Thank you for beta'ing, A Star In My Universe! Happy Birthday, Jo (congratulations on being drinking age! Now you can have a piña colada like Gloria ;) and all other alcoholic beverages!) and LindaAndrewsfan!
Happy Holidays!
Warning: references to traumatizing experiences
To the guest who reviewed, you'll be happy to know that this story isn't even close to being over...it's gonna be 70 or 80 chapters in total! so 30-40 chapters left haha
mi princesa-my princess
"I feel like I'm being watched," Gloria mumbles as she closes her cardigan tighter around herself. They're leaving the restaurant now, and it's dark, especially by the mouth of the alley nearby-she won't dare to look too closely. She's certain that she's heard bushes rustling, but it could be just the wind. The trees and people around them are making shadows on the ground.
"Why is that?" Fahri asks worriedly. He stuffs his hands in his pocket while he walks in front of her and glances over his shoulder at her.
Gloria shivers as the cool breeze flows through the fabric of her clothes. "I dunno...it's kinda creepy out here."
"We're lucky we got the guys to protect us," Diane points out, and she and Charles beam at each other.
"Always, Princess Di."
"You're a good man, Charlie Brown." Gloria chuckles to herself at this. "This dude has made me and Alex feel so welcome in his home since that rainstorm blew up our trailer park!" Diane announces to the group.
"Wait, you two are living together?" Aleida wolf-whistles lowly. "Damn, time for them to get down and funky!" she whispers to Gloria, and they share a giggle.
"Yeah!" Diane and Charles reply in unison.
"That's great news you got a safe place to be!" Gloria comments.
Their hands are still joined and they're strolling along together in synch. Aleida and Leon are too, except that Leon is hugging Aleida from behind as they amble down the sidewalk. She looks so cozy in his arms, and both she and Diane, plus the men they're with, have cheerful expressions on their faces. Gloria yearns for this kind of happiness, but it seems too unlikely. There's something wrong with every man she's been with so far. There has to be a catch with Fahri.
"Yeah, she's right!" Aleida says. "Ain't nothin' or nobody gonna get us when the boys are around!"
"That's so true, Lei. God, you look bangin'!" Leon compliments her.
Aleida closes her eyes when they stop to kiss for a few seconds. "Mmm, you're soooo my Mr. Mackadocious! We gotta fuck soon..."
Since they were all drinking, they'd asked Red and Frieda for a ride back to Maritza's so they can collect the children. Daya, Flaca, Nicky, Lorna, and Alex are sleeping over at Maritza's guesthouse. The two older women pull up to the curb and Gloria crawls into the backseat of Red's car right away with Aleida and Leon. Fahri sits in her passenger seat. Diane and Charles go with Frieda, and Gloria is fully aware of why they want to be alone, or as much as they can be. She can sense enough heat emanating from them that they'll probably be making love later tonight. Aleida snuggles into Leon and Gloria yawns while she rests her head against the window, removes her heels, and pulls her knees up to her chest.
"How was your time?" Red wonders aloud.
"Great!" Leon responds.
"Dios mío, the best!" Aleida exclaims from her man's arms that are wrapped snugly around her.
Gloria nods in agreement. "Mm-hm! We had so much fun!"
"Hell yeah, we did," Fahri says, turning around in his seat to face them. He flashes another grin at Gloria, which makes her automatically return it. "I liked getting to see Diane again, know you all a bit more, and Charles, too, of course!"
"That's wonderful to hear!" Red tells them. "I could guess you did anyway, by how you're all so drunk that you had to request rides from Frieda and myself!"
"You tease us, but even you can't resist vodka every now and then!" Gloria shoots back at her playfully. Everyone has a chuckle at this.
"True, but I've never been intoxicated to the point of stumbling around! I'm Russian, vodka is our main drink! Oh...and aren't you just a bit concerned that Nicky and Lorna aren't actually babysitting since they can't keep their hands off each other?"
Aleida rolls her eyes. "¡Ay dios mío, Red! There's plenty 'a girls to watch the kids!"
"The ratio's six teenagers to four little ones," Leon adds.
"I know, I was joking. I like giving you guys a hard time, what can I say?" She rubs her red lips together and purses them. "Fahri, I'm pleased that you were part of making sure Gloria enjoyed herself, now Freida won't have to use her oleander leaves to poison you!"
Gloria sees him gulp in the rearview mirror, causing Red to smirk. "Of course."
"Red, don't scare him!" Gloria complains. "That's dark..."
"Well, I'm just stating facts," Red insists.
"It's alright, Gloria. She's protective of you, and that's sweet," Fahri comments.
"Damn right!" Red declares.
"You walked right into that one!" Nicky lets Alex know in a teasing manner. "You wanted us to stop talking about your mom and Charles, and we just moved onto me and Lorna!"
"Okay, fine. Change of subject, though...Nicky, Blanca, and I got two months of detention from that piss baby, but we skip it!" Alex informs the girls.
"Oh yeah, that's probably why he was always so mean to us, but then again, he was an asshole anyway! It feels great using the past tense when we mention him!" Nicky says happily.
"Yeah..." they concur in unison.
"I'm gonna go touch up my makeup," Lorna murmurs and goes into the bathroom.
The news report that comes on, shows a picture of Arturo on the screen. "A man in his early thirties broke out of prison last Thursday night and disturbed the peace once he came to a Friendly's in Queens. He was unarmed but intoxicated, and hurt someone in the process-"
"Ugh!" Maritza snaps it off. "I can't stand seein' his stupid face!"
"I agree...and I hope Gloria didn't watch this!" Daya mutters.
"I doubt it, since she wouldn't wanna look at him on the telly or read about him in the paper," Flaca assumes.
"Yep..." both Nicky and Alex murmur together.
Lorna returns and plops right into Nicky's lap so the blonde is cradling the brunette. "What was all the commotion about?" she asks.
"They showed that ugly Arturo on the news!" Nicky responds. "It was about the night he escaped and hurt Alex."
Lorna shudders. "Eeew!"
"Another piece of info that's disgusting, is John ran into us last night at Friendly's," Maritza lets Daya know bitterly.
"Blanca took a video of us...me, Mari, Alex, and Diane a bit, confronting his cowardly ass! Maria was there too, but she had Pepa with her. Wanna see it?" Flaca asks.
Daya lets them show her, and she just scoffs along with Nicky and Lorna. "What a prick! Pepa is too adorable, though, and I do appreciate that y'all stood up for me!"
Alex nudges her. "You're one of the girls, why wouldn't we?"
Daya's phone chimes and she grins when she sees that it's Adarsh, rather than P. Hey, are you busy tomorrow night?
I'm going to the football game...most of my friends are either cheerleaders or in the band. Wanna come with?
Oh yeah, that. Sure, sounds awesome! I usually don't go to those school functions, so I'm not up to date on when they are, but with you, it won't be boring. I was also wondering if you'd like to go someplace to see the New York City skyline at night and take pictures...the Saturday after the dance, perhaps?
Alright! I've never done it in my life, so it'll be a new experience, which I'm so excited for!
Perfect!
"Who is that, Adarsh?" Lorna asks just as Daya covers her phone with her hand. "Too late, I already saw his name!" She squeals. "Are you guys dating now?"
"No!" Daya's cheeks heat up.
"Yo, that blush tells us otherwise!" Flaca shouts, pointing at Daya.
Maritza giggles. "Yeah, it's totally obvious!"
Daya rolls her eyes. "Okay, if you must know, Adarsh is gonna be at the game next to me in the audience, and we're gonna hang out on the twenty-third!"
"Aww! You should ask him to the homecoming dance," Lorna suggests. "Maybe things will get romantic there! Oh, I can't wait to see the cuteness..."
"I wasn't even planning on going...and shouldn't it be the guy-"
"What? Girl, you have to!" Maritza insists.
"Mm-hm," Flaca agrees. "It's the event of the fall for freshmen and sophomores! It's like, our pre-prom! Besides that, dudes find boldness in chicks hot."
"I wish I could go with John in secret," Daya admits sadly. "Since I can't...I decided not to bother being the only one there without a date."
"I'd be single, too," Alex reminds her. "I'm taking Michelle as a friend, and we're both very much looking forward to it! We're also going on a picnic on Sunday!"
"We'd go together, but as besties!" Flaca says, gesturing to herself and Maritza.
"You and Adarsh can do the same," Nicky tells Daya.
"Since y'all are gonna be in attendance, I'll talk to him about it in English class. It's weird if I do it over text."
Flaca, Maritza, and Lorna gasp happily and squeak while hugging her. Nicky and Alex give Daya hi-fives.
"Daya?" a small, sleepy voice pipes up, and they turn to see Christina standing by the doorway.
"Christina, what's wrong?" Daya asks while rushing to her side.
"Nothing...but I really don't want Benny or Tía Gloria to get a owie again." Christina tugs Daya along with her to the couch and Daya sits the little girl on her knees. "Before we said night-night and when you left the room, Benny said he was sitting on his mommy's lap and the bad guy who hurt him yelled really loud at her and it was scary. He got a boo-boo 'cause he was protecting her. The mean man knocked him and his mommy down." The girls gasp softly.
"Oh my gosh," Lorna whispers while pressing her hand to her heart. "He's very brave, but that's still horrifying."
"I know how scary this is for him, angel," Daya says while rocking her baby sister from side to side. "Here's what I want you both to remember, though. Gloria is being very careful with Fahri, and he's a nice man...that's why we picked him. She's not going anyplace alone with him, but if she does, she'd bring pepper spray, which will give him an owie if he does anything bad. She'll be okay with Ma and the other grownups. I promise."
"Okay."
"You ready to go back to sleep?"
"Yeah..."
The butterflies in Diane's belly are growing bigger than ever as she cuddles with Charles in Frieda's car. They're also playing footsie. Her head is swirling and she's weak in the knees, so it's a good thing she's seated. He traces circles on the inside of her wrist and her palm. His hand goes up and down her arm a few times. He's softly running his other hand through her brunette locks and down her cheek, making her moan a little bit. She still feels the amazing sensation in her body that she thinks will never go away, and the same one that she thought wouldn't ever show up again.
"Hey, are you kids suckin' face back there?" Frieda asks, interrupting their moment. She adjusts the rearview mirror and smirks. They both clear their throats while separating and adjust their wrinkled clothing. Diane smooths down her slightly messed-up hair and blushes deeply.
"No, ma'am," they answer truthfully at the same time and then snicker.
"We're not kids!" Diane reminds her. "I'm fuckin' thirty-nine, gonna be the big four oh next month!"
"I could be your mother, I got almost twenty years on you, honey. That's practically an entire generation!"
Diane rolls her eyes. "You make a point."
"It looks like you two had a blast, judging by your canoodling."
"Oh, we did," Charles says while rubbing his thumb around her hand and playing with her fingers.
"Yep," Diane murmurs.
"I'm pleased to see that you're charming Diane right and left, but if you're anything like her ex, I'll take a butcher knife to your-"
"Frieda!" Diane yelps, embarrassed at her overprotectiveness. "How does my daughter not throw up in your class with your graphic language?"
"My husband bled out that way."
"It's okay, Di. I understand completely, ma'am." His gaze stays on Diane the whole time and his face turns ashen because of Frieda's threat. "I'm not the same as him in the least."
"Good."
The girls flip through channels at Maritza's house and when the adults get home, Lorna is snuggled in Nicky's lap and Flaca has her head on Maritza's. Daya and Alex give them space. They all look so cozy. Cheerful hellos are soon exchanged, the women hug the teens, Alex embraces Fahri, bumps fists with Charles, and then Daya does the same with Leon. Alex had noticed how close Charles and her mother were as they came in the door and she could've sworn she'd seen them holding hands or him guiding her in, but she's not sure.
Apparently, their evening went well and they were drinking, so they'd requested rides from Red and Frieda. The girls give them a full report of their time babysitting. Both events were successful and everyone is pleased with that. They let the adults know the children were very well-behaved and decided they didn't need to tell them about Benny freaking out at first. Gloria, Aleida, and Leon are generous enough to offer each of the teenagers thirty dollars for babysitting, and they take it gratefully.
Christina walks out of the room she's staying in again. "What you still doin' up?" Aleida questions her. "Your sister put you to bed, I thought. You gonna be so tired tomorrow!"
"It's loud and I woke up." She points at Charles. "Are you a policeman? My mommy and auntie and sissy and Mister Leon talk about you being one."
"Yes I am." He pulls his badge out of his pocket while getting down to her level. "See? I put the bad guys in jail."
"Cool!" Christina peers at it in interest. "Did you take away the bad man who yelled at me and my brother and sister all the time and the one who was mean to Benny and gave him and his mommy boo-boos?"
"I wish I had, kid, but I'm glad they can't hurt you anymore."
"Are you gonna help my mommy? She said you would. We don't like the boogeyman."
"I will. I'll make sure she and the rest of you never see that evil monster again."
"Thank you." The grateful smile on Christina's precious face is so heartwarming. She looks over at Alex's mother and back to Charles. "Are you and her gonna get married?" she asks while pointing at them.
"No, no!" Diane and Charles say quickly in unison.
"It'd be sooo adorable! Daya and her friends said you were in love! Oooh!"
"Snitch," Daya mutters and rolls her eyes.
It causes everyone to laugh. "We don't know that yet, squirt, they're not even dating like your mommy and Leon are!" Alex whispers into Christina's ear.
"Yeah, right! You need new glasses!" Christina retorts and sticks her tongue out.
"I've just been sassed by a five year old," Alex mutters. "Get over here, you!" She tickles Christina's belly until the tiny girl giggles.
Later, Aleida carries a groggy Christina in her arms while Leon has Benny. Gloria is holding Julio and Daya takes Emiliano. All of the children except Christina are sleeping peacefully. The other men and women help with the cribs, carseats, and booster seats.
"How did you know you were knocked up?" Lorna questions Daya after the adults and kids leave.
"I didn't, my mom told me. Why?"
"My period's late, my breasts are growing bigger by the second, I'm super horny, I got mood swings up the ying-yang, and I've been puking a lot. I was raped very recently..."
Flaca and Maritza's eyes widen in concern. "Shit, you think you're pregnant?" the taller one of them asks.
"No! I can't be...that's the worst-case scenario." Lorna shakes her head. "I ain't..."
"I would get a test, just in case," Nicky advises Lorna.
"Oh, goodness, I'm terrified!"
"I know, but we'll support you, no matter what," Alex says.
Nausea comes over Lorna and she rushes to the bathroom sink. She claps a clammy hand over her sweaty forehead and forces the bile to come out by pushing on her tummy. She's throwing up so violently that her body is shaking and she feels extremely weak. She squeezes her eyes shut and tears leak out while she whimpers in agony. Nicky is by her side in a flash, gathering her hair up while she's bent over the sink. The others surround them.
Lorna washes out her mouth afterwards and sniffles as she wipes her eyes. "What if I really am...I ain't even big enough for a baby! I'm pint sized!"
"Fun sized, you mean?" Nicky tries to joke.
"Whatever!"
"Okay, you're sensitive at this moment...I'm sorry."
"It's fine."
Nicky sighs. "I'm not particularly fond of kids, but if you have one, I'll get parenting tips from Red and help you in any way that I can."
"Thank you, honey." Lorna smiles and hugs Nicky.
"No problem." Nicky wraps Lorna in her arms and it's like home.
"Can we go to Maritza's guest house for our own sleepover?"
"Sure!"
Lorna's phone buzzes from her pocket and she takes it out. She notices that she'd received a message from Juan, whom she hasn't talked to in a while, and she feels bad for ignoring him, but she'd been extremely busy this past week. "Oh, but first, I gotta sit on the toilet for five minutes or so. I wanna see if my period comes or whatever."
"Alright, see you in a few," Nicky tells her and she and the rest of their friends leave her be. Lorna closes and locks the door while hurriedly reading what he'd typed to her.
I just saw my ex with another man, they were chattering away...how could she do this to me? She's acting like I never even existed! I'm so angry I could spit! I wanna kill him...and even her, but I wouldn't. That's violence towards women.
I know just how you feel, dude! It's so fuckin' sad! I'm sorry you gotta deal with that! she texts him back quickly. My friend's ma has a motto, bitches come and go. She might have meant friends, but it's the same for girlfriends, fianceés, and wives, too. You'll find the right lady, don't worry, she's out there. I moved on from the bastard who I thought loved me. I'm dating the best girl in the entire world!
Lorna jumps and nearly drops her phone in the toilet when someone raps on the door from outside. "Are you almost finished? It's been ten minutes, what'd you do, fall in?" Maritza asks.
"No, no, I'm fine, just...nothing's come yet." Lorna washes her hands, dries them on the towel, and shoves her phone into her pocket.
"That sucks!" Maritza calls after her as she scrambles around to get her things for her stay in the guesthouse.
"Hello, there." Charles is shrugging off his suit when he hears her beautiful voice. She sounds sultry, and he turns around to find that Diane is seductively leaning against his doorframe and holding onto it with her arm stretched high over her head. She's still fully dressed, from her hair all the way down to her high heels. She gives him a once-over while licking her bottom lip ever so slowly and then biting it. "You looked extra spicy tonight, Charlie." She winks at him.
He knows he has to keep himself in control. They're both slightly drunk with their heads fuzzy and he doesn't want her to do anything she wouldn't feel comfortable with if she wasn't in this state. From the moment he'd met her, he thought she was attractive and fantasized about holding her, kissing her soft mouth, touching her satin-like skin all over, and drowning in those baby blue eyes. Not only that, but he also wanted them to get to know everything about the other. He's so happy that wish came true. "Thanks, Princess Di, and you could seriously stop traffic in that dress...your whole look, actually."
"Oh, really?" Diane comes closer to him and she pushes him down to a sitting position on his bed while giggling. She trails her fingers up and down the stubble on his cheeks and he puts her hands over hers, prepared to slow things down. He feels himself growing bigger the longer he gazes at her voluptuous figure above him, but he's not going to give into temptation. He just needs a cold shower. "Thank you. This is what I think. You are the sexiest man ever. You should be on a fuckin' magazine cover with your shirt off, because damn!"
Charles suddenly feels like he's in a teen movie where the hot, popular girl comes on to the nerdy or slightly overweight guy. He's never been proud of his appearance, and he's shocked that she's actually into him. Their faces are inches apart and her hair tickles his jaw. He can smell wine on her breath and the sweet perfume she'd used. It takes a lot of strength for him to fight the primal urge, but he does. "Thank you, Diane, but...let's both wait until we're sober."
She pouts cutely. "You're a better man than Lee, you've stuck around all this time...and I really wanna lock lips with ya. I wanna feel your tongue on mine as we make out for hours and hours and never, ever stop." She continues stroking his freshly shaven face and hooks her fingers into his hair on the nape of his neck as she plops down on his lap. "Don't make me kiss and suck on a cucumber again...Alex ain't here and we're finally alone together...take advantage of it!"
"Diane, I'm sorry, but not tonight." He removes her hands from his face and holds them like they're delicate flowers. "I personally would love to, but you and I are both too vulnerable, what with us being intoxicated. When our minds are clear, we can try this again."
"Okay...I'll just fuck myself..." she mumbles while getting off him. "It looks like you gotta rub one out, too." Diane sways her hips as she leaves and then pauses while looking back at him and beaming. "Good boy for not letting me down!"
"That was a test?" Charles groans inwardly at his blue balls. He wasn't expecting to get any, but it's not like he can jack off with her present. He feels guilty about having a boner at such a time like this.
"Yeah," she admits. "I meant every word, though. I...I really like you."
"For real?"
"Of course! You're a perfect gentleman."
"I have no reason not to be."
Diane sighs while giggling. "Awesome! Good night, Charlie!"
"Good night, Princess Di!"
"Ian left me a long voicemail...tellin' me that he'd heard about me being in a wheelchair and havin' to use crutches, and that Piss-cuntella caused me to fall. He wants to get together with me again 'cause he feels bad about how things ended between us." Flaca shrugs, and her friends cringe.
"Ugh, I hope you said a big hell no!" Maritza says.
"That loser is a victim-blamer!" Alex reminds Flaca.
"Yeah, you're so much better off without him," Daya mutters.
"I know, but he's changed a lot. I ain't answered him yet. He asked me to the homecoming dance next Friday, or rather, wants me to take him to ours. He apologized real good, too...like, enough for me to consider takin' him back." Flaca's statement hurts Maritza. Her heart breaks and she gasps when it does.
"Ay dios mío, Flaca, how could you do this?" Maritza bursts out. "He's a fuckin' liar and he's messin' with your head. He knows this and he's enjoying every single bit of you fallin' for his tricks!"
Flaca shakes her head firmly. "Nah, not this time, Mari, he's really-"
"You know how many women swear to themselves the man's changed?" Alex laughs humorlessly. "Flaca, in case you haven't noticed, my mom thought Lee did the second time around, but he ended up being worse, and Gloria assumed the same thing about Arturo after he beat her to a bloody pulp a few times! Those are empty words from Ian's stupid mouth!" she points out. "He's a damn fuckboy!"
"Yeah, and what happens when he hurts you again? One moment, you think you're gonna marry him or whatever, the next, you're standing alone in front of a New York City bar, watching as he walks away for good," Daya adds.
"I ain't pregnant, we always use condoms, I make sure he has one on, so havin' a baby wouldn't be a problem for us. Ian's not an abuser or a creepy player...he just said somethin' stupid and is regretting it."
"I cannot believe you!" Maritza tells Flaca bitterly. "I...I thought we coulda been gettin' somewhere...'cause we're touchy-feely and shit and sleep in the same bed every night!"
"What?" Flaca crinkles her face in confusion. "Besties do that..."
"Oh, never mind, if you don't get it by now, I ain't gonna bother no more!"
"Mari-"
"Don't! Go to Ian, get fucked over. I couldn't give a shit less!" Maritza's extreme sadness takes over and her voice begins to crack. "I don't want any of you here no more, so go someplace else!" She runs upstairs, two steps at a time, and burrows herself in her bedsheets. Flaca texts her a few times, asking why she's reacting this way, but she ignores the messages and sobs herself to sleep.
Hi, how are you?
Gloria smiles at Fahri's text and types a response. I'm fine, just going to bed. You?
Yeah, I'm exhausted!
Me, too. Good night!
Night!
Gloria puts her phone face down on a side table. "Debo confesarte algo, pero prométeme que no te asustarás ni de mí ni de nadie más," she tells Lourdes cautiously while twiddling her thumbs. They're in their pajamas and Gloria has already washed her makeup off. She'd felt like someone else before, a more confident woman than she really is.
I gotta confess somethin' to you, but promise me you won't freak out on me or anyone else.
"¿Qué?"
What?
Gloria takes the hot cocoa from her aunt and sits down next to her on the couch. She sets the drink on the coffee table. "Es un mal momento para tener algo como esto en tus manos. Necesito que estés calmado y que no derrames nada."
It's a bad time to have anything like this in your hands. I need you to be calm and not spill anything.
Lourdes frowns in concern. "De acuerdo, ahora me tienes preocupado."
Okay, now you've got me worried.
"No te enojes con las chicas, Daya y sus amigas, quiero decir, pero planearon que conociera a alguien nuevo y esperaban que eventualmente tuviéramos la felicidad eterna." Lourdes gasps and she narrows her eyes. "Su nombre es Fahri, y se hizo cargo de Alex desde que era bebé hasta los doce años. Había conocido a su madre, Diane, un poco antes de que ella naciera, por lo que confiaba en que él cuidaría a Alex. Um...luego, él y yo salimos a cenar esta noche con Aleida, Leon, Diane y Charles...y en realidad fue divertido."
Don't be mad at the girls, Daya and her friends, I mean, but they sort of, uh...planned for me to meet someone new and they were hoping that eventually, we'd have everlasting happiness. His name is Fahri, and he took care of Alex from when she was a baby to age twelve. He'd met her mother, Diane, a bit before she was born, so she trusted him to watch Alex. Um...then, he and I went out to dinner tonight with Aleida, Leon, Diane, and Charles...and it was fun, actually.
Her aunt gives her a stern look. "Florecita, no. Eres demasiado ingenuo por tu propio bien, ¡mira cuántas trampas has caído! No te vas a dañar de nuevo, no bajo mi cuidado."
You're too naïve for your own good, look at how many traps you've fallen into! You ain't gonna get damaged again, not under my watch.
"Estoy muy consciente de esto, Tía, y tengo miedo de saltar a una nueva relación. Es solo que...veo a mis amigos y cómo...están enamorados, incluso Diane y Charles, que no son pareja, pero están llegando. Aleida y Leon, han estado juntos durante un mes y son tan lindos, lo juro por Dio...y yo...o quiero tanto. Anhelo lo que tienen. Sin abuso, sin fetiches extraños, sin condones rasgados a propósito...solo afecto puro el uno por el otro." Tears prick the corners of Gloria's eyes and she wipes them away. "Me han quemado tantas veces...¡mierda!" She sniffles while she curls up against a pillow, under a blanket, and lets out a choked sob into the cloth. It's moments like these, when she's a frightened little girl inside. She'd really needed Lourdes all this time, and she's glad her aunt is here now.
I'm well aware of this, Tía, and I'm scared of jumping into a new relationship. It's just...I see my friends and how...in love they are, even Diane and Charles, who aren't a couple, but they're getting there. Aleida and Leon, they've been together for a month and they're so cute, I swear to God...and I...I want it so bad. I crave for what they have. No abuse, no strange fetishes, no purposely torn condoms...just pure affection for each other. I've been burned so many times...fuck!
Lourdes sighs and hugs her. She places a kiss atop Gloria's head. "Haz lo que tu corazón desee, y si aún no te sientes cómodo saliendo con él, no tienes que hacerlo. Sé que lo anhelas, bebé. Verlo pasar a tus chicas te hace sentir solo..."
Do whatever your heart desires, and if you don't feel comfortable going out with him yet, you don't have to. I know you're longing for it, baby. Watching it happen to your girls makes you lonely...
Gloria throws her hands up in the air exasperatedly. "¡Incluso los malditos adolescentes están obteniendo más acción que yo! ¡Los adolescentes son más maduros que estos hijos de puta que he tenido hasta ahora! Adarsh, Diablo y Yadriel con Daya, Blanca y Maria...todos menores de dieciséis. Ah, y Benny y Christina...mi hijo de cinco años es tan bueno con ella. Él obtuvo esa dulzura de mí. Quiero ser tratada como una princesa por un hombre, también. Es solo que...ya no tengo fe en el noventa y nueve por ciento de ellos."
Even the damn teenagers are getting more action than me! Teenage boys are more mature than these motherfuckers I've had so far! Adarsh, Diablo, and Yadriel with Daya, Blanca, and Maria...all under sixteen. Oh, and Benny and Christina...my five year old is so good to her. He got that sweetness from me. I wanna be treated like a princess by a man, too. It's just...I don't have faith in like, ninety-nine percent of 'em anymore.
The elder woman runs a comforting hand through Gloria's hair and brushes her knuckles against her cheek. "Tienes todo el derecho de sentir de esa manera."
You have every right to feel that way.
"¿Que debería hacer? Solo parezco atraer a los imbéciles o bichos raros. Soy un jodido...imán chico equivocado!" Gloria says hopelessly. "Es como si estuviera destinado a terminar solo...sin ofender."
What should I do? I only seem to attract the assholes or weirdos. I'm a fuckin'...wrong guy magnet! It's like I'm destined to end up alone...no offense.
"Ninguna toma. No es del todo malo, ya sabes." Lourdes gestures to herself. "Estoy muy bien."
None taken. It's not all bad, you know. I'm doing pretty great.
"No quiero ser así. Tengo treinta...y quiero la chispa, el fuego...¡pasión!"
I don't wanna be like that. I'm thirty...and I want the spark, the fire...passion!
"¿Crees que este hombre puede darte esas cosas?"
You think this man can give you those things?
"Es demasiado pronto para decirlo, pero parece diferente a los demás...como cuando nos vimos por primera vez, estábamos ayudando a Daya, se había desmayado, o pretendido, supongo. Él no hizo un movimiento en mí o nada...y todavía no lo hizo. Le dije que no quería ser más que amigos, y él respeta eso. Él no espera nada de mí...y tuve un flashback en la cafetería donde ambos trabajamos...ahora es conserje...y me consoló con palabras tranquilizadoras. Aleida, Red, Claudette y Norma también estaban allí, y también quería asegurarse de que estuviera bien. Le conté sobre mi Santería, y él pensó que era interesante."
It's way too early to tell, but he seems different than the others...like, when we first laid eyes on each other, we were helping up Daya, she'd fainted, or pretended to, I guess. He didn't make a move on me or nothin'...and he still hasn't. I told him that I didn't want to be anything more than friends, and he respects that. He don't expect nothin' from me...and I had a flashback in the cafeteria where we both work...he's a janitor now...and he comforted me with soothing words. Aleida, Red, Claudette, and Norma were there, too, and he also wanted to make sure I was okay. I told him about my Santería, and he thought it was interesting.
Lourdes raises an eyebrow. "Quiero conocerlo."
I want to meet him.
Gloria waves it away. "¡No puedes...todavía!"
You can't...yet!
"Voy a hacerlo muy pronto si ustedes dos se acercan. ¿Cómo se familiarizó Diane con él?"
I'm going to very soon if the two of you get closer. How'd Diane get acquainted with him?
Gloria shrugs. "No estoy seguro, le preguntaré mañana."
I'm not sure, I'll ask her tomorrow.
"Bueno. Entonces, ¿todos tus amigos y las chicas jóvenes tienen la idea de que tú y él tengan un futuro de algún tipo?" Lourdes wonders aloud.
Okay. So, all of your friends and the young girls entertain the idea of you and him having a future of some kind?
"Sí. A todos les gusta mucho. Incluso tenemos cosas en común, por ejemplo, fumar por diversión, y tenemos a alguien que es como una sobrina para nosotros. Para él, es Alex y yo, Daya. Nuestros mejores amigos son las madres de las chicas." Gloria beams, just thinking about it. She also remembers that dreams can turn into nightmares in a heartbeat, so she keeps her head out of the clouds as she's discussing this with Lourdes. She needs to be smart from now on.
Yes. They all like him a lot. We even have shit in common, for example, smoking for fun, and we got somebody who's like a niece to us. For him, it's Alex, and me, Daya. Our best friends are the girls' mamas.
"¿Qué piensan Benny y Julio de esto?"
What did Benny and Julio think of this?
"Benny lloró," Gloria admits. "Pero nosotros...yo, Aleida y León, quiero decir, lo consolé. Cuando Leon le contó sobre las cosas divertidas que Fahri hizo con Alex cuando era pequeña, ella y Fahri lo respaldaron. Julio estaba distraído, jugando con Christina y Emiliano."
Benny cried, but we...myself, Aleida, and Leon, I mean, consoled him. When Leon told him about fun things Fahri did with Alex when she was a little girl, she and Fahri backed him up. Julio was distracted, playing with Christina and Emiliano.
"Salga con usted solo y traiga una forma de protección con usted. Continúa haciéndolo durante aproximadamente un mes o cuando te sientas seguro. Ábrete a él, haz que le transmita sus más profundos secretos también a ti. Quieres ser su amigo, ve por ello. Simplemente no te vuelvas vulnerable en su presencia. Muéstrale que no tomas mierda de ningún hombre," Lourdes advises Gloria.
Go out with him by yourself and bring a form of protection with you. Keep doing so for about a month, or whenever you feel safe. Open up to him, have him air his deepest secrets to you, too. You wanna be his friend, go for it. Just don't make yourself vulnerable in his presence. Show him that you don't take shit from no man.
Gloria swallows hard. She's truly afraid of what could happen, but she wants to try following her aunt's suggestion at the same time. She'll have to carry mace, a knife, or even a gun, but she'd need to practice self-defense and using those things. "Eso fue lo que causó que Arturo me golpeara. Me defendí, y él simplemente...¡se enojaría tanto!"
That's what caused Arturo to hit me. I stood up for myself, and he'd just...get so angry!
Lourdes holds Gloria's face in her hands. "Escúchame, Gloria. ¡Ese hijo de puta con labios de lagartija no tenía ningún motivo para lastimarte! Mira si Fahri lo hace cuando te defiendes. Atrévete a hacerlo, tienes un arma para defenderte."
Listen to me, Gloria. That lizard-lipped son of a bitch had no reason at all to hurt you! See if Fahri does when you defend yourself. Dare him to, you got a weapon to defend yourself with.
"Le espeté a Fahri antes, acusándolo de nunca tener ataques de pánico...y él no hizo nada. También estaba frente a las damas, así que..."
I snapped at Fahri before, accusing him of never having panic attacks...and he didn't do nothin'. It was also in front of the ladies, so...
"Sí, eso no significa nada. Un restaurante abarrotado o un pequeño restaurante con el dueño mirando tampoco funcionaría. Pruébalo cuando apenas hay alma, como en tu bodega."
Yeah, that doesn't mean anything. A crowded restaurant or a small diner with the owner watching wouldn't work either. Try it when there's barely a soul around, like in your bodega.
"Estuve a solas con él durante un tiempo en nuestro primer día de reunión...estaba ansioso, pero no me presionó para que no hiciera nada como Arturo y cómo se llama en la escuela secundaria, así que eso es una buena señal, ¿derecho?" Gloria asks.
I was alone with him for a while on our first day of meeting...I was anxious, but he didn't pressure me into doin' nothin' like Arturo and what's his name back in high school, so that's a good sign, right?
Lourdes smiles. "Es positivo, definitivamente."
It's a positive one, definitely.
"Muy bien, y en cuanto a ese tipo con su enamoramiento de pies...simplemente me asustó un poco, pero lo mantuve cerca de él durante dos años, ya que creía que podía manejarlo, era al menos mejor que la cara número uno y dos. Él me dio a mis hijos, después de todo, pero la peor parte fueron los calambres en los pies, así que tuvo que irse...¿y si Fahri tiene algo así?"
Alright, and as for that guy with his feet infatuation...he just kinda creeped me out, but I kept him around for two years since I thought I could handle it, he was at least better than fuckface number one and two. He did give me my sons, after all, but worst part was the foot cramps, so he had to go...what if Fahri's got somethin' like that?
"Bueno, si te molesta, díselo. Si él es el hombre correcto, no hará una mierda para hacerte sentir dolor o incomodidad. Él te escuchará y respetará tus deseos. Las parejas tienen desacuerdos y peleas, pero nunca deberían escalar a la violencia entre ellos. Esa es la verdadera definición de una relación de cuento de hadas, ¿entiendes lo que quiero decir?"
Well, if it bothers you, tell him. If he's the right man, he won't do shit to make you feel pain or awkwardness. He'll listen to you and respect your wishes. Couples have disagreements and fights, but it never should escalate to violence towards each other. That's the true definition of a fairytale relationship, you see what I mean?
Gloria nods her head yes. "Mm-hm."
The sound of wailing causes them both to glance toward the kids' room that they share with Gloria. They walk in together and find Benny sniveling and bawling at the same time. "Oh, baby, what is it, huh?" Gloria asks him softly as she places herself beside him and takes him into her arms. She rocks him like he's a baby and pecks his cheek a dozen times. "Why you cryin'?"
"I had a bad dream, Mama."
"Well, I'm right here. So is Tía Lourdes."
He puts his thumb in his mouth and starts sucking on it. "Another bad man gave me a boo-boo and Arturo laughed at me!"
Gloria hugs him just like she had for what seemed like hours after Arturo struck him across the face. He'd left a faint bruise, but it was enough to scar Benny for life. "That ain't gonna happen again, okay? I'll make sure of it!" she assures him while gently combing her fingers through his hair.
"Tu mamá va a ser más cuidadosa esta vez," Lourdes puts in.
Your mommy's gonna be more careful this time.
Benny grabs Lourdes' hand and buries his face in Gloria's shirt. "Mama, can I be with you and Tía?"
"You mean in my bed?" Gloria wants to know.
"Yeah, we can't all fit in my big boy bed!"
Gloria and Lourdes chuckle quietly at him stating the obvious. "Okay, cariño," Lourdes says.
"I'd love to have you with us, mijo!" Gloria taps his nose and he giggles through his tears. "Come on, up you go." She lifts him from his bed and he wraps his arms around her neck tightly as she's carrying him. She and her aunt get under her sheets. They put Benny in between them and he snuggles with them.
"Te amo, Mama and Tía!"
"Nosotros también te amamos, dulce niño," Lourdes replies.
We love you too, sweet boy.
"Yeah," Gloria agrees. "You're our little prince."
"No way! I'm the king!" he proclaims, making his mother and aunt laugh under their breaths.
They're both sitting on a bed in Maritza's guesthouse, and Nicky's arms are around Lorna's waist and her girlfriend is in her lap as she plays the guitar she'd borrowed from Flaca and sings to the small Italian. Lorna isn't feeling well because of cramps, so she takes Advil with water, and she doesn't want to do anything else but relax with Nicky.
"My beautiful brown-eyed girl,
With the vintage styled hair,
I fell in love with you a bit after we met,
Doesn't matter where.
I'd do anything for you,
You cheer me up when I'm blue,
And that's exactly why my heart belongs to you.
My heart belongs to you, my dear,
So don't you shed a tear,
Everything's all right, I'll hold you through the day and night.
With you by my side
I just can't deny,
That my heart belongs to you."
Lorna glances up at Nicky and smiles. "Aww, thank you so much, honey, your singing voice is real pretty!"
"What can I say, you inspire me to write songs! You light up my life, baby."
"Nicky, you opened my eyes to the world." Nicky lifts Lorna's chin up with one finger and places a soft kiss on her plump red lips. "Now, you're making my heart soar!"
"You got the same effect on me, Lorna." Nicky grins down at her and sets the guitar down. "Hey, I almost forgot...you're under arrest!"
"What'd I do this time, Officer Nichols?" Lorna asks innocently.
"You've been a real bad girl! Or, should I say...inmate?"
"Sure-"
"Shut up, Morello!" Nicky says authoritatively, but keeps it playful. She loosely ties Lorna's wrists together with a long sleeved shirt, being careful of her girlfriend's cast. "Your crime was stealing my heart, and you're gonna be punished...for a long-ass time! Holy shit, you're so fucked!" Nicky lays Lorna on the bed and kisses her everywhere while the brunette giggles and grips her shirt once Nicky unbinds her. The couple flips while making out heavily, with Lorna on top. It's silent and Nicky loves it. They break apart while gasping for air and bask in the quiet as they rest next to each other.
"I'm so relieved I got my period!"
"Same here! I'm happy for you."
"All that sucks is we can't have sex."
"I know."
Suddenly, the doorbell rings from downstairs and they both jump and sit up at once. "Who's that?" Lorna asks.
"I think we're about to find out." They answer whoever is out there.
"Sorry to interrupt, girls, but Flaritza's having a crisis and Maritza kicked us out. It's too late to ask our moms' designated drivers or Theresa for rides back home, so we gotta stay here and share the room with you," Daya reports as she, Alex, and Flaca come inside with their overnight bags and Flaca's wheelchair. They plop down on the blue sofa and Flaca sets her crutches against the arm of the couch. "How you feelin', Lorna?"
Nicky and Lorna sigh in annoyance. "It's our first night away from my dad when we can sleep together in a comfortable bed and make all the noise we want...I don't have a bun in my oven, so that's the good news!"
"Congratulations," Alex says.
"Yeah, you don't want a baby at fifteen," Flaca murmurs.
"I'm right here, guys!" Daya tells them. "I know it ain't the ideal age to have a child, but it ain't that bad when you got support."
"Not if it's from rape. You'd always be reminded," Nicky lets her know.
"Oh, right...I apologize. It's just...I'd keep it no matter what, but every girl for herself."
"Why?" Lorna wonders aloud. "You've never been sexually assaulted, so you don't really understand what it's like for me. Statutory with John doesn't count since it was consensual."
Daya nods and her face turns pale. "Okay. I gotta vomit." She gets up quickly and rushes to the bathroom.
"Anyway, uh...what is your issue with the girl who's platonically your other half, Gonzales?" Nicky wants to know.
"While you and Lorna were busy, I told her and the others that Ian wants to reconcile with me, and she...she freaked! It was like she thought I'd run off with him and leave her behind in the dust, which I'd never do! Alex and Daya hated the idea of me with Ian, too, but she seemed...jealous, or like I'd cheated on her or somethin'."
"Maritza likes you, idiot!" Nicky thumps Flaca's shoulder with the back of her hand. "You never saw that before? You fuckin' crushed her!"
Flaca's eyes grow as round as saucers and she shakes her head quickly. "Nah...I didn't mean to...and I wasn't sure that there even was anything between us. I've always felt like we were girlfriends, but without the kissing and sex...we even hold hands occasionally. If she'd said somethin' earlier, I would've said no to Ian right away! I wanna try a romantic relationship with Mari. Like, she's super cute and pretty...so why the hell not, ya know? I thought more about what the girls said, and Ian doesn't deserve me...I'm way too good for him."
"You totally are! Well, now you gotta fix it with Maritza," Lorna advises her.
"I dunno...I've already fucked shit up by rubbing Ian and other boys in her face...she'll never speak to me again."
"Flaca, we've all been stupid at one time or another. She was probably shy to take the plunge, afraid it would ruin your friendship, and that was dumb on her part, but whatever. She's not as bold as me or Nichols. Do something sappy for her that makes her forgive you, don't repeat mistakes, and keep your promises, and only make ones you're gonna follow through with," Alex suggests.
"I got the most romantic idea!" Lorna squeals while clapping her hands excitedly.
Flaca is going to sing four songs she's memorized by heart to Maritza on her guitar outside the smaller girl's bedroom window. That's what Lorna had advised her to do. She begins playing her guitar and wishes she had a beach chair to sit in, rather than her wheelchair, but she'll make do. She sees Lorna lead Maritza up to the window. She begins to turn away, but Lorna forces her to stay there. Maritza has her chin propped up in her hands while Lorna sits on the bed. Flaca starts to strum her guitar and croon away.
"There's a yellow rose in Texas, that I am going to see,
Nobody else could miss her, not half as much as me.
She cried so when I left her, it like to broke my heart,
And if I ever find her, we nevermore will part.
She's the sweetest little rosebud that Texas ever knew,
Her eyes are bright as diamonds, they sparkle like the dew;
You may talk about your Clementine, and sing of Rosalee,
But the yellow rose of Texas is the only girl for me.
When the Rio Grande is flowing, the starry skies are bright,
She walks along the river in the quiet summer night:
I know that she remembers, when we parted long ago,
I promise to return again, and not to leave her so.
She's the sweetest little rosebud that Texas ever knew,
Her eyes are bright as diamonds, they sparkle like the dew;
You may talk about your Clementine, and sing of Rosalee,
But the yellow rose of Texas is the only girl for me.
Oh now I'm going to find her, for my heart is full of woe,
And we'll sing the songs together, that we sung so long ago
We'll play the bango gaily, and we'll sing the songs of yore,
And the yellow rose of Texas shall be mine forevermore.
She's the sweetest little rosebud that Texas ever knew,
Her eyes are bright as diamonds, they sparkle like the dew;
You may talk about your Clementine, and sing of Rosalee,
But the yellow rose of Texas is the only girl for me."
Maritza's eyes are glistening, so Flaca plays some more for her.
"Once in every life
Someone comes along
And you came to me
It was almost like a song
You were in my arms
Right where you belong
And we were so in love
It was almost like a song
January through December
We had such a perfect year
Then the flame became a dying ember
All at once you weren't here
Now my broken heart
Cries for you each night
And it's almost like a song
But it's much too sad to write
Now my broken heart
Cries for you each night
And it's almost like a song
But it's much too sad to write
It's too sad to write."
Maritza's wiping her eyes now, and Flaca has two more songs to go.
"Maybe I didn't treat you
Quite as good as I should have
Maybe I didn't love you
Quite as often as I could have
Little things I should have said and done
I just never took the time
You were always on my mind
You were always on my mind
Maybe I didn't hold you
All those lonely, lonely times
And I guess I never told you
I'm so happy that you're mine
If I made you feel second best
Girl I'm so sorry I was blind
You were always on my mind
You were always on my mind
Tell me, tell me that your sweet love hasn't died
Give me, give me one more chance to keep you satisfied, satisfied
Little things I should have said and done
I just never took the time
You were always on my mind
You were always on my mind
You were always on my mind..."
Maritza shakes her head and turns away. Lorna pushes her forward. The brunette holds up one finger for Flaca to continue and to make Maritza listen to one more song.
"Every time our eyes meet
This feeling inside me
Is almost more than I can take
Baby when you touch me
I can feel how much you love me
And it just blows me away
I've never been this close to anyone or anything
I can hear your thoughts
I can see your dreams
I don't know how you do what you do
I'm so in love with you
It just keeps getting better
I want to spend the rest of my life
With you by my side
Forever and ever
Every little thing that you do
Baby, I'm amazed by you
The smell of your skin
The taste of your kiss
The way you whisper in the dark
Your hair all around me
Baby you surround me
You touch every place in my heart
Oh, it feels like the first time, every time
I want to spend the whole night in your eyes
Every little thing that you do
I'm so in love with you
It just keeps getting better
I want to spend the rest of my life
With you by my side
Forever and ever
Every little thing that you do
Baby, I'm amazed by you..."
Maritza is frozen by the window, her tears falling down her cheeks. Lorna gives her a comforting hug and holds up a finger for her to wait. Maritza nods and sits on her bed. She looks so beautiful, even when sad.
Lorna runs outside just then. "Flaca, you gotta make up a song and then ask her to kiss you. Those songs are by other people, not by you. She'll love ya more if ya make it up yourself. I'll help ya with the lyrics if you need me to. Go back in the guesthouse, I'll see ya in the mornin'," She pats Flaca on the back to show she isn't mad. Flaca will begin Maritza's song tonight.
"How did the kids feel with Charles and Fahri in the front two seats on the way here?" Aleida asks Leon when she's nestled into him.
"It wasn't a problem. Christina and Emilio were in the middle while Benny and Julio were in the back with me. I told the little ones who Charles and Fahri were." Leon kisses the side of Aleida's head and she looks up at him adorably through hazy eyes.
"That's good."
"Yeah, I always wanna be sure they're comfortable."
"You're such a pro at that...and you make me feel safe and secure, too."
"Hey, you're my girl, I'd lay down my life for you." He threads his fingers through her hair and strokes her cheek continuously.
"Really?"
"Of course, beautiful."
"So would I! Leon...I'm real scared to close my eyes, 'cause if I do, I'mma wake up shrieking in the middle of the night and disturb everyone in this quaint little apartment! You can tell me sweet dreams and hold me all you want, but I can't stop that evil sadistic fuck from entering my mind. I hate it so much!"
His heart snaps in pieces at how broken she sounds all of a sudden. "I'm so sorry, mi princesa. Try to sleep and only think happy thoughts."
"That don't help!"
"I'll stay awake all night with you if you'd like me to."
"Nah, I can't ask that of you. I also overheard some of the conversation Gloria and her tía were havin', and it made me cry 'cause they got such a good relationship...Lourdes is like Gloria's ma more than anything. I've only known her for a day and like, an hour last night...but I really wish I had somebody like her growin' up."
"I know...I do, too."
"Thanks for takin' care of me like you always do. I've only been trashed as shit one other time since I met you, that very night, actually, and Gloria held my hair back from my face while I puked, just like you did when we got home. At least I was more alert this time...but I guess what I'm tryin' to say, is you got some real balls. I'm real grateful for ya."
"You're welcome, Aleida." He tenderly kisses the multiple bruises on her wrists that are in the shapes of handprints.
"Here, too," she mumbles and slides down her pants, revealing more of her injuries. Leon gives them the same gentle treatment with his lips.
"Can you get my tattoos...the one on my ass and shoulder?"
"Sure."
"Ohh, you're such a man!"
"It's all for you, baby!"
Upon getting home, Taystee sees Vee and her drug dealing partner, who's name she can't quite remember, swapping spit on the couch. "Y'all tryin' to turn each other into Popsicles or somethin'?" she asks after a minute of Vee not realizing that she's just walked in the door.
Vee chuckles and pulls the man up with her. "Taystee! We have a guest with us-"
"Yeah, I can see that! Who are you again, sir?" Taystee wants to know.
"Arturo."
Thank you for reading and reviewing, HannahMiley1fan, A Star In My Universe, Johanna002, a guest, and LindaAndrewsfan!
