The Key to Happily Ever After

by Tif Marcelo

  “Yeah, okay.” Mari sighed as she watched Pearl walk out the door.

  Their conversation was far from normal, but it was better than nothing.

  The first of the guests arrived at Jane’s apartment ten minutes before the designated party time of 4:00 p.m. As one of two assistants for this important party, Mari was assigned to the food area. Her job was to refill the buffet dishes with Pio’s requested party fare: lumpia, or Filipino egg rolls; Cheetos; Doritos; marshmallows; and grapes. For the parents, Jane had prepared more lumpia; vegetable pancit, a Filipino noodle dish; a spinach-and-artichoke dip; an eight-layer dip; and barbecued chicken wings. Pearl had made an impressive leche flan that was the star of the tablescape aside from Mari’s sheet cake. Jane hadn’t held back in the matching blue and gold decor—these families were coming to a party put together by three wedding planners after all. It had to be Pinterest worthy.

  Soon, Jane’s apartment was packed, the noise rave-level from eight eight-year-olds, mostly boys, who commandeered the space like it was their bachelor pad. Somewhere out in the crowd was Pearl, who was in charge of making sure everyone had something to drink—a choice of a water bottle, juice box, or can of soda—and that the kids hadn’t wandered elsewhere in the building. Kayla and Trenton were stationed outside to mingle with parents and encourage the kids to stay outdoors.

  About an hour into the party, Jane took out a whistle and blew it to get everyone’s attention. “Time to sing ‘Happy Birthday’ and cut the cake!”

  The crowd cheered; they migrated and surrounded the kitchen island. Mari got to work and put the number eight candle on the cake, and lit it. Pearl dimmed the lights.

  Then the doorbell rang.

  “I’ll get it,” Mari said. She was closest to the door.

  “Ate Mari.” Jane called out as if in warning.

  Mari turned the knob and threw the door open, arms wide for a welcome. “Hello, you’re right on—”

  A man was on the other side of the threshold. “Hi, Mari.”

  “Marco.” Mari took a step back. The next second, she seethed. “What are you doing here?”

  “I was invited to Pio’s party.”

  It was only then Mari noticed the wrapped present in his hand. Here on the threshold, he didn’t look like an off-Broadway star to Mari. He was the deadbeat dad, a man who had lots to make up for.

  She steadied her breath, spun around, and caught Pearl’s eyes, which reflected back her anger.

  But Mari said nothing else; she simply stepped aside. The crowd had been watching their interaction. Mari realized: Jane did this on purpose. She knew Mari and Pearl would not make a scene in front of guests.

  Next to Pio, Jane said, “I’m so glad you could come. We’re just about to blow out the candle.”

  twenty-three

  Mood: “Stand by Me” by Ben E. King

  As Pearl had feared, they’d become a cliché overnight, the kind of family that suffered through awkward family gatherings.

  Pearl avoided Mari because she didn’t want to discuss work.

  Jane avoided her sisters because she’d invited Marco.

  Mari avoided Jane because Jane pissed her off by inviting Marco.

  Marco avoided Pearl and Mari knowing he wasn’t welcome.

  Pearl avoided all compliments about her leche flan, because the one she brought to the party was made for her at the last minute by Barrio Fiesta. Her homemade flan hadn’t set; it was runny and disgusting and would have caused food poisoning. Anyway, it was made from scratch. Just by somebody else.

  Kayla passed Pearl at the buffet. The front of her shirt was wet, and she grabbed a kitchen towel and dried herself off. “Those kids are cutthroat with their Nerf wars. They all ganged up on me back there. They even made alliances.”

  The crowd had migrated to the backyard twenty minutes ago and finished up the final activity of the day, the piñata, and the kitchen was empty of people. Sweat pooled at Pearl’s neckline. There was one last thing she was avoiding, and that was being alone with Kayla. She’d agreed to wait until after the party to tell Kayla about her and Trenton, but every minute without the mention of their relationship felt like an act of betrayal.

  “Look at all this food. I’d better eat now before you run out of lumpia.” Kayla ditched her towel and grabbed a paper plate.

  “De la Rosas running out of food? Surely you jest!” Pearl helped scoop a little bit of everything onto her friend’s plate, and Kayla dug in. Pearl found random things to do to avoid her friend’s eyes, like wiping the counter down and picking up big crumbs on the floor.

  In between chews, Kayla gave Pearl the side-eye. “What the hell is going on with you all?” Pearl swallowed what felt like a ball of rubber bands as Kayla continued, “I mean, everything’s out the in open now, right? You have your own client. You and Mari made up. Is it because Jane’s ex is in town? What’s up? I’m missing something, I can feel it.”

  The group in the backyard exploded in laughter, breaking the moment.

  Think, Pearl.

  “It’s the leche flan,” Pearl said, grabbing onto that small bit of truth. “I . . . I didn’t make it. Mine didn’t set, and so I bought this one and I’m letting everyone think it’s mine. And it’s been hard, getting my business off the ground. I know it’s only been a couple of days, but it’s been weird doing all of this on my own. It’s not what I had expected.” The swell of emotions rose inside of her. “I sound so weak, I know. I wanted this, but now that I’m here, it’s just not what I expected. I feel so alone at times.”

  Kayla’s body relaxed; her expression softened. “Honey, I’m here. I always am.”

  “I know you are. And I know I’ll get used to things, and this will all get easier. I just wish my sisters and I could get back to normal.”

  “I hate to tell you, but normal for you all always included a layer of bickering.” She scooped pancit into her mouth and swallowed. “But I understand. Not to worry, you all will get it together, soon. Look at this party you all threw—this was teamwork, too. Give it time. But your secret is safe with me. Both secrets.” She stood and refilled her plate with more pancit. “But why not tell them how you feel? If you don’t talk about it, it can snowball. They’re your sisters, P. You’re not on opposite sides.”

  “You sound just like”—like Trenton—“my conscience.”

  “Like your conscience, I am right. Listen to it.”

  God yes, Pearl was listening, but listening in theory was entirely different from reality. Kayla nudged her with a shoulder. “In the end, honesty is the best policy. Doctor’s orders.”

  Pearl swore an entire day had passed though the party was only two hours long. Soon, guests took their leave, and in their wake was a mess that rivaled a frat party’s day after. She started on the dishes while Mari picked up outside, filling the garbage with tiny balloon and piñata pieces.

  Jane rested her elbows on the countertop. Her face had a sheen of sweat. “You don’t need to stay and clean up.”

  “Of course I will, silly. Your place is destroyed. Besides I have backup, right, Kayla?”

  “Who, me?” Kayla said while she lounged on the couch. “I’m sorry but I can’t. I’m expected elsewhere in a bit, so I have to run.”

  “I’ll help you, Pearl,” Trenton added while pulling out the kitchen garbage from the receptacle. “No worries.”

  “Besides, you look like you need a nap, Ate Jane,” Pearl noted. “Go sit.”

  A wry smile came across Jane’s face. “No time for that. I’m going to take Pio for a walk. With Marco. Just us.”

  “Oh my God.” Pearl clutched her sister’s arm. “Are you telling Pio that Marco’s his dad?”

  “Not yet. I want them to hang out a little and then decide. Marco’s in between shows. He said he’s willing to come down and spend time with us.”

  “Are you sure this is what you want?”

  “No. I don’t know what I’m doing. This isn’t numbers. I can’t get a handle on this,
so I’m flying by the seat of my pants. Just . . . if Ate Mari asks for me, make up something.”

  “Oh no, Ate. You can’t ask me to lie.” Pearl pleaded. “You know it’s weird right now between us. I can’t do anything remotely sneaky.” But when her sister’s face switched to desperation, Pearl folded. “Okay, fine. I will do my best to avoid a conversation about you. But after this I’m totally absolved of taking you to the speed-dating event, okay?”

  “Thank you.” She kissed Pearl on the cheek, laughing. “They’re already outside waiting for me. I’ll be back in an hour.”

  As soon as Jane walked out the door, Mari entered from the backyard. “I just got an SOS text from my top. Do you mind me taking off? I need to freshen up and meet her at the shop.”

  “No, it’s fine.” Pearl doubled over with relief. Mari was a human lie detector. With having to speak to Kayla today, she didn’t want one more person to worry about.

  Pearl’s phone buzzed in her pocket. Christina Gonzales, from the Gonzalez fortieth wedding anniversary celebration: OMG I may need you. My parents are fighting. Again.

  This was getting out of hand.

  “What is it?” Mari asked.

  “Gonzales. Not an emergency at this point, but I may have to mediate today.”

  “When it rains.” Mari nodded. “You’ve got this, though.”

  Pearl waited for another word of advice or a nag about one of Mari’s lists, but it didn’t come. Pearl grinned at her, surprised at the support, that she was trying for peace. She repeated her sister’s favorite motto. “No rest for the ambitious.”

  Pearl stacked the plates by the sink while Trenton rinsed and filed them into the dishwasher. Kayla brushed past her brother, barely acknowledging him and hugged Pearl. “Sorry I have to rush off. It’s to the boss’s for an early dinner.”

  “What? I thought you were kidding.” Pearl flashed Trenton a look; panic jolted through her. She’d prepared to have all evening to sit Kayla down. “You can’t go now.”

  “Excuses, excuses. You all just don’t want to do the dishes.” Kayla waved a hand at her brother. “You need to make up for the seven years you’ve been away. Besides, when the chief attending says jump, I say, how high.” Her eyes lit up. “I love Calvin, but if you saw Dr. Nguyen, you’d say how high, too.”

  “No, she wouldn’t,” Trenton objected from behind her.

  “Who are you to say?” Pearl teased. Except, now with more between them, it came out as something else altogether. It came out as a dare. Pearl sucked in a breath despite herself.

  “Exactly. Pearl is, after all, her own businesswoman.” Kayla walked to the counter where her bag was sitting, and slung it around her forearm. She winked. “Enjoy the dishes.”

  “Are you coming back?” Pearl chased after her best friend, guilt settling on her shoulders. “She should come back here, right, Trenton?”

  He nodded. “Pio asked me to watch him open presents. I can’t say no to that kid.”

  A smile spread across Kayla’s face. “Aw. That sounds fun. Okay, I’m in.” She leaned in and kissed Pearl on her cheek. A trace of Kayla’s vanilla lotion wafted across her senses. She’d used the same one for as long as Mari remembered, the predictability a comfort in this life that had suddenly become so complicated. “Love you. See you in a bit.”

  “Love you, too.” Pearl breathed out her anxiety. Later—she would deal with Kayla later.

  Pearl tapped the door so it closed lightly and turned to Trenton. His V-shaped back was to her, and among the sounds of water and the clanking of dishes was the song “Stand by Me”—he was humming.

  Pearl latched onto his soothing voice like a child to the Pied Piper, and on the way to the kitchen, picked up littered plates and napkins. At the sink, she and Trenton worked efficiently, though her mind was ping-ponging between random thoughts. Time felt of the essence with too many things left unsaid to her sisters, to Kayla.

  “You’re quiet.” Trenton rolled in the lower rack of the dishwasher. At his cue, Pearl handed him a jug of the liquid detergent, which he squeezed into the cup on the door.

  “I’m worried.”

  “She’ll be back here soon enough, and we’ll tell her about us.”

  “And what will we tell her?” Pearl leaned a hip against the counter and watched Trenton stand to his full height. There was surely something about a man in an apron. Trenton was wearing one of Jane’s, a fifties-style flowered apron, with a pocket in front and a ruffle at the hem. Right now, Pearl was tempted not to take this conversation any further and instead lure him upstairs. She shook her head free of the thought. Kayla was right: honesty was best. “What are we, Trenton?”

  He took a step closer, and his hand rested casually on her hip. A thrill shot through her as his finger grazed the small space of exposed skin between the hem of her shirt and the waistband of her long skirt. “Is that a serious question?”

  She swallowed. That was the thing—she didn’t know what she was asking. Romance had never been this easy, never this natural. It had never meant this much. “We’re good friends, that I know for sure.”

  “Do you think I would have slept with you, with you, if I was just going to mess around?”

  “I don’t know. It’s been a long time since we’ve seen each other.”

  “People don’t change.”

  “They could.”

  “I didn’t.” He dipped his head down lower, eyes captivating Pearl, and all she could focus on were his lips and the expectation of those lips on hers. “And I know you haven’t either. Our friendship means too much for us to treat it so casually.”

  “Then we’re together.”

  “Absolutely.” He blinked. “Do you feel the same way? Because this is serious for me.” Trenton’s words were matter-of-fact, said without hesitation, so forthcoming that they knocked her sideways.

  The time they’d been together, fake or otherwise, had been a dream. She was happy, content, thrilled, but she hadn’t bothered to ask herself if she was ready for it. “We’re serious?”

  “Serious meaning I’m not playing games, Pearl. I wouldn’t do that with you.”

  “Oh.”

  “Is that a good ‘oh’? Or a bad ‘oh’?” The smile on his face was hopeful, and Pearl locked onto it. This was what she wanted, right?

  “It’s a good ‘oh.’ I’m just a little overwhelmed.”

  He frowned. “Overwhelmed isn’t exactly a positive response.” He rested a hand on each of her shoulders. “I wanted to wait to say this until we told my sister tonight. But, I love you.”

  Love.

  The room spun with emotions that ran the cavernous space of the past and present. In her silence, Trenton added, “I want to scream us from the rooftops. I need to know if you’re in this. With me.”

  The request was made so casually, but the context was enormous. It was bigger than this room, bigger than both of them.

  She wasn’t sure what romantic love even meant, what it required. She could barely keep those she loved happy. The pressure to get another relationship right when all of her current ones were in limbo . . .

  But Pearl understood that she had the potential to lose Trenton forever if she said no.

  She spoke from her heart, forcing honesty into her words. “I love you, too, Trenton. There has never been anyone else.” Suddenly, she couldn’t breathe, and it wasn’t because she was out of words, but because she was scared. Someone once said to be careful what you wished for, because you may get it someday. With Trenton, and now her new business, she felt this lesson down to her bones. “But.” She pushed on as his expression fell. “I don’t know about serious. About serious right this second.”

  “I’m confused. You said you felt the same way.”

  “I do feel the same way. But I don’t know what serious is, what tomorrow will bring . . .”

  “What is going on here?” A woman’s voice rose from the front of the room. Trenton straightened at the shrill voice, eyes widening.

&nb
sp; Pearl turned to meet Kayla’s stunned expression.

  twenty-four

  Mood: “Fire Burning” by Sean Kingston

  In her bedroom, Mari dressed, then sat at her makeup vanity. She looped her hair into a bun and applied her makeup. As she leaned into the mirror and touched up her eyeliner, a crayon drawing taped on the corner of her mirror tugged at her attention. Drawn by Pio when he was six, it was of the three sisters, labeled by name. A different shade of brown was used for every figure. Even without the labels anyone could tell who was who. From when they were children, they’d been starkly different, in looks and personality.

  But what the hell was going on with them? What kind of example was Mari setting? Why couldn’t she get over this? Why couldn’t she be happy for Pearl? Sure, she let her go like her mother had suggested, but it felt like it was too late. What she should have done was to trust Pearl from the start. Yes, today had been a great day, but it was a celebration. Pearl wasn’t even fully out of the business yet. What would it be like once she was gone for good?

  She stood, shaking off her mood. Her mind shifted to Hazel, and what she could want on a Sunday. Her text had been brief: Can we meet today? No pressure.

  As Mari approached her apartment door, the sound of arguing voices echoed from across the hall. Kayla, maybe? Then Trenton’s voice. Then Pearl’s.

  Mari frowned, opening her door slowly. The three were in Jane’s living room. Kayla stood in Jane’s doorway, her back to Mari and blocking her view of her sister and Trenton.

  “What was that I saw and heard? What do you mean you love each other?”

  “Kayla—” Pearl said.

  “How could you keep this a secret from me? I’m supposed to be your best friend. And I’m your sister. How long were you going to keep it between you all? No, forget it, don’t answer that, because it won’t take away the fact that you both lied to me. I would have been happy for you. I’m out of here . . . no, Trenton.” She backed up as her brother approached her. “Just give me space. You’re my family, you’re not supposed to lie.”