Page 66 of A Bookish Story

“That’s so unfair! My favorite storyline was when you were kidnapped by the cartel and Enrique found you. He died saving you!”

The woman breaks into tears and now my mother is comforting her, stroking her back.

I’ll never understand how real these characters become to their audience. The storylines are so over the top and melodramatic. But Abuelita says these people become like family, because she sees them every day in her own home. They are characters you come to love like members of your family. She cares what happens to them.

I’m not sure what this means, but I know there’s something here for me to learn about story.

CHAPTER 22

On the way home, my mother chats incessantly. There were so many nice single men there, but good thing I didn’t participate since the men were all much older than me. She’s sorry about that, and switches to whether she should suggest the church do outreach for younger people, like she’s determined to talk so much I won’t be able to get in a word about the weird exchange between her and Eddie.

But followed by the display at the restaurant, I’m not having it. “What is going on with you and Eddie?”

I’ve now realized it’s better to face things head-on rather than be surprised by them later. Some shocks are inevitable, like my father’s death. But others are not. Chris leaving me before the wedding shocked me though it shouldn’t have. I sensed him pulling away but ignored my instincts. Next time I vow to be prepared, to be aware, to be armed to the teeth.

“What do you mean what’s going on with me and Eddie?” she asks, eyes focused straight ahead as she drives down University Avenue.

“You know what I mean! Don’t play dumb. You two were trying to one-up each other. And you sounded like you were almost…jealous,” I hiss.

“Me? Jealous of Eddie’s dates? Don’t be ridiculous.”

I take in a deep breath. It’s not ridiculous because other than the fact he’s my father’s brother, Eddie is a very eligible bachelor. He takes good care of himself, has never developed a paunchy middle, and has perfect teeth. I would not blame any woman his age who wanted to have a relationship with him except for my mother. I’m allowed to blame her because that would be sacrilegious. There’s probably something in the bible about it.

“Sofia’s mother said you dated Eddie first,” I say, and watch as my mother nearly runs a red light, slamming on the brakes. “Oh my God, be careful!”

My heart is in my throat. She knows better than to be a careless driver with me in the car.

“Carmelita has a big mouth.”

“But is it true?”

She doesn’t answer for far too long. “Yes.”

The answer is not what I wanted and the world falls out from under me. I’m spinning like the dial on a washing machine’s cycle. Maybe there’s some other explanation for this.

“Like, dated dated, or just friend dating?” I cover my ears. “No, wait. Don’t tell me. I don’t want to know, it’s too gross. Ay Dios mio, I’m going to be sick.”

“Luci, no. Calm down, it’s not like that.”

“Why did you wind up with my father if you dated Eddie first? You said he thought he was too good for you!”

My mother sighs and pauses for interminable seconds. “Maybe that’s what you tell yourself when someone has hurt you.”

“What are you saying? Eddie dumped you, so you went for the next brother? Honestly, please tell me the truth, because I’m a writer and I’m making up all kinds of stuff in my head. This is starting to sound like a telenovela, but the worst kind. I’d much rather you be an amnesiac or kidnapped by the cartel.”

And I’m only slightly exaggerating.

“I never wanted to talk to you about this. It’s ancient history.”

“Which seems to be making its way to the present.”

“Yes, well. Maybe I want a second chance.”

“You want a…you want a what?” My throat is closing up at the same moment it sounds like I’m screaming.

“This is my third act. The first one was your father, and you, the happiest times of my life. The second act was Seb and we all know how that went. In this third act, I want to go back to my roots.”

“Stop talking about your life like it’s a play!”