{"id":460,"date":"2026-10-16T06:00:15","date_gmt":"2026-10-16T06:00:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lovenews.store\/?p=460"},"modified":"2026-10-16T06:00:15","modified_gmt":"2026-10-16T06:00:15","slug":"the-strange-thing-about-seeing-both-of-my-parents-again-after-eight-years-was-that-neither-of-them-recognized-me-even-though-i-was-standing-three-feet-away-with-a-reservation-book-in-my-hand","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lovenews.store\/?p=460","title":{"rendered":"The strange thing about seeing both of my parents again after eight years was that neither of them recognized me, even though I was standing three feet away with a reservation book in my hand."},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

The strange thing about seeing both of my parents again after eight years was that neither of them recognized me, even though I was standing three feet away with a reservation book in my hand.<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Chapter 2 \/ 4<\/span><\/div>\n

Chapter 2<\/h2>\n

Alyssa invited me into her dinner because refusing would have made everyone in the hallway more uncomfortable.<\/p>\n

I knew that was the reason because she whispered, \u201cPeople are staring.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mom immediately praised her.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ve always been considerate.\u201d<\/p>\n

I was placed at the far end of the table. Someone offered me food, but Mom answered for me.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019ll eat anything.\u201d<\/p>\n

Then she ordered another plate of shrimp because Alyssa\u2019s was running low.<\/p>\n

Ethan sat across from me.<\/p>\n

He tried twice to catch my eye.<\/p>\n

I didn\u2019t let him.<\/p>\n

Halfway through dinner, Mom\u2019s friend asked why I hadn\u2019t greeted my mother properly.<\/p>\n

Mom sighed before I could speak.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s always been awkward. Even as a child.\u201d<\/p>\n

Alyssa leaned against her shoulder.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I must take after you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mom kissed the top of her head.<\/p>\n

I left while everybody was raising glasses.<\/p>\n

Nobody noticed.<\/p>\n

After closing, I was walking toward the bus stop when Dad called after me.<\/p>\n

\u201cKathleen.\u201d<\/p>\n

I turned.<\/p>\n

He stood beside his SUV.<\/p>\n

\u201cYour grandmother left some things at my house. Clothes, papers, something in a box. I keep forgetting to give them to you.\u201d<\/p>\n

I nearly laughed at the word forgetting.<\/p>\n

\u201cCan I get them now?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure. Follow me.\u201d<\/p>\n

He climbed into the SUV.<\/p>\n

I reached for the rear door.<\/p>\n

Dad stopped me.<\/p>\n

.<\/div>\n

\u201cActually, Robbie finally fell asleep. If you open that door, he\u2019ll wake up.\u201d<\/p>\n

I stared at him.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo take an Uber. I\u2019ll text you the address.\u201d<\/p>\n

Then he drove away.<\/p>\n

I checked the price on my phone and took two buses instead.<\/p>\n

When I arrived nearly an hour later, Dad made me put disposable covers over my shoes.<\/p>\n

\u201cNew carpet.<\/p>\n

A small stool had been placed near the entryway.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can wait there.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not staying. I just want Grandma\u2019s things.\u201d<\/p>\n

A door opened behind him.<\/p>\n

Robbie peeked out.<\/p>\n

He looked at me with sleepy curiosity.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you Kathleen?\u201d<\/p>\n

.<\/div>\n

\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDad says you live with the old lady.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dad winced.<\/p>\n

Robbie kept going.<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you not have a dad?\u201d<\/p>\n

No one spoke.<\/p>\n

The poor kid wasn\u2019t being cruel. He was seven.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n