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“I know. I’m really sorry. I lost track of time getting everything ready for my trip,” I admit. “It won’t happen again.”
Papa rubs his hand down his face. “I knew this ridiculous travel blog would distract you.”
“I agree,” Mama says, nodding her head. “You need to stop and focus on what’s really important.”
“What’s really important?” I ask, grinding my teeth together.
“This isn’t just a restaurant, Bella. It’s a family tradition.” Mama’s voice is getting louder every time she speaks.
Papa gets up from his desk and walks over to close his office door. “Family comes first, and this is a family business.”
“I shouldn’t have to pour everything I have into this place to be a part of this family.” My voice comes out louder than I wanted it to. I take a deep breath and close my eyes for a second to calm down.
“If our family was the most important thing to you, you’d be preparing to take over Abuela’s someday, just like your father and I did.” She points to the photo of our family on the wall.
“Why can’t Rosa take over? Or Lily?” I rub my temples. “I love this family with all my heart. But restaurant management isn’t my passion. Don’t you want me to do something I love?”
“You’re being selfish instead of setting an example for your younger sisters.You know your Abuela’s lifelong wish was for you to run the restaurant someday.” Mama stands and comes close so we’re face to face. “Respect your Abuela’s memory. And show your sisters that family stays together. They don’t run off to different countries all the time and leave the work for everyone else.”
Hot, angry tears fill my eyes. “We only have one life to live. I want to spend mine seeing the world, not being stuck in one place my entire life.” Tears stream down my face. “My path doesn’t have to look just like yours.”
Papa pounds his fist on his desk, startling us both. His expression is one of anger and disappointment. “Enough! Bella, you will speak respectfully to your mother.”
I meet his angry gaze with my own. “I’m late for my shift.”
I exit the room and slam the door behind me, only to find my sisters right outside the door. They see my tears and both embrace me in a hug.
Lily speaks first. “They’re too traditional for their own good.”
Rosa smirks. “I’d love to take over the restaurant, so keep coming in late, by all means.”
I laugh through my tears. “You two are the best. You know how much I love you, right?”
“Of course we do,” Lily tells me while looping an arm around my shoulders. The three of us walk down the hallway toward the kitchen.
“And we love you too,” Rosa says. “You should do what you’re passionate about, what makes you feel alive. Mama and Papa will come around eventually.”
“Maybe,” I reply, trying to stay positive in front of my sisters. But deep down, I have serious doubts that Mama will ever be on board with me taking a different path than she did.
Abuela’s death hit her really hard—it hit all of us really hard. Not only were we her only grandchildren, but we also worked together. And I know she wanted me and my sisters to run Abuela’s together someday, but my grandmother also told us to do whatever made us excited to wake up every morning… only I think Mama conveniently forgot that part.
“I want to do right by our parents, but I can’t keep putting my life on hold just to appease them.”
Rosa sighs. “I know. We’ll support you no matter what.”
Lily loops an arm around my waist and leans her head on my shoulder. Rosa comes to my other side and links her arm through mine. The three of us walk toward the kitchen, connected to each other… literally and figuratively.
Chapter five
David
I took my time plotting my revenge against Isa… Three days, to be exact. Ideally, she’ll think I’ve forgotten all about the flamingos. But I haven’t.
And I’ve concocted—heavy on the “cock”—the perfect retaliation.
I read through the ad I wrote for the wanted listings in the paper once more before submitting it online.
Wanted: Live roosters of all breeds and sizes. Wichita, Kansas, is in desperate need of a rooster rescue and I want to remedy that. If you have any unwanted roosters, please drop them off at the address listed below.
