“The moon is his best friend,” I deadpan.
“Kaya pala he has a moon bumper sticker. You would think that a dentist would rely more on science—”
“Right?” Thank godsomeonein my family is finally calling “Dr.” Derrick out. “Achi told him I had trouble sleeping once, and he said I should pay attention to the ‘lunar cycle.’”
Pa scoffs and I feel extremely vindicated.
I’m about to continue my rant when another realization dawns on me.
“When did you see his bumper sticker?”
“What?”
“Dr. Derrick’s car,” I repeat. “How did you know he has a bumper sticker?”
Pa takes a moment before answering. “Saw it outside.”
“But he always parks his car by his clinic.”
“That’s what I meant,” he says. “I saw it at the clinic.”
“How do you know where his clinic is? Ma was always the one who dropped me off for my dentist appointments.”
Pa crosses his arms. “Superstar, what’s with the interrogation?”
…
Wait a minute.
“Were youstalkingDr. Derrick?!”
He opens his mouth but struggles to form a response. If Pa’s cheeks had color, they’d totally be flushing right now.
“Oh my god. You’re jealous!”
“I amnotjealous,” he says, still frantic from all the jealousy. “It’s my responsibility as your father to background check anyone who spends time with my family. I have the right to have questions about his obsession with the moon and why he insists on a purple tie.”
“Sobrang selos mo, Pa,” I tease him.
“I’m not.”
“Then why’re you so defensive?”
His mouth twists. “You’re enjoying this way too much.”
I really am. I mean, if I was a ghost and my wife got engaged to someone else, I’d stalk him too! It’s refreshing to have someone in my family act like howIwould for a change.
Dr. Derrick then emerges from the kitchen with Ma this time. Pa levitates a little bit higher when Ma gives Dr. Derrick instructions at the counter. It’s like when Kayla’s Pomeranian straightens her posture before she pees to mark her territory.
Ma notices me and gestures toward my phone. “Who’s that?”
I raise the phone closer to my ear and tell her I’m on a call with Kayla.
When Ma’s focus switches back to the dentist, I look at Pa, who’s hovering even higher, practically close to the ceiling. “Want me to tell Ma that you’re taller than Dr. Derrick?”
He floats back down and lies again. “I’m not jealous.”
“I can also show him old pictures so he can see that you have better style.”
