It’s Hector. I’ve never seen the movie they pick out, but the popcorn, with all the butter and salt, is out of this world. I sit close to Hector, but I don’t snuggle, even though a part of me wants to. Carissa sits in a chair next to us and it’s the quietest I’ve seen her.
“Hector, is that your phone ringing?” Carissa asks.
“Oh, yeah.” He jumps up and walks toward the kitchen. I can hear him saying something, but can’t make it out. When he comes back in, he looks a little sad. “Bad news, baby sister. Time for practice has changed and I won’t be able to take you to the airport. I guess I can pay for a cab to take you?”
“I can take you, Carissa. I’m not doing anything tomorrow morning,” I volunteer.
“You don’t have to do that, Zoey.” Hector looks at me.
“If she doesn’t mind, I’d enjoy some girl time alone with Zoey. I can tell her all your dirty little secrets,” Carissa teases him and giggles.
“I do not have any secrets. If you really don’t mind, then thank you. I can at least give you some cash for the gas, though.” He sits back down next to me.
“Nah, I made you jump out of a plane. I think we’re even after this.” It’s my turn to laugh.
“I have to spend a day doing whatever you want, don’t I?” he reminds me.
“Oh, yes, you do. I’m not letting that go at all. I just meant this is part of it.”
“Alright then. Thanks for taking her for me.”
I PICK CARISSA up about two hours before her plane takes off. She jumps into my car, but she doesn’t look as happy as she was when I left her last night.
“Are you okay?”
“I guess. I’m not really ready to head back yet, but I needed this weekend.” She buckles her seatbelt and I pull out of Hector’s driveway.
“I had fun, too,” I tell her as I head toward the interstate.
“You know, my brother really likes you.”
My heart flutters a bit. “I like Hector too.”
“No, I mean really likes you. I can’t wait until Mom meets you,” Carissa giggles.
“Hector has told me little bit about her. I know she really wants you guys in relationships.” I don’t want to go behind Hector’s back, but I’m curious about how bad she really is.
“She’s on both of our cases all the time. The past few months have been worse than normal.”
“Is there a reason why?”
“She’s getting older. A lot of the people Hector and I grew up with are married with kids, and she has to tell them Hector is still playing baseball instead of working in the family business, and I’m still in college instead of playing wife and mother to some loser guy I’m not in love with.” Carissa sighs and I feel bad for her. I can’t imagine my aunts doing anything like that to me. They’ve always told me they want me happy and nothing more.
“Maybe she’ll come around someday.”
“You know how stubborn Hector is, right? Mom is ten times worse. Wait until you meet her.”
My nerves are bit on edge at her words. If I ever did meet her, I know it’s going to be bad. I look at Carissa with her dark hair, brown eyes, caramel skin and a bright shiny cross like Hector’s but smaller. I’m not going to fit into his family.
“Has your mom liked Hector’s other girlfriends?”
“I guess. Hector didn’t have girlfriends for long. He wasn’t a player or anything. Hector kept his focus on baseball and being the best player he could be. Since his career is mostly established now, he’s been having more fun. Then he found you, and he’s been happier than I’ve seen him in a very long time.”
I don’t say anything at her last comment. I understand what she means because I’m happy too. However, I need to keep reminding myself to take it slow and I shouldn’t open my heart up too much because Hector’s mom won’t like me. I can already feel it.
Once I drop Carissa off and hug her goodbye, I head back to my apartment. There’s a new blank canvas waiting for me and with all the sadness bouncing
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