Cristiana Chapter 11 #4
“We knew there was no way we’d all fit in the old house. We were bursting at the seams as it was. We’re just glad Reuben found this place and asked us to convince you to move,” Rosalia said.
“Oh, Reuben found this for you? How wonderful,” I said.
“He did more than find it. He was the one who put down the bulk of the money for it. My brother is very generous. He wanted to pay for it all himself, but we said no. As a compromise, he demanded that he pay the bulk since he was single. Reuben said our families deserved us not to overextend ourselves. It was the least we could do for our parents,” Maya told me.
Reuben hadn’t mentioned this to me. “Reuben didn’t tell me that. I wish my parents would allow my siblings and me to do this. Their place is shrinking.”
The revelation about the house sparked discussions about finding the ideal home, and for all of us, a dream kitchen was a significant selling point.
As we finished plating and dipping up the massive feast they prepared, which consisted of so many Hispanic favorites, we each shared what was a must for us.
It wasn’t long before both tables were groaning under the weight of the dishes, and the men and children were called to the tables.
I did notice that, despite being barred from the kitchen when cooking, the men helped their wives prepare their children’s plates and ensured they had drinks.
Once that was finished, we all took our seats at the table.
Reuben pulled out a chair for me, then took the one on my right.
I had to watch Reuben because he kept trying to fill my plate to the point of overflowing. “Reuben, I want to try everything. It smells too delicious to skip anything. But if you don’t let me only take a small portion, I’ll be too full to do that.”
He dropped a quick kiss on my lips before he said, “Alright, you win. And there will be dessert, so make sure to save room for that.”
I groaned, earning laughs and nods of agreement from the others at the table.
It was a loud experience, but again, it was something I was used to.
The conversation was diverse and kept me engrossed.
The kids finished first. They were dismissed to watch television and play in a playroom upstairs.
The adults relaxed and sat back to enjoy our dessert.
We were eating it when we were hit with a question I hoped wouldn’t arise, but I was certain would. It came from his father.
“Reuben, you never mentioned where you met Cristiana?”
His son had his arm across the back of my chair. At his dad’s question, his fingers came forward to rub the center of my upper back.
“We actually met at my work,” Reuben boldly stated.
Everyone went dead quiet. All eyes were on us. His siblings and their spouses had bland expressions, as if they didn’t care one way or the other, where we met. His parents weren’t able to hide their disappointment.
“At your work? What in the world is going on there that you’d need an accountant like her? I thought your friend Mikhail ran it above board,” Roberto said, after the silence stretched for several seconds.
“Mikhail does run his club that way. She’s not working there as an accountant,” Reuben informed him.
“What other job could she be doing? You never mentioned you have a second job,” Lucia said to me.
“Lucia, I have only one job,” I informed her.
As comprehension dawned, I noted both his parents stiffen. Shit! It was what I feared.
“You’re one of those members of that place. The ones who go there to experience God knows only what,” Lucia muttered.
“Yes, I admit, I am a patroness of Lustz. I’ve been one for about two and a half months.
However, I was part of a similar club back home.
I assure you, everything that happens at the club is consensual.
No one is forced to do something they don’t want to do.
Many people enjoy being able to freely meet and discuss their likes and dislikes with others who share their views.
I know you’re not happy with where Reuben works or that he’s a patron as well.
My parents wouldn’t like it either.” All the utensils were down, and everyone was staring at Reuben and me.
“Reuben,” Antonio groaned.
“What’s with that tone of voice, Tonio?” my man asked.
“You know what’s up. You bring a woman home for the first time, confess you’ve barely known her for a month, and you think you love her, and then we find out she’s one of those women.”
The censor and implied insult were clear. The way he said “One of those women,” he might as well have called me a whore. Anger tightened Reuben’s mouth, and he glared at his brother. Before Reuben could respond, his mom did. There were tears in her eyes.
“I-I thought you were finally ready to settle down, get married, and have a family,” she whispered.
“Mamá, I am. I love Cristiana, want her to marry me, and be the mother of my children,” he stated.
“And I want Reuben as my husband and father of my children,” I hastily added.
“You can’t be serious, Reuben. A woman like her can’t be your wife and a mother,” Antonio snapped.
“Why the hell not?” Reuben snapped back.
“If you want me to say it, then I will. We’ve tolerated your unconventional job and lifestyle, but we all hoped you’d one day grow out of it and see reason.
Living like that isn’t the way you should live.
You’re headed to hell, brother. And now you not only prove you’re never going to stop, but you’re planning to bring into this family another deviant and no doubt a loose woman.
How many men has she screwed at your club and her old one?
Can you even count that high?” Antonio asked nastily.
“Antonio, that’s enough!” Roberto called out.
I heard gasps from around the table and under-the-breath mutters. Tears filled my eyes. This reaction was what I feared. It had been going so well, I’d been lulled into believing that when they found out how we met, it wouldn’t matter. My heart sank.
Reuben came to his feet. His fists were clenched. I tried to tug him back down, but he was unmovable.
“How dare you insult my woman that way! Say one more word about Cristiana and I’ll knock your teeth down your goddamn throat,” Reuben hissed.
Antonio was on his feet. His face was red, and his narrowed gaze was on Reuben. “I’m not afraid of you, Reuben. We’re not kids anymore. You might whip my ass, but I’ll say whatever I damn well please.” Rosalia was trying to get him to hush and sit, but Antonio ignored her.
The rumble of voices talking over each other made my head hurt.
Lucia was crying. Roberto was trying to comfort her while ordering his sons to sit.
The others were voicing their defense of one or the other.
What was worse was when Reuben shoved back his chair and went around the table after Antonio.
The other men jumped up and placed themselves between the two of them.
They were yelling for both of them to calm down. I couldn’t take it.
I stood and rushed after Reuben. I was almost to him when he slipped out of the hold of Javier and Francisco. He and Antonio met face-to-face and both threw punches. Hands were trying to drag them apart. I cried out in fear, and without thinking, I darted forward to shove them apart.
Unfortunately, I walked into the punch Antonio was throwing at Reuben.
I saw Antonio’s horrified expression as he realized I was in the way, but it was too late.
Pain exploded through my head as his fist made contact with the side of my face.
I screamed in agony, then felt myself falling as everything went black.