Playing with Fire

by Amy O'Neill

  Trent laughed and laid back, resting his head on his hands. “Yeah, that’s a good point. You go first, but make it fast because I’m gonna be using my imagination out here and with the visual you just gave, I don’t know how long my restraint will last.”

  Noelle shook her head and rolled her eyes. “You’re trouble.”

  He winked at her and watched her walk out of the room. Her pale curves seemed to glow in the darkness. Trent made a mental checklist of all the places he wanted to kiss on her body. Every inch of her would feel his touch, feel his love.

  He knew it would take a long time to make sure he did a thorough enough job, but forever seemed like a good time frame to him.

  Noelle dried her hair as she waited for Trent to finish with his shower. She tried not to let her nerves get to her over meeting his family.

  She wondered what her momma would think of him. She’d see right away that he was handsome and treated her baby like a treasure. Her momma would love him in a heartbeat. He was the kind of man her momma had always wanted for her.

  Noelle was lost in thought and jumped when Trent touched her shoulder. “Jesus, you scared me.”

  He rubbed her back, “I’m sorry. I said your name a few times. You were off somewhere in that pretty brain of yours.”

  She smiled to herself when he kissed her neck. His cologne was spicy to her nose. “You smell yummy.”

  He purred in her ear, “So do you. Your perfume makes me think of strawberries and whipped cream.”

  Noelle nodded. “I think we better step away from each other before sniffing leads to something more. I doubt it will be a good first impression if I walk in with my hair all a mess.”

  Trent laughed and took a step back. “You’re right. It’s gonna take my abuelita a few moments to warm up to you as it is, I don’t want her thinking badly of you.”

  Noelle swallowed hard. “You think she won’t like me?”

  Trent wrapped his arms around her and kissed her softly. “She will like you, but I know her and it’s gonna take a little bit for her to warm up to the fact that I’m with someone who isn’t Mexican.”

  Noelle felt her heart fall. “Oh. Yeah, that’s not something I can change.”

  Trent shook his head. “I don’t want you to think you have to change anything about yourself. Don’t do it for me or anyone else. You are an amazing woman just as you are. I know my grandmother will fall in love with you. It’ll be alright, mi amor.”

  He kissed her again then walked toward the door. Noelle put on her sandals and checked her reflection in the mirror on the wall in the entry way.

  Trent stepped behind her and spoke to her reflection. “You are beautiful.”

  Noelle turned her head to look at him. “I hope you’re saying that about me and not talking to yourself.”

  Trent stared at her for a second before he burst out laughing. “Oh, I see. You think you’re being real funny. I’ll remember that later when we get back.”

  Noelle winked at him as he opened the door. “I hope so.”

  As they drove to Trent’s grandmother’s house, Noelle had trouble thinking about anything but the ‘what ifs’. What if his grandmother didn’t like her? What if she disowned Trent? What if Trent dumped her?

  She let out a loud sigh and tried to focus on the colorfully painted houses and their tiny manicured lawns. Groups of women and men were sitting on the different porches, playing cards, watching children play. A menagerie of songs, all sung in Spanish, blended together and wafted through her open window.

  Trent lifted her hand and kissed the back. “It will be ok, mi amor. Trust me.”

  Noelle looked at him and smiled weakly. “I’m trying.”

  Trent turned to the left at the next side street and pointed to a small white house down on the left. The front yard looked like a parking lot. “That’s her house. And it doesn’t look like everyone is here.”

  “Not everyone’s there? Trent, there are like six cars there. How many more are there?”

  Trent shrugged, “I lost count a long time ago. Between all the aunts and uncles and cousins, not to mention the friends that have been adopted into the family, we can draw a huge crowd.”

  Noelle closed her eyes, sunk in her seat slightly, and took a deep breath. Silently, she repeated to herself ‘it’s gonna be fine, it’s gonna be fine.’

  Trent kissed her once more. “You’re gonna do great. Just give them that sweet smile and southern charm and you’ll win them over in no time.”

  Noelle wished she were as confident as he was, but a few seconds later, she didn’t have any time left to fake it because once he came to a stop, there were people coming out the front door with open arms.

  They stopped in their tracks when Trent opened her door and she stepped onto the asphalt. Noelle gave Trent one more look and whispered, “Here goes nuthin’.”

  Trent bent down and kissed his abuelita on the cheek. “Hola, como estas? Be nice, por favor.”

  She gave him a stern look. “Solo para usted.” Only for you.

  He smiled. “Thank you.”

  Trent turned and stretched out his hand toward Noelle. She stood a few feet away, with her hands clasped in front of her and a polite smile pasted on her lips. He knew she felt out of place, but he also knew her place was with him and that meant there was a place for her in his family.

  “Noelle, please, I’d like you to meet my abuelita.”

  Noelle stuck out her hand, “It’s nice to meet you. Trent has told me so much about you.”

  Trent gave his grandmother a look until she finally shook Noelle’s hand.

  “Hola, Ilamo Marta.”

  He tilted his head at his grandmother and pursed his lips. He had a feeling she wasn’t going to make this easy. “En Ingles, por favor.”

  He grandmother returned his look and shook her head.

  He squeezed Noelle’s hand. “She says her name is Marta. She’s being stubborn right now. But she understands English perfectly so I’ll translate whatever she says to you for now.”

  Noelle’s mouth twisted and she looked like her feelings were hurt by his grandmother’s attitude. “Ok.”

  She turned toward his grandmother and said, “Hello, Mrs. Torres. You have a lovely home.”

  His grandmother looked back at her house and then at Noelle. “Tu es muy blanca.”

  Trent clenched his teeth, wanting to scold her for her rude behavior, but not wanting to make a scene and making Noelle feel even more uncomfortable.

  Noelle eyed him. “What did she say?”

  He sighed, and lied. “She said you have beautiful skin.”

  His grandmother gave him a dirty look, but he knew she wouldn’t say anything else about it. She finally took a breath and waved them in.

  As they approached the rest of the family standing on the front porch he stopped and addressed the group. “Hey everyone, this is Noelle. Be nice to her, you know how hard it is to remember all your damn names.”

  His Tia Lita stepped forward with open arms. “Aren’t you so pretty with that red hair? Give me a hug, I’m Tia Lita, but just call me Tia.”

  Noelle smiled shyly and returned the hug. “Thank you.”

  Trent rubbed her back. “Tia means Aunt. Tio is Uncle.”

  Noelle nodded. “Ok.”

  Trent hugged Lita and whispered, “Thank you. I don’t know why abuelita is being this way.”

  His aunt patted his cheek, “She was already in a mood when I got here. Your mother brought your father tonight.”

  Trent rolled his eyes. “Great.”

  Lita stepped away and was quickly replaced by a few more aunts, uncles, and cousins. He knew his mother was probably hiding out in the back yard. Everyone knew Trent’s father wasn’t welcome in abuelita’s house. He really didn’t need the added drama.

  Trent smiled down at Noelle as they finally made their way around to the back of the house. He gave her hand a reassuring squeeze, “You did great, mi amor.”

  She smiled
at him. “Thank you. Your grandma didn’t really say I had nice skin did she?”

  He stopped and turned toward her, taking her face in his hands. “My Tia Lita said she was already in a bad mood because my mother and father are here.”

  “She doesn’t like your parents?”

  Trent shook his head. “No. She doesn’t like my father. So don’t go thinking her attitude is because of you.”

  She nodded. “Ok. If it makes you feel any better, I think your Tias like me.”

  Trent laughed. “Of course they do. They like any woman brave enough to tame me.”

  Noelle laughed. “I don’t want to tame you, that makes it sound like I’m trying to control you or change you.”

  He leaned down and nuzzled her ear, enjoying the smell of her perfume again. His voice was husky when he asked, “What do you want to do with me then?”

  Before she could answer, someone banged on the window beside them. He pulled back and looked at Noelle’s red face. He couldn’t help but laugh. “It’s like high school all over again, caught getting fresh on the side of the house.”

  Noelle laughed and gave him a playful shove. “You know they’re gonna be watching you like a hawk all night to make sure you don’t cop a feel.”

  He shrugged and took her hand again. “Eh, I kinda figured they’d be doing that anyway.”

  He stole one more kiss before they entered the back yard. Most everyone had migrated out there already, but when they saw Trent, they seemed to part like the Red Sea and suddenly he was staring at his father.

  The look on his mother’s face helped ease his anger. He walked to her and kissed her cheek. “Hi, mom. I have someone I want you to meet.”

  She smiled at him weakly and whispered, “Please don’t be mad at him. He’s trying.”

  Trent huffed, “Trying for a few days isn’t enough for me and it shouldn’t be enough for you either. You deserve better than that.”

  She nodded in reply and looked around him to Noelle. “Hello. I’m Trent’s mother, Rosa. It’s nice to meet you.”

  Noelle smiled, “I’m Noelle. It’s nice to meet you too.”

  Trent sent up a thankful prayer when his Tia Ramona called everyone over to the tables for prayer. He grabbed Noelle’s hand and without even acknowledging his father, headed over to the row of picnic tables.

  Noelle didn’t say anything until after they made their plates and took a seat. “Don’t you wanna introduce me to your father?”

  Trent looked at her and shook his head. “No, I don’t want to introduce him to you. I don’t have a good relationship with him. He’s not been the best to my mother or us kids.”

  “Oh.”

  Trent rubbed her knee under the table. “It’s fine. The last thing you need is to have to deal with another jerk so I’m good just ignoring him.”

  Noelle looked over to where his parents were sitting. “Does he come to these a lot?”

  Trent shook his head. “No. Actually this is the first time I’ve seen him in over a year. Honestly, I’d be fine to go another few years without crossing paths with him.”

  Noelle nodded in understanding and they changed topics. A short time later, the food was cleared and the music started. Trent leaned against the table and nestled Noelle in front of him. They laughed as the children began dancing, trying to show their best moves to impress the crowd.

  When the song changed, the women took over the makeshift dance floor and his Tia Lita came toward them.

  She held out her hand to Noelle. “Come with me. My nephew here may be content to sit on the sides and watch, but I see you tapping your foot. Let’s dance!”

  Noelle shook her head and waved his Tia away. “Oh no. I don’t dance. I’ll just watch.”

  Lita laughed and pulled on her arm. “Nonsense. I’ll teach you.”

  Noelle gave him a look over her shoulder as she was thrust into the group and they all simultaneously tried showing her how to shake and sway. Within a few moments she was keeping good rhythm with the beat and his Tio Guillermo jumped in to twirl her around.

  As twilight darkened the sky, someone turned on the strings of white Christmas lights that zigzagged overhead, encompassing most of the yard. The lights shined off Noelle, making her seem even more angelic.

  Trent tensed when his grandmother took a seat next to him. For a few moments they sat in silence. Finally she spoke. “Ella esta bien.”

  Trent smiled. “She’s better than just alright. She’s the one, Abuelita.”

  “Si? Es verdad?”

  He nodded. “Yes, it’s true. I’ve finally met the woman I want to marry. I wish you would accept her.”

  He turned his head as his grandmother took his hand and patted it. She used her other hand to cup his cheek and stared into his face. “If you truly believe that, if you truly love her, than I will love her. Even if she’s a gringa. Maybe I teach her to speak Spanish, cook like I cook. Then she’ll be even better.”

  Trent laughed and kissed his grandmother soundly. “I’ll take that as an approval from you. Gracias Abuelita!”

  His grandmother laughed and waved him away. “Anything for you, mi amor.”

  Trent joined the crowd of dancers and cut in between his Tio and Noelle. Everyone cheered as the music changed to ballad and he dipped her like she was Ginger and he was Fred.

  Noelle rested her head on his shoulder as they swayed back and forth. “Today was a lot of fun. New friends and good food. I need more days like today.”

  Trent smiled. “I think I can make that happen.”

  Noelle smiled up at him and he kissed her, long and slow. He didn’t even care that his family was making cat calls and whistling at them.

  Noelle pulled back with a blush. “Oh geez, hopefully this doesn’t make your grandmother hate me!”

  Trent pointed to where his abuelita stood. Her huge grin warmed his heart. “She told me that she can see how much I love you and so she will love you too.”

  Noelle slowed their pace and stared at him. “Do you want to say it again?”

  Trent rested his forehead against hers and whispered, “I love you. With everything in me I love you and I swear I will do whatever it takes to keep you safe and happy.”

  Her eyes gleamed as tears formed in the corners. He gently wiped at a tear as it slid over her lashes. “I didn’t mean to make you cry.”

  Noelle smiled and shook her head. “It’s okay. It’s just that I never thought someone would say that to me and really mean it. I love you too.”

  Trent kissed her again. “You know what this means don’t you?”

  Noelle’s brow arched as she eyed him. “That I’m stuck with you?”

  Trent beamed even more. “Oh yeah. And you’re gonna love every second of it.”

  Noelle cocked her shoulder and rolled her eyes. “I wouldn’t go that far.”

  Trent dripped her low again. “We’ll see about that.”

  Noelle came up laughing and hugged his neck tightly as the song ended and everyone clapped. Trent nuzzled her ear, “I think now is a good time to head home, don’t you?”

  Trent tried to rush through the goodbyes to most everyone as fast as he could as they made their way back to his car. And he almost made a quick escape. Almost.

  “Mijo, wait.”

  Trent closed Noelle’s door and turned to see his mother hurrying over to him. His father hung back, propping himself against the front corner of the house.

  His mother reached his side and took his hand. “Why don’t you at least say goodbye to your father. He really is trying. He’s even stopped drinking.”

  Trent rolled his eyes. “For how long this time? Mom, I don’t want anything to do with him.”

  She gave him a stern look and put her hands on her hips. “Well, you’re going to have to deal with him. He’s asked me to marry him again.”

  Trent swore under his breath. “And you said yes?”

  She threw up her arms. “Of course I did. He’s the love of my life. Why wouldn’t
I?”

  Trent shrugged. “Oh, I don’t know. Should I start naming all the women he’s cheated on you with? Or how about the times you had to go bail him out of jail? Need I remind of all the times the cops weren’t called?”

  His mother sucked in her breath and flinched as if he’d struck her. “Trent Torres, why do you have to ruin this for me?”

  Trent shook his head. “I’m not doing anything but saying the truth. I will not sit back and watch you continue to put yourself in a bad situation anymore. I can’t keep coming to your aid every time things fall apart.”

  “I’m not asking you to come to my aid.”

  “Yet. You haven’t asked yet. But in a few days or weeks you’ll be calling and crying. This time I won’t come rushing over. I can’t keep living like this. I should be allowed to focus on my own happiness and not have to see to yours.”

  Trent shook his head again. His mother stood silently sniffling. Out of the corner of his eye, he watched his father stay put, never once coming to defend himself. His father had always let his mother fight the battles for him.

  Noelle’s door opened and she got out and came to Trent’s side. “Go get in the car. Maybe I can talk to her.”

  Trent stared at Noelle for a moment until she motioned toward the car with the turning of her head. He raised his hands in surrender. “Alright.”

  He kissed his mother’s cheek, but said nothing more to her, afraid of what else he would say while he was so agitated by her announcement.

  He got behind the steering wheel and leaned against it, watching Noelle and his mother. He didn’t know what was being said, but something about the way Noelle hugged his mother told him she was getting through.

  Trent decided that tomorrow, on the way home from work, he’d be stopping off at the jeweler. He may have done a lot of dumb things in his past, but he was smart enough to know the sooner he married this woman the better.

  Noelle waited until she heard Trent’s car door close before she turned to address his mother. “Please don’t be mad at Trent. He’s trying to protect you.”

  His mother eyed her for a moment. “What has he told you? Sometimes he can make things seem worse than they really were.”