Chapter 5 Heading Home
After snagging the New Year flight tickets I called Mom.
She thought I was not coming home and could not help complaining.
"It's been years since you came home for New Year. Dad bought your favorite pork ribs this year especially. He froze them waiting for you to come back after the holiday..."
I cut her off.
"Mom, I'm coming home for New Year this year."
"Those pork ribs smell so good... You're really coming back?" Mom's voice lit up with joy, then turned worried. "What about your boyfriend? Didn't you say he spends New Year alone? Why not bring him home with you?"
"No need," I lowered my eyes. "He has somewhere to go."
"Okay, okay. Mom will start frying meatballs this afternoon," Mom said cheerfully.
"Tomorrow Dad will pick you up!"
......
I sat in the back seat of the car, watching the street scenes fly past on both sides.
My hometown small town had not changed much over the years. Shops lining the roads had been decorated with lanterns and lucky characters for many years.
Kids chased each other setting off firecrackers. Couples in thick down jackets ate roasted sweet potatoes.
I suddenly felt like my always empty heart had finally found a home.
Mom sat in the passenger seat, chatting happily nonstop. Looking at her temples that had started to gray, my nose stung and my heart felt heavy.
What had I been doing all these years?
I had ignored my parents for a man and neglected myself too.
I suddenly realized that my feelings for Chen Yanzhou had turned into obsession. The sunk cost was too high.
I suddenly woke up to reality.
Mom was still talking.
"The neighbor's daughter works at our street office. She comes home for dinner every day after work. Aunt Wang is so old and still buys groceries and cooks every day..."
But her eyes were full of envy.
I had not been back in a long time. The last time was when Mom fell and broke her leg.
It was only because Dad accidentally let it slip that I found out.
I rushed back and complained to Mom,
"Why didn't you tell me!"
Mom acted like it was nothing.
"Ai ya, you were busy with work. I'm fine. It healed quickly."
Actually I did not like big cities. I had no grand ambitions.
I had stayed in S City all these years for Chen Yanzhou.
I thought for a moment and said,
"Mom, I want to quit my job and come back. I'll eat at home from now on."
Mom was stunned.
"Didn't you have a boyfriend? What will he do?"
I looked out the window for a while.
It was snowing.
I lowered the car window and reached out to catch a snowflake. It felt cool and damp.
"Probably we'll break up soon."