So, this part of the book was very emotional for me. I had to rewrite it so many times, just so I could put down every character's feeling on paper. I hope you enjoy it.
AMELIA
When the door opened, I was sure it was Leo. It wasn't – it was his mom.
I smile, step forward, and share a hug with one of my favorite people.
"Hi Mrs. Hunter! It's so nice to see you. Merry Christmas."
"Amelia, we've missed you so much. How is everything back home? I hope you've been enjoying your Christmas holidays."
"It's been great, Mrs. Hunter. Thank you again for inviting me to your family dinner tonight. I really appreciate it."
"It's my pleasure, Amelia. You're family to us."
My heart swelled when she called me family. A few tears even dared to escape.
Leo came out of the kitchen, knowing I already arrived since I had texted him a million times before ringing the doorbell. He glanced at me, but didn't say a word.
"Leo, come hang Amelia's coat, make her feel like home, and introduce her to everyone."
Leo takes my coat from me without a word. His mom walks off to converse with other family members.
I whisper so we don't attract attention.
"Leo, can you just please look at me for a second?"
He looks at me with dark eyes. I can tell he hasn’t slept all night because the dark eye bags hung out.
"What?"
"Can we just talk about this?"
He said, “Later” and walked to the dinner table, where his family was seated around the table. I followed.
“Everyone, I’d like you to meet my girlfriend, Amelia.”
I have to hand it to him – he’s good at pretending we’re okay.
Smiling while making eye contact with everyone at the table, I say “Merry Christmas, it’s so nice to finally meet all of you! Leo’s told me all about you.”
His Aunt Deborah, who I’d met at last year’s dinner, said “Amelia, so nice to see my favorite girl! Leo’s so lucky to have such a beautiful girl like you.”
To be fair, I had specifically chosen the ombre blue dress with a slight V-neck – it complimented my eyes and body shape.
“Haha, yeah, Aunt Deb, I’m absolutely lucky to have her.”
He said it without a trace of happiness in his voice, I glanced at his family members who wore puzzled looks on their faces. Guess he’s not as good as I thought when it came to “pretending”.
Leo’s mother came through, sensing the tension, and brought out the pineapple ham on a silver platter. The food around the table looked magnificent – she was such a great cook.
For the rest of the dinner, we ate, laughed, and talked. Even though Leo was giving me the silent treatment, I still had to maintain public face. I sat beside his Opa (grandpa), conversing through the night while he told me stories of his younger days as a Navy soldier. Looking at him now, I can see he’s come a long way. Many men and women who survived the wartime never came back with smiles on their faces – most had PTSD.
By the time dinner was finished, I had taken off my cardigan ready to assist in kitchen cleaning, but Leo’s mom wouldn’t have it.
“Darling, you’re so kind to offer, but you are the guest tonight. Why don’t you and Leo head upstairs, and I’ll call you down when it’s time for dessert?”
I did insist – I put my foot down, too – but she wouldn’t give in. I walked upstairs, where Leo was.
I closed to door, knowing we needed the privacy to talk things out. He was torn by what happened last night, and I knew he needed some time to think on his own, but it was definitely the time for me to apologize.
I sat on the edge of his bed.
“Leo, can we talk?”
He swung his chair around to face me, though not making much eye contact, and said, “What is there even to talk about? It’s your life, so you can make your own choices, right?”
“Why can’t you just hear me out, and for once, stop yelling at me?”
“Fine, talk.”
I removed the anger from my voice, and replaced it with a softer tone.
“Leo, I wanted to say I’m sorry for what happened last night. It was selfish of me to say those things, and I shouldn’t have put you in that position.”
“You were selfish. You made it seem as if you were in a one-man battle, when I’m here standing with you. You made me feel worthless, and I never want to feel that way again.”
“I know, I’m sorry. It was just a really bad night for me.”
“I don’t doubt that you have a difficult life, living in that environment, but I am always here for you, Amelia.”
We sat there, silently. My eyes trained on him, but his eyes moved away from mine.
I opened my mouth to speak, but he spoke first.
“I don’t think this is working anymore.”
I don’t think I heard right.
“What?”
He sighed.
“I want to break up.”
“What? But…”
“I love you with all my heart, but you make it so hard for anyone to love you. You challenge people when they embrace your flaws. You made me feel worthless last night, saying you were all alone, when I’m the one person who’s been here for you the entire time.”
“Relationships are hard, and I know what happened last night was unforgivable, but I never meant to hurt you.”
“Well you did, mission accomplished.”
I was crying now. Tears sprung to my eyes and I could tell my cheeks were damp.
“We can work through this, Leo. We always have.”
“Not this time, Amelia. I’m done.”
“I never meant for this to happen. Please, Leo, give me another chance.”
“I’m sorry, but this was the last straw for me. It just didn’t work out between us.”
I didn’t say anything because there was nothing to say. I can tell he’s been distancing himself even before last night. He just didn’t want to admit it.
A knock at the door – his mom.
She pokes her head into the room, and I turn away to wipe my face. I didn’t want her to see me this way – broken.
“Hey Leo, ready for dessert?”
He glanced my way. I took a deep breath, gave his mom the best smile I could muster with the little strength I had, and said, “I’m sorry, Mrs. Hunter, but I should really be heading home now. It’s getting late, and I have a family gathering tomorrow morning.”
“Honey, you sure you can’t stay for dessert? I made your favorite chocolate cake.”
“Thank you so much, Mrs. Hunter, I really so appreciate it, but I really should get going.”
“Alright, I’ll pack some cake for you to bring home so you can share with your family.”
“Oh no, Mrs. Hunter, you really don’t have to-“
“Nonsense, I baked this cake especially for you. I insist you take some home. I promise you’ll like it.”
She closed the bedroom door, and without saying a word to Leo, I quickly walk to the washroom to clean up a bit. His mom may not have noticed anything, but I want to play it safe.
I close the washroom door, locking it to be sure no one would see me at my weakest, and soak Leo’s face cloth with water. I wipe my face down, take a few deep breaths.
What the fuck was happening? Did he actually just break up with me?
My mind is fuzzy, my heart is racing, but my hands clearly still work as they rummage through my purse for mascara and lipstick. I want to make a good last impression on his family – this is how he would’ve wanted it, anyways.
Leo and I walk downstairs to his dining room, where his family was playing Poker. At first, I wanted to run out the front door, but that would’ve been rude. I had to say goodbye.
“Bye everyone, thank you for having me. It was very nice to meet you all, and I wish you a happy new year.”
I shook hands with his Opa, and gave a light hug to his aunts. The family environment warmed my heart – it felt like home to me. My heart aches to leave.
I grab my coat from the hanger, slip on my heels, and wrap my scarf around my neck. My hand was already on the door knob, eager to leave, when Mrs. Hunter, box in hand, came to say her goodbye.
“Amelia, don’t forget your cake! I baked this cake just for you. Enjoy it with your family, okay? If you like it, tell Leo and I’ll bake you another one the next time you come over for dinner.”
She was so sweet, the mother I always wanted. She represented the ideal, loving mother who adored her children, and apparently, their girlfriends too. What she didn’t know was that I wouldn’t be coming back, that this would be the last time I see her.
Leo appeared from the kitchen, then stood at the door, ready to see me leave. He didn’t exactly look at me, but his fidgeting hands translated to his impatience.
Time to leave and say my goodbyes.
“Thank you so much, Mrs. Hunter, for everything tonight. I enjoyed the food, especially the pineapple ham, and had a lot of fun talking to Opa. He really is the greatest. I hope you have a fun and safe holiday. Oh, and happy new year!”
LEO
The end.
When the door opened, I was sure it was Leo. It wasn't – it was his mom.
I smile, step forward, and share a hug with one of my favorite people.
"Hi Mrs. Hunter! It's so nice to see you. Merry Christmas."
"Amelia, we've missed you so much. How is everything back home? I hope you've been enjoying your Christmas holidays."
"It's been great, Mrs. Hunter. Thank you again for inviting me to your family dinner tonight. I really appreciate it."
"It's my pleasure, Amelia. You're family to us."
My heart swelled when she called me family. A few tears even dared to escape.
Leo came out of the kitchen, knowing I already arrived since I had texted him a million times before ringing the doorbell. He glanced at me, but didn't say a word.
"Leo, come hang Amelia's coat, make her feel like home, and introduce her to everyone."
Leo takes my coat from me without a word. His mom walks off to converse with other family members.
I whisper so we don't attract attention.
"Leo, can you just please look at me for a second?"
He looks at me with dark eyes. I can tell he hasn’t slept all night because the dark eye bags hung out.
"What?"
"Can we just talk about this?"
He said, “Later” and walked to the dinner table, where his family was seated around the table. I followed.
“Everyone, I’d like you to meet my girlfriend, Amelia.”
I have to hand it to him – he’s good at pretending we’re okay.
Smiling while making eye contact with everyone at the table, I say “Merry Christmas, it’s so nice to finally meet all of you! Leo’s told me all about you.”
His Aunt Deborah, who I’d met at last year’s dinner, said “Amelia, so nice to see my favorite girl! Leo’s so lucky to have such a beautiful girl like you.”
To be fair, I had specifically chosen the ombre blue dress with a slight V-neck – it complimented my eyes and body shape.
“Haha, yeah, Aunt Deb, I’m absolutely lucky to have her.”
He said it without a trace of happiness in his voice, I glanced at his family members who wore puzzled looks on their faces. Guess he’s not as good as I thought when it came to “pretending”.
Leo’s mother came through, sensing the tension, and brought out the pineapple ham on a silver platter. The food around the table looked magnificent – she was such a great cook.
For the rest of the dinner, we ate, laughed, and talked. Even though Leo was giving me the silent treatment, I still had to maintain public face. I sat beside his Opa (grandpa), conversing through the night while he told me stories of his younger days as a Navy soldier. Looking at him now, I can see he’s come a long way. Many men and women who survived the wartime never came back with smiles on their faces – most had PTSD.
By the time dinner was finished, I had taken off my cardigan ready to assist in kitchen cleaning, but Leo’s mom wouldn’t have it.
“Darling, you’re so kind to offer, but you are the guest tonight. Why don’t you and Leo head upstairs, and I’ll call you down when it’s time for dessert?”
I did insist – I put my foot down, too – but she wouldn’t give in. I walked upstairs, where Leo was.
I closed to door, knowing we needed the privacy to talk things out. He was torn by what happened last night, and I knew he needed some time to think on his own, but it was definitely the time for me to apologize.
I sat on the edge of his bed.
“Leo, can we talk?”
He swung his chair around to face me, though not making much eye contact, and said, “What is there even to talk about? It’s your life, so you can make your own choices, right?”
“Why can’t you just hear me out, and for once, stop yelling at me?”
“Fine, talk.”
I removed the anger from my voice, and replaced it with a softer tone.
“Leo, I wanted to say I’m sorry for what happened last night. It was selfish of me to say those things, and I shouldn’t have put you in that position.”
“You were selfish. You made it seem as if you were in a one-man battle, when I’m here standing with you. You made me feel worthless, and I never want to feel that way again.”
“I know, I’m sorry. It was just a really bad night for me.”
“I don’t doubt that you have a difficult life, living in that environment, but I am always here for you, Amelia.”
We sat there, silently. My eyes trained on him, but his eyes moved away from mine.
I opened my mouth to speak, but he spoke first.
“I don’t think this is working anymore.”
I don’t think I heard right.
“What?”
He sighed.
“I want to break up.”
“What? But…”
“I love you with all my heart, but you make it so hard for anyone to love you. You challenge people when they embrace your flaws. You made me feel worthless last night, saying you were all alone, when I’m the one person who’s been here for you the entire time.”
“Relationships are hard, and I know what happened last night was unforgivable, but I never meant to hurt you.”
“Well you did, mission accomplished.”
I was crying now. Tears sprung to my eyes and I could tell my cheeks were damp.
“We can work through this, Leo. We always have.”
“Not this time, Amelia. I’m done.”
“I never meant for this to happen. Please, Leo, give me another chance.”
“I’m sorry, but this was the last straw for me. It just didn’t work out between us.”
I didn’t say anything because there was nothing to say. I can tell he’s been distancing himself even before last night. He just didn’t want to admit it.
A knock at the door – his mom.
She pokes her head into the room, and I turn away to wipe my face. I didn’t want her to see me this way – broken.
“Hey Leo, ready for dessert?”
He glanced my way. I took a deep breath, gave his mom the best smile I could muster with the little strength I had, and said, “I’m sorry, Mrs. Hunter, but I should really be heading home now. It’s getting late, and I have a family gathering tomorrow morning.”
“Honey, you sure you can’t stay for dessert? I made your favorite chocolate cake.”
“Thank you so much, Mrs. Hunter, I really so appreciate it, but I really should get going.”
“Alright, I’ll pack some cake for you to bring home so you can share with your family.”
“Oh no, Mrs. Hunter, you really don’t have to-“
“Nonsense, I baked this cake especially for you. I insist you take some home. I promise you’ll like it.”
She closed the bedroom door, and without saying a word to Leo, I quickly walk to the washroom to clean up a bit. His mom may not have noticed anything, but I want to play it safe.
I close the washroom door, locking it to be sure no one would see me at my weakest, and soak Leo’s face cloth with water. I wipe my face down, take a few deep breaths.
What the fuck was happening? Did he actually just break up with me?
My mind is fuzzy, my heart is racing, but my hands clearly still work as they rummage through my purse for mascara and lipstick. I want to make a good last impression on his family – this is how he would’ve wanted it, anyways.
Leo and I walk downstairs to his dining room, where his family was playing Poker. At first, I wanted to run out the front door, but that would’ve been rude. I had to say goodbye.
“Bye everyone, thank you for having me. It was very nice to meet you all, and I wish you a happy new year.”
I shook hands with his Opa, and gave a light hug to his aunts. The family environment warmed my heart – it felt like home to me. My heart aches to leave.
I grab my coat from the hanger, slip on my heels, and wrap my scarf around my neck. My hand was already on the door knob, eager to leave, when Mrs. Hunter, box in hand, came to say her goodbye.
“Amelia, don’t forget your cake! I baked this cake just for you. Enjoy it with your family, okay? If you like it, tell Leo and I’ll bake you another one the next time you come over for dinner.”
She was so sweet, the mother I always wanted. She represented the ideal, loving mother who adored her children, and apparently, their girlfriends too. What she didn’t know was that I wouldn’t be coming back, that this would be the last time I see her.
Leo appeared from the kitchen, then stood at the door, ready to see me leave. He didn’t exactly look at me, but his fidgeting hands translated to his impatience.
Time to leave and say my goodbyes.
“Thank you so much, Mrs. Hunter, for everything tonight. I enjoyed the food, especially the pineapple ham, and had a lot of fun talking to Opa. He really is the greatest. I hope you have a fun and safe holiday. Oh, and happy new year!”
LEO
The end.