Diane had got up early. She was radiant and full of joy. In a week would be her birthday. For this reason, she looked forward that Samuel and Tracy would come to LA to attend the celebration. She wanted to have all ready for that day. For this purpose, she went up to the attic, sat at her table, and began to plan everything.
Sam had got up early too ,at the same time that Diane, and after a quick breakfast he went to "Home run", their bar, for to put up to date his business, the accounts and other matters, after his last lengthy stay in Boston.
When Samuel read the e-mail, and saw her mother's invitation to celebrate her birthday, he confirmed their attendance immediately answering her e-mail. Very excited, he went to tell it to Tracy. Due to their constant trips to LA, Samuel and Tracy had a program flight discounts for frequent travelers, as had advised them Sam and Diane. So travel was much cheaper.
- My mother has invited us to her birthday party.
- We will go, right? -Tracy said-.
- Yeah, well, I said yes ... sorry, I had that consult you before…- Samuel said wavering-
- Never mind, nothing happens - Tracy said downplaying the issue.
- I've had an idea…
- What? -Tracy asked.
- You already met my parents, my uncle, my grandfather... all my family, ...but we don´t know your parents or anyone in your family. It was happening to me that could tell your parents to come. So, they would know me, and my parents would know them. What do you think?.
Tracy turned pale. Her smiling face turned serious and embarrassed.
-This doesn't seem to me a good idea -she said obviously nervous- It's better to leave it be.
- Why? What's up? -Samuel replied- I think it would be good. I not even know what they are called or what they do...
- I said no! -Tracy was getting angry- do me a favor, stay out of my business...
Samuel was surprised. He had never seen her so angry and sulky.
- But what's wrong? -Samuel said- Did I say something wrong?.
- No, it's not that -Tracy was trying to calm- Not you... It's me… No, neither... Oh, God! Why is everything so difficult?…
- I would like understand you... help you... But you don't make it easy -Samuel said fondly.
Tracy looked into his eyes and smiled while she stroked his hair with one hand, letting her thin and beautiful fingers will mingle between his strong and abundant hair. One moment ago, she had yelled and rejected, but he still loved her and trying to help. How she loved that boy! So she hugged him tightly and kissed him. Then, she invited him to sit in the three-seater sofa in the small parlor.
- Come, Samuel. Let's sit. I have many things to tell you. Things that know almost no one, and I haven´t told anyone since I was ten.
-So terrible the matter? -Samuel inquired.
-First listen and then judge for yourself. You see, I've always feared for this moment. I don´t like to talk about my family , but... well, better I will start- Tracy's gaze was lost in an indeterminate point on the floor while trying to find the beginning of her history. She seemed far away- My family is a family that has been dedicated to industrial business for a long time, since before the Civil War. My father, Thomas, is an only child, like me. He was a young, blond, tall and handsome guy, even a little naive when he went to the University. There he met my mother, Lois, a Philosophy student, brazen, extroverted and... a hippy.
- Hippy? In the 80's? -Samuel asked.
-Yes, you see. She had a friend whose parents had been hippies in the 60's; this philosophy of life she liked, and became hippy in the late 80's, just before starting University. Like I said, my parents, when they met, fell in love instantly, it was love at first sight. Almost from the beginning of their relationship they decided to live together. They were thus almost all that university period. Already, in the last year of their studies, my father was euphoric and wanted to introduce mom to my grandmother. At that time, my grandfather had just died.
When my grandmother met mom, almost got sick. She wore the hippy style, with wide and colorful clothes, flowers in her black hair, she was without any makeup, with a tight band on her forehead holding her long hair, wearing ornaments and handmade jewelery... you know. My grandmother was upset and argued with my father.
- I don't know why… -Samuel interrupted.
- Because my father's family is very traditional and old-fashioned -said Tracy-… Where was I?... Ah yeah!.. They discussed. My grandmother ordered my father to abandon immediately my mom or he wouldn't see a cent anymore.
- I would not have accepted dirty blackmail.!- Samuel said impulsively-
- I know -Tracy said, smiling- My father either. Then, my father told her that mom was two months pregnant with me. My parents survived as they could in New York in a humble apartment . Dad worked to finish his studies, pay rent and support my mother. Despite the hardships, they were happy. But paradise didn´t last long. When my mom went into labor had to be entered in a charity hospital, because my parents had no health insurance. Delivery was complicated. Without means barely, doctors carried me forward, but mom lost a lot of blood and died… -here Tracy interrupted briefly her story by the penalty of not having met her mother.
Samuel realized, and immediately pulled her close, hugging her tightly. Now she knew he was giving her all his love, support and affection and it was comforting.
- My father was waiting outside the labor room. When the doctor came to break the news of the death of my mother, my father collapsed. He was shattered. Then the midwife came to him and put me in my father's arms. At that time, my grandmother appeared. Knew everything, I don't know how. She approached to dad, she gave him condolences formally, and picked me up in her arms.
- After all that had happened?.- asked Samuel puzzled-
- More things happened yet. Dad wanted bury my mother with the rest of the family. My grandmother refused, they quarreled again. Also my grandmother wanted to take me with her, because she thought my father was an irresponsible. My father then came to a deal with my grandmother: She would take care of me, he would disappear and only he would see me when my grandmother would allow it, in exchange that my mother would be buried as he wished, so, when he would die, he would be buried beside mom.
- What a story! and very sad ...-Samuel said.
- Yes, and my childhood was not better. My grandmother has always been good and affectionate with me. I love her very much, but my family history transcended in school, and my colleagues excluded me. Any excuse was valid: that if I was an only child, if I had no mother, that if my mother was a hippy, that if my father didn't love me and ran away from me, that if I lived with an old woman... there were few people who came and spoke with me, but I never had real friends… maybe that's why I'm shy.
And what about your father? -Samuel inquired.
-My father lives in Jamaica. Dress and comb the Rastafari style. According to my grandmother says, he leads a beach snack bar . She also says that he smokes joints and weed.
- This really would not like to lose me - said Samuel funny - This my mom's birthday will be too much.
- No kidding … ! -Tracy said horrified.
- Of course you do!... Call your grandmother and your father, and, in my name, invite them to my mother's birthday.
Tracy wanted, at that time, that the earth swallow her up. But no luck, and she had to call them.
It will continue, not miss you the birthday party of Diane…
