Mark just got home after a business trip in Aruba, but his mind is already occupied by something his best friend Tim told him.
Hey man
Welcome back bro
How was Aruba?
Sunny
Lots of nice people
Love the keshi and the seafood
Good to hear
Carib food is awesome
Btw saw the flamingos?
Hehe ya
Forgot to take pix tho
Lol Sarahs gonna be sad
Oh yah
She always loved animals
Made me take her to the zoo
Tho that was years ago
I remember
Sometimes she'd beg me to help convince you too
So uh bro
About what u saw
Or what u think u saw
Oh damn
Yeah tbh still cant believe it
Maybe just someone who looks like her
I know what I saw man
Swear on it
I know shes on a business trip
But shes supposed to be in Iowa rt nw
So prolly not in Michigan like u are
Besides
If she saw u she wouldve said hi
Dont think so
I was blending in with my company
Honestly didnt expect her there
With someone
Esp since the guy wasnt u
Maybe its just a company retreat
Thats the reason u were also there
I dont think they were with anyone else man
Far as I could tell, just the 2 of em
Still hard to believe
No pix?
Believe me, I tried taking one
But kinda hard to do
Security yknow
Didnt wanna get kicked out
Or worse, fired
Still man
Really really have a hard time believing
I know man
U been with Lisa for more than a decade
Yeah, 14 years with her
Which is why this is hard to believe
We had some rough patches sure
But we fixed things and raised Sarah together
Gotta be honest, i didnt see any signs either
Sure she was friendly w everyone
But like u said, thats just being herself
U think so too right?
So u see why I have my doubts
I know man, I know
Tell u what
We should get a drink and talk this out
Maybe I really just had mistaken identity
But at the same time, I’m really sure of what I saw
Yeah lets meet up 1 of these days
Definitely need some catching up
Mark has doubts, but he also knows Tim wasn’t the type to lie. Later, while making a snack, his phone chimes with a distinct sound.
Hi Dad 😁
Saw your post from earlier
Welcome home
🥰🥰🥰
Angel!
How r u?
Sweet and loving😇
Just how you raised me 🤗
How was Aruba?
I saw the pics from your hotel room
It was great!
Lots of great food
Also saw flamingos
Cool! 🦩🦩🦩
But where are the flamingo pics?
Uh sorry but i forgot
Daaaaaaaaad 😞😞😞
Sorry Angel
Tell you what
Maybe we can visit the zoo
Just like old times
Mom hates the zoo tho
So it was just us all the time
Ur mom wasnt good with animals
Yeah well
I couldn't even have a pet back then
And now I still cant because of my residence's rules 😓
U always wanted a dog
Also wanted cats, turtles, etc.
Even a pony
I still do, just saying 🐴
Perhaps one day?
Maybe I can retire on a ranch when I get old
So what u doin?
Hanging out with Cherie
How about you?
Making a snack
Just wanna take it easy 2day
U sure its ok to talk?
Ur with Cherie
She’s busy trying on clothes atm
You know how she is
She needs everything to feel just right
So I’ll be here for a while 😉
Need anything in particular, Angel?
Think I’m fine
I already picked some new stuff earlier
And dont worry Dad, I’m working with a budget
Now Angel
You know I can always try to get you what you want
Not if mom vetoes you
But you can always trust me with these
I’m your angel after all 😇
And I’m really happy with how you're doing so well
I’m just glad your college is close by
We love it when you visit
This house becomes more alive whenever you drop by
Well I’m not sure about mom
But I know you brighten up when I’m there 🥰
I’m sure mom’s just gonna nag me again tho
Telling me I’m wasting time and money visiting you 😑
Ur moms just being concerned
Not really the type of concern we deserve
Like last time
Wait
Were moving shops, gonna get back to you in a bit
Last time?
What do u mean Angel?
Mark goes back to unwinding after his trip, but his mind keeps wandering back to what Tim told him. Hours later, his phone chimes again.
Back
Sorry we took a while
We met some classmates
They're checking that new tech shop
Cherie’s looking for new hardware 🎮
Im surprised u grew out of games, Angel
I thought ud take ur PS5 with u
Lol 😅
I still love my games, Dad
But I also didn't want other people messing with my console
And besides
Plenty of fun stuff to try while I'm in college
Like what?
Like just last week
The Polish Heritage Club had a food event on campus
I got to try a cheesecake called sernik
And they had crunchy chips they call angel wings 😇
That sounds amazing
But now ur making me hungry again
Just finished my sandwiches too
Whoops 😝
I miss your cooking too Dad
Especially your super cheesy lasagna 🧀🧀🧀
Yknow what
Lets enjoy some family time one of these weekends
Ill make a big batch of ur fave lasagna
Ur moms gonna be back in a few days too
Lets get her to make her spicy chicken
Dad, you do know she just buys ready 2 cook right?
She only gets really motivated if its for other people
Well ur mom still adjusts it
Like she adds more spices and seasoning
Thats how u know she cares abt our tastes
How bout u Angel?
Ready to add to our family recipe list?
Well I’ve been practicing the calzone and mac n cheese you taught me
Also got some new ideas from some of the food fairs at campus
Like the mini recipe book I got from the Polish food fair
Then there’s the kimchi ramen recipe Cherie taught
Thats a lot
And they all sound great
Really wish u met ur nonna
She wouldve loved ur enthusiasm
And ur appetite
Aww
I wish I did too 😚
But I'm happy she taught you her best recipes
Speaking of food
You said you wanna take it easy
Want me to bring you something?
Dont worry
I got options
Well you've got plenty to choose from here too
There's this new Mexican place
And there’s the Asian fusion place you love
Thats sweet of u Angel
But Ill be fine
Prolly order my fave meat overload pizza
How bout u treat yourselves instead?
I owe u from forgetting the flamingo pix lol
Lol Thanks Dad
But were fine too
We’re planning on trying the new Mexican place
I hope its really good
That way we can try it again together next time
Ur moms really opinionated abt Mexican
But I hope she enjoys that too
Very opinionated 🙃
Well she can stay home
And we’ll just grab something from one of the places she likes
Just like whenever we went to the zoo
She’d grumble but she let us have our fun
Thats true
Tho it wouldd be nice if we can go as family
Yeah well
She’s been busy with her work
Nonstop business trips
Out of the state almost every other week
I know ur moms been really busy
But I know shes also been looking forward to this big boost in her career
Tbh I can’t remember when we all last went out
How about you Dad?
Do you remember when you two last went out?
It was just a few weeks ago
I mean
She posted about trying some new fancy French place downtown
But you were already in Aruba by then
Oh yah I saw that
Was looking forward to her telling me about it
U know I love French food too
She didn’t tell you about it?
We prefer to talk face to face
Just like we always did
She'll be back in a few more days
Maybe I should ask her to get me a souvenir from Michigan
Michigan?
Angel, ur moms in Iowa
She said their company closed the deal early
And she's heading to Michigan with friends
Even bragged about the fancy lakeside resort they were heading to
Hold on
Dont tell me she didnt tell you that too?
Well she was prolly just too excited to relax
Shes been stressed out about the deal weeks before
I mean i got to relax in Aruba too
Hold on Dad
We're ordering food
Our friends wanted to try the Asian fusion place
You sure you don't want me to drop by with takeout?
I’ll be fine Angel
But I do miss their bulgogi bowl and egg spring rolls
We can go there next time
Might need a new pair of pants after Aruba anyway
You're fine, Dad
Saw your Aruba pics and even Cherie thinks you look nowhere in your 40s 💪
Wow! Thanks Angel!
That boosted my confidence
Of course Dad
Your darling Angel’s here for you 😇
But sure
I haven’t gone shopping with you for a long time
Let’s set it when mom’s away on another trip
That way she won’t nag us 😝
Ur moms just worrying about u lol
Anyway, food’s here, and that's our classmate, Erica
TTYL 🥰
BTW, like my new shirt?
Lovely, Angel
Say hi to ur friends for me