After about twenty minutes, I set the meal down in front of Julie: chicken fried rice with a fried egg on top. Julie's eyes sparkled as she gazed at the plate.
"Thanks for the meal!"
Without waiting another second, she began shovelling the food down her throat. Only half a minute passed by, yet half the plate was already empty. I couldn't help but let out a satisfied sigh as I sat down across from her and watched her eat. Julie was one of the few people with whom I could say I had a real relationship. So, despite her flaws, I loved her. And besides…
The look she has on her face when she eats reminds me of the way my Son used to look…
I indulged myself in that look for just a little longer. Eventually, Julie seemed to realize that I was staring at her and stopped. Flakes of rice fell from her mouth as she gave an awkward chuckle.
"Hahaha, sorry. I'm probably being really disgusting right now, aren't I?" she said as she hurriedly wiped her lips with her sleeve.
I calmly shook my head. "Well, you are being a little animalistic, but it doesn't bother me. Actually—it makes me happy that you like it so much," I replied sincerely. "So please, keep going."
Julie shrugged as if saying, "If you say so," and began eating once again, although at a much slower pace.
"Hey, sho how is Hoshino doin nowadays?" she said in between bites.
I methodically tilted my head to the side. "Hm? What do you mean?"
Julie took another bite. "Well, last time—I think it was a year or two ago—you wanted my advice because Hoshino was being distant. I'm asking how he is now."
I gave a vague "Ohh" as if I'd just remembered. "Oh, that. Well, he's still the same—as in, he's as cold and distant as ever," I said, a tinge of melancholy in my voice. "But… I've come to accept that. If that's who he's going to grow up being, I have no choice but to support him."
Julie gave a knowing nod. "That's good. Looks like you took my advice after all."
"Well, it's not like I could've done anything else."
Julie chuckled. "Hey, if it makes you feel any better, at least he isn't like me. He may be detached, but at least he doesn't get into trouble!"
I couldn't help but let out a genuine giggle. It was funny how true that statement actually was. "Fufu, yeah, that is true. I think Lily is becoming more like you, though."
By this point, Julie had finished her food. She grabbed the cup of water that I had prepared and emptied the whole thing in one gulp. After letting out a loud, disgusting burp and wiping the water from her lips, her face turned a little more serious.
"What makes you say that? Is she getting into trouble outside a lot nowadays?"
I quietly shook my head. "Nono, it isn't anything that bad. It's just… she's arguing with me a lot more than usual."
Julie leaned back on her chair and rested her head on her hand. A subtle silence crept in as she thought. I watched the creases form on her forehead, measuring the weight of her next words.
She suddenly let out a loud sigh and turned her eyes toward me. For the second time since I've known her, I was pinned by her sharp gaze.
"Listen, Auntie, I know it's probably really painful for you that your daughter is arguing with you. Trust me—and you already know this—I've argued with my Mom more times than I can even count. You should know this already, after all, she's kicked me out of my house and made me sleep over at yours one time!"
Julie started to laugh out loud at the memory. I pushed out a laugh of my own. We both laughed together until she calmed down.
"Haha, sorry about that, it's just funny to think about now."
I gracefully shook my head. "No, it's okay. Anyway, you were saying?"
"Ah, right." Julie sat up straight, her posture becoming uncharacteristically rigid.
"So take this from someone who's argued with their Mom a lot: no matter what you do or say, we daughters will always get more mad. It's just that time for us. So instead of trying to push back, just let them lead the way."
She paused, looking me right in the eye. "Obviously, I'm not saying that you should disappear from their life—of course you're gonna worry, you're her Mom!" she joked, trying to lighten the mood before bringing it back down. "But you have to have a little faith in her. All you need to do is let her know that if she needs you, you will be there for her."
My eyes widened. That's… all I need to do? Was it always that easy? The idea took root in my mind.
A pressure rose in my throat, but I kept it down in place of my angelic smile.
Julie let out a loud sigh. "Well, that's what I think at least. It's your choice whether you follow it or not."
I gently shook my head. "No… you've been a great help, Julie, truly. I think I know what to do now."
Julie gave me a wide grin. "Well, it's the least I can do. You feed me, and I also want the kids to have a better relationship with their parents than I do. So it's a win-win."
With nothing left to say, and since Julie had already finished her meal, I grabbed her empty plate and cup to the sink. I twisted the faucet, letting the warm water mask the sound of my thoughts.
"Well, I won't take any more of your time. Thanks, Auntie, love you, and good luck!"
She gave me a strong kiss on the cheek before leaving the house and slamming the door shut on her way out. The house shook with the sheer force of it, but it didn't bother me this time. I continued washing the dishes, my mind precisely counting the seconds until the school bell rang.
All alone in the house, I let the smile I had been holding back creep up my lips. It felt sharp, perfect, and terrifyingly patient.
I can't wait for them to get home!