Page 64 of In Plain Sight

MrNiceGuy: it’s just my mom and me, and we’re not close

Sinbin: no brothers or sisters?

Sinbin: sorry, is this too personal?

MrNiceGuy: it’s fine. I’m an only child

Sinbin: I have a sister, and we’re super close with our mom. Our dad passed away eight years ago

MrNiceGuy: I’m sorry

MrNiceGuy: were you close with him?

Sinbin: very close. And it was unexpected. That was a rough time

Sinbin: you don’t have a dad in your life either?

I regretted the message the instant I pressed send. That was way too personal to ask. I was about to tell him he didn’t have to answer when another message popped up in the chat.

MrNiceGuy: no. He left when I was a baby

Sinbin: I’m sorry

MrNiceGuy: it is what it is. I’ve had my entire life to come to terms with it

Sinbin: did your mom ever remarry?

MrNiceGuy: no. she’s dated but never settled down with anyone. Is your mom with someone new?

Sinbin: yeah

Sinbin: and my sister just told me that she thinks they’re engaged

MrNiceGuy: she doesn’t know for sure?

Sinbin: no. mom didn’t say anything. my sister saw a diamond ring in this dish mom used to keep her wedding rings in. as far as we know she doesn’t own any diamond rings andshe’s not the type to buy one for herself. We figured it has to be from her bf

MrNiceGuy: That would be my first thought too

MrNiceGuy: I imagine you’re feeling all sorts of things right now

Sinbin: sooooo many things

Sinbin: I’m hurt that she didn’t tell us, but at the same time I get why she didn’t. And I know dad would want her to move on and find someone who makes her happy, but it feels like I’m betraying his memory if I’m happy for her. But I’m also betraying it if I’m not happy because that’s what he would have wanted

MrNiceGuy: it sounds like you’re still in shock

Sinbin: I think I am. and I’m pretty sure she lied to us

MrNiceGuy: your mom?

Sinbin: yeah. She said she met her bf two years ago and they only started dating six months ago, but I think they’ve been together this whole time and she only told us when things got serious. I know she was just trying to protect us if that’s the case, but it hurts that she lied to us all this time, even if I get why she did

MrNiceGuy: would you have been okay if she’d told you about them right away?

Sinbin: I think so. I mean, it would have taken time to get used to it, but that’s no different than when she told us six months ago

Sinbin: it’s also making me wonder how many other boyfriends she had that we don’t know about. I moved out six years ago, the same time my sister went to college. Did she have other bfs or relationships that she never told us about? it’s not like we’d know if she did. And a part of me thinks she only told us about her bf because my sister had to move home after she got laid off, and she couldn’t hide it anymore. It’s sus that less than aweek after she moved back mom tells us she’s dating this guy she insisted was ‘just a friend’ for a year and a half

---