Eric asks me a good question. I frown, and then I take another bite of the pie as I think about my answer. (This is dangerous, by the way. I am clearly using the pie as a stall tactic and a pick-me-up. Can you imagine what it would be like if I always had access to this kind of pie? I would have to start to run marathons to work off all the calories.)
For good measure, I also take a deeper gulp from my drink. I am not as much of a lightweight as my husband is, but I can feel some warmth on my cheeks.
"It's not strange, it's very kind of you to say that you would like to meet my family. I am sure that everybody in my family would like you, too. You're very sweet and talented and friendly, all of these things would appeal to my sons and my husband and my mother-in-law," I assure Eric. I can't imagine that he has trouble making friends with most people, but just in case he is worried, I want him to know that he doesn't have to be. "It's hard to say whether or not I would be sad. I mean, of course I want to be reunited with them, I would be so happy to see their faces again. But would I still be sad, some part of me? Maybe. I mean, my husband just wants to run a western-style restaurant, so I am sure he would be okay here, but my sons..."
I sigh and my shoulders slump a little. "You know, I always wanted more for them. If I was fine with them staying in a city, I would have stayed in Taiwan. Not that I had them yet at that point, but you know, hypothetically. But I moved to the United States so that they would have their pick, so that the opportunities would never stop. Like your friend, Jack, you say he's like a professional level athlete. Maybe one of my sons could be a renowned surgeon. One of my sons, he's going to space camp. So, you know — even if they didn't want to do those things, as a parent I want them to have the choice. And not having the choice would make me sad, yes. Like I am very sorry that your friend does not have as many people to compete against for sports. I am a very competitive person, so I can imagine how disappointing that would be."
(no subject)
Date: 2016-08-30 09:19 pm (UTC)For good measure, I also take a deeper gulp from my drink. I am not as much of a lightweight as my husband is, but I can feel some warmth on my cheeks.
"It's not strange, it's very kind of you to say that you would like to meet my family. I am sure that everybody in my family would like you, too. You're very sweet and talented and friendly, all of these things would appeal to my sons and my husband and my mother-in-law," I assure Eric. I can't imagine that he has trouble making friends with most people, but just in case he is worried, I want him to know that he doesn't have to be. "It's hard to say whether or not I would be sad. I mean, of course I want to be reunited with them, I would be so happy to see their faces again. But would I still be sad, some part of me? Maybe. I mean, my husband just wants to run a western-style restaurant, so I am sure he would be okay here, but my sons..."
I sigh and my shoulders slump a little. "You know, I always wanted more for them. If I was fine with them staying in a city, I would have stayed in Taiwan. Not that I had them yet at that point, but you know, hypothetically. But I moved to the United States so that they would have their pick, so that the opportunities would never stop. Like your friend, Jack, you say he's like a professional level athlete. Maybe one of my sons could be a renowned surgeon. One of my sons, he's going to space camp. So, you know — even if they didn't want to do those things, as a parent I want them to have the choice. And not having the choice would make me sad, yes. Like I am very sorry that your friend does not have as many people to compete against for sports. I am a very competitive person, so I can imagine how disappointing that would be."