As a Single Dad, I Agreed to Act As My Neighbor’s Boyfriend – Nothing Was the Same

The Dinner and the Performance

“Do you think Ms Ellie is pretty” Sophie asked suddenly pulling me from my thoughts. I focused on buttoning my shirt.

“She’s nice looking sure”. “Mom would want you to be happy you know” she said quietly.

“She told me that before she went to heaven”. My hands stilled.

Lisa and I had tried to prepare Sophie as best we could during those final months of cancer treatments but I had no idea Lisa had said that.

“When did she tell you that”. Sophie shrugged suddenly interested in reorganizing the hand towels.

“When you went to get coffee that day at the hospital she made me promise to make sure you didn’t become a hermit”.

She looked up with Lisa’s eyes the same warm brown that could see right through me. “You’re kind of failing at that Dad”.

Before I could respond the doorbell rang. Sophie sprinted to answer it leaving me staring after her wondering how my daughter had become so perceptive while I wasn’t looking.

Ellie stood in our doorway wearing a deep green dress that made her look like she belonged in a much fancier apartment building than our modest complex.

Her hair was down falling past her shoulders in soft waves instead of her usual practical ponytail. “You look not like an elementary school art teacher” I said brilliantly.

She laughed the tension in her shoulders easing slightly. “That’s the idea my parents think teaching art to children is a hobby I’ll grow out of once I settle down properly”.

She made air quotes with her fingers then noticed Sophie bouncing excitedly behind me. “Hey Sophie thanks for lending me your dad tonight”.

“Mrs Rodriguez from 2A is coming to stay with me” Sophie informed her.

“She brings her knitting and falls asleep watching game shows so I can basically do whatever I want”. “Sophie I warned”.

“What it’s true”. She grinned at Ellie.

“Make sure you bring Dad home by midnight or he turns into a pumpkin”. Ellie’s eyes crinkled with amusement.

“I’ll have him back before the magic wears off i promise”.

After Mrs Rodriguez arrived with her knitting and a thermos of tea that I strongly suspected contained more than just Earl Gray Ellie and I headed to the restaurant where her parents were waiting.

In the elevator she gave me a rapidfire briefing. “We’ve been dating for 7 months we met when you came to the school’s art exhibition because Sophie’s work was featured”.

“You’re an architect who works mostly from home so you can be there for Sophie my parents will love that part family devotion is big with them”.

I nodded trying to commit the details to memory. “What else should I know about them”.

“They’re traditional but not unreasonable they immigrated from Taiwan before I was born built a successful import business and now they’re semi-retired”.

“They just want me to be with someone stable and kind”. She hesitated “and preferably Chinese but they’ve accepted that’s not a hill worth dying on.”.

“So I’m already a disappointment,” I said with a half smile.

“You’re a compromise they’re willing to make because I’m 34 and still single.”. She straightened my collar absently then froze when she realized what she was doing.

“Sorry teacher habit always fixing things.”. The casual touch sent an unexpected warmth through me i cleared my throat.

“It’s fine so 7 months of fake dating any other critical information I should know about you”. “Secret allergies hidden talents criminal record”.

“I’m allergic to shellfish i can play the cello but haven’t in years and my criminal record is spotless except for that bank heist in 2019”.

She smiled and for a moment I forgot we were playing pretend. “Oh and I hate cilantro tastes like soap to me”.

“Noted no cilantro flavored gifts for our fake anniversary”.

The elevator doors opened and Ellie took a deep breath. “Ready to meet the parents”.

I offered her my arm with exaggerated formality. “Lead the way fake girlfriend”.

Her hand slipped into the crook of my elbow warm and surprisingly steady. “Now just be yourself James that’s why I picked you”.

The restaurant was one of those upscale fusion places where the lighting is deliberately dimmed to distract from the small portions.

Ellie’s parents were already seated at a corner table her father checking his watch and her mother scanning the room with the focused attention of someone who misses nothing.

“There they are” Ellie murmured her grip on my arm tightening. “Remember we’re madly in love but in a very respectable parent appropriate way so no making out at the table”.

“I whispered back and was rewarded with a startled laugh that seemed to release some of her tension”. “Behave” she warned but she was smiling as we approached the table.

What followed was one of the most surreal evenings of my life. Mr and Mrs Chen were polite but clearly evaluating my every word and gesture.

The questions came rapid fire between courses. My education University of Michigan architecture my career trajectory steady but unspectacular.

My plans for Sophie’s future college fund already started my views on everything from politics moderate to proper dumpling technique.

I admitted complete ignorance. Through it all Ellie played her part with surprising conviction looking at me with such genuine affection that I almost believed it myself.

She knew details about Sophie that I hadn’t realized she’d noticed her favorite books her struggle with math her collection of rocks that she insisted were all unique.

When she spoke about my daughter her face softened in a way that made something in my chest tighten.

“And how did you propose?” Mrs Chun asked suddenly over dessert. “I choked on my water,”.

Ellie’s eyes widened in panic. “Mother,” she said quickly “we’ve only been dating for 7 months”.

Mrs Chun waved this away. “I’m just curious what his intentions are at your age Ellie you can’t afford to waste time on relationships that aren’t going anywhere”.

I felt Ellie tense beside me saw the familiar resignation in her eyes that suggested this was a well-worn argument.

Before she could respond I found myself speaking. “Actually Mrs Chen I haven’t proposed yet because I’m waiting for the right moment”.

All three Chens turned to stare at me. I continued surprising myself with each word.

“When I do ask Ellie to marry me I want it to be perfect she deserves nothing less”.

Ellie’s hand found mine under the table squeezing so hard it almost hurt. “And what about your daughter?” Mr chen asked his expression unreadable.

“How does she feel about Ellie”. This at least I could answer honestly.

“Sophie adores her ellie treats her with respect and kindness she listens to her really listens which is rare for adults in Sophie’s experience”.

I looked at Ellie finding it easier than expected to sound sincere. “My daughter has excellent judgment in people she knew Ellie was special before I did”.

Something shifted in Mr chen’s expression a softening around the eyes that transformed his whole face.

“That is good very good” he nodded approvingly. “Family must come first always”.