28. Alex
28
Alex
S omething doesn’t feel right. A knot grows in the pit of my stomach as I get closer to the door of the family suite. Roberto abandoned me once he saw me headed in the right direction. I’ve been to several events at Manzanita Manor and the family suite is usually my favorite spot in the place. With a quiet sitting area, some tables, and a private bathroom, it’s like a little sanctuary. My mom and sisters use it to touch up their makeup. I use it to get a break from the chaos. But this time? Something feels off. I shouldn’t have left Gabby.
The door to the suite opens as I approach. Sunlight from a hall window paints the distinct outline of my father standing in the doorway.
“He’s right here,” my father says over his shoulder, then looks back at me. “I was beginning to think Roberto couldn’t find you.”
“Well, it’s pretty packed down there,” I offer, then realize I don’t need to defend my brother. For all I know, he’s thrown me to the wolves .
“It’s been a while.” My father gives me a hard glare and extends his hand to shake mine. He’s never been a hugger even when life was simpler.
“I’ve been busy saving lives.” My career choice bothers him to no end, but I hope one day he’ll realize that even though I don’t have a fancy title to my name, I still make a difference. I reach out to return the handshake. Over his shoulder, I spot a woman I don’t recognize sitting in a chair across from my mother.
“Alejandro, come on in,” my mother says a little too warmly. She should be welcoming her guests and making her usual rounds at the cocktail hour, not hanging out in here.
“Hey, Mom.” I give her a hug. “Happy anniversary.” I turn to my dad. “And to you too.”
My dad mutters a thanks and takes a seat at a table nearby.
“What’s going on?” I look between my parents, trying to ignore the elephant in the room.
“I wanted to introduce you to a new family friend.” My mother smiles.
As if on cue, the mystery woman stands and saunters over to me. Her heels click on the hardwood floor with every flirtatious step. She’s surprisingly tall but still shorter than me. With perfectly styled curls framing her face and makeup that accentuates her high cheekbones and piercing dark eyes, she radiates confidence. Her ruby-colored dress clings to her stick-figure body. The small train attached to it shifts back and forth like a giant red flag waving in the wind.
“Hi. I’m Octavia.” The woman shakes my hand with a rapacious look.
“Nice to meet you,” I reply kindly, though it’s a lie.
“Octavia started working at the station a few months ago,” my mother interjects. “She’s a field reporter now, but let me tell you, I wouldn’t be surprised if she took over my position one day.”
“Oh, Elena, you’re too kind.” Octavia splays a hand to her flat chest, then turns to me. “I just adore your parents. They’ve taken me under their wing and have taught me so much. You must be very proud.”
“Umm…sure.” Am I proud of my parents? Yes, they do help out the community, but sometimes I wonder if it’s out of altruism or opportunism. Also, what am I doing here? “Well, nice to meet you, but I better get going and find my date.” I purposely drop the hint that I’m not available in case that’s what this is all about, and I take a step back.
“But you just got here.” My mother places a hand on my arm. “I thought you and Octavia could stay a while in here and get to know each other.” And that answers my unspoken question. Yes, that is what this is all about.
“I already did.” I keep my voice stern. “Now I need to get back to Gabby, my date.”
“Son.” My father stands. “Listen to your mother. Octavia had to cancel an important interview to come here and meet you.”
“Look.” I hold up a hand, ready to nip this in the bud. “I don’t know what’s going on but—”
“Octavia, dear.” My mother’s tone of voice makes me feel like I’m ten and about to be grounded for knocking over and breaking one of her garden statues during a water gun fight with Angel. “Would you mind waiting in the hall for a moment? Bob and I would like to have a little chat with our son.”
“Of course.” The woman who my parents are undoubtably trying to sic on me obediently leaves.
“Don’t screw this up,” my mother whisper-hisses as soon as the door closes. “That woman is perfect for you. She is sophisticated and successful. I wasn’t exaggerating when I said she’ll take over my job one day. She’s going to be a star.”
I narrow my eyes at my mother. “Is she perfect for me or perfect for you because I don’t know if you noticed, but we have two very distinct tastes. To bring someone here when you knew I was bringing Gabby is insulting to me, to Gabby, and to your colleague.”
“Alex.” Here comes my father’s two cents. “The Abby girl—”
“Her name is Gabby,” I cut him off. “Gabriella, to be exact, and you haven’t even met her.”
“I know she’s a nurse in that silly beach town you call home.” My father’s face hardens. “The fact of the matter is your date isn’t compatible with our lifestyle. Octavia fits in seamlessly with the family. You can move back here and work on getting a different job…”
“How could you both stoop so low?” My hands shake with anger. “I know you don’t like the choices I’ve made, and I’m sorry I couldn’t make you proud. Gabby is one of my best friends and we’re working toward something more. I’m not going to screw that up because my parents want me to move back home and date their protégé. I wasn’t happy in Elmwood Grove. I stayed longer than I should have, trying to appease everyone.”
My parents both stare at me, stunned. I’ve never stood up for myself like this before.
I back up a step and continue. “I love you both and I wish you the best. Why can’t you do the same for me? I’ve made my choices. I’m happy with who I’ve become and with the people who support me back in Starboard Beach. You need to accept that and until you do, I don’t think there’s any more we can say to each other. ”
“You and that damn town,” my mother seethes. The disgust in her voice is palpable. “It’s so embarrassing to think that my son doesn’t even own his own home but lives in some condo with a roommate. You’re going to be thirty years old, Alejandro. Yet you hang out with your condo friends like you’re still a kid in a college dorm.”
“I choose to live in a condo because I’m not home a lot. Taking on a roommate helps keep my bills low because I never want to ask for a handout. And those friends? They’re genuine. They like me for who I am, not who I’m related to.”
“You wouldn’t have to worry about bills if you had a better job.” My father puffs out his chest like he’s ready to fight. His choice to argue over money rather than having genuine friends is no surprise.
“I love being a firefighter. Yeah, the salary isn’t as glamorous as yours, but the pride I get from helping others is worth more than a large paycheck.” With adrenaline soaring through my veins, I begin pacing the room. “You know, it’s funny that you say Gabby doesn’t ‘fit in’ because I never felt like I fit into this family either.”
“Maybe you didn’t try hard enough.” My father’s face reddens. “For years, I tried to convince myself that you were in some sort of rebellious phase in your life. Yet you’ve never grown out of it. Think about your future, son. Moving back home will give you everything you need for the rest of your life. Some people would kill for an opportunity like this…to be a member of this family.”
“Maybe it’s time for you to accept me for who I am.” With that, my parents go silent. I’ve tried to react passively when it comes to my family, but I can’t take it anymore. “I think it would be in everyone’s best interest if Gabby and I leave. Congratulations on your forty-five years of marriage. I can only hope that one day, I too will celebrate several decades surrounded by people who love me.”
“Alex, we love you.” My mother’s voice quivers and I actually think it’s legit this time. “We just—”
“Want what’s best for me,” I finish the sentence I’ve heard so many times before. I know deep down they love me. They just have a funny way of showing it. With that, I open the door to a flustered-looking Octavia who I’m sure was trying to eavesdrop.
“Oh. Hi!” She pretends to smooth out her dress. “Is everything okay?”
“I apologize for my parents bringing you here under false pretenses. I already have someone special in my life and I need to go find her.”
“Are you sure?” Octavia bats her eyelashes.
Even if I had never met Gabby, I wouldn’t be attracted to a woman like her. Even more proof that my parents don’t know me at all.
“I’m very sure.” Now more than ever. I turn and race down the hallway. I can only hope Gabby found Lilli and that she’s faring better than me.
As I make my getaway, I hear my mother’s voice in the background. “Octavia, dear, I’m so sorry about that. I should’ve realized my youngest isn’t ready to grow up. But that’s neither here nor there. Have I told you about my son Luis?”