The Misadventures of Endora Pan | Penguin Rescue Mission
Chapter 24
You are reading The Misadventures of Endora Pan, a romantic comedy exploring the unpredictable nature of love and the chaos of everyday life. Set in the world of a young Taiwanese-American woman, this story delves into themes of self-discovery, cultural identity, and finding connection in unexpected places. Written in a witty, self-aware style, this novel is for readers looking for a light-hearted yet emotional read.
As Dominic drove down the highway, Air1 Christian radio filling the need for them to talk, Endora thought about what a poor decision this would be if she was a protagonist in a different kind of story. She texted Tiffany, “Hey, I took your advice and went on a date with Dominic and now I’m letting him drive me somewhere but he didn’t say where. If you don’t hear from me in an hour, call the police I guess lol,” adding a laughing emoji for good measure. Knowing Tiffany, she might actually call.
The silence wasn’t bad, she thought, as she sat back in the passenger seat. Familiar views of tall hills around Diamond Bar and the San Bernardino Mountains in the distance grounded her even as her crossed leg kept bouncing. Endora’s eyes flickered to Dominic in her peripheral vision. His fingers tapped to the music’s beat on the steering wheel—“Can’t Steal My Joy” by Josiah Queen—a new release she couldn’t get into. These days, she preferred quieter music like “Yet Not I But Through Christ in Me” or acoustic songs by Shane and Shane. I’m turning into an old granny, she thought ruefully.
A tiny flutter leapt in her stomach looking at his hand—the hand she had just held without even thinking only minutes before. Endora had always been the type to fall fast and hard. Heartbreak taught her to slow down, and a few less-than-admirable dates through online apps had left her wary, but sitting next to Dominic now, she didn’t need an all-too-familiar flush creeping from her neck to her cheeks to tell her she had the beginnings of a crush.
Bad idea. You don’t need another workaholic career man. You need someone who will prioritize you. You deserve better. Endora told herself while they exited the freeway. That’s what people say to themselves, right?
Dominic hadn’t spoken the entire drive, but finally broke the silence. “So, I hope you like penguins.”
Before Endora had a chance to think of a response, her phone buzzed.
“Are you alive?!?” Tiffany’s text read.
Endora typed back, “Yes, I’m still alive,” before slipping the phone back in her pocket. She looked around but didn’t recognize the exit. “Uh, this doesn’t look like the way to the zoo.”
Dominic shot her a look of consternation before his eyes returned to the road. “Endora, there’s no zoo around here.”
“Wait, there’s not?”
“Last I checked, it was still in San Diego.” The poor guy looked like he couldn’t tell if he should laugh or not.
“Oh wow, yeah.” Endora burst out laughing. She couldn’t imagine how such a fact had slipped her mind after living in the Inland Empire for the past ten years. “There’s no zoo here!”
Dominic joined her in laughter. “God, I’ve never met someone like you before.”
She saw a softness in the glance he stole at her and felt herself melting into the seat. “Where are you taking me then, since we’re not driving down to San Diego?”
He laughed again. “You ever been to Round1?”
“The arcade? No, can’t say I’m a regular there.”
“Well, assuming you’re a fan of penguins, I now have a duty to inform you there are many penguin plushies in need of rescue at Round1, so that’s where we have to go.”
He pulled into the plaza. Endora saw the flashing neon “Round1” sign at once. “It’s funny. I do really like penguins. Me and Tiffany have a thing where we say we’re each other’s penguins. You know, like, mated for life.”
“That’s really cute. How long have you known each other?”
“Since high school. We’ve been through some ups and downs and had some fights, but God kept us together somehow.” Which reminded Endora to text her friend where she was as they parked and got out of the car.
“What about you?” she asked. “Any old friends I should watch out for?”
Dominic must have answered, but his voice was drowned out by the onslaught of bright, flashing lights and high-pitched pinball machines, video game sound effects, the roll of bowling balls and crash of pins, and kids shouting and laughing.
Endora must have looked stunned because Dominic took her hand and guided her to the small entrance gate where he bought their tickets.
“Let’s start small, yeah? Penguins first.”
The cacophony of their surroundings meant he had to lean in closer for her to hear him. She felt the tickle of his breath on the top of her head, sending a shiver down her spine.