“Really?” Zoe arched a brow. “That’s hard to imagine. You’re so happy together.”
“It wasn’t always like that. When I first asked her out, she was actually quite rude to me. She was a Chinese student from a wealthy family, and I was a working-class sailor, doing the job my family’s been doing for generations. There was never any question about me studying; my father just expected me to man the ferry with him.” Her father smiled. “But in a way, that was lucky because I met your mother on the ferry. Anyway, I saw her and was immediately smitten with her. She was reading a book on the front deck, and she just looked so poised and elegant. She told me she could never go out with a long haired, bearded Spaniard; that her parents wouldn’t accept that.”
Zoe shot him a humorous look. “I don’t think they ever accepted you.”
“No, I can’t say I’ve been welcomed with open arms. But they softened over the years when they saw their daughter was happy and taken care of.”
“So, you asked her out again?” Zoe asked.
“Yes. Every Saturday when she was on the ferry. She loved to go to Calpe and read by the water because it was peaceful there. She sat on the same chair outside each week. It was always free because locals preferred to sit inside, and there was less tourism here, back then. By the time we’d reached week four I placed a single rose on that chair before she arrived, and that was the first time I saw her smile. She looked up at the wheelhouse as if she knew it was from me and gave me a subtle nod. It wasn’t much, but it was enough to make me fall head over heels with her and from then on, I did the same thing every Saturday, until finally, one day, she waited for me at the port after my shift and I took her out on a date.”
“Dad, that’s so romantic. Why have you and Mum never told me about this?”
“I’m sure we did, but maybe you were too young to remember.”
Zoe rubbed her father’s shoulder and squeezed it. “So, how was the date?”
“It was great, even though she told me she’d only go out with me again if I shaved and cut my hair short.” He winked. “I never did, and she went out with me anyway, so I guess that means she had a good time.”
Zoe threw her head back and laughed. “You’ve always been a rebel. But you’re balding on top now, so maybe it’s finally time to rethink that haircut.”
“Hey, I wear a captain’s hat most of the time, that covers it up nicely.”
“I suppose…” Zoe took the hat from him and put it on her own head, then stared at his bald patch. “Yeah, best you keep it on, but I’m borrowing it for today.” She took a selfie and sent it to Marcy with the caption ‘Thinking of you’.
“How was your first meeting with Grandma and Grandpa Ho?” she asked.
“It was extremely strained, but by that time your mother was already pregnant with you, so we had to fly over for marriage negotiations. They insisted we get married before you were born and neither your mother or I had a problem with that because we loved each other, and we were excited to start a family together. But it wasn’t easy for her, you know. She spent most of her life fighting for her parents’ acceptance of her lifestyle. Perhaps that’s why she was so unwilling to see that you were gay. Your mother wanted life to be easier for you and your sister than it had been for her. She didn’t have the support from her parents, who not only lived far away, but didn’t approve of me either.” He rolled his eyes and chuckled. “They even referred to me as a peasant at one point.”
“What? That’s horrible.”
“Yes, I did have a little heart-to-heart with them after that, and they apologised but it wasn’t easy at first,” her father said. “So, I think that even though your mother’s background is quite conservative, she’s thinking back to that time now and remembering how hard it was for her to choose love instead of adhering to her family’s expectations. She understands your situation more than you know.”
“Thank you for telling me.” Zoe got up, hugged her father from behind and kissed his cheek. “I love you, Dad. Thank you for being so amazing.”
“I love you so much, my little girl. And I’m incredibly proud of you.” He glanced at Zoe’s phone when it lit up. “I think you have a message there. Ask her when we can meet her.”
60
‘My father wants to know when can they can meet you.’Marcy had read the message at least a dozen times today before she’d replied. For someone who had kept her sexuality hidden from her parents her whole life, this was going well for Zoe, and she felt incredibly happy for her. “She wants me to meet her parents,” she said to her mother. “They didn’t know she was gay until, well, a few days ago, basically.”
“Well, that’s fantastic, isn’t it?” Her mother looked delighted with the news. “Hey, Abby! Come here and listen to this.” Marcy lay a hand on her mother’s arm, trying to stop her, but Delia was on a mission. Her daughter was finally dating, and she’d be sure to let the whole world know. “Marcy is meeting her new girlfriends’ parents.”
“Oh?” Abby said, coming out of the gallery. She flinched for a moment, but quickly composed herself, smiling widely. “That’s great, darling. Your mother told me you were dating someone. I didn’t know it was so serious.”
“We haven’t been together long,” Marcy said, nervous that Abby might be upset by the news.
“Well, good for you.” Abby sat down at their table and poured herself a glass of wine. “It was about time, don’t you think? That you found yourself a steady girlfriend?”
“I suppose so.” Marcy frowned, confused as to why Abby seemed so enthusiastic about the news. “I really like her.” Honesty would be the best, she figured, as it was all she could give her.
“Excuse me,” An older woman interrupted them. “This might be a silly question, but is that painting heavy?” She pointed to one of Delia’s paintings in the window display. “I love it, but I’m worried it’s going to cost me a fortune to ship it home.”
“The frame is fairly heavy, I’m afraid, but we can negotiate a price without it, if you’re interested?” Delia beckoned the woman to come inside with her, leaving Marcy and Abby at the table. Marcy was grateful for the privacy as she hadn’t talked to Abby since the fundraising event. Abby was clearly thinking the same, and they both remained silent until Delia and the woman disappeared inside.
“How are you?” Marcy asked, her serious expression immediately changing the tone of their conversation. “I’m sorry I haven’t been in touch, but it’s compli—”
“Please don’t apologise,” Abby interrupted her. “I’m genuinely happy for you.”
