“Mi Amor, why aren’t you at work?” My mom isn’t who I was hoping it would be.
“I got off early.” I sit on the couch and lean my head back. “Why are you calling if you thought I wasn’t going to answer?”
“Can a mother not call her only son?” Slammed with a guilt trip. Before Dad passed away, I’d probably have a snarky answer, but not anymore. Him being gone only signified how much family means, and when one piece is missing…there’s a gaping hole in the dynamic.
“Sorry, Mom. How are you?” Most of the time she calls just to talk, but sometimes she needs something. She knows I’ll do whatever she asks.
“Bien.” She pauses, at least she’s good. “Do you want to come to dinner tonight? Both of your sisters will be home at the same time, and it’ll be nice to have all my children under one roof.”
“I can’t tonight, Mom.” Please don’t ask why, please don’t.
“I’m making your favorite…arroz con pollo.” Damn. She knows how to entice me.
“Sorry, Mom, tonight isn’t a good night. I can come tomorrow night.”
“Por que?” Her voice hitches and I know my refusal has hurt her feelings. It would be nice to have a dinner with the family, but tonight isn’t the time. Last minute plans are usually how we operate, but I can’t do it right now.
“I have a date.”
“Bring her.”
That is what I was afraid of. After telling her I might be seeing someone, this almost feels like a way for her to meet her before I’m ready. Hell, I don’t even know if it will get that far, even though I’d love nothing more than to bring her around my family.
“It’s our first date. No offense, but I’m not bringing her to meet my mom and sisters the first time we’re supposed to go out.”
“Why not? It’s going to happen anyway. Might as well get it taken care of.” Yep. She definitely contrived this whole dinner on the off chance I’d be seeing Caroline tonight.
“As soon as I know it’s not just a few dates, I’ll bring her to the house.” Please let that be enough for now. I don’t like arguing with my mom, and she’s making it hard not to be on the defense.
“Fine.” She gave in way too easily. “But tomorrow night…dinner.”
“Will it still be my favorite?”
“Maybe, pero I don’t know if I’ll make the tortillas or buy them from the store.”
Damn. If I give in for dinner tonight, I also get her homemade tortillas, but if I don’t it’s the plastic tasting ones. I guess I’ll suffer. I don’t need my mom grilling her on the first date, technically second. But who’s counting?
“Okay, I’ll be there. I need to get ready.” She doesn’t know that I haven’t been able to get ahold of Caroline, but she doesn’t need to. “Love you.”
“Love you, too.” She hangs up without saying bye, even though she knows it gets on my nerves.
I really hope Caroline calls soon, otherwise I just lied to my mom and missed out on her tortillas. Standing up, I put my phone in my back pocket. I debate turning the TV off before heading to my room to see what I have to wear, but leave it on for the noise.
The hangers scratch on the rod as I move shirts to find the perfect one. Most of the shirts I own are white or black. There’s a button up close to the back. I pull the hanger out and hold it up. I don’t even remember the last time I wore this, but a date seems perfect. It’s the most dressed up I’ve been in ages. It needs to be ironed; except I don’t own one.
Tossing the hanger on the bed, I walk to the laundry room and throw my shirt in the dryer. My phone rings again, and this time I check who the caller is. I don’t want to get bombarded with questions from my family again.
It’s Caroline, and I swipe to answer the call. “Hello?” Damn did that sound high pitched? I hope not. Giving the impression I’ve been waiting by the phone wouldn’t be a good thing. Even though that’s exactly what I’ve been doing. I even carried it around while at work, and that’s something I never do.
“Hey.” Her voice is low and tired. Today must have been as frustrating as last night. “Sorry about last night.”
“It’s okay. I figured something came up.” I don’t say anything else, giving her the space to tell me or leave it be.
“Yeah, um, David called and I wanted to tell him good night.” The slight hesitation tells me she isn’t being completely honest, but I’m not going to push. Not yet, anyway. “Are we still on for a date tonight?”
“Absolutely, what are you in the mood to eat?” There’s this nice steak restaurant that opened up not too long ago that I’d love to take her to.
“Actually, can we grab something and hang out at one of our houses? Today was a nightmare and I think a chill night sounds fantastic.”