The Misadventures of Endora Pan | When Texts Betray You (And Mothers Know Too Much)
Chapter 19
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.
Endora woke the next morning to a voice text from Dominic. “Hey Endora, I hope your phone’s on silent so this notification doesn’t wake you. I have early deliveries today, so thought I’d send a voice message while I’m just driving around and say good morning. I really enjoyed hanging out with you yesterday. Hmm… I’ve never done this before, actually. I guess I’m more nervous than I thought. Anyway, thought I’d pray for you before your day gets started.
“Heavenly Father, I pray for Endora today. Let your hand be on her and protect her as she goes about her day, whatever she has planned. Help her look to you in all things. Help her not to get into any mishaps.” Endora heard his chuckle with the distant traffic noise. “In your name, amen. Have a good day, Endora. I’ll talk to you later.”
As she’d listened to Dominic’s voice, still lying on her back in bed, she couldn’t help the smile forming on her face before thinking, This seems to be going kind of fast. But, after all, Endora was, at heart, a softie and loved to be adored. Though a horrid past had nearly destroyed her belief in true love for herself, a small glimmer of it still remained. At least she had been willing enough to accept her many friends’ attempts to set her up with guys, however pathetic they may have turned out thus far.
Endora wondered if she should send a voice message back, but decided against it. A text would do.
“Happy Saturday! Thanks for the VM and prayers. I’m leading my high school girls’ small group later, then meeting with some friends at their newly remodeled backyard. Get some rest after your early day. 4 AM? That’s rough.”
Satisfied, she sent the text and rolled out of bed before answering one from Tiffany next. “Thanks honey. It went well actually. You won’t believe it (actually you will) but I got boba for us and spilled it all over myself in front of him.”
Endora watched the dots bubble, indicating Tiffany already typing a response—demanding a fuller story, no doubt. She yawned, stretched, and headed downstairs to find her mom already bustling about the kitchen with a full breakfast spread on the kitchen island.
“起來啦？快吃早餐！(You’re up? Hurry up and eat breakfast)” Chi Jun shouted at Endora over the stove fan. “叫弟弟也下來吧 (Tell your younger brother to come down)”
“I just got down here!” Endora said.
Max would not be up for another two hours, by her estimate. It was only nine, and he had most likely been playing games late into the night. Sometimes she didn’t know how they were related.
As Endora grabbed a piece of green onion pancake and munched it while brewing a rich mug of herbal tea, her mom’s chatter faded into the background. She wondered if she would appear too eager to ask Dominic to meet up for coffee in a couple days. Then, she thought about trying out boxing again and wondered if she’d see him at the same gym if she did.
“Endora? Endora!”
Chi Jun’s voice penetrated her thoughts, much louder now that she’d turned the stove fan off. Her mom’s face was right in front of her.
“Huh?”
“妳怎麼了 (What’s wrong with you？) Your water’s boiling and you haven’t heard a word I said!”
“Oh, what?” Endora lifted the whistling kettle off the stove. She tried to avoid her mom’s eyes as she ducked past her to make tea “Oops. Want some tea?”
Chi Jun frowned at her. “Why were you smiling?”
“I wasn’t smiling.”
“Aha! A boy, right? You met a boy at the market yesterday!” Chi Jun slapped her daughter on the back. “I’ve been praying for this moment since you were born!”
“Mom, stop! There’s no boy!”
At this inopportune time, Endora’s phone chimed and lit up with a text. Both Chi Jun and Endora glanced at it. Our woebegone protagonist’s cheeks reddened at the name, “Dominic Fedex” taking up the screen.