Temporary Boyfriend

　　“Norah,” he said, approaching with a pained expression, “I’ve been calling your parents ‘Mom’ and ‘Dad,’ and we’ve even set a wedding date. How can you expect me to sleep on the floor?”

　　That did seem pretty unfair.

　　I hurried to the bed and grabbed my blanket. “I’ll take the floor.”

　　“No way.”

　　He lifted me and the blanket effortlessly. “I can’t let you sleep on the floor.”

　　I tried to protest quietly, worried about being overheard by my parents, but it was futile.

　　Before long, Zachary and I were lying in bed together. I was so nervous, I didn’t know where to put my hands or feet.

　　“Norah,” he said softly, smiling with warm eyes.

　　“You worked late last night and traveled today. You must be exhausted. Just sleep.”

　　His voice was soothing and full of care, just like a real boyfriend.

　　Maybe it was the wine or just his kindness, but I felt tears starting to well up.

　　I struggled to keep my voice steady.

　　“Zack, thank you.”

　　“You don’t need to thank me,” he said with a gentle smile, stroking my hair.

　　His hand was warm and comforting. “It’s late. You should get some rest.”

　　3

　　I slept deeply through the night and didn’t dream at all.

　　On New Year’s morning, I was in the kitchen with Mom, preparing breakfast.

　　Mom kept asking questions.

　　How did I meet Zachary? How long had we been together? What did he do for work? Where was he from?

　　I answered vaguely, struggling to keep up.

　　There were plenty of things I didn’t know myself.

　　Then she asked about his age. When she found out he was five years younger than me, she became even more anxious.

　　“He seemed so mature yesterday. I didn’t realize he was that much younger.”

　　“Do you think he might be too young and not able to take care of you?”

　　“Is he treating you well?”

　　I was about to find an excuse to escape when I suddenly heard my nephew yelling from the living room.

　　“You lost! Pay up! Zachary, pay up!”

　　It was incredibly rude, shouting at a guest like that.

　　“What’s going on, Jack?” I asked as I walked out and saw Zachary and my nephew on the couch with a deck of cards.

　　My nephew pointed at Zachary and shouted, “He lost, so he has to give me money!”

　　“What are you guys playing?”

　　Zachary chuckled, looking a bit embarrassed.

　　“Jack taught me a card game. We played one round, but I lost, and…”

　　He didn’t get a chance to finish before my nephew cut in.

　　“You lost! Pay me now!”

　　I gave my nephew a stern look.

　　“This is my boyfriend and a guest in our home. Didn’t your parents teach you any manners or respect?”

　　My nephew, startled by my tone, started crying.

　　“I don’t care! He lost! Pay up!”

　　“Norah, why are you going after Jack like that? He’s just a kid,” Luna said, coming out of the bedroom.

　　As she got closer, she was practically jabbing her finger at me.

　　Zachary quickly moved in front of me, holding my hand.

　　“Norah, you’re in your thirties. You shouldn’t be acting this way.”

　　My brother chimed in, backing her up.

　　With his reinforcements, my nephew’s voice got even louder.

　　“You owe me 80 dollars! Pay up!”

　　“My dad does this with other people and on the computer all the time. He’s got tons of money.”