Falling (Bits and Pieces, Book 1) (34 page)

“What if it goes the way it should? There’s only one way to find out. Call her.” He coaxed.

I pulled my phone and notebook out. I dialed the number. My right hand gripped the phone, my left hand was balled up into a fist. Patrick rubbed my back, trying to calm me down.

My voice broke. “Hello? May I please speak to ADA Espinoza?”

“Speaking.”

“Hi. This is Liz Mariposa. I’m returning your call.”

I just hoped she would just rip off the band aid and tell me as swiftly as possible. My chest tightened.

“Yes, Liz, I’m glad you called back. I was hoping to call you last week, but the trial lasted a little longer than I anticipated.”

That didn’t sound good. Longer wasn’t good for things like this. Right? My throat plummeted to my stomach. Patrick kept rubbing my back trying to sooth my nerves and fears.

“The jury got the case this morning.”

I just wanted to know one thing – the verdict. Why did it seem like it was taking so long? Where’s the fast forward button when you need it?

Finally, she got to what I wanted to know. My head felt like it was humming, like someone hit it with a tuning fork. I couldn’t stop the tears from streaming down my face. Only this time, I wasn’t out of breath. It wasn’t a hysterical cry, it was more like a silent one.

I thanked her for her help and letting me know, then hung up. Patrick patiently waited for me to regain the power of speech.

“They found him guilty.” Tears streamed down my face again. I couldn’t help it. “Sentencing is in January.”

He held me tightly and sighed. “Thank God, Liz. It’s over. You did great.”

I wrapped my arms underneath his and held onto his shoulders. My face was partially buried on his chest. A feeling that I had never experienced before washed over me. At least, I didn’t recognize it. It was like some pressure between my shoulders was lightened. Almost non-existent. Was this what relief felt like?

* * *

I was glad when the school week was over. I really hated having that many tests and quizzes squeezed in together in such a short time frame. I was exhausted. I had a lot of work to do and I wasn’t sleeping all that well. My sleep was sporadic. It would take a while to fall asleep, I’d wake up in the middle of the night for a few hours, before falling asleep again. After the first night of this, I decided to try to make use of my time and get some work done while I was up. It probably didn’t help me getting more rest at night, but lying in bed letting my mind wander and think about stuff wasn’t going to either.

After school on Wednesday, the crew was talking about Thanksgiving break and everyone’s plans. We were looking forward to Patrick’s Leftover Party on Friday. I wasn’t sure what everyone was doing on Thanksgiving. I tuned that part out. I wasn’t looking forward to it. My mom told me that I could go to my cousin Kathleen’s house for lunch on Thursday. They didn’t understand the point of Thanksgiving or have any Thanksgiving-type food. One food I know they’d have for sure is rice. They loved rice. I didn’t want rice on Thanksgiving. I was better off eating a frozen turkey dinner from the store.

On the way home from school, I asked Patrick if we could stop at the grocery store. I picked up some fruit, cereal and milk. He went to the deli and I headed over to the frozen dinner section. All their turkey themed dinners were on sale. Nice to know I’m not the only one who would be having frozen turkey dinner tomorrow. I knew I wanted a dinner with mashed potatoes and corn in it. The question is: do I want apple or cherry cobbler with it?

Patrick returned with sandwiches and chips. He found me in the midst of my dessert dilemma. “What are you staring at?”

“Trying to decide which dinner to get. The one with apple or cherry.” I tilted my head in thought. “I could get both. One for lunch and one for dinner. Then I don’t have to decide.”

I smiled at him, proud of my decision. Okay, it wasn’t some life changing decision, but food decisions were big deals for me. And I knew that he understood that. I put the dinners in my shopping cart.

He smiled and waved to someone. “Hi, Mom.”

I turned around and saw his mom. It looked like she was picking up last minute groceries for Thanksgiving dinner. “Hello, Mrs. Connor. It’s nice to see you again.”

His mom came up to me and gave me a hug. “Good to see you again, Liz. What are you two shopping for?”

He held up the food he picked up. “Snacks. We’re all going to Liz’s to watch a movie.”

“I just needed a few things for the rest of the week.”

“Patrick told me that your parents had to go out of town. Business?”

“Yes. My dad had meetings in
Toronto
.” I couldn’t look her in the eye. I was ashamed that they left me. It was my fault they did.

She looked at the items in my cart. “You’re not going to your cousin’s?”

Patrick had that open, healthy relationship with his parents that I could only imagine and envy. “I don’t know. They don’t really do anything for Thanksgiving. Just make the same stuff they usually do. They think they’re celebrating it, but they really don’t.”

“Why don’t you join us for dinner tomorrow?” She smiled and put her hand on my arm.

“Thank you. I couldn’t.” It was really sweet of her to ask, but she was just being polite.

“Why not? Do you have a better invitation?’

I felt bad about lying to her, so I didn’t. “No, it’s the best invitation I’ve ever received. But, it’s a family event. I don’t want to intrude.”

I looked at Patrick, trying to plead with my eyes to help me out. I know he saw me, but ignored the look and smiled. Great.

“Liz, honey, I wouldn’t invite you if I didn’t want you there. I know Patrick wouldn’t mind if you came and Lindsey and Andy would be thrilled.” She looked at her son. He nodded in agreement. “I’d like you to think of us as family.”

She smiled at me. It was a warm enveloping smile, like a hug. I could see where Patrick got his from. I didn’t know how to protest. I didn’t want to. I wanted to go there for Thanksgiving. I didn’t dare to entertain the possibility of it, otherwise I’d be crushed with my reality. But now that she offered, I couldn’t help but let my mind get tickled by the idea. I yearned for a family Thanksgiving.

Patrick took the frozen dinners out of my cart. “So, these can go back to their friends, right?”

“If it really isn’t going to be an imposition…” I still couldn’t believe she offered.

“It’s not. You’re just like family, Liz.”

“Then I would love to come. Is there anything I can bring?”

“Oh, no. I have everything covered. Just bring yourself.”

“And your appetite.” Patrick added.

“I’m glad we settled that. Dinner is at 5:00pm and we do a light brunch at 11:00. Come over whenever you want. You’re always welcome.” She excused herself to finish up her shopping.

He put the frozen dinners back in the freezer. “And you don’t need these anymore.”

I slapped his arm. “Did you put her up to that?”

“No. I didn’t.” He insisted as he rubbed his arm. “She asked this morning how you were doing. I said you were doing okay and that you’re parents were out of town. The invite was all her.”

I apologized for hitting him. I paid for the groceries that didn’t get put back because of my change of plans. We went back to my house. The crew came over and brought more snacks. It wasn’t a party, exactly. At least, I didn’t think of it as one, if I did, it would have stressed me out. It was me and my friends, hanging out.

We watched a couple movies and laughed. That was the best part. Sharing in the laughter. It was over the stupidest things – in the movies or at something that someone did. I don’t remember the last time that the voices that filled the house were due to happy laughter. My parents’ voices didn’t exactly exude warmth. Anyway, I didn’t want to think about them right now. I wanted to enjoy the moment.

At the end of the night, the crew left and Patrick helped me clean up a little. There wasn’t much of a mess, just a few empty plates, cups and bags of chips. He was going to pick me up tomorrow morning, even though I told him I could drive. When I thought about it, it was probably for the best. I got lost the last time I went there, and I’d probably get lost again and wind up being late. That would be horribly embarrassing. It was not a route for the directionally challenged.

22. THANKSGIVING

Patrick picked me up the next morning for brunch. He told me that they didn’t really dress up, but it wasn’t exactly casual attire either. So, I wore my nice two-toned brown skirt and a solid chocolate sweater. It was dressed up, without being too dressy. At least, I thought so.

Patrick had the typical guy response when I asked if it was okay or if I should change. “You look fine to me.”

He was so much help. Okay, in reality he was. But not for wardrobe.

When we got to his house, Andy ran up to me and gave me a hug. Andy took me by the hand and led me over to his grandparents. Patrick followed right behind us.

“Grandma, Grandpa.” Andy called out to them. They turned around. “This is my friend Liz.”
 

“Gee, thanks Andy.” Patrick teased his little brother. “Liz, this is our Grandma and Grandpa.”

“Oh, sorry.” He laughed. “She’s Patrick’s friend too.”

I extended my hand out. “It’s nice to meet you.”

His grandpa shook my hand, pulled me in and patted me on the back. “You too.”

His grandma hugged me. A family of huggers. I would have thought it weird, but they were such a welcoming family, that it seemed natural to hug back. “Hello, dear. So, I take it you are classmates with Patrick and not Andy.”

I smiled. “Yes. Mrs…”

I realized I wasn’t sure what to call her. Was she his paternal grandmother? Or was his grandma on his mom’s side? If she was, I definitely didn’t know that name. I bit my bottom lip trying to think of how to finish my sentence.

“You can call me Grandma if you like.” She offered.

I liked that. I never felt so comfortable around strangers before, especially in someone else’s home. “Okay. Grandma, it is.”

“I’ve heard so many good things about you from the kids. You even impress Lindsey and she’s not an easy one to win over, especially when it comes to her little brothers.” Grandma smiled.

“Grandma!” Lindsey came over to protest. “Hey, Liz! I’m thrilled that you could come!”

She gave me a hug. Somehow I had a feeling I was going to go through the whole hug ritual with all of them when I left.

Brunch was casual, served buffet style. The food was great. I had the best blueberry pancakes. They were light, fluffy with a crispiness on the outside. It was unbelievable. His mom made them from scratch. From scratch! I was starting to get an inkling of what the crew was talking about when the topic of her cooking came up. In one word – amazing!

I started to help clean up after brunch when his mom stopped me. “No, Liz. You don’t have to clean. Please, sit. Relax. You’re a guest.”

That caused me to pause. It stung actually. I think she saw the hurt look on my face. I was feeling like I was part of the family and now I’m a guest?

“I’m sorry, Liz. I didn’t mean it the way it might have sounded. I just don’t want you to worry yourself about cooking or cleaning anything. Just go have fun with the family.”

“If it’s okay with you, I’d really like to help you here.” I wanted to be able to show my appreciation for the invitation, acceptance and kindness. She was what I wished my mom would be more like. I wanted to hang out with her in the kitchen.