I know you guys wanted to hear about the date. But in due time. I finally watched season 3 of the Foster's last night so I made some changes to my story line. Somewhat similar but with a Mills twist. Hope you like it!
It's now Monday and my weekend had been a blur. Lou kept strong to her word and hasn't even so much as sent me a text. I can't blame her but I can't help but feel like once again I've placed my faith in something hopeless. I do miss her and just allowing her back in my life those few days really showed me how much I do.
I'm utterly devastated about Mariana. I miss her laugh, the rants from the tiny latina, even the way she used to run her hands through my hair when she thought I was sleeping. My heart hurts for her, but my guilt is paralyzing. I haven't spoken to Mariana at all. She's called me, texted me, even showed up at Shop'N'Go; thank god I'd been in the back and I'd gotten Beverly to lie and say I wasn't working. My only savior had been Callie, she'd explained to Stef and Lena that I'd needed time away from the family, not to crowd me or assume the worst. This was mainly to placate Stef, so she wouldn't gather a search party and head to my apartment. Which I knew would've happened the following day if I'd continued to ignore her phone calls. I knew hiding wasn't the answer. Hiding from her or her family, Mariana especially was the last person I should be avoiding. Yet, I can't face her and part of the reason is Lou. I'd made a mistake, one for the books and talking to Mariana meant telling her everything. Lou living with me, the hanging out, the night I'd initiated our "break". Everything!
"Earth to Allison?"
Larry's voice breaks through my train of thought and I nearly fall from my balancing act on the edge of my seat. My mind quickly reels in on how long my boss had been trying to get my attention.
"Yea Larry?"
"I need you to do a walk through, new girl starts this morning and she'll be bringing her in parents for the tour."
Exhaling slowly I glance around the semi-vacant entryway. "Can't you get Adele to do it? Or Frankie?" I really didn't want to be bothered with people today, for the next couple of months in true honesty. Let alone deal with a new girl, who nine times out of ten didn't even want to be here.
"Noooo.. I asked you to do it." The thick hills of grey above his eyes fused together in confusion, as the lines around his eyes grew deeper.
"What's been going on with you? You been a little out of kilter lately."
I look down the my cuticles, trying to gain control of my sour mood. I knew this wasn't acceptable, especially at work, but lately I really couldn't bring myself to care. "I'm sorry Larry. Just girl problems, you know the inevitable mood tyrant when Aunt Flo is in town."
"Sounds like you've got some girl problems alright, to me child."
My shoulders sink in realization that Larry saw right through my lie. "That obvious?"
Placing the bucket I had no idea he'd been holding down in front of me, Larry perches himself on the edge of my tiny reception desk. He crosses his arms and studied me intently, his lips pursed together as that slight southern drawl I'd come to find comfort in permitted the air.
"I would say up until this weekend a smile had been of permanent residence on that face of yours. Now I don't know much about your personal life Allison, but I know genuine happiness when I see it. And I know how hard it is to tell someone who's given you such the truth. I know the fear behind it. But maybe, just maybe if you show them how insanely happy they've made you. It might just be worth the telling."
A tear escaped before I could look away, while my throat slightly constricted. My words were choked but legible. "You saw her Friday? Mariana? The Adams-Foster family."
"No. I ran into Lou. Asked her about the shiner on her eye and where she'd been staying. You know that little lady is busy as a cat sitting on a hot tin roof. Of course she told me everything, bless her heart."
"You lost me at hot tin roof Larry." My small giggle, results in a chuckle from him. I feel a bit better already which I know was Larry's every intention. "Thank you." I get up and hug the old man that's been more of a father to me then my sperm donor.
"Oh don't thank me yet dear." His chest rumbles and I lean back to look into mirthful eyes. "What'd you do Larry?"
Without so much as a grunt Larry easily lifts me by the shoulders and gently places me to the left of him. Smiling to himself he gets up, grabs his bucket and heads to his office.
"Larry?" I'm far more concerned now than I am amused or curious. Larry meddling was never good. Like never! That sinking feeling I'd felt when I'd woken up today assaulted my being, as my 10 o'clock appointment entered through the foyer. I didn't have to turn around to know who it was, my senses instantly went into high alert at that familiar lilacs and fresh air fragrance.
I slowly turn to three faces I'd avoided for the past 3 days. Each one exhibiting a harbor of emotions I definitely wasn't ready to encounter when I woke up this morning; or the next morning, or the morning after that. As hard as I try not to, my eyes involuntarily revert to the small latina a few feet in front of me. Her gaze is hard and defensive, very similar to the night when I'd abruptly ended things. This wouldn't begin or end good; was what my subconscious not so subtly cautioned. Mariana was livid. She didn't look like she wanted to even be here, let alone see me. Which was a massive contradiction to her stalker attitude less than 24 hours ago. I found myself secretly wishing Stef and Lena had come alone, the concerned and slightly relieved but I'm still going to give you an ear full piercing looks from them I could've managed. But the full fledge Latina tongue lashing I was about to get could've been reserved for another day. Somewhere far in the future were I at least had a few weeks (wishfully thinking a month or two) to process my fucks ups, and get over myself.
Next we find out about what happened Friday. :)