Authors: Zoe Glez
“Well,
you sure are in a good mood this morning,” Mama says, pointing at him with the knife she’s been using to cut the bread. “Now that I think of it, you both look happy. Did you get a little hanky panky last night?” she ask in all seriousness. I gape at her.
Mickey chuckles and says
. “A man can only dream.”
“Miguel!” I scold
him.
“What
? I didn’t say anything that isn’t true. Plus, they both know we aren’t saints,” he says with a sheepish grin. I want to smack that grin from his face.
“Still…” I say
, blushing.
“
Don’t be embarrassed, niña. Its human nature,” Lola says, making things worse for me.
“Yeah,
listen to the wise woman over here. She’s responsible for creating a genius, after all,” Mickey says teasingly.
“Shut up. Can you pl
ease change the subject?” I plead.
“
Sure thing, babe,” Mickey replies.
Mama quickly follows up by asking
, “How are you really feeling, Laylah?”
As soon as I hear her say my name, I know she’s
genuinely worried about me. “I’m good, honestly. Still hurting, but good. Luckily I’ve got the best boyfriend in the world that didn’t stop until he was sure I was feeling better,” I say smiling at Mickey as he smiles back at me.
“Seriously
, who’s this amazing douchebag, I keep hearing about?” Kev asks, coming out of nowhere. The smiles disappears from our face. “I mean it, Lai, who is he? He seems perfect from what little I’ve heard of him,” he says walking toward the breakfast bar where Mickey is.
“He’
s perfect for me,” I confirm. “And, I’ll tell you who he is when you’re ready to know,” I say throwing him a wink and finally telling him the truth. I know it’s not the entire truth, but something is something.
“Seriously?” he asks.
“As a heart attack,” I deadpan. Mickey grins at me.
“I’ll find out eventually,
” he practically yells as he sees me turning away and walking toward the door.
“Yeah, yeah, yeah.” I wave my hand dismissive
ly as I push the door open and leave to set the table.
We end up eating breakfast just between the five us.
Apparently the only reason Kev woke up early was to make sure I was fine. Chino is still upstairs playing in dream land. Saying I don’t envy him would be a complete lie. My body is used to getting up early, but lately I, still feel completely drained. This is apparently a common occurrence when anxiety starts rearing its ugly head. So, what do I do? Grab a strong cup of coffee and plot to nap later.
I was surprised that Kev
dropped the whole boyfriend thing, questioning Mickey about his girlfriend instead. Following my lead, Mickey kept it simple and vague. But, my brother, being who he is, teasing him, saying he was afraid that once he met his best friend she would change her mind and move on to better and bigger things. I gagged, bile rising into my throat.
After we all were done with breakfast
, Mickey and Kev went to wake up Chino and get Mario. Mickey was taking them to see the garage he bought. I was sort of surprised he told them before he told the rest of the family. Then again, these are his boys and that garage is his baby. He bought it five months ago and he’s been working on renovations day and night, wanting to do them himself. He did, however, ask me to paint. I was honored.
Two of the walls are
painted red, one black, and one white. On one of the red walls, I drew a big mural of the black 1974 Nova he is currently working on for himself. The black wall, between the two red walls, was painted to be used as a chalkboard. In permanent paint, I added random graffiti and painted ‘Mickey’s Garage’ in gothic lettering at the top. The second red wall is layered with pincushion ply board where the tools can hang from the walls as well as in the tool boxes lining it. The doors to the shop are located on the white wall.
The p
lace is actually pretty big, once used as a small warehouse not a huge one but still pretty big. Mickey even has his own office in the back, which he also asked me to paint. I opted to keep it simple and painted the walls red with racing stripes on three of the walls. On the fourth wall I did a huge painting of the classic, red 1970 Malibu SS; the exact replica of the one his dad used to have. What can I say? The Vega’s are known for loving their Chevy’s.
To say he was happy was putting
it mildly. He was ecstatic and he made sure to prove just how happy later that night. I couldn’t be more proud of him. He’s proving that he’s going places, that he can succeed in life no matter what people say about him. Seeing him happy makes me happy and that’s all that matters.
While the boys went upstairs, I went to help Mama and Lola with the dishes. I had to put up a fight
with both of them just so they would let me help. While I’m rinsing, Mama mentions that Uncle Luke will be here in two days and he wants me to pick him up. I love my uncle Luke. When I was reluctant about starting a relationship with Mickey, he was the one who pushed me to him, telling me to take a risk for the first time in my life. Well, more like dared. Then, when my relationship went through a dark, time, he encouraged me to fight for the man that I loved.
To say I’m thankful
is putting it mildly. While I was attending Berkley, we lived very close to each other. But, then he got a PR job in Los Angeles, leaving me alone. Luckily, that didn’t keep us from staying in contact. I know just as many of his secrets as he knows of mine. I just wish he had the courage to share them. One in particular, I know that would bring him peace.
Just as I’m about to finish up in the kitchen, Ari comes in. Mama offers her something to eat but she politely declines and kisses our grandmother on the cheek. She then looks at me with a face full of worry.
Knowing where this conversation is headed, I reassure her that I’m fine before she gets the chance to ask. Seeing the sincerity in my eyes, she nods and gives me a hug.
Mama and Lola dismiss us, saying that they can handle the rest o
f the cleaning without our help. With that, we head upstairs to my current room to catch up.
I don’t
have many friends and spend most of my time with Mickey and the two old ladies downstairs. Arianna is the closest thing I have to best friend. We always try to keep in touch through email, Skype, and Facebook, but sometimes life gets in the way and we go weeks or even months without talking. I’m grateful for the time we have now, especially since we haven’t really had a chance to hang out yet.
Mama calls us down for lunch.
I can’t believe how quickly the time has passed. We’ve spent hours talking about everything and nothing. We head downstairs, stopping at the bottom stair when we hear the strumming of a guitar. I smile at the sound.
“I guess
dad woke up with the muse today,” Ari says looking back at me with a smile.
“Or he just felt li
ke it would make me feel better,” I reply.
Growing up, whenever one of us felt really down, Angel would grab his guitar and we would all sing-a-long to whatever song he played.
“
That too,” she muses.
“Hey, you,
” I say walking over to my uncle.
“Hey, there you both are. Are you two cotorritas done talking
, yet?” he asks with a smile, strumming his guitar.
“Stop i
t with the parrot comparisons, Dad,” Ari deadpans.
He laughs and turns
his attention toward me. “How are you doing, sweet girl?”
“I’m better. And
, before you say anything, I really am doing better. So I don’t think a sing-a-long is necessary,” I tell him with a half-smile.
“You break my heart
. A sing-a-long is always necessary. It turns better into great. So, we are doing it, no argument,” he says. “And, Laylah, for what is worth, I think you are a very creative girl and those paintings of yours will really take you places. Your dad is wrong, there is nothing to be ashamed of. Keep doing what you love to do. He’ll come to his senses soon, you’ll see.”
“
Thanks, uncle A.” I kiss his temple.
“Lunch is ready. Come eat!” Mama shouts from the dining room.
Mama and Lola made fried plantain bistec sandwiches with salad on the side. It is to die for. We once again have lunch in a small group of five. My mom and dad are nowhere to be seen. I guess my dad is still pissed at me. Who knows. Junior left earlier with the guys claiming he wanted to check out Mickey’s garage. We all know that he really just wanted to see the Nova Mickey is working on.
According to Angel, Carla and Mary were out shopping for food
. This earned him a glare from Mama who insisted that it wasn’t necessary since she loved cooking for all of us. Angel convinced her that it wasn’t necessary for her to cook three meals a day for everyone. Eventually, they agreed that everyone would be on their own for breakfast, but lunch and dinner belong to Mama and some quality family time.
Just as we finished eating, the guys arrive home. Mama offers them some food, but they decline having already eaten something while they were out. They quickly spot Angel’s guitar and get excited for the trip down memory lane. I’m feeling just as excited as they are. We all migrate to the living room where they boys are talking about how amazing Mickey’s garage looked.
“Those paintings and murals were amazing. How the hell did you even make that possible?” Kev asks Mickey.
“It was all your sister
’s work, Torres. I think we could all agree that I’m a pretty huge fan of hers,” Mickey tells him.
“What the hell, man?” Kev says annoyed. Of what? I don’t know, I can never tell with him.
“Oh for the love of God, Kevin, so I helped him and did some paintings, big deal,” I say, feeling exasperated.
“Kev—” Mickey starts but I interrupt him.
“No, don’t apologize. You don’t need to apologize. You wanted to do something cool with your garage, asked for my help, and I was more than happy to do so. Jesus, Mickey, you’re my friend, too. He doesn’t get to be mad or offended over nothing,” I snap at both of them.
What the hell is wrong with me?
“Sheesh. What has gotten up your ass as of lately?” Kev asks
, his brows furrowed.
“
Since when are you two buddies?” Chino asks, pointing between Mickey and me.
“I’ve been livi
ng here for almost a year. Hell, I may even be his new best friend, you don’t know.”
“Ye
p, what she said. Sorry, Torres,” Mickey agrees, nodding and smiling at me.
“
That definitely explains a lot, but I don’t like it. I don’t like it at all,.” Kevin replies.
“Jealous much?” I tease.
“Shut up!” he teasingly yells, sticking his tongue out at me.
“Grow up you crazy
, over-protective moron.”
“You are so annoying. I d
on’t even know why I love you,” he retorts.
“I love you
, too, even if you’re a huge pain in my ass, big bro.” I smile, blowing him a kiss.
“You guys that’
s the sweetest thing I’ve ever witnessed,” Mario says gathering us up in a group hug.
“Dude, not cool!” Kev says
, pulling out of the hug.
“Don’t mind him
, teddy bear,” I say, squeezing him tighter. “Come on, take me upstairs so I can get something.”
“What do you mean by take you
?” he asks pulling out of the hug.
“Turn around,” I order, twirling my finger for emphasis. As soon as he does, I jump on his back piggyback style
.
“
Man, you have gotten lighter!” he exclaims, readjusting me so he can walk easier.
“She’s
as light as a feather,” Mickey blurts.
“
And how exactly do you know this about my sister, Miguel?” Kev asks, scolding him.
“Must you question everything? A few months ago she felt down and, hurt her ankle. She was having trouble walking, so I carried her inside,” he confidently says. As he should, it’s the truth.
“Happy, now?” I ask Kev and he nods. “Good. Now, giddy up, teddy bear,” I playfully tell my cousin, making him laugh as he starts for the stairs.
“Clear somet
hing for me, would ya?” he asks, making his way up the stairs.
“Shoot,” I
smile.
“If you’ve been
living here for almost a year now, why were you in California when we all first got here?”
Shit!
“Oh…I just had a few things to sort out,” I lie. He shrugs, his curiosity seemingly pleased.
Once we are upstairs
, I jump off his back and head toward my room while Mario heads back downstairs. Once I’m in the room, I go in search of my guitar. Angel taught me how to play the guitar when I was ten. A few years later Ari started showing interest in playing the guitar so he taught her as well.