by Elle Linder
Marie put the car in park just as Lexi’s car pulled in beside her. She quickly got out, excited to see her daughter. The sight of Lexi took Marie’s breath away. It was like looking at herself in a mirror, circa 1998. Lexi looked like a younger version of Marie, with her long dark hair, piercing dark-brown eyes, a golden tan, and full lips. Marie’s Latin attributes ran strong in both her kids, dominating Craig’s Caucasian traits. Craig argued that the kids had dark hair and eyes like him, but they truly favored Marie, both inside and out.
“Hi, Mom,” Lexi said as she exited her car.
“I didn’t think I’d see you this evening.”
Lexi only shrugged, pulling her backpack out of the backseat of her white Jetta. Perplexed, Marie grabbed the pizza and her handbag, closing the car door with her hip. It didn’t matter why Lexi had come home. Marie would have someone other than Jackson to spend the evening with. Her weekend had just improved tenfold.
“Jackson, I’m home,” she called, entering the kitchen. No response. “Jackson, where are you, buddy?”
“Mom, I think I can hear the TV coming from the living room. I’ll go check on him,” Lexi offered.
“Thanks.” She grabbed a paper plate, a few napkins, and a can of root beer. The doorbell chimed.
“I got it,” Lexi called.
Marie slipped her pumps off, flexing her toes up and down after keeping them cramped in heels all day. As much as she liked dressing up for work, there was nothing better than taking off her heels and bra at the end of the day. However, the bra would have to wait a little while longer. She turned to exit the kitchen just as Ann walked in, stopping Marie in her tracks.
“Ann! What are you doing here?” Marie’s incredulous stare must have been priceless the way Ann’s obnoxious smirk radiated off her face.
“I’m here to see you,” Ann said with a sly grin.
“Oh? Would you like some pizza?” Marie deflected as the goosebumps returned.
“Thanks, but no. We’re having dinner out, but then you knew that.” Ann cocked her head.
“You could think of it as an appetizer,” Marie replied as she fought the internal panic taking root inside her. She picked up the plate of pizza and the soda, and carried them to Jackson. “Hey buddy, I have your pizza and root beer. What are you watching?” She stroked his hair, but he jerked away.
“Stop! It’s Pierce,” he protested. Marie sighed at his tone and walked out of the living room.
“Oh, I like this show. That Professor Pierce is pretty hot.” Ann nudged him playfully.
“He’s awesome.” Jackson smiled up at her.
Marie’s stomach twisted into a wicked knot as she selected a bottle of wine from the wine rack. She needed a drink of liquid courage for the battle that was to come with Ann. She searched in the kitchen drawer for the wine opener, but it wasn’t there. Then she dug through another drawer. To her relief, she found it just as Ann returned to the kitchen.
“Don’t open that bottle!” Ann ordered.
“What? Why not?” Marie froze with her hands in the air, bottle in one hand, the opener in the other.
“Cause we’re going out. Let’s go get you ready,” Ann directed.
“I am not going anywhere. I can’t leave Jackson. I told Tessa, and I know she told you.” Marie leaned toward Ann and whispered, “Craig canceled his weekend with Jackson.”
“Yes, I know what the bastard did. That’s why I called Lexi to have her babysit. Now, let’s get you ready.”
Marie’s mouth gaped open as Ann headed upstairs to her bedroom. Marie stormed up after her.
“You called Lexi? Why would you do that? She has her own life, you know. She doesn’t need to be babysitting her eleven-year-old brother!”
Ann walked into Marie’s bedroom and marched straight for the walk-in closet, completely ignoring Marie. She sifted through her wardrobe for a suitable dress. “Good god woman, your wardrobe is pathetic. I could have brought a dress from my closet. Well, not a problem. We have time to run by my house,” she hollered from within the closet.
“No! I’m not going out.” Marie crossed her arms over her chest in protest.
“Don’t be ridiculous. You’re going and that’s final,” Ann said as she exited the closet. Her calm, confident gait elevated Marie’s heart rate. This was happening.
“You can’t make me! Stop trying to bully me.” Marie stiffened like a concrete wall.
Ann tilted her head, connecting her stern gaze with Marie’s. There was nothing worse than Ann’s death stare. She could make a WWF wrestler the likes of John Cena squirm in their seat. Marie closed her eyes to avoid the intimidating stare as she shook her head no.
“You’re coming. I’m not taking no for an answer,” Ann said, matter-of-factly.
In a last-ditch effort to win the battle, Marie grasped the smallest bit of fight in her to regain control of the situation. “So, this was your plan? Your little covert plan to pressure me—force me—manipulate me—KIDNAP me into going out with you? That’s so wrong! Friends don’t do that to friends!” Marie paced the room, her hands flying through the air in indignation. All the while Ann remained stoic. Marie knew she had lost the battle with every word that left her mouth.
“What are you afraid of, Marie, having fun with your girlfriends? Having a good dinner and some yummy cocktails with us? Laughing? Dancing? Living?” She arched her brow at Marie. “Maybe what you’re afraid of is being rejected? Ignored? Passed over for a younger woman?”
“I don’t know,” her voice cracked. “I’m just afraid, of all of it.” Marie collapsed onto the bed in defeat, her gaze dropped to her feet.
“Oh honey, I hate how that bastard screwed you up.” Ann sat beside Marie and wrapped her arm around her back. “You’re too goddamn beautiful and vibrant to waste away in your little home alone. It’s time you re-entered the world of the living.”
Marie stared off into the distance. Everything Ann said was true…so much so, it scared the bejeezus out of her. One thing was for sure—her girlfriends were the very best, but they were bossy as hell, too.
After her divorce was finalized, they had given her a year to regroup and adjust to being a single parent. They loved her and weren’t going to rush her, knowing her emotional struggles after Craig walked out on her and the kids. But then they started inviting her out with them twice a month. Now, the invites were extended every Friday to wear her down…all part of the plan. Their determination to get her out of her sad little home had been ramped up, and they would not let her pity party go on any longer. Yes, they were the very best girlfriends a girl could ever have.
“I appreciate all that you girls are trying to do. But…”
“Stop right there.” Ann raised her hand. “Do you have a dress in that deplorable closet of yours or do we need to swing by my house? I don’t want to hear another word about not going.”
“Wow, do you have to be such a…control-freak?!”
“Yes,” Ann shot back.
“I’m not like you. I don’t bounce back so easily.”
“I know that, but it’s been two years, Marie. Nobody says you have to laugh, dance, or talk. You can just sit on your ass and look like a mannequin if you want. But you’re going out with us.”
Marie sat shell-shocked. On the one hand, she was lonely and bored at home most nights, and too young to not enjoy life. On the other hand, the thought of being hurt again terrified her. The storm that had blown through the loving home she had worked so hard to create had destroyed everyone in its path. The damage left for her to clean up had been taxing, and she was tired. Tired of doing it all on her own—alone.
“How can a man be so selfish and not think of anyone else but himself?” Marie’s eyes welled up. “I don’t understand it.”
“Craig…he’s that man. A selfish prick. But not every man is like him,” Ann comforted. “Go out tonight with us—your girls who love you to pieces. This will be the first step in taking back your life. Fuck Craig! Don’t let him keep
you down. Rise above this, start living and find happiness again. And that doesn’t mean with a man. You need to do you first.”
“How can I do me first when I don’t even know who ‘me’ is?”
“Well, you start by saying ‘yes’ when you want something and ‘no’ when you don’t. Except, tonight…you’re going tonight,” Ann said definitively.
“But I still feel like I was just hit by a Mack truck.”
“I have the perfect remedy for that—tequila.” Ann grinned with a mischievous glint in her eye. “Now, I’m gonna text the girls to meet us at the cantina at eight since we’re running a little behind. Go grab your favorite nude sling-backs because I have the perfect dress for you to wear.”
Biting her lower lip, Marie grabbed her shoes and her makeup bag. There was no fighting Ann—only surrender. Abuelita’s words flooded back: “Do not be alone.” She rapidly blinked, pushing back her emotions. Okay, Abuelita.
Marie went downstairs to find Lexi. “Now if there’s anything you need, please call or text me. Don’t be afraid to bother me,” she stressed.
“Mom, we’ll be fine. He’s eleven years old. I’ll make sure he doesn’t drink the bleach or put thumbtacks in his mouth,” Lexi teased. Marie’s expression soured. She didn’t find her funny one bit. “Seriously, Mom, it’ll be okay. Have fun. You deserve it, and if you meet someone, don’t worry about coming home. I can handle everything.” Marie gasped while Ann laughed loudly.
“I love you, Lexi,” Ann said, hugging her tightly. “Thank you for coming when I called.” She handed her a hundred dollar bill. “Go buy yourself something pretty.”
“Great, now you’re bribing my kid with money.”
“I’ll do whatever it takes,” Ann said with resolve.
“Money works just fine.” Lexi giggled.
“You two, geez. Let me go say goodbye to my little angel.” Marie found Jackson still watching Pierce in the living room. “Hey Jackson, how many episodes of that show are you going to watch?”
“I don’t know,” he grumbled.
“I’m going out with Ann and the girls tonight. Lexi is staying with you. I’ll see you in the morning, okay?” He looked up at her, eyes wide with uncertainty. She stroked his hair and leaned down to kiss his forehead. He didn’t pull away. “Call me if you need anything.”
“Okay,” he responded as his eyes went back to the show; there was a battle going on that drew his attention. But for two seconds, Marie had his attention again, and a brief glance reinforced the hope she held onto.
Chapter 3
Familial Feelings
Marie stared out the window of Ann’s Honda Pilot as they drove south on the 405. “Where did you say we’re going?”
“Océanos Latin Cantina in Santa Monica, across the street from the beach. I’ve heard good things about it. The Latin vibe is what we’re after for you, honey.” Ann smiled at Marie.
“Well, I hope I don’t ruin your fun. I’m feeling exposed in this dress you made me wear.” She looked down at the white, fitted spaghetti-strap dress with the magenta fade along the bottom edge.
“Not at all. It looks amazing with your gorgeous tan and hourglass shape. Shit, it fits you better than me.” Her flattery was genuine, but Marie blew it off. It was just Ann being cute.
“What about my hair? I never leave it down. A French twist, or a ponytail?”
“Neither; a French twist screams uptight. For a Latin club wear your hair down. Be fun and sexy.” Ann winked as she kept her eyes on the road.
“This ombre print, is it too young for a woman my age?”
“Seriously?”
“Seriously.”
“We’re the same damn age.” Ann pinched her lips together. “Enough already. You’re bringing me down.”
“Sorry,” Marie said in a quiet voice.
“You’re sexy, freakin’ hot…what more can I say?” Ann gripped the steering wheel. “First thing I’m doing is ordering up a round of shots…maybe two rounds.”
“Wait! I don’t want to get drunk. I haven’t done shots in a long time. I refuse to get drunk.”
“Marie, loosen up. Nobody is talking about getting drunk. Don’t be so paranoid. Craig’s not around to control you anymore.”
Marie clutched her purse against her chest. “I’ll try to relax.”
“Good. We will have a great time, promise.”
Marie nodded, pulling down the visor for the mirror. She wore a little more eye makeup than she would normally, but she rather liked it. She didn’t care for lipstick, so she applied a tinted lip gloss instead. It was all her full lips needed.
“Now, do you remember how to dance?” Ann teased.
“I do, but I will not be dancing.” Marie rolled her eyes.
“Here we go…round two with my sweet, irritating girl being stubborn as hell. Surely you’ve been taking lessons from Jackson.” Ann scratched the back of her hair, fluffing it.
Marie pressed her lips together. Ann’s comment was well-taken. Her nerves were making her act ridiculous. She was usually calm and collected. At work, she was on top of everything—professional, intelligent, and never silly. Yup, she needed to get a grip, and quick.
Thinking back to her youth, she remembered being confident…strong, sassy, and fun. School had been easy for her, and she had a lot of friends. The take-charge girl had her life all planned out: college, marriage, and kids. Her plan took an unexpected turn when she got pregnant with Lexi at eighteen. Craig had told her “pulling out” was all he needed to do, because he didn’t want to wear a condom, and she had believed him. How could she be so naïve? But Marie was, and it had cost her big. Sure, she loved her kids more than anything, but her life didn’t turn out the way she thought it would. A divorcée and mother of two, what was she supposed to do now? She took a deep breath as Ann pulled into a parking spot.
“Ann,” she began, “I’ll try to have a good time, but I need you to be patient with me. It’s been a long time since I’ve been single. In my head, I’m still a wife.” She grimaced.
“I know, honey. I get it. I won’t let anything happen to you. Now let’s go have good food, yummy drinks, and fun with our girls.”
When Marie and Ann walked into the cantina, the packed entryway had people lined up for a table. Fortunately for them, they had reservations. Tessa and Brooke had already arrived and were at a table near the dance floor. The waitress led the women to the half-moon booth, and the girls gushed over Marie.
“Damn woman, you clean up well,” Tessa said. “I’m so glad you came.”
“Shit, I almost didn’t recognize you with your hair down,” Brooke added. “Is that cleavage?” Brooke’s eyes bulged as she stared at Marie’s chest.
“Um, wow…thanks.” Marie self-consciously covered what little cleavage showed as she slid into the booth next to Tessa. Ann sat on the other end next to Brooke. She winked and motioned for Marie to lower her hand.
“What can I get you ladies, to drink?” the cute, young waitress asked.
“We’ll have a round of tequila shots…Patrón,” Ann answered for the table. The waitress nodded and left.
Marie scanned the club, the vibe electrifying, with people eating, drinking and talking with exaggerated facial expressions and hand gestures. She couldn’t recall the last time happy people surrounded her. The Latin decor was bright and festive with hues of crimson, gold, and emerald. Terracotta tiles lined the walkway leading to a bamboo dance floor. Enticing energy rippled off the spirited dancers as they shook every part of their bodies to “Conmigo,” a familiar salsa beat that brought a smile to her face.
It was like she was back home, a teenager at a family fiesta, minus the wild kids running around. Their gatherings were the best, especially the music. How she’d missed Latin melodies…mambo, salsa, mariachi. Then there was “Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White,” her grandparents’ song. At every Valdez family gathering, the song played just for Pancho and Carmelita. Marie always admired their love and commitmen
t to each other. It’s what she always wanted in her marriage. Dancing with her love to a romantic Latin melody would have completed her dream.
After her parents, Henry and Rosa had moved to Miami, the Valdez family get-togethers decreased. Relatives scattered around the world and the once tight-knit Valdez community dwindled down to only a few in Southern California, one being Marie. The hardest part was being with Craig’s family all the time instead of her own. Just like Craig, they didn’t care for her traditions and culture. Little by little her Latin roots disappeared, and it had started with the music.
Now surrounded by her heritage once again, she was overwhelmed with excitement—and the awakening of her soul. Its dormant slumber had begun seventeen years ago when Craig took control of every aspect of her life. She smiled at Ann and mouthed, “Thank you,” just as the waitress returned with their tequila shots.
“All right, ladies, lift your glasses. To Marie! May this be the first step in reinventing yourself. Self-discovery is a wonderful thing sweetheart. Enjoy the journey.” Ann smiled. “Salúd!” The table of girls cheered “Salúd” then pushed back their shots.
“Whoa!” Marie gasped from the burn of the alcohol. She was glossy-eyed and breathing heavily; it had been a long time since her last shot of tequila.
An hour had passed since the girls’ first round of drinks. Marie was the most relaxed she’d been in years. The waitress had just removed all their plates and taken their drink orders for the third time. Marie had just ordered a second margarita when a guy approached their table, his eyes locked on Brooke.
“Hi, would you like to dance?” he asked Brooke.
“Sure.” She smiled, nudging Ann to let her out of the booth. The three women watched them walk to the dance floor with interest. Marie fidgeted with her cocktail napkin, wondering who would dance next. Ann, maybe?
