Part 3He Shared Our Intimacy with a Stranger

I stood up, dragging my carry-on suitcase out of the ramen shop.

An early autumn rain in Seattle meant winter had arrived.

I zipped up my hoodie and walked aimlessly.

Down the street, a line snaked out of a little shop. It was the famous local bakery known for its exclusive seasonal apple fritters.

I remembered high school. I was huddled in my desk during a late study hall, casually mentioning to my friend that I wished I had one of those fritters.

“The ones at the bakery are the best, but they never taste the same when they’re cold.”

My friend handed me a cookie. “Just eat this. Next year, I’ll buy you one on my lunch break.”

But Danny, who sat behind me, made a mental note.

Before the evening study session, a small paper bag, still warm, appeared on my desk.

Danny didn’t even look up. His voice was steady as ever. “Ran an errand after school. Eat it while it’s hot.”

On the grade ranking list that night, I was still one spot ahead of him.

My friend teased him. “Danny, Mia crushes you every time. If I were you, I’d put something in her fritter.”

He just smiled, looking at me with serious, focused eyes. “I’m not here to compete with her.”

Later, we promised to go to Boston together.

I had a guaranteed spot through early admission. He had to fight for it on the final exam.

Fate, however, had its own plans. By a few points, he stayed behind in Seattle.

My parents didn’t cry the day he drove me to the airport. He did. His eyes were red.

“Will you meet someone better and leave me? I promise I’ll work harder.”

I hugged him. “Never.”

From the moment I agreed to be his, I resolved to hold his hand through every season.

That Christmas, I took a late flight from Boston to Seattle and ran to his campus.

I got a few old friends to lure him out to the quad.

When Danny saw me pop out of the giant gift box, he stood still and stared for a long, long time.

So long that I thought he might never speak again.

“What is it? Aren’t you happy to see me?”

He suddenly crushed me in a hug. “Mia, we are going to get married, aren’t we? I really, truly want to have a home with you.”

“Then I can see you every day. I’ll always love you.”

...

Countless perfect memories flashed through my mind like a reel of film.

Until yesterday, I was still turning down my advisor’s offer to stay in Boston for a specialized fellowship.

Because I couldn’t bear to leave Danny alone again.

But I didn’t know then that forever was just the soundtrack to a love that hadn’t yet been tested.

I didn’t know that Danny had already found a replacement.

In every absent holiday, every quiet day, he found a substitute for me.