It occurs to me on a daily basis, usually several times, that my girlfriend is crazy. Today has only confirmed it.
The Japanese movie she rented is on mute, and aside from her occasional squeals, her house is silent. Ava really wanted to watch this movie, but her mom (who was sleeping) didn't like her watching foreign movies, so she turned off the volume and subjected me to reading the subtitles. I don't even know what the movie's about. Why, oh why couldn't we watch a nice American movie with people who speak English?
I'm dozing off when I hear a squeal that reminds me of the sound my dad made when Riley told him she was dating Farkle. Ava's holding her face in her hands and staring open mouthed and teary eyed at the television. She's stomping her feet in a miniature excited dance. Before I realize it's happening, before I spend another second being frustrated at Japanese rom-coms, I'm grinning with the wide smile reserved just for my nutty girlfriend and her enthusiasm.
Because even if she drives me crazy with foreign films I don't understand and healthy food I inevitably gag up, there's no one else who shares her joyful craziness; no one else who has the glint she gets in her eyes as she makes other people smile. There's no one else who can shine so brilliantly even against the wishes her taciturn parents.
So, I sling an arm around her, give her a peck on the cheek, and ask her what the movie's about. Her barely comprehendible reply is cut short when she squeals again, louder. "Ava! You had better not be watching another stupid foreign movie again," her mom calls out from her bedroom. "Don't you and that boyfriend of yours have anything better to do?" Ava's mom was always so warm and friendly to me, "that boyfriend of yours".
"We should watch foreign films more often," I comment.
"Tell me about it," Ava says. "Until she finally decides to learn your name, at least she can learn how to say "boyfriend" in several other languages." She raises her eyebrows dancingly. "Oooooh, she's running back to find him!" She wraps her arms around my waist and squeezes her excitement out on me. And even if I'm sure Katy Hart didn't squeeze Shawn's hand this hard during labor, I laugh and squeeze her back. Let Mrs. Morgenstern take a hike. I've got a rom-com to watch.