Chapter 5: Conversations under the moonlight

After the birthday party, the house was quiet, save for the soft sounds of laughter and conversation fading into the distance as the guests began to head home. The air was thick with the lingering sweetness of cake and the faint scent of wine. Noel's parents, ever strict and disciplined, had long retreated to their room, leaving the rest of the family to wind down.

The evening had been filled with joy, but as the night settled in, a sense of calm hung in the air. Most of the family was drunk—Jwell and Robert, too, had indulged in a few drinks—but Robert had only had a couple of glasses, always mindful of his responsibilities. He knew that, despite the celebration, he needed to be sober and alert, especially when it came to taking care of little Arnold. Jwell, in her usual carefree manner, was already getting comfortable, while Robert quietly kept an eye on her to ensure everything was alright.

Noel, on the other hand, had been given just enough wine by Jwell to loosen up. Her cheeks flushed, and she felt a bit giddy from the alcohol, but not enough to lose control. She was still a little aware of everything, even if the night had taken on a hazy, warm glow.

The topic that had been on her mind for a while now floated to the surface. Jwell, ever the open-minded, candid aunt, had often brought up matters of love, relationships, and intimacy in casual conversation. It was something Noel had never truly discussed in-depth before, at least not in such an open, relaxed way. But Jwell was different—she was always encouraging, always ready to give advice about boys, relationships, and, at times, the more intimate aspects of love.

Sitting together in the living room, Jwell suddenly asked, “Noel, have you ever had any serious crushes? You’ve got that look in your eyes, like you're thinking about someone.”

Noel laughed nervously, swirling the glass of wine in her hand. “I don’t know, Aunt Jwell. I guess I’ve had crushes, but nothing too serious. I’m still figuring things out, I think.”

Jwell smiled knowingly, leaning back into the couch. “Figuring it out is normal. But just remember, when it comes to love and relationships, it’s important to be sure about what you want. You don’t have to rush. But you also need to know that sometimes, things can get complicated. Boys can be tricky, and if you don’t protect your heart, it can get broken. Make sure the person you choose treats you right.”

Noel nodded, taking her time with her words. “I don’t know if I want to think about relationships right now. I mean, there’s still so much I want to do with my life, and I don’t want to mess things up because of some guy, you know?”

Robert, who had been quietly listening from the corner of the room, finally spoke up. He had noticed the conversation shifting toward more personal matters, and though he felt it was important to let the women have their space, he couldn’t help but offer his own thoughts.

“You’re right, Noel,” Robert said gently. “You don’t need to rush. But at the same time, you can’t let fear hold you back either. Love can be a beautiful thing, but it’s also not always as simple as it seems. You can’t always know where it’s going, and sometimes it’s not about finding someone who’s perfect. It’s about finding someone who makes you feel respected and valued.”

Noel turned toward Robert, her curiosity piqued. “So… you’ve been through all of that? I mean, with Aunt Jwell?”

Robert paused for a moment, looking at Noel. The moonlight from the window bathed the room in a soft glow, giving the space a quiet, intimate feeling. The gentle wind outside rustled the trees, carrying a calmness into the room.

“Well, when Jwell and I first met, I didn’t really know what I was doing,” Robert began, his voice a little softer than usual. “I was young, and I didn’t have a lot of experience. I flirted with girls here and there, but I wasn’t really interested in rushing into anything. I guess I was just… waiting for something real.”

Noel listened intently. “But what about... before you married Aunt Jwell? Did you, uh… ever have a relationship before her?”

Robert hesitated for a moment, then took a slow breath. “I did. But it wasn’t the same. Jwell was the first person I really, truly cared about. Before her, I had a couple of crushes, but I didn’t really get serious with anyone. Honestly, I was more focused on my career, trying to figure out where I was going in life. But Jwell… she made me feel something different. She made me feel like I wasn’t just someone ‘passing through.’ She made me feel like I could actually build something, you know?”

Noel nodded slowly, absorbing his words. She had always known that Robert and Jwell’s relationship was strong, but hearing him speak about it so openly was new for her. It was rare to hear Robert talk about his past in such a vulnerable way.

“When we got together, I wasn’t looking for someone with a perfect past,” Robert continued, his voice steady but tinged with honesty. “Jwell had her own experiences, and that was fine with me. We both had our own baggage, but we found a way to make it work. Jwell had a relationship before me—a long one with a neighbor—and then there were a couple of other boyfriends in college. But when we met, we just… clicked.”

Noel’s eyes widened slightly. She hadn’t known much about Jwell’s past, and hearing Robert speak so openly about it was a little surprising. “So, Aunt Jwell wasn’t… I mean, she wasn’t a virgin when you two met?”

Robert smiled gently, though there was a soft sadness behind his eyes. “No, she wasn’t. But that didn’t matter to me. What mattered was the kind of person she was. Her past was part of who she was, but it didn’t define her. When we got married, it was about the love we shared, not about who had been with who before.”

Noel sat quietly for a moment, processing everything Robert had shared. She hadn’t realized how much his perspective on relationships and intimacy differed from the way she had been thinking about them. There was a maturity in his words that made her feel more secure about her own journey—like there was no rush to figure everything out, no need to have all the answers right away.

She looked out into the darkened backyard, her thoughts a little clearer. “So, you’re saying that love isn’t just about the physical stuff? It’s more about finding someone who truly understands you and accepts you?”

“Exactly,” Robert replied softly, his voice full of warmth. “Love is about respect, trust, and connection. Physical intimacy is just one part of it. But you can’t rush into it for the wrong reasons. Take your time, and make sure you’re with someone who sees you for who you really are.”

Noel felt a wave of gratitude wash over her. She had always looked up to Robert as a mentor of sorts, but hearing him speak so openly about love and relationships made her appreciate him even more. He wasn’t just a role model because of his job or how he handled situations—he was a role model because of how deeply he understood people, how much he valued honesty, and how much he respected his relationships.

“Thanks, Robert,” she said quietly. “That actually helps a lot. I think… I think I’ve been too worried about getting everything right. But I see now that it’s okay to take things slow.”

Robert smiled at her, his expression soft. “You’re welcome, Noel. Just remember, there’s no ‘right’ way to do things. Just be true to yourself and your feelings. The right person will come along when the time is right.”

As the cool breeze continued to blow through the balcony, the conversation drifted to other topics. But in that moment, Noel felt a sense of peace settle over her. She didn’t need to have everything figured out. She just needed to stay true to herself, to be kind, and to take each step as it came.

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