by Alina Man
As usual, I’m the only one not drinking, and that’s not just because I’m the DD. Frank himself brings me my usual glass of coke. Growing up I witnessed too many drunken fights and promised myself I would never end up like that. My mom had a long and loving relationship with her wine or beer, a relationship more important to her than her own child.
I used to hate to go home after school because I never knew what mood she would be in. Usually, if the bottles were full, everything was fine. When empty, all hell would break loose. That’s when the cussing and the hitting would come. I swear the few friends I had were terrified of her and tried to stay as far from my house as possible. Eventually, I just closed myself off from the outside world and found a new love in reading. Each book took me to a happy place, a place where no one told me I was ugly, or stupid, or useless. It’s been nine years since I’ve left her house and yet sometimes her words still affect me. Funny how much damage a parent can do to a kid’s self-esteem just with words. Over the years, I learned to block all the bad memories, but from time to time they found their way back to me.
“Hey come back to us,” Mona whispers in my ear. I look at her beautiful face and realize that I must’ve been lost in my memory land again.
“Hey you. Sorry about that. I guess I’m really tired.” She gives me that look she uses when she doesn’t believe a word I say, but doesn’t press on.
“Come on. Drink your coke and help me open my gifts.”
I drink the soda in one big gulp and take the camera out of my bag. I love to take pictures of everyone, and yes, I always make sure they get posted on Facebook. I’m the friend you don’t want to take to Vegas, if you know what I mean. As much as my friends complain about the picture situation, in the end, they love posting comments on all of them and they look back at all the albums full of nostalgia.
The next few hours fly by with Mona opening the ton of gifts, drinking, and eating the delicious tapas made by Frank’s wife. Jonathan’s gift brings tears to Mona’s eyes - stunning diamond earrings.
“Isn’t he amazing?” she asks. “I think I’m going to spend the night at his place.” She giggles like a little girl.
“Was there ever a doubt about that?” I laugh with her. “I mean, come on now, the man just gave you diamonds. The least you can do is go over and be the cochina I know you can be,” I tell her with a wink.
“You know, you could get diamonds too,” she tells me with a sad look on her face.
“Girl please, let’s not go there tonight. I’m completely content living my life through yours.”
“I just wish you would open your eyes Sofi and see what’s in front of you. There’s a man here that would give you more than diamonds, if you would only let him. God I swear you’re both either blind or just plain stupid. Or maybe a mix of the two.”
I look at my friend with a confused face. What in the world is she talking about? There’s no one here that’s even remotely interested in me. I’m thinking it has to be the alcohol talking.
“Speaking of which,” she continues and grabs my arm, “I think it’s time you saved Mark from the two leeches.”
I look in the direction she points and see what she’s talking about. Mark looks miserable. He’s trying to get away from the bar, while holding a tray filled with glasses. Unfortunately, the two blondes have something else in mind. It’s only fair that I save him since he’s done the same for me so many times. I slip my feet back into the killing machines called shoes and make my way toward the bar.
“What’s taking you so long, baby? We have to go since you paid the babysitter only for four hours,” I say sweetly. The look on the two hyenas’ faces is priceless. I hear them mumble something as Mark and I make our way back to the table.
“Thanks for that; those two were relentless.”
“Yeah and you poor thing didn’t know what to do about it, right? I swear, sometimes I wonder if you really want to be rescued or just like all the drama.”
We stay another hour or so, but once everyone starts singing karaoke I know it’s time to go. There’s nothing wrong with singing in a bar, but I should mention that Frank’s is not a karaoke bar. We say our goodbyes, pile the gifts in the car, and hug everyone one last time.
“Make sure you call me when you get home so I know you’re safe,” Mona tells me before she gets in Jon’s car. I promise I will and close the door for her. I’m really happy she had a good time tonight, and I’m still smiling as I walk back to the Infinity.
Mark is leaning against the passenger door waiting for me, and I remember that he came with us; his car is still at my place. We drive in silence and Mark looks like he’s about to fall asleep, his head leaning against the window. I park the car and watch him for a second; he looks so peaceful and so beautiful.
“Hey wake up. We’re home.” He looks at me with sleepy eyes. “Listen I think you should just crash on the sofa tonight,” I say and hope I don’t sound as nervous as I feel.
“What? Nah, it’s ok.”
“Don’t be silly. It’s not like this is your first time sleeping over.” I take the key out of the ignition and step out.
“I don’t know, Birdie. You might take advantage of me,” he jokes.
“Mark, baby, trust me. The day I do, you’ll beg me for more.” Honestly I don’t know what made me say that. I just pray he is drunk enough that he won’t remember any of it tomorrow.
MARK
I know I was being an ass for pretending to be drunk but I really wasn’t ready to leave her. Just having her next to me was enough. Tonight when she rescued me from those two at the bar, I almost melted when she called me baby. I would’ve given anything for what she said to be true; to be married to her and have a little Sofia waiting for us at home with the babysitter.
We walk into her condo and I pretend to struggle to pull my jacket and shoes off. I’m drunk after all, right? As I lean into her, I can smell her shampoo and perfume. I want to crush my face into her hair. She helps me sit on one of the chairs and then walks away toward her room. She returns with blankets and pillows and starts fixing the sofa for me. All I can do is stare at her. She has no idea just how sexy she is right now in that little black dress, no shoes and the hair all tousled.
For a while I didn’t get how someone who looked like that had so little confidence. I understood once I met her mom. That woman has the power to make grown men cry, that’s how cold and scary she is.
“There you go,” I hear Sofia say. “I’m going to let you get some sleep, but I’ll see you in the morning, ok?” Before I have a chance to answer she continues, “Did you need anything else? Are you hungry?”
“Nope, I’m good. Listen sorry about this. I’ll make it up to you, I promise,” I say knowing all too well she doesn’t mind at all.
“No worries. Well, good night.”
I watch her go, and as if she took all the heat out of the room, my body suddenly feels cold. I take my jeans and sweater off and lay on the couch in my t-shirt and shorts. Before long my eyes feel heavy with sleep and I’m transported into dream land where Sofia is my wife and the rest of the world no longer exists.
Chapter 3.
Sofia
I wake up feeling more tired than ever. Sleep has always been a big problem for me and even with the help from sleeping pills I can’t catch a goodnights sleep. I stopped taking anything after reading all the side effects listed on each bottle. I’m naturally messed up without the aid of drugs. I make my bed, change into yoga pants and a t-shirt, and go to wash the sleep off my face. I put my hair up in a messy bun and welcome the freezing water.
After I make sure that I look decent, I walk to the kitchen and start making coffee. I’ve always said that whoever invented the coffee machine was truly a genius. As much as I love my Starbucks, at five bucks a cup I would need a second job just to be able to afford my addiction. So the special mocha I splurge on from time to time will have to wait. In the meantime, the homemade coffee is still my best friend. I’m about to
pour a cup when Mark makes his way in.
“Good morning sunshine,” I say brightly. “Boy you look like crap.” I hand him the coffee and go look for the Aspirin. “Here take two of these and you’ll be good as new before you know it.”
“Thanks Birdie. Can you please turn down the volume when you talk? I never understood how you could be so cheery first thing in the morning.”
He takes the pills and sits down at our kitchen table by the window. I can tell the light bothers him, so I pull down the shades. I feel really bad for him, but I guess that’s what you get for drinking like an idiot.
I pour another cup of coffee for myself and join him at the table. We sit there without talking for a while. I welcome the silence and let myself enjoy his presence. All I can think about is how nice it would be to have someone to share my mornings with. Mona is wonderful company, but I can’t fool myself into believing we will always live together. With the way things are going between her and Jon, I know they will get married soon and I’ll be left alone.
“Are you doing anything today?” Mark asks, watching me intently from above his cup. “I know Mona is busy so maybe we can go watch a movie or something.”
Since we always spend time together there should be nothing weird about his invitation, yet I feel all excited.
“Sounds good,” I respond casually. “I have to stop by the grocery story since we’re out of just about everything. I swear feeding you and Jon is the best way to prepare me for when I get married. I never knew how much a guy could eat.”
“Cool. I’ll go home and change. I’ll pick you up around noon? We can go shopping after the movie.”
We finish our coffees and after a quick hug goodbye, he’s gone. I spend the rest of the morning cleaning up the place, doing laundry, and trying not to think about Mark.
I take a long hot shower and take my time getting dressed, choosing a pair of skinny jeans and a purple sweater. Since I have almost an hour to kill, I take my laptop in the kitchen and start looking for jobs.
I really hate the whole process and starting something new, but I have this strange feeling that things at work are going to go from bad to worse. I’ve never told Mona just how bad things were. There were times when I would drive around at lunch time and spend the entire hour crying. If she knew, she would ask me to talk to her dad and sue the company.
She doesn’t understand how things really work. In the end, the working class loses so what’s the point of wasting time and money suing them?
Mark
I don’t know if it was the combination of coffee and aspirin, but before I knew it, I was asking Sofia out. Well, I was asking her to a movie not on a date or anything. But going to the movies together means we are spending more time together, so that’s all that I care about.
By the time I get home, I am feeling like a kid in the candy store. I walk in the bedroom, throw my clothes in the hamper, then make my way into the shower with Sofia still fresh on my mind. If I don’t stop thinking about her, no amount of cold water is going to help me cool down. I stay under the running cold water until my very bones are close to frozen, yet I can feel my body burning from wanting her so much.
As I dress in fresh clothes, I check the clock just to make sure I’m not running late. I wonder if I should check what movies are playing this weekend; not that it would matter. She can pick a girly movie if that’s what she wants. I just want to have her next to me—in the dark. Maybe that will give me the much needed courage to finally tell her how I feel.
I pick up my ipad and log on to check my emails. I delete the boatload of spam I get every day, scroll down, and notice between the regular email there’s one title URGENT. Most of my friends don’t bother emailing me and any jobs I get, go directly to my phone. I force myself to open it and immediately I recognize the sender: Joe Forester.
After my grandpa passed away, my grandma decided to change the deed to the house in my name. The house is an old Victorian with a wraparound porch, large windows, and beautiful crown molding throughout the entire place.
The interior was old, but nothing a little love and elbow grease couldn’t fix. There were so many loving memories in that place. I couldn’t even begin to imagine selling it to some stranger, no matter what amount of money they were willing to pay for it.
As an architect, I appreciate the beauty of it, and I wasn’t the only one. Over the years, this Joe Forester has tried to get in contact with me. I actually got to meet him face to face once. It wasn’t because I agreed to meet him, but he kind of surprised me while I was having lunch with my grandma. I can tell you he is very good at bullshitting people and almost had my grandma convinced that we would all be better off selling the “money pit.”
It took a lot from me not to jump out of my chair and beat the shit out of him right there in the restaurant. He somehow thought that if he had a word with my grandma she would make the decision to sell all on her own. Little did he know, the house was already in my name. I haven’t heard from him in a while, so it was kind of a shock to see his email.
For the past year, I spent most of my savings renovating the bathrooms, painting the whole place, and putting in a new water heater. The only room I didn’t touch was the kitchen. For whatever reason, that was the one place I could not get myself to change. I’m not sure why. Maybe it was because of all the memories it held, but I just couldn’t do it.
I decided to ignore his email for now, answered some other ones, and looked over my schedule for the following week. As a contractor, I had the luxury to make my own hours and decide what jobs to take, but that only meant less money in the bank. Since the next two weeks were going to be crazy busy, I decided to really enjoy today with Sofia and make it extra special. After all, I didn’t know when I would have the chance to spend time alone with her.
Chapter 4.
Sofia
“I’m home,” Mona yells from the doorway. Her face is flushed from the cold wind and she looks extremely giddy.
“Want some coffee or did you already have your fill? Is Jon joining us?” I ask her as I’m drying my hands on the kitchen towel.
“I’m good, but I hope you have room for one more since I stopped at Starbucks and got you a mocha,” she hands me the cup and in the process holds her left hand out to me, all weird.
“What’s with you this morning? I guess someone had some good relations last night, otherwise you wouldn’t be so cheery at such an early hour,” I joke and sip at my mocha.
She keeps her arm stretched in front of her and makes me wonder if maybe she lost her mind or something. I’m about to turn around and walk away, when I notice the little shiny sparkles coming from her hand.
“Are you freaking kidding me? You got engaged!” I scream and almost spill my coffee all over the kitchen floor.
“He asked me last night after we did the nasty,” she says, and I swear I can see the happiness radiating from her pores.
“Judging by the size of that ring, it had to be some nasty. Wow babe, that’s the most beautiful ring I’ve ever seen. Please tell me you’re not planning on changing it.” I look at the princess cut diamond set in a simple platinum band. It is simple, but stunning and elegant, just like my friend.
“Did you know he was going to ask? How did this happen? I mean, I’m so happy for you, but wow girly, engaged?”
“I had no idea. Can you believe the jackass kept it a secret this whole time,” she laughs wholeheartedly.
I am just stunned. I drink some more of my mocha and all I can think is just WOW. I still can’t believe it.
“Wow babe, you are engaged. All grown up and shit. I can’t get over this. Let me see the ring again.”
She holds her hand out and is about to take the ring off so I can try it on. We already share everything, but this is just too personal and I don’t feel right trying it on. It’s not some ordinary costume jewelry. “Don’t take it off. I just want to see it, not try it on.”
I take her hand in mine and we both cry
just looking at it. Then it hits me – I’m about to lose my best friend. She notices my mood change so she takes my face in her hands and looks me in the eyes. “Listen to me. It’s not like I’m going to move to another planet. Birdie, we’re sisters for life, and nothing can ever change that. Before you know it, you’ll get married and then our kids can grow up together. I promise not to get prego until you are.”
We both know that’s not going to happen, but there’s no reason why a girl can’t dream. I give her one last hug and tell her I have to get ready for Mark.
“Mark and I are going to the movies, then stopping to get groceries. The fridge is crying from hunger.”
“Oh, well, Marky Mark finally got the balls to ask you out did he? It’s about freaking time, if you ask me.” She picks up her bag and shoes and walks out of the kitchen before I have a chance to tell her that it’s not an actual date.
I decide not to dwell on that and open the fridge again to see what I need to add to my shopping list. Before I know it, I fill out a whole page and I laugh to myself when I think of Mark spending the time with me shopping. I have a feeling he’s not going to offer to go with me next time.
I still have some time left before he comes over, so I sit back at the kitchen table and turn on my kindle. I can’t even imagine my life before this little contraption. Mona gave it to me for my birthday this year when she realized that I filled every nook and cranny with my books. I remember how one morning she walked in my room and said: “I’m putting my foot down today. No more fucking books for you. I swear I feel claustrophobic from all the paperbacks you have, and I’m scared that one day we’ll end up on that Hoarders show.”
Yep, that’s a true story. But I have to admit that my kindle is one of the best gifts I ever got. For the next hour I devour page after page of Tiffany King’s latest novel. This lady sure can tell a story. I’ve been known to stay up all night reading her books.
