I slam the front door of my dad's house and go immediately to the bedroom I share with AJ and Ty and lay down on my bed, turning up the volume of the music in my Ipod but after three minutes someone take my headphones off.
-Can you explain to me why you enter the house in that way and you didn't greet me, Lisa or your siblings?
My dad looks at me with a stern look that I rarely see on him and it scares me.
-This week that, as you know, Callie is in L.A with Angie I went to see Talya at her house and once there and after half an hour she told me that she is confused and think she has feelings for someone else and…–I touch my hair in a frustrating way, I do it every time I am mad or nervous- she broke up with me, dad! Fuck, last week I told Callie that we were so good together; I am so in love with her dad! What I am supposed to do now?
My dad touch my hair trying to put it in place and then he give me a hug and I cry, I cry and I am not ashamed of that because my parents taught me that crying is not a girl's thing, I can cry because I have feelings and right now my heart is broken. After ten minutes like that he let go of me.
-You needed that hug, believe me, I know what you are feeling right now. Your mom and I broke up because she was also confused and having feelings for someone else. And at first it hurts, and you think you hate her, that she is the devil, that you don't want to ever see or talk to her again, but that's the process of a break up –I indeed don't want to talk with her again but I would never hate her- but what would you prefer? That she told you the truth or she cheating on you?
-Of course I prefer this but the thing is that I don't understand, we were good together dad. We go out on dates, we kissed, danced, I even composed songs to her and…and dad…we have sex, we lose our virginities together three months ago and it was perfect…that's why I don't understand.
I can see the surprise in my father face, he is the first person, well, parent, that I confide this to and I can understand his shyness.
-You have to talk with her about this more because knowing you I'm sure that you asked her once, she said I am sure and you stormed out of the house –I grin at him surprised at how much he knows me – you are just like your mother and I. You mentioned sex B…
-yeah dad…Don't worry, moms gave me the talk when I started dating Talya and I can tell you that I used protection every time, asked her if she was sure, I was also sure and I was gentle.
My dad smiles at me and pats my back. I know that he is proud of me but he can't say "I´m proud of you for having sex, son", not specially at his 15 years old son that lost his virginity at 14.
-Ok, now that we have talked, you are better? –I nod, I have a clearer mind and I know I have to talk more with Talya- Great, now you need to go to the living room and say hi to Lisa, brother and sister.
I do as my dad say and greet this part of my family. We watch Mary Poppins because Maia insisted. Half an hour into the movie I receive a text: "Hey B, how is everything at dad's? In L.A everything is great, Angie and I still trying to hide everything-Cal"
"At dad everything is cool, with Talya not. I really miss you right now-B"
And seconds later my sister is calling me, I excuse myself from my family and go to the girls room and sit down in Callie's bed.
-Hey twin.
-Hi B, what happened? Are you ok? I have to kill Talya, right?
-Sh, slow down sis, I went to see her at her house today and after half an hour she told me that she was confused, have feelings for someone else and that we have to break up. I asked if she was sure and when she nodded I left the house, I was mad and sad and…more feelings that I can't explain right now. No, I am not ok but I am better after talking with dad and…please, don't kill her, I still love her you know!
-Wow, I am sorry B, you looked so good together…and I am sorry that I can't be there for you.
-Don't be silly, you have a great time with your girlfriend. You would laugh at what I have to tell you now.
-What?
-I confessed that I am not a virgin to dad.
My sister gasps and laughs at the other end of the phone
-I can't believe you, and what was his response? NO WAIT, he was surprised but proud at the same time, right?
-yeah… Everything ok in L.A?
-Yes, I would send some pictures to you later. Sorry but I have to go B, I love you and tell me what happen when you talk with Talya TOMORROW, ok?
-Ok, ok. Bye Cal, I love you too.
AFAFAFAFAFAFAFAFAFAFAFAF
Talya and I are sitting in a bench of a park near my father's house so I can be home in half an hour for the family dinner with my paternal grandparents. I am nervous, my hands are sweaty and I can't stop moving my leg. She puts her hand on my leg to stop it and smiles at me.
-B, look, it's not that I don't love you anymore, I still love you but I have spent a lot of time with Lucas and I am starting to have strange feelings for him and…I know I am hurting you but I don't want to…I would want for us to be like a year ago when everything was ok but now, I am different Brandon….can you understand me?
-Eh…-it's like I have no words anymore –Eh…yeah, I think I can understand you, you need to explore this feelings with Lucas and be more focused in other aspects of your life, and I understand that have a long time relationship at 15 can be…exhausting –I grab her hand- I still love you, you have no idea how much I still love you but…you have to understand that I would move on too and probably one day you would want to be with me again and probably, just probably, I would not be available.
She cries and hugs me and I cry a little too, this is our good bye, I am sure we would be friends one day in the future but right now we need to be as far away from the other as possible.
I kiss her goodbye when we are by my father's door and she left, she probably would be crying more tonight but like my father said yesterday is the process of breaking up.
I enter my second home and dad hugs me, we don't need words, just affection. I have a shower, put my shirt, jeans and smart shoes and go with Dad, Lisa, AJ, Maia and Ty to see my grandparents. We go to an Italian, of course, my grandmother is Italian.
-How are you doing Brandon?
-I am great grandma, have great marks, I am progressing in piano and have a great life.
-I am so proud of you B, and how is that girlfriend of yours?
I suddenly can't speak and a few tears go to my eyes but my father rescue me –They broke up yesterday mom.
-Oh, I am so sorry dear –My grandma that is near me, hugs me and give me a kiss and whisper: you would find another girl, you are a handsome boy
-Where is Callie, Michael?
-She is in L.A spending the week off with her best friend and her family.
-Oh, the weekend that she should be with you and that we came to visit?
-Mother, she has been waiting for this day for moths and you would be here next weekend when she came back for her trip, you can see her.
-She is with that Aaron boy too?
-No, they break up two or three weeks ago but she said she is happier now.
I smile at the image of my sister with Angie as a couple and can't wait to see my father reaction when Callie told him she is a lesbian too.
My phone ring and is my mom –Excuse me, I have to pick this, is mom and must be important.
I stand up ignoring my grandparents looks and go to the hall to talk with my mom.
-Hello mom
-Hi B, how are you?
-Well…Dad or Callie talked to you?
-yeah baby boy, I am sorry but you would find another girl soon, don't worry. But please don't hurry too much, you are too young yet.
-Ok, don't worry mom, I am less sad than yesterday. This is why you are calling? I am in the middle of a family dinner with grandparents.
-Oh, Daniel and Paula are in town?
-Yeah, so happy about it.
We laugh at my irony
-Don't be rude, they love you and your sister a lot. We were calling because we have something to tell you, wait, I am going to put mama on speaker –after half a minute I hear their two voices on the phone – YOU HAVE A CONCERT IN TWO WEEKS WITH THE JUNIOR ORCHESTRA BABY!
I can't believe their words, I can't believe this is happening to me –Are you serious?
-Yes Brandon, I am, grandpa Stuart talked with some people and they would let you perform with them but you have to practice a lot, ok?
-Ok, thanks moms, I would see you on Wednesday
-Yeah baby, we would send you the music sheet in an hour, have fun and we love you and miss you.
-I love you and miss you too.
I return to the table happier than when I left and my Lisa notices it: B, you seem happier, what did your moms say?
-That…my grandpa Stuart talked with some people and I would be performing at the junior orchestra in two weeks
My father stands up and hugs me tight, the same with A.J, Ty and Lisa. Maia smiles at me from her sit near grandpa.
-We are so proud of you son!
I look at my grandmother and she has a strange expression on her face: I still don't understand why you call that man grandfather if he is not your grandfather; he is not related to you.
-Well, grandmother, I have to remember you that my mother Stef and my MOTHER Lena had been together all my life, literally, their anniversary is the same day as mine and Callie's birthday so you have to accept the fact that I live with both of them, Lena make me breakfast and dinner, take me to school, has always help me with my homework and has disciplined me as much as my biological mom and dad so her parents, grandpa Stuart and grandma Dana, are my grandparents also. I have three parents, one step-mother, six grandparents and eight siblings and I am happy.
At my grandparents silence I decide to continue my speech because I really need them to understand.
-Dad and mom had had a good relationship even in the early beginning of their break up, they even work together. Dad and momma didn't get along well at first but now they are friends, they talk and even laugh. Moms and Lisa get along pretty good and when Lisa was pregnant with Maia they helped her a lot. Callie and I spend two weekends at dad's house, and one evening every other week when we go have dinner, to the movies or watch sports in his house. Dad pays my piano classes and Callie's guitar lessons and he help with our food support. I am a polite, sincere, respectful and happy guy that is fulfilling his dream of becoming a pianist. I have great marks and lots of friends. My life is great so I still don't know why you just can be happy if Callie and I are happy.
My grandfather's starts speaking: I have no problem with your mothers Brandon; they are very great people even if I don't like their lifestyle. You and Callie are healthy, have great marks and are very normal children.
-Yeah, the same, the same.
After that I stayed quiet the rest of the dinner and when I get home I told Callie all that happened with Talya and the concert. We talked for 20 minutes until Angie came to the room and we said goodbye.
I can't wait for the orchestra in two weeks.
AFAFAFAFAFAFAFAFAFAFAFAFAFAFAFAFAF
Grandma Dana gives me a new suit for the concert with the junior orchestra. It's black so I put on my withe shirt and black tie and make my hair but soon Mariana is with me in the bathroom.
-No Brandon, please, don't do your hair that way, please, let me, let me- so I let her do my hair and the result is very handsome so I give her a kiss on the cheek – You like it?
-Yeah, thank you Mari
I go downstairs and all my family is waiting for me, grandpa pay for moms, dad, Lisa, grandma Sharon, grandma Dana, his, Jude and Callie's tickets because the rest didn't like classical music. At first the rest of my siblings and my grandpa Frank thought I would be mad but I am not, I respect that they don't like classical music and I don't want grandpa getting ruined because of all the sits he have to pay for.
-B, photos, photos! First you would get the photo with your grandparents, then with mama, dad and I, then with mama and I, then with Dad and Lisa and then with your siblings.
After a round of photographs we get in the car and into the auditorium where the concerts would take place: my family goes to their sits and I meet the rest of the members for the second time. Their official pianist is in the hospital and that's why I am doing this. I wish Talya can be here.
For these two weeks we have been separated, we just say hi to each other in school and we have not talked more than that but yesterday I told her what is going to happen today and she wishes me good luck. I want to at least be friends with her again. But now is not the moment to be thinking about her.
It's time to perform.
AFAFAFAFAFAFAFAFAFAFAF
In the past year I have been in a rollercoaster with Talya, on and off in our relationship, now friends, then we are back together and then we are not again so two months ago when I found that she had cheated on me after we get back for the fourth time, I decided not to be this dumb again and I break up with her forever. My marks have increased and I am the first one in the piano lessons again.
I think Mariana is starting something with Mat because she insisted that Callie and I go with her to Someone's Little Sister's concert. Angie would come, of course. I accepted, because I know how great of a musician Mat is and I am curious about this group. At 7 Callie, Mariana and I are in mama's Volvo that they give to us after Grandpa Frank give them a Toyota as a present for their anniversary. I am driving to Angelica's house that is at the corner of our house and when she is finally in the car we head to the bar where the group would be playing. Mariana and I have disgusted looks on our faces because of our sister making out in the back with her girlfriend of a year. Finally we arrive at our destination but they don't notice it.
-Hey, love birds! We are here! Do you want to wait in the car? –I see them looking at each other and smirking –Eh!
-That would be great actually, we would be in time for the concert, we promise!
I roll my eyes and let them the car keys. Thank God the Volvo is spacious so they can have plenty of room for sex or whatever they want to do. Mariana and I enter the bar after ten minutes of queuing and we meet with Mat. My sister gives him a very long hug that I don't like too much but then a beautiful girl with brown hair and brown beautiful eyes came to us.
-Mat, we have to do some practice, are you coming or what?
-Lou, would you be polite enough to say hi to our guests. This is my…friend Mariana and this is her brother Brandon. Brandon, I though Callie and Angie were coming, Wyatt, Lucas and Paul are here also.
-They are late….they would be here soon…I hope.
-Oh, ok, I hope that too.
Lou gives me a kiss on the cheek-My name is Lou, nice to meet you.
And with that she left. Mariana gives me conversation that to me seems irrelevant but I am a little confused with that kiss and when the concert stars I can't stop looking at Lou or hearing her voice, brilliant, beautiful. I want to know this girl.
-You like it, right?
-Yeah Mari, they are very good but I think they would do better with the piano, the music would be even more melodical –I look at the door and there are Callie and Angie, Callie's lips are swollen and Angie have her curly hair so…messy –Here they are the lovely couple.
After one hour of concert Mat get down the stage and give Mariana a kiss on the lips that left no doubt about the state of their relationship. Wow. I don't like it but before I can stop them I feel a tap on my shoulder and when I turn around Lou is by my side.
-Mat told me that you play the piano –I nod- What kind of music?
-Classic, I have always loved classic but I know how to play almost any type of music. Why?
-I want to have some piano in our group, Jasper is not too happy about it but Mat agrees with me. Think about it, open your mind and call us so we can practice together and look how it looks.
-Ok, I would.
She gives me her card, we talked some more about the concert and then she says goodbye with a wink.
AFAFAFAFAFAFAFAFAFAFAFAFAFAF
One week after her offer I call Lou and tell her that I would like to play with them. I would not let classical away but I want to do something different and if it is with that beautiful girl by my side, go for it. I suppose that in college I would have to play every type of music anyway.
-You have space in your house where we can practice?
-yeah, you can come home and we can practice in the garage. Is pretty big.
-Ok, we would see you at 4 there, ok? Or you prefer at 7 after dinner?
-4 would be ok.
-Perfect.
At 4 I am already warning my siblings to be out of the way. We practice and it sounds pretty good. At 5:30 they are out but Lou decide to stay for a little bit more, we talk about her passions for art and music, how she discovered them, about her family problems and soon we are kissing. When we are lying on the sofa I hear the door of the garage open and 10 years old Angie and 11 years old Jude enter the room.
-B, stops kissing that girl and come have dinner!
- Angie is here so probably this girl can stay too, right Frankie?
-Dunno, probably.
They left and Lou chuckle –How many fucking siblings do you have?
-Oh, well, Callie is my twin sister, Mariana is 15, Jesus is 13, Frankie is 10 and Jude is 11. They are from moms side. Then is A.J that is 12, Ty that's 18 and Maia that's 7 from Dad side.
She opens her eyes and said wow, that's a lot.
-Yeah well, I like family.
We say goodbye and I head to the kitchen to have dinner with a smile on my face. Probably this relationship is going to be good.
AFAFAFAFAFAFAFAFAFA
Yeah, I was right, today I was in Lou's house practicing after three months of being in the group and with her and I am completely happy. She is independent but like to spend a lot of time with me, she is not too romantic but sometimes like to do romantic things. We compose the best songs together and we can discuss almost everything. Oh, and she gets along with mom and Callie, that's a plus.
My phone ring when we are in a break and I hear Callie's voice: Mariana is an idiot, she did something terrible, mom has been shot.
AN: you know who's next turn is? Hope you liked it.