14
That snack shop that we used to love, closed
three years into our marriage.
And Mom was cool with me eating junk food,
she even stole snacks sometimes.
Time moves on, and people change too.
“Bailey, that noodle shop we used to sneak out to is still open!”
Mark stopped the car in front of the noodle
place, his voice filled with surprise.
We were growing kids back then, and after
school we were always so hungry. That’s why
we would sneak out to this place.
I was obsessed with the meat sauce, and
always wanted more.
And Mark, he would just sneak his meat sauce into my bowl.
I pretended like I didn’t know, and just smiled
at him.
That scene was so clear in my mind, but so
many years had passed.
“Let’s go eat there.”
Mark looked at me, with a pleading look in his
eyes.
I hesitated for a second, and then I nodded.
The owner recognized us, he placed two
bowls of noodles in front of us, and laughed
at Mark saying, “It’s about time you came
back.
“I haven’t seen you in ages, I always see your girlfriend by herself.”
Mark’s smile froze, and he looked at me,
L
Mark’s smile froze, and he looked at me,
shocked.
I lowered my head, and told the owner quietly,
“We broke up.
29
The owner looked embarrassed.
After he left, Mark quietly asked me, “Bailey,
you’ve been here by yourself a lot, haven’t
you?”
“Yeah.”
A few seconds later, he looked down, and his knuckles turned white as he squeezed his
chopsticks,
L
chopsticks,
“I’m such a jerk.”
I focused on my noodles, avoiding his eyes.
“Get the divorce papers ready.”
“I don’t want to see you in court.
وو
When I said that, I saw his eyelashes flutter,
like a tear had dropped into his bowl.
“I know.”
His voice was full of bitterness.
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