I stood there, stunned, for a second. What did she say? What was that supposed to mean? Was I just reading into everything she said now? Or did that actually have some significance? Why was I standing on the sidewalk playing Twenty Questions with myself? Then I looked up and remembered why. Letty.
She was busy making her way back to the house. By the time I was actually able to pull it together enough to walk, she was a good bit ahead. I saw her outline as she made her way down the sidewalk. A mixture of the streetlights and the moonlight allowed me a pretty good view of her ass, so I kept my distance, enjoying the view. This had been one crazy night. I was glad that things were okay between us. I was also extremely glad that Letty had not slept with Zack. Mia was right. I wouldn't tell her that she was right, but it was good to know.
I turned the corner up the driveway and noticed that Letty made her way through the side door and into the basement. I had almost forgotten about Vince, Leon, and Jesse. I passed by my new car and smiled. I had beaten Tran. And, if Zack hadn't done anything with Letty, I had pretty much schooled him too.
I heard the music still blaring from the basement as I opened the door. A pyramid of beer cans made a nice display on the coffee table. I looked around the room. Jesse was asleep on one chair, Leon on another, and Vince was still drinking. That was my boy. He was a trooper. I knew him well enough to know that the drama outside was motivation enough to keep him awake. He wanted to know what happened. I couldn't blame him.
"What the hell went down out there? You went outside to watch Jesse smoke a cigarette like two hours ago," he slurred as I went and sat beside him on the couch.
"It ain't been that long," I brushed him off. Two hours? Well, maybe. Who was keeping track of time anymore?
"Yeah, probably was. But that don't matter. That ain't my point. I heard you yellin', Letty yellin', fuckin' even Mia yellin'. What's…what's going on?" he asked, trying to pull it together and be coherent. He wasn't fooling anybody.
"Where's Letty?" I asked. I had watched her walk in but she was no where in sight.
"Bed. She said she's goin' to bed. But you didn't answer me," he said using a great deal of hand motions to emphasize his points. I loved drunk Vince.
I hesitated. How to verbalize this? I was tired of talking to people tonight.
"I asked her if she'd slept with Zack," I finally let out.
He laughed, "I'm sure that went over well."
"You heard all the yellin'. You know exactly how well it didn't go," I replied.
"So she just started yelling after you asked her?" he probed drunkenly.
"Not exactly," I started. "She wouldn't answer. I just couldn't let it go. The more she didn't answer the more I thought that maybe she had."
"Dude you don't listen to nobody. I already told you that she don't like him. She ain't going to go off and sleep with him," Vince blurted out.
"I know. I just had to find out for myself. Guess I didn't really handle it the best way. But, least I know now,"
"And?" he pressed.
"And…she didn't," I said, feeling somewhat beaten.
"Told ya," he replied smiling.
"Yeah, alright, shut up," I responded.
"So things cool now?" he inquired.
"I guess," I shrugged.
"That's all that happened? That's not a very good story," he said disappointed.
"Sorry to let ya down. She did say something weird at the end," I said. Maybe even in a drunken state Vince could help me make heads or tails of what she'd said. He was really my only source right now.
"What?" he asked, excited.
"She said something like that I 'had it bad'," I repeated.
"Yeah. I think she's probably right," he laughed.
"So you think that means she knows, huh?"
"Well you don't exactly hide it well, bro. And after you getting so pissed about her maybe sleeping with another dude. Yeah, I'd say she's probably got a pretty good idea."
"Hm."
"So you may as well quit dickin' around."
"You still dating that one chick?" I asked, turning this around.
"Kelly? I don't know," he said, throwing up his hands in confusion.
I smiled. So I guess I wasn't the only one that was confused about relationships. Nothing like the pot calling the kettle black. Relationships. They sure were complicated. No wonder I had run from them for so long. Relationships had to get easier outside of high school.
"How do you not know?"
"She fucking called me the other day just pissed. Screamin' and shit," he informed, looking around. I followed his gaze. I didn't know what he could be looking for. I was pretty sure that Kelly wasn't here.
"So…why? What did you do?" I said, trying to grab his attention back to the conversation.
"Me? Nah, it's not me. Kelly thinks I been sleeping with Maria."
"Maria who?"
"Martinez."
"Nice," I smiled. She was hot.
"Yeah, I know," he responded, also smiling.
"Did you?"
"Yeah," he confirmed.
"How's she know?"
"Don't know. How do girls just know shit? She said that she heard," he said. He was still slurring and it was hard not to laugh.
"Heard from who?"
"Don't know."
"Easy solution, man. Just deny it," I said, offering up the advice that I would probably take myself.
"I don't think it's that simple."
"Is unless you complicate it. Ain't nothing hard about 'nah, baby, I wouldn't do that'," I said, giving him an example. Vince worked best when given examples.
"Yeah, 'cept she don't believe it."
"Find out who told her. Just lie about it. It'll go away," I reassured. Pristine advice.
"Think that'll work?"
"Yeah, so long as you do it right."
"Think Letty's gonna to buy that shit when you two start dating?"
I hadn't even thought about that.
"Letty don't believe shit I say anyway. If I told her the sky was blue she'd try to call me out on it. And, she'd definitely try to kick my ass if she did find out I's lying to her about something. For safety reasons, I probably couldn't even chance it with her," I said. Translation being, I wouldn't want to cheat on Letty. I couldn't stand to hurt her like that. Granted, she would try to fight me, I had not doubt about that. But, it went above and beyond that. And, apart from Letty, I couldn't imagine wanting to be with anyone else. But that was a translation for me alone.
Vince grinned. "Going exclusive on me, huh?"
"Ain't nothing happened yet."
"It's hard to teach an old dog new tricks."
"Speaking from experience, Coyote?"
Vince chuckled.
"I'd feel bad hurting her though. I mean wouldn't you want to kick someone's ass that hurt Letty?"
"Hell yeah. Like that Diego punk," he said, getting much louder.
"Yeah, so what if it was me, though?"
"Probably have to kick your ass."
"Dream on," I rolled my eyes at him. I hadn't ever fought Vince but it would be a pretty even battle at this point.
"Nah I see your point though. It's different. It's Letty," Vince replied. Then, he plastered on the most sarcastic grin before saying, "that's sweet."
"You gonna make comments like that the whole time we're together?"
He thought for a second. "Probably not. Guess it depends on how long y'all are together. It'll get old eventually."
"I think it's getting pretty old now."
"Don't really matter if you never actually get with her. So what's your plan?"
"Don't really got a plan."
"You should. Get some strategy going. Play a little offense."
"Dude I can't even think right now. What time is it? Is that the sun coming up?"
"Yeah," he responded. Vince looked around the room and commented, "guess these guys are crashing here."
"That's cool. I don't care."
"Man Leon, don't guess you got to talk to him too much, you were too busy dealing with your lady. But, he's a cool dude."
"Yeah. Jesse's pretty badass too. Have to put them to work in the garage and see if any kind of magic happens," I said, starting to stand up off the couch.
"Dawg you look like shit. If I hadn't seen Zack too, I'd think you got your ass beat," he smiled.
"Does it really look that bad?"
He nodded.
"Shit," I said, touching the already tender spots on my face. It make me wince.
"Big daddy Toretto is gonna to be pissed."
"Yeah," I agreed. "Listen, I'm gonna crash. I'll catch you in the morning."
"Word," Vince said, spreading out on the couch as I made my way towards the steps. "Hey yo," he called out to me as I started ascending the staircase.
"Hm?"
"Awesome job with Tran," he said, almost asleep.
"Yeah, thanks brother," I smiled proudly.
I made my way up the stairs. I had so much on my mind I could barely think. When I reached the upstairs I looked down the hall. Small rays of early sunlight were beginning to fill the foyer. I saw the door to Letty's room. I leaned against the wall, just looking at it. She was sleeping in there. I wanted to go in. I wanted to see her, hold her. But, that would not be the right thing to do. I needed to go to bed.
I took a deep breath and opened my bedroom door. I turned on the light, almost hoping to see Letty sleeping on my floor. She wasn't. With a sigh of disappointment, I turned off my light and climbed into bed.
-
"Dominic, get up!" I heard my Dad yell from downstairs.
I felt like I'd just gone to sleep about an hour ago. Oh, I was tired. It was not time to get up. It was time to keep sleeping. I rolled over and did just that.
"I'm not going to tell you again, boy. Get up," Dad said.
I could tell that he was in my room. I rolled over and tried to open my eyes. It was definitely a struggle. I finally got them open and yawned big. I blinked, trying to block out the sunlight that was overwhelming.
"What happened to you?" he asked astounded.
"When?" I managed to groan out. I had no clue what he was asking me.
"Did you get in a fight?"
Oh, yeah. Shit. I had gotten in a fight. I guess sleeping about an hour or so didn't do much to cover up that fact. I stretched. I felt my hand throb. As I woke up, I remembered all of the night's escapades. I hit a wall. With my fist. In retrospect, it hadn't been the best choice. I felt it this morning. Ouch. It hurt. So did my left cheek. So did my entire body because I was so tired. Hindsight, 20/20.
"Sort of," I responded.
"How do you sort of get into a fight?" he asked.
"Dad, I can't even think right now. Let me wake up first," I told him.
"You best get to it," he said.
Oh. Why was he being such an ass? I yawned again. I wanted to roll back over and fall asleep. I knew that wasn't an option. I didn't want him to have him tell me again. I knew he wouldn't be as nice about it the third time.
"Which one of your buddies left their car here last night?" he asked as he was heading for the doorway.
"Huh?"
Their car? Who left their car? I had no idea what he was talking about. He knew Vince's car. Who else was here? Jesse, Leon. They didn't drive over here. Wait, yes they did. Leon drove my car. He was asking about Tran's car. My car. The Nissan.
"The car, Dominic. Who's car?"
"Oh, it's mine."
"Yours?"
"Give me like five minutes. I'll come talk to you. I got to wake up."
He walked over to the door, opening it and leaving. He didn't bother to close the door I noticed.
I had no idea how long it took me to stand up. But, eventually I did. I had to catch my balance and my head started to pound. I hadn't had that much to drink, but I guess a lack of sleep will also do that to you. I made my way downstairs. I was so tired. I felt like I was sleepwalking. I entered the kitchen. Letty was sitting at the table eating cereal. She looked fine- very fine in her tiny shorts and tank top. Vince was a different story. He looked like I did, exhausted. He also looked pretty hungover. I looked at the clock, almost 11. I guess I had slept a little more than an hour, but not much more.
"Look what the cat dragged in," Letty commented.
I didn't react. I walked over to the coffee maker and poured a cup. I took a sip. It burned my lip but my nerves and reflexes were still sleeping so it didn't make a difference.
"Well you guys must have had some night," Dad said, looking back and forth between Vince and I.
I shrugged. He didn't really want to know.
"Alright, so I'm excited about this story Dom," Dad said enthusiastically. How could he have so much energy?
"Where's Mia?" I asked. I wasn't intentionally trying to change the subject. But if it ended up being a byproduct I would not be disappointed.
"She went to church with your aunt," he responded.
Church? It was Sunday. That meant I had to go to school tomorrow. That sucked.
"Dominic, you were about to tell me a really interesting story. I'm waiting."
With this statement, Letty and Vince both looked up. I guess they wanted to hear an interesting story too.
"Can we maybe talk about this alone?" I asked, avoiding making eye contact with either of them.
"Dude, it's cool. I ain't been home in a few days. I think I'm gonna go put in an appearance. I'll catch up with you later," Vince said. He got up from the table, rubbing the stubble on his face. He made his way out of the room.
"Alright, man. I'll check you later," I called out to him. I heard the door close behind him.
"And, I'm just going to go because this looks like it could get uncomfortable. I'm not really down with that," Letty said, taking her bowl over to the sink and then leaving the room.
"Wow, they sure cleared out quick. So, what all do you need to tell me?" he said. He took a seat at the table and pulled out a chair for me.
"It's not that big of a deal," I said, sitting beside him. This felt like an interrogation. I didn't think it was fair. I was still asleep. I could not come up with a lie that quickly in this drowsy state of mind.
"There's a strange car in the driveway, two random people downstairs, Vince looks like he's been hit by a bus, your face is bruised, lip cut, and your hand is torn to hell. I can't wait to hear how this isn't a big deal," he responded.
I hesitated. Damn. Perceptive fellow.
"Whenever you're ready," he said, taking a sip of his coffee.
"So we went to the races last night," I started. I didn't make it too far before I was interrupted by the guy who just had to hear the whole, interesting story.
"You know how I feel about that. You get arrested, Dom, and it's over," he butted in.
"Dad, it was fine," I said. I was a teenager. Everything was fine. The only thing that wasn't fine was being hassled by parents when you were really, really tired.
"Alright," he relented.
"So, Johnny Tran was there. And I been doing real good against him the past couple weeks, you know? But, he challenged me. He wanted to race for pinks. I wasn't going to do it. But, I couldn't not do it. There were just too many people around, everyone knew what was goin' on. I just couldn't back down."
"Dom…," he started to say. Two could play the interrupting game, though.
"Dad, let me finish. So we ended up racin' and I won. That's where the car came from. I won it, free and clear. Got the slip and everything," I said, trying to show my excitement through my fatigue.
"You planning on payin' the insurance for that extra car?" he said.
That was such a dad-point to make. Nothing like parents to bring a fucking monsoon on your parade.
"I hadn't really gotten that far yet," I said. It happened less than twelve hours ago. Of course, I had not even considered something as tedious as insurance.
"I can tell," he responded.
"Come on. Don't take this from me," I pleaded.
I knew Dad understood a lot more than he was willing to let on most of the time. From the stories I had heard from his buddies at the garage, he did the same things when he was in high school. That was how I knew I could tell him. He never got too mad at me when the stunts I pulled mirrored the ones he used to pull back in his day.
"Dominic, once upon a time I was young too. I understand why you did it. But that just goes back to what I keep talking to you about. You don't think things through. You could have lost your car. Then what? Johnny Tran's got that kind of money to throw around. You don't. I know it seems like it's all about appearances to you right now. But responsibility falls a lot deeper than that," he lectured.
Responsibility. I hated that word. Parents always used it against you. I was responsible. I had won a car. That sounded pretty freaking responsible to me.
"Dad, I thought about it. And, I had to do it. You can understand that, right?"
"I can understand it. That doesn't mean that I didn't wish you would have made a better decision."
"Ugh,"I sighed. Yeah, yeah.
"So, what about the fight?" he asked.
"Oh yeah," I said. Too bad he didn't just forget. He had a memory like an elephant.
"Who did you get in a fight with? It wasn't Johnny was it? I don't want Dr. Tran calling here," he said.
"No, it wasn't Johnny," I told him.
"Who then?"
"Zack."
"I thought you guys were friends."
"We were."
"You going to keep going with that story, son?"
I rubbed my head. I would have preferred not to. But, I knew that sentence only had a question mark when it was on paper. It wasn't actually a question. It wasn't really optional.
"It was over a girl," I begrudgingly said.
My dad smiled. "What girl?" he asked knowingly.
Jesus.
"Just a girl," I said bluntly.
"Does she live in this house?" he continued to smile.
"Dad," I groaned. I wasn't in a very good mood, clearly.
"Alright. I won't make you tell me. It's not like I don't know anyway. But you know what would make this a lot simpler?"
"Yes." I knew what he was going to say. It was the same thing that everyone was saying to me. Tell her.
"Just tell her," he said.
I still felt the same way about telling her as I did the last time I heard it, less than twelve hours ago.
"I know."
"But, Dominic, and this is very serious so you listen to me. She is young. She's been through a lot. I know you care about her. And I am sure that she cares about you too. But you be careful. You be responsible with this, son. And take things, real slow. Don't think I don't know what some of your past relationships, or whatever you kids are calling them, have been like. Not exactly slow. That is not gong to happen here, with her. You hear me?" he warned.
"I hear you, Dad."
"And if I hear otherwise…"
"I get it," I stopped him. I wouldn't hurt her. I knew my reputation may speak otherwise. But, I knew me. And I knew that I could be more than my reputation allowed.
"I know I'm gone a lot and she sleeps here. If you take advantage of that you have no idea how disappointed I will be in you. I will ring you up by your neck, boy," he said.
"It's not about that," I assured him.
"I know. And that's the only reason I'm allowing it to happen."
"Alright."
"Dominic, I need to know that you can handle things when I'm not here. I need to know that you can be a man. I've been gone a lot at races. And, I'm going to be gone a lot more. You have to step up and take my place when I'm not here. That means taking care of the house, the shop, of your sister, and of Letty. And, you have to take care of yourself. But, Mia and Letty, they come first, Dom. And always should. You get it?"
"I get it," I responded. And, I did. I wanted to always put them first.
"You aren't a kid anymore. I need you to be the kind of man I can respect."
"I will be. I wanna be," I told him. And, truthfully, I wanted nothing more.
"You can be. You still seem to be having some difficulty with thinking, but I think that you have a pretty good idea of what it takes to be a man."
I nodded.
"You need to go to bed earlier, too," he said, pulling that parent card again.
"Okay," I groaned.
"And how about those guys downstairs. They friends of yours? I hadn't never seen them around here before."
"Oh, yeah. They're new, I guess. They're good guys though."
"That's fine. I just wanted to check. You have your sister sleeping right upstairs. You don't let anyone stay in this house that you don't trust around her."
"Not an issue with these guys," I reassured him.
"Okay. I'm going to trust you, Dominic. Don't make me regret it."
"I won't," I promised him.
"Did you do your homework this weekend?" he asked.
Jesus Christ. Homework? We weren't going to enter that arena. I'd given him a lot of information. I wasn't about to get into school too. I rolled my eyes and stood up. I grabbed my cup of coffee and headed out of the kitchen, back to my bed.
"Well you get it done before tomorrow morning," he called out, partly laughing, as I darted out of the room.
"Sure thing," I responded. I didn't think I'd even brought my book bag home. Guess I couldn't do my homework. One less thing to worry about. Maybe after some sleep I would try to work on that plan Vince had been referring to.
TBC
---
AJ