Absinthe novel Chapter 56

Jiwoo, or should I say Samuel, ended up buying the elderly couple loads of gifts from the grocery store for their golden anniversary.

He got them Tender Juizy's beloved fiesta ham, all sorts of toiletries, a sack of rice, and food items to the last the couple several weeks.

Jiwoo also took their number and promised to help them find, and hopefully reconnect with their son, Samuel, before hailing an uber (and paying for it in advance) to get the old couple and their groceries home.

This gesture surprised me because Jiwoo's always been very particular about money. And just because this elderly couple makes some drama in front him, he would go all out and spend thousands just to make their golden anniversary special? We didn't even know who these two were an hour ago!

And besides, they brought it upon themselves for kicking their son out of their family just for being gay.

Yes, they're remorseful now but I feel terrible thinking about how this Samuel guy must have suffered for years on end.

"What's bothering you?" Jiwoo asked as we made our way back to the mall.

"Do you think my dad would ever feel that same remorse as those two?" I asked before I could stop myself. "I mean, you know, for cutting ties with me?"

I'm already regretting asking Jiwoo this question. What does he know about the suffering of us, gay guys? What does he know about the constant struggle of always not being good enough? What does he know of the constant whispers that follow us around? The judging stares?

Or of the endless battle of proving that our relationships are not all straight guys leeching off of us.

"Does it matter to you if they don't?" Jiwoo asked back, pulling me out of my thoughts.

I shrugged, "Never mind. Let's go shopping. I want to buy some new clothes."

I wanted to start walking towards one of the boutiques, but I barely made progress when Jiwoo pulled me back.

"Are you okay?" Jiwoo asked, obviously concerned with my sudden change of mood.

"Yeah," I nodded. But Jiwoo's expression was that of disbelief. "Fine. I'll admit it. I'm not okay. But I will be. I'm not going to let this ruin our first date."

"You sure?" Jiwoo asked, now smiling.

I nodded to reassure him I was. "As long as we go shopping!"

Jiwoo followed me around quietly as I visited store after store, looking for stuff to buy. I didn't like most of the brands and the stuff for sale, but I kept on trying to shop, anyway. I was afraid that if I stop, I might spiral into a stupid pity party again.

And besides, it's almost November. I need to start buying gifts for my friends for Christmas.

I found a Gucci store from the mall's directory after visiting 15 or so stores already. I told Jiwoo we're heading to Gucci at the ground floor, and he just smiled like it was nothing. I'm sure he's tired already and also disappointed at how our date turned out. But he followed me nonetheless.

"It's your birthday on the 4th, right?" I asked Jiwoo as soon as we entered Gucci.

"How'd you know?"

"The interview, remember? For Ka-Vogue?"

"You still remember that?" He asked, smiling but eyeing me suspiciously. "Or you already liked me since then?"

I laughed. "You wish! I had Robert following me around back then!"

Jiwoo's smile dissolved into a frown. "Nevermind that. But why are you asking?"

"I want to buy you a gift," I answered. "Your birthday is on the 4th, Faye's on the 11th. I can just buy my gifts for the both of you here."

"I don't need one," Jiwoo said, looking embarrassed. "I don't need anything. I'll be happy even if we just spend my birthday together."