Making Our Mark

Chapter 20: Talks

The following week, Monday afternoon to be specific, brought my return to the hospital for a post-surgery checkup. My mother, despite my numerous protests, insisted on accompanying me to my scheduled appointment. She picked me up just outside the main entrance of campus and drove us to Monstropolis General Hospital. Johnny did not tag along because he was getting together with some classmates for a group project for one of their classes and Javier, well, I was avoiding him as I was unsure where we stood after our fight and I did not want to subject myself to more unnecessary stress by arguing with him again.

During his thorough examination, Doctor Cole revealed that I was healing well and that my stitches had fully dissolved. Although he gave me the green light to resume my normal routine, including teaching and dancing, he advised me to take it easy if any vigorous activity left me feeling sore in any way. Such good news, according to my mother, merited a meal out and I agreed wholeheartedly with her idea, so we decided to grab a bite to eat at a deli near Monsters University before we parted ways.

"Cheers to a successful recovery," my mother proclaimed, clinking her glass of sparkling cider against my glass of slimonade.

"I'll happily drink to that," I said before we sipped our respective beverages.

Lowering her glass back to the table, my mother said, "I'm so glad you're feeling better, sweetie."

"So am I, Mom," I replied with a sigh of relief. "I can't wait to get back to dancing."

"Speaking of which," my mother began, "are you and Dmitry planning to perform during our family's annual Clawsmas charity gala this year? After your unexpected health scare, I wasn't sure if you would be up to it."

"I'm all for it if he is," I answered. "I mean, we've done it for every Clawsmas gala since we first started dancing together. I'll give him a call once I get back to campus. I have to thank him anyway for substituting for me in my dance classes."

"Sounds good," said my mother. "I know university life must be keeping you busy, but I would appreciate your help with the logistics of the gala. I have the venue booked, but other details like the menu and the decorations need to be finalized and I know that I can always count on you."

"Whatever you need help with, Mom, I'm here for you," I promised her. Sure, it may seem like I was biting off more than I could chew, given my already packed schedule, but the gala would be a shared responsibility and not one that fell solely on my shoulders.

"And speaking of the gala, you're more than welcome to bring that dashing new boyfriend of yours, Javier, as your plus one," my mother continued, her eyes lighting up like Johnny's did when he met Earl 'the Terror' Thompson at a previous gala. "I'm sure Johnny would appreciate having a friendly face there."

I cracked a half smile at the mention of Javier's name, not wishing to divulge the incident with Javier to her. She already had a lot on her plate in terms of her responsibilities to her students and to the gala; she did not need to be burdened with my relationship drama.

Unfortunately, my feeble attempt at pretending that everything was normal did not go unnoticed by my very observant mother.

"Something wrong, sweetie?" she asked, concern evident in her question.

I nodded quickly, hoping my mother would sense my discomfort and just change the topic of conversation. "Yeah, Mom, I'm fine."

My mother paused before asking, "Is there something going on that I should know about?"

I sighed in defeat and met my mother's inquisitive gaze. "That obvious, huh?"

"Sweetie, whatever it is you're going through, chances are I've been through it before," my mother explained, smiling kindly. "I'm here if you'd like to talk about it."

I paused to consider her offer and then began, "There has been some tension at the RΩR house lately."

My mother raised her perfectly-plucked eyebrows, apparently astonished by the news that I had just dropped. "Is that so?"

I nodded again. "It's been hard living there."

"Why?" my mother asked and then followed up with, "Johnny is helping you, isn't he?"

"That's putting it lightly," I muttered and then spoke louder. "Since the surgery, none of the RΩRs let me do anything by myself, nothing. Not even simple stuff. Like, one day, I left my room and went to the kitchen for a bag of chips. I barely put one toe in the living room when Bruiser came out of nowhere and insisted that he get it for me."

"That's nice of him," my mother praised, her teacher personality shining through.

"He ate half of it before he gave it to me," I added, slumping against the back of my seat.

"Well, at least he tried to make things easier for you," my mother pointed out. "It's the thought that counts."

"But I didn't need it!" I cried, startling an older couple sitting nearby. "Goblin, Mom, you know that I'm capable of doing things on my own. Not being able to do a lot of it over the past week has really been messing with me. Before today, I didn't feel like myself anymore."

"Sweetie, I know you were recovering well from surgery, but you were not one hundred percent yet," my mother reminded me. "You can't blame your brother's frat for looking out for you. It has been a great comfort to your father and I that you have them around. Things would be much more challenging if you didn't have such support in place, especially with you being away from home."

"I'm not saying that I don't appreciate their support, I do," I told her, "but they don't know my body. I know what I can and can't do. I know I couldn't dance and Goblin knows to what extent I can now after resting for a week, but I could walk to and from class by myself. I could go out to eat with friends. Heck, I went to the computer lab with classmates to edit a video project for our class. None of that was taking a toll on my body and I'm tired of everyone thinking differently."

My mother nodded, silently taking in all that I was venting to her. "Have you shared these concerns?"

"I did with Javier," I answered, running a claw along the rim of my glass, "but we ended up getting into a huge fight over it."

"Did you really?" my mother said in surprise.

"Yeah," I admitted sheepishly. "Basically, he went on and on about doing what he does because he cares and I simply told him that he was my boyfriend, not my personal security, and I may have shouted at him to give me some space."

"And did he?" my mother asked.

I nodded, glancing down at my unused napkin rather mournfully. "We haven't spoken since."

Resting a hand gently over mine on the table, my mother said, "Sweetie, I know that you're fiercely independent and that's an amazing quality to have, but I don't want you to think that having someone to lean on makes you weak. It doesn't."

I looked up from our joined hands to meet my mother's warm eyes. "It doesn't?"

My mother shook her head. "We're monsters, not superheroes. We all need a helping hand now and then."

I let out a small laugh. "I'm better at offering help than asking for it."

"I know," said my mother, smiling warmly. "Your heart is the biggest thing about you. In fact, it's one of the reasons why Javier likes you so much."

My eyes perked up at that. "Really?"

My mother smiled softly. "He and I talked a lot while we were waiting for you to wake up from your surgery because, well, I was curious as to why he was holding your hand when your father and I first entered the room."

I blushed at that. "I've been meaning to tell you about us, Mom, but I haven't found the time to pick up the phone."

"I know, sweetie," my mother assured me. "He said that it was new, that you two had only been seeing each other for a little under a month. After speaking with him, I can see what drew you to him."

I smiled in amusement. "I actually didn't like him when we first met."

My mother laughed. "Yes, he told me that too, but I'm glad that you eventually warmed up to him. He seems like a fine, young monster who cares about you so much and thinks you hung the moon. Even your father can see that."

"Dad?" I scoffed in disbelief. "He actually cool with a monster I'm going out with?"

"Well, he didn't actually use the word 'cool'," my mother replied with a silly grin on her well-painted lips. "He simply 'mentioned' to Javier that he has no problem going back to jail."

I gaped at her use of air quotes. "Dad was never in jail before."

"No, but he's not going to tell Javier that," said my mother with a laugh.

"Oh, my," I mumbled, laughing along with her.

"Don't worry, I'm sure Javier's membership as a RΩR and the fact that he comes from a good family makes him a good candidate in your father's books," my mother explained, "but, of course, nobody is good enough for his little girl."

I smiled. "I'm not so little anymore."

"Nope, you've blossomed into a lovely young woman who I'm proud to call my daughter," said my mother with a sense of pride, "and who Javier is proud to call his girlfriend. That monster is clearly devoted to you. Sure, maybe he went a little overboard with looking out for you, but at least you know he cares. Let him know how you feel."

I sighed. "That's going to be hard. After what happened, I don't know if he can stand the sight of me."

My mother smiled sympathetically. "Remember, communication is the key to any solid relationship. Javier can't read your mind and you can't read his. Talk things out. If you like something that he does, tell him. If you don't like something that he does, tell him. Be open and honest with each other, and your relationship will be stronger for it."

I squeezed my mother's hand in gratitude. "I appreciate the talk and the advice, Mom."

"It's what I'm here for, sweetie," said my mother and then thoughtfully changed the subject to something that I was glad to talk about: how my classes were going.

Opening the door to the RΩR house with ease later in the evening told me that someone was home, but no one came out at the sound of my arrival. I was relieved at that, mainly because I still did not want to speak to Javier, not because I did not want to clear things up, but because I still needed time to figure out the right words to say. Plus, I wanted to get my stuff packed up, so I could take some of it back to my dorm when I swung by to grab my dance shoes and then just return to the RΩR house after my Latin Fusion dance class to move the rest.

Upon entering the guest room of the house, I made a beeline for the desk atop which all of my school stuff and the library books that Javier borrowed for me sat. While sliding my binders and books into a cardboard box sitting on my chair, I reached for the phone on the desk and dialled a number that had become all too familiar to me over the years. After a few rings, my call was picked up.

"Hello?"

"Dmitry, it's me," I spoke up with a smile. "I hope I'm not disturbing you."

"Not at all, Krasavitsa, how are you?"

"Great," I replied, smiling at his use of the Russian word for beautiful lady. "I got the all clear today."

"That's great news! I'm guessing you don't need me anymore?"

I laughed at the hint of teasing in his voice. "I can take over my classes from here, but I appreciate you substituting for a week."

"Anything for you, Krasavitsa. It was a lot of fun."

"Anything, eh?" I murmured playfully, sandwiching the phone within the crook of my neck, so I could use both hands to continue packing. "In that case, I was wondering if you would be interested in performing with me during my family's annual Clawsmas gala this year? My mom brought it up and I told her that I would ask you."

"Dancing with you every year is a delight, Krasavitsa. I would love to. When and where will the gala be this year?"

Recalling what my mother and I discussed over dinner, I answered, "Saturday, the twenty-first of December. Doors open at six in the evening and dinner starts at seven."

"I will let my parents know and we'll reach out to your parents for tickets. As for dance rehearsals, my schedule is probably more flexible than yours, so I'll work around yours."

I paused to consider my overly-packed schedule of classes, dance lessons, study sessions, and now gala prep to see how I could squeeze dance rehearsals into it and if anything could be rearranged. "Well, I don't teach Tuesday and Thursday nights. Any time after six works with me."

"Same with me. Any chance you can book a studio in the campus fitness center? I really love the space there."

"I'm heading over there soon to teach," I mentioned, slipping my last library book into the box. "I can look into it and see if any of them would be free on Tuesday and Thursday nights."

"Sounds good. Keep me posted."

"Will do, D," I promised. "Anyway, I'm off to teach in a bit, but I'll talk to you soon."

"Looking forward to it, Krasavitsa. Bye."

After hanging up the phone, I continued to go about packing my things, humming the tune that would be played during the upcoming dance lesson. I was looking forward to strapping on my heels and returning to the studio, a place that always brings me comfort and happiness. Goblin knows I could use it after the crazy week that I just had.

My books were packed neatly in one box and my get well soon gifts and clothes were neatly organized in another on the bed by the time Johnny decided to make his presence in the house known by stopping by the guest room.

"Hey, sis," he greeted. "When did you get in?"

"Just now," I answered, looking up to see him leaning casually against the doorframe. "I just finished packing up my things. I'll take some back to my dorm now since I have to grab my dance shoes, but I'll be back to grab the rest after my dance class ends."

"Yeah, Mom called earlier and told me you were cleared by the doctor," said Johnny, crossing his arms over the bold letters of his cashmere sweater. "You could have told me that yourself, you know."

"True, but considering how you've been acting around me since my surgery, I figured you were more likely to believe the clean bill of health if it came out of a mouth other than my own," I explained, giving him a pointed look.

Johnny paused and then nodded understandingly. "Well, you actually did a pretty decent job of kicking back whenever you could and whenever we told you to. Not once did I have to chain you to a chair and, believe me, I was prepared to do it."

"Gee, thanks a lot, bro," I said sarcastically.

Johnny chuckled and said, "All jokes aside, I'm glad you're officially back on your feet."

"Same," I agreed. "I'll be sure to drop by sometime this week to cook again. A thank you for everyone's help."

"Shish kafta burgers?" Johnny asked hopefully.

I laughed. "Only if you're still willing to barbecue them."

"Always," Johnny replied, flicking a piece of lint off of the sleeve of his sweater. "Anyway, you have time for a bite? Jav is whipping up something called seafood pamela or something for dinner."

I arched an eyebrow at the dish's name. "Seafood paella?"

"Yeah, whatever it's called," said Johnny with a careless shrug of his broad shoulders.

"That's probably it," I said with a grimace. "Pamela was the girl that you had over yesterday."

Johnny smirked cockily. "You heard that, huh?"

"I wouldn't know her name if you didn't scream it so loud," I pointed out and then shuddered in disgust. Even though Johnny did not have a girl stay the night while I was residing at the house, that did not mean that he abstained from any sex at all. Returning to the house at a poor time the day before taught me that. "I can't wait to return to the privacy of my own dorm."

Johnny chuckled. "So, is that a yay or nay to the dinner?"

"Thanks, but I had dinner with Mom before coming here," I answered, swiping my messenger bag off of my bed and checking my wristwatch for the time.

Johnny shrugged again. "Suit yourself, sis. More for me."

"Catch you later, bro," I said as I darted past him out the door, hoping to get out of the house before Javier, who I presumed was in the kitchen, could catch me. The aroma of marinated shrimp filled the air and my nostrils, which I took as my cue to make my exit unnoticed by the house's resident chef.

Without a single glance over my shoulder, I opened the front door and dived into the cool and crisp atmosphere that the evening brought.

"Good finger placement, guys," I praised the Perry twins once my beginner-level students started filing out of Studio D for the night. "It's really improving."

"Thanks to you, Danica," said Terri, wiping his forehead with his sweat-soaked headband. "Those exercises you told us to try are really helping."

"No kidding," said Terry, smirking at his brother. "Terri does them as we walk to and from campus and from class to class."

"Says the monster who does them in the living room while reading his novels for class," said Terri, eyeing his twin knowingly.

I laughed at that. "I admire your dedication, guys, really I do."

Swinging his and his brother's duffel bag over his shoulder, Terri said, "Can't believe that Clawsmas will be here soon."

"I know," I said, unhooking my laptop from the sound system. "I actually have to go over photos of the venue for my family's annual Clawsmas charity gala and start planning a layout, decor, and all that."

"When will you be going home for that?" Terry asked curiously.

I paused to recall my schedule for December and then answered, "My last final is on the nineteenth, so I'll be heading home for the break the next day, only one day before the gala. Why?"

"We're throwing a little party at our place to celebrate Clawsmas and the end of finals before we all head home to our families," Terry explained. "You should come."

"Sounds fun," I said eagerly. "When?"

"Same day as your last final," Terry replied. "It starts at six, right after Art's last final ends."

"I can do that," I said with a nod, making a mental note to have my Clawsmas gifts for Oozma Kappa chosen and wrapped by the date of the party. "Should I bring anything?"

Terri shook his head. "Just yourself and a party attitude. Ms. Squibbles always makes too much food."

"We all end up taking the leftovers home with us," Terry added.

A knock at the studio door diverted our attention to someone's unanticipated arrival: Javier's. His demeanor was calm, casual, and laid-back as though he was leisurely chilling outside of a building on campus, so I was pretty sure that he did not drop by to aggressively confront me about our argument from several days ago. Of course, I could have been wrong and he was doing a fantastic job at masking how he was really feeling.

"Hey," I greeted, knowing full well that the twins were not going to say anything to him.

"Don't mean to interrupt, amor," said Javier, slowly slipping into the room, "but I was hoping we could talk."

Not missing the looks of alarm on the faces of the twins, I nodded, taking Javier's term of endearment for me as another sign that he was no longer angry with me. "Of course."

Terri and Terry, bless their souls, either knew when privacy was warranted or finally snapped out of their frozen trances to realize that they were physically too close in proximity to a RΩR for their liking.

"You know," said Terry with a meaningful look at his brother, "I could use a nice cup of tea before we head back home."

"I could go for a hot chocolate myself," Terri declared loudly as though he was announcing his candidacy for President of Oozma Kappa. "Let's stop by the cafeteria."

"An excellent idea!" Terry chimed in a bit too enthusiastically.

"Thanks for the class, Danica!" said Terri, giving me a wave as he and Terri headed for the door at a quickened pace.

I smiled at them awkwardly and waved until they disappeared out the door, leaving me alone with Javier. I did not blame them for not sticking around. Even though they supported our relationship, it did not make them any more comfortable being in the presence of a RΩR, especially when they had no need to be.

When I looked back at Javier to see him still watching me in silence, the guilt that I felt the night we argued returned to flood my insides. Any words of apology that I had ready to give to him got lost in all the guilt and, apparently, so did my voice.

After an unknown amount of time (I refused to look at my watch), Javier breathed, "Amor – "

"Don't," I interrupted, my voice cracking upon its forced return. "There's no need to – "

"Sí, there is," Javier insisted as he began to slowly approach me. "I know I took things a little too far and – "

"You were only looking out for me," I pointed out. "You meant well and I shouldn't have snapped at you for that."

"Well, I should have known better," Javier admitted, stopping his approach when he was standing directly in front of me "You're one tough cookie, amor. I guess I just got too protective and forgot that."

I gazed up at him fondly. "I'll admit, I got annoyed being fussed over, but it's nice to know that there's always going to be one more monster looking out for me. Know that I'm grateful, even if I didn't exactly show it over the last week."

Javier smiled softly. "So, are we cool?"

"As ice," I answered, smiling coyly and sliding past him to go fetch my bag from its cubby, only to squeal loudly when I found myself scooped into Javier's arms.

Javier chuckled at my reaction as my arms flew around his neck to support myself.

"Jav, put me down!" I demanded with a laugh. "I have to pack up."

"Give me a kiss and I will," said Javier, smiling cheekily.

"Jav, seriously, Violet's hip-hop class starts in less than half an hour," I explained, using a more serious tone of voice. "I need to clear my stuff."

"One kiss, amor," Javier bargained, "and then I'll let you go."

"Goblin, you're annoying," I muttered with an exasperated smile.

"Just one," Javier tried again, studying my face with a grin.

Despite my smile, I sighed and pulled him in for a kiss. Even though we had not spoken for only four days, it felt like much longer since we last kissed and, if I was being honest, I missed doing that. Of course, given the huge size of his ego, I was not going to tell him that.

Breaking the kiss after a lingering moment, Javier smirked and whispered, "That's my girl."

"I gotta say, this is a nice change," I murmured, gently tracing his lips with the tip of my claw.

"What is?" Javier asked.

"This," I replied, gesturing to my curled-up body. "The spontaneity that being with you brings. The life of a porcelain doll is just not for me."

Javier chuckled. "You're no porcelain doll, amor, just a warrior Queen who needed a little downtime."

I smiled, feeling my stomach rumble as my feet found its way to the floor again. "Well, this warrior Queen is hungry. Dancing really works up an appetite, you know."

"Sí," Javier agreed. "I have some leftover seafood paella from dinner that you can have, that is, if Bruiser didn't clean the pan after I left."

I laughed. "Jav, you sure know a way to a girl's heart."

"Only to yours," said Javier with a playful wink.