Chapter 22
YASMINE
Since Flyguy shared intimate details about his mother and father, it’s been bothering me all day to share parts of my life with him in the same way he did.
It’s only fair that I do.
Now that it’s lunchtime, I’m finally taking a break instead of working through it. My eyes are sore from staring at endless lines of code all day, trying to debug a flaw in the program I’m designing, which causes it to behave unpredictably and crash. It’s been driving me crazy for days.
I lift my phone off my desk and open the Wildcard app that I’ve become hooked on. Well, not hooked on it, because one of the standard rules is that you are matched with just one perfect match and you build from there. So, it’s not that I’m hooked on the app; it’s Flyguy I’m curious about.
CodeBreaker
Hey, how’s your day?
Flyguy
Don’t tell me you’re actually taking a break? Are there pigs flying outside?
CodeBreaker
If you look out of your window, right about now, you’ll see them.
Flyguy
I’m in a place where there are no windows.
CodeBreaker
That’s a shame, you just missed them.
Flyguy
Dammit.
CodeBreaker
They flew in formation and everything, too. They put on quite a show.
Flyguy
Sure they did! *eye roll emoji*
CodeBreaker
If there are no windows where you are, are you in a cellar?
Flyguy
More like a torture chamber… That will keep you guessing… I’m still not a serial killer. You have my word.
CodeBreaker
I’m sure that’s the line all serial killers use.
Flyguy
We do, actually.
CodeBreaker
*laughing emoji*
On several occasions, Flyguy has mentioned days when he isn’t available for hours, sometimes for days, working late into the night to prepare for work. Whatever that might be. I still haven’t figured out what he does for a living, and it’s really frustrating me.
Flyguy
So, what do I owe you for the pleasure? It’s rare you contact me during the day.
CodeBreaker
I wanted to know how your visit with your dad went yesterday.
Flyguy
It was good, actually. He asked me to bring his favorite flaky pastry the next time I visit.
CodeBreaker
And what would that be?
Flyguy
It’s called a Berry Boy. Flaky pastry filled with blueberries and strawberries, covered in a summer-berry glaze. He loves them.
CodeBreaker
That sounds delicious.
Flyguy
We’ll have one together one day.
CodeBreaker
Promise?
Flyguy
Absolutely.
My fingers hover over the keyboard on my phone, considering how I segway into what I want to share with him. Then I throw caution to the wind and go for it, toe my shoes off then lift my feet onto my desk to make myself comfortable.
CodeBreaker
Do you have time to talk or are you busy?
Flyguy
I am in limbo, just waiting, so I’m all yours.
CodeBreaker
I thought, after you shared your love story with me about your mom and dad I might share my sort of complicated story with you about the relationship I have with my father.
Flyguy
You don’t have to do that.
CodeBreaker
I want to.
Flyguy
Okay, well, I’m all ears or eyes… you know what I mean.
CodeBreaker
My mom and dad met abroad while he was on a location recce.
He works in Hollywood and has done so since college.
As usual, my dad acted impulsively without much thought.
When he returned, he bought my mom a one-way ticket to LA, but she hated it, so they moved to San Francisco instead, which she loved, and he commuted back and forth to LA to keep her happy.
He married her within weeks of her arrival.
He knew someone who knew someone and pulled some strings to secure her green card.
At first, he was smitten with her and fell madly in love, and my mom felt the same.
However, my mom didn’t realize how impulsive he was or that he had a wandering eye.
Flyguy
Yikes. I think I know where this is going.
CodeBreaker
It went south… with his secretary being caught in the middle of it all.
Flyguy
I guess it wasn’t his first rodeo?
CodeBreaker
No, but my mom only found this out later. Twenty years later.
Flyguy
I guess he traveled a lot with his job?
CodeBreaker
Which made his infidelities easier to cover up.
Flyguy
Do you still speak to him?
CodeBreaker
I do, but it’s complicated. I’ve visited the house he bought after the divorce only a few times.
I’m very proud of my mom because she didn’t make it a messy, drawn-out divorce.
She didn’t want his money or assets. She kept her dignity, simply asking that he buy a house for her and me and that he cover my college costs.
I convinced her to accept his offer to provide property support, including utilities and insurance, though she was hesitant.
Flyguy
What a woman.
CodeBreaker
She’s the best but her health has declined lately.
Flyguy
How so?
CodeBreaker
She has type 1 diabetes and has recently started having lots of health issues caused by very high levels of insulin and her insulin resistance.
Flyguy
Is your father supporting her with that?
CodeBreaker
No, I am.
Flyguy
Really?
CodeBreaker
We don’t need my father. I have a great job, and I’ve got it covered. She supported me throughout my childhood. She has always been and will always be an amazing mom, and it’s the least I can do.
Flyguy
You’re amazing. Just like your mom.
CodeBreaker
You sound a lot like your dad too.
Flyguy
Yeah?
CodeBreaker
A good man who worked hard to support his family.
My mom did the same for me. She worked a full-time job after the divorce, but recently she has had to take a part-time position because she no longer has the energy or good health needed to sustain her previous workload.
She doesn’t need to know that I use a chunk of my salary to pay for her healthcare, nor does my father.
Flyguy
You are one hell of a woman. Just like your mom.
CodeBreaker
I’ve got this *flexed bicep emoji*. And I am working on something at the moment I’m hoping will change our lives.
Flyguy
And what’s that?
CodeBreaker
It’s a secret but I will tell you about it one day.
Flyguy
I will hold you to that.
I gotta go, I’m being called.
CodeBreaker
Called to do what?
Flyguy
Uh, uh, uh, now that would be telling *winking emoji*. Speak later.
CodeBreaker
Can’t wait. Have a great day.
Flyguy
You too. Bye, gorgeous.
And thank you for sharing that with me.
I smile down at my phone. He’s always so complimentary toward me, even when he has no idea what I actually look like.
There’s something really attractive about building our relationship based on a deeper connection, shared values and emotional intelligence. I’m loving it.
Building this foundation with him is moreish and I am more certain than ever that Wildcard is going to change my life.
Only, while I thought this would change my life and my mom’s financially, it manifested in ways I never could have imagined.