A surprise? For me? I see Minami, Tomochin, and Chiyuu smiling wide.

“We've noticed that you haven’t been very happy lately.” Minami says.

Chiyuu folds her hands into a fist and lifts up under her chin, as cute as always. “So we decided to make you a dinner!”

“Forget what's bothering you for now. Just have fun tonight!” Tomochin smiles.

I let my tears flow. “Thank you.” I say trying to hold back my tears.

“Aww,” Minami, Tomochin and Chiyuu hug me and I can’t hold back my tears anymore.

“Don’t worry.” I let go of the hug and see Atsuko. Atsuko whispers into my ears. “We’re still here. We’ll help you get through this.” Judging by her whsipers, I guess she hasn’t told them. I don’t know whether to feel relieved or disappointed.

We go sit at Chiyuu’s table and have dinner. It’s the seafood fettuccine covered in a white cream sauce: the first meal that I had with Atsuko. I  talk to Tomochin and she tells me that she’d prefer it if I call her Tomo. I always thought that Tomochin suited her. Her chin is very nice.

Chiyuu and Minami told me how they planned this surprise during lunch. Minami told me how she thought of a surprise party but Atsuko thought it was too much. Atsuko said that she felt that a dinner would be better. Good choice. I don’t think I would have been ready for a party.

Tomo told me how Minami was supposed to decorate the room but ended up helping in the kitchen. Turns out that Minami was more helpful then what Tomo and Chiyuu thought.

“Thanks for the dinner.” I tell everyone. I gather the dishes and start my trek to the kitchen.

“Just leave them.” Chiyuu says. “Tomo and I will wash it.”

Even if I have changed over the few weeks, my hatred for washing the dishes still hasn’t changed. I toss the dishes into the sink. “Okay!”

---

“Thanks for the ride.” I say to Atsuko.

“Remember if you need anything, call me.” Atsuko says. I smile and nod. She pulls away from the driveway. Before she goes ahead she waves at me and I wave back.

I go to the door, and up to my room. It wasn’t until I lay in my bed that I remember the word: divorce.

I try to ignore the tears in my eyes and fall asleep.