned to me and asked, "Michelle, you are 32 years old, aren't you? Are you seeing anyone?"

Silence fell.

"No," I answered.

"It's alright. Take your time," my second uncle said. "It isn't a bad thing to be independent..."

Right then, Judy cut him off. "Take it easy? She is already 32 years old. Last month, I introduced a man to her. He comes from a rich family, but..."

She paused and then shot me one glance. "He said that she wasn't his cup of tea."

I picked up a piece of meat with my fork.

"In my opinion," Judy continued. "Michelle is too career-driven. She works days and nights, and she pays little attention to her appearance. Where does man set eyes first when he looks at a woman? Her face..."

"Judy." I put down my fork and knife. "I don't want a discussion like that here."

Again, silence fell. Sitting next to me, my mom gave me a soft kick on the leg. "She did so for your good."

Sitting opposite me, Daisy lowered her head and calmed her kid. She said nothing, but I saw the corner of her mouth twist down.

After dinner, I went to the kitchen and did the dishes alone.

The other people played with Daisy's kid in the living room, so laughter came from time to time.

My hands were full of the foam of the dish soap. I took my time washing the dishes.

I would have to join the crowd in the living room once I got the job done.

I knew that Judy would keep lecturing me once I appeared in the living room, that my mom would chime in sometimes, and that my relatives would give me those sympathetic glances as always.

*****

On the way home, my mom took the passenger's seat and looked out of the car window.

"Judy did what was best for you," she explained.

I kept my eyes on the road and remained silent.

"She said harsh words, but what she said is true. Women over 30 years old are..." she went on.

"Mom," I interrupted.

"The last sentence." She glanced at me. "Given your personality and appearance, no man wants you if you don't compromise."

Instantly, my fingers tightened around the steering wheel. Soon, I relaxed.

The light turned red, so I stopped my car. I gazed at the taillights ahead of me.