Insecurity and a Bottle of Merlot

by Bria Marche

  Sasha asked Mia to join her at Redmond Brother’s Realty Thursday morning. There was no reason to drag it out any longer. She would submit an offer today. She’d start with a low first offer, and go from there. At ten o’clock, Sasha and Mia sat in Josh’s office, ready to present the initial offer. Sasha told Josh the number she had in mind and reached for the contract he was holding.

  “Are you serious right now, Sasha? I can’t present such a low offer to the owners. It’s an insult.” Josh snickered and snatched the contract back before it was in her hand.

  The last six weeks changed Sasha considerably. She had grown into a confident woman and wasn’t about to stand for Josh’s attitude. She resembled a mother bear protecting her cub. That house was going to be hers, come hell or high water.

  “Do I need to remind you, Mr. Redmond, who you work for?” Sasha stood and leaned across his desk. The niceties blew out the window. She reverted back to formalities. Josh would end up on the burn pile in a heartbeat if he didn’t watch himself. He had to submit the offer if he ever hoped to have Sasha speak to him again.

  “Fine, but you’re going to alienate yourself from them.”

  “Just friggin do it, Josh! I’ll be waiting to hear from you tomorrow. Now give me that contract to sign. Make sure you tell the owners there aren’t any contingencies to worry about. It’s going to be a cash transaction in two weeks. That in itself should pique their interest. Now where do I sign?”

  ***

  Eighteen people were on Vic’s guest list for Saturday. Other than her usual best friends, a few people from Morey’s and Scott from Bottoms Up were attending too. Six cousins from the Bronx planned to come, but the person Vic was most excited to show off, was her brother Mario. They hadn’t seen each other in four years. He just moved back to New York after running a successful ski school and sports equipment shop in Telluride, Colorado for the last few years. Mario’s business began as a ski school initially, but quickly expanded to sell everything related to skiing. Two years ago, he bought the space next to his store and enlarged it to include summer sporting equipment. It did so well, Mario decided to open another ski school and store in Hunter, New York. Hunter was a great choice, being in the northern Catskill Mountain region with plenty of summer and winter activities to participate in. It was also less than two hours from Tarrytown where he grew up.

  Mario promised to attend Vic’s party and was excited to spend the week in Tarrytown visiting old friends and his crazy sister. Vic was anxious to introduce her brother to Max, since they had very similar interests.

  Still, the reason for the party was twofold. Of course, Mia being Vic’s dearest friend, deserved a party thrown in her honor. She was way overdue for happiness, and Aaron was the best guy in the world to share that happiness with. But Vic had to see for herself what Max’s expression and demeanor would be like again around Mia. If nothing seemed amiss, Vic would let her insecurities go, and move on blissfully with Max.

  ***

  The man wearing a Yankees baseball cap and sunglasses swung the salon door open and sauntered in at ten o’clock. Vic and Tina glanced up from their work for a split second, then continued the latest gossip without missing a beat. Jennifer, the receptionist, took care of the walk-ins. The stranger approached the counter and asked for Victoria Alonso. Jennifer offered him a beverage and excused herself to get Vic.

  “She’ll be right with you, sir. Please have a seat,” Jennifer said, as she handed the stranger a Diet Coke.

  Vic gave him a quick once over as she finished Ashley Nelson’s comb out. He appeared somewhat unkempt with long dark hair pulled back in a ponytail, from what she could tell. He wore several earrings in each earlobe, and tan cargo shorts with Birkenstock sandals. The stranger seemed muscular under the tight tee shirt, just a little rough around the edges.

  He needs a haircut and shave for sure, but how does he know me by name? Vic accompanied Ashley to the reception desk to have Jennifer set up her next appointment. She expressed her thanks with a generous hug and said good bye. Vic turned and approached the man sitting in the waiting area, paging through an InStyle magazine. He held his head low, his face obscured by the hat and sunglasses. “Hi, is there something I can help you with? Jennifer said you asked for me personally.” Vic cocked her head, curious about the stranger who entered Hair Brained, looking for her specifically.

  He lifted his head and paused for a second before revealing his identity. A huge smile broke out on his face. “Hey, Sis, what’s up?” he said, knowing he just pulled a good one on her.

  “You son of a bitch!” Vic shrieked. She grabbed Mario and nearly squeezed the life out of him. “What the hell happened to the clean cut brother I used to have? I thought you were a vagrant. And what’s with the piercings? You’re such a dork.”

  “C’mon, I don’t look that bad, do I? Blame it on Colorado. I’m my own boss, so I can look however I want. You’ve heard of that laid back, outdoorsy lifestyle, haven’t you, Vic?”

  She knew it all too well. Max had the same demeanor, and she loved it. Mario changed dramatically over the last four years. Sure, Vic checked out his photos on Facebook and spoke to him over the phone, but in person, he appeared much different. The ruggedly handsome, buff brother showed up. She often thought about Mario, picturing him sitting at a large, mahogany desk counting stacks of money, not the image he portrayed now. He wore the Colorado ski town business owner appearance that made him look like a ski bum himself. The only thing missing was a dog lying in the doorway of the store that each customer would have to step over when they entered.

  “I love the changes, Mario. You’re going to do great in Hunter too. I’m so happy for you and your success, but I’m glad you’re home. There’s someone I want you to meet tomorrow at the party. I’m sure you’ll hit it off right away since he’s a lot like the new you. His name is Max and he was just talking about opening an outdoor sporting goods shop himself.”

  “Well that sucks, are we going to be competitors?” Mario asked.

  “I don’t think so, bro. He’s talking about a shop closer to this area. What if you guys came up with something together and had a few stores in New York? Max could run the outdoor sports shop that focuses more on hiking, camping and mountain biking. Since he’s a wilderness guide, he could offer guided daily, or weekly hiking trips too. That’s more the type of activities people do around here.”

  “You might be on to something, Sis. I’ll pick his brain this next week to see if he’s really serious about opening a store. He might be interested in having a partner, or maybe not. Anyway, besides stopping in to say hi, and telling you I’ve arrived, I’d like to shower and grab a short nap. Can I have the house keys? I’ll come back in a few hours and take you out for lunch. How does that sound?”

  “It sounds awesome. I’ll see you at noon.” Vic handed him the house keys and blew a kiss in his direction. She shook her head and chuckled at the sight of the curly, black ponytail that reached the middle of her younger brother’s back. With her hands firmly planted on her hips, she watched him out the salon window. Mario walked toward his car without a care in the world. He climbed into an orange Karmann Ghia convertible and drove away. Vic, still grinning, picked up her cell phone and called Mia and Karen.

  They agreed to meet at Bottoms Up at twelve-fifteen. They had to go over the plans for Saturday’s party anyway. Vic decided to surprise Mia with Mario’s presence. Mia knew Mario was attending the party tomorrow, but she had no idea he arrived a day early. Karen never met him, so she wouldn’t be thrown with his altered appearance anyway.

  They sat on the red brick patio behind Bottoms Up. The new patio gave a much needed addition to the seating area, especially before the tourists’ swarmed Tarrytown like they do every summer. Mario, Vic and Tina watched for Mia as they laughed and caught up with each other’s shenanigans over the past four years.

  “No friggin way!” she yelled out when she saw the man sitting with Vic and Tina. Mia ran toward him and landed a
strong punch to his shoulder before embracing him and giving him a wet kiss on the cheek. “What the hell is this shit you’ve got going on, Mario?” she asked, while trying to make the introductions between Karen and him.

  Karen wore a curious smile as she approvingly assessed the man in front of her. The girls chattered like barnyard hens as they summarized Mario’s life in a nutshell. Karen saw the family resemblance between Vic and Mario. The dark curly hair, enormous hazel eyes, and olive skin gave away the Puerto Rican ethnicity they shared as brother and sister. He had a hot, wild, edgy appearance that Karen realized was strangely appealing to her. She always thought of herself as more proper, never veering much to the left or right of the typical ho-hum male she dated in the past. A monotone, predictable guy was easier to deal with than someone all the girls were attracted to. In college, it was the nerdy, but slightly attractive, techie guys that would rival the Bill Gates of her generation. Ordinary seemed safer. A few years later, it was Jack the jerk, arrogant, but successful, as a clean cut sales manager. Karen didn’t date after divorcing Jack. Men in general were more irritating than interesting, in her opinion, until now. She secretly took her own pulse as the five of them sat on the patio of Bottoms Up enjoying their lunch.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Luckily, the cloud cover broke Saturday morning to become a gloriously sunny day. The weather gods were smart not to ruin Vic’s party. There would be hell to pay otherwise. She was in good spirits because of Mario, but a little anxious about Mia and Max. Whatever. It will all be fine, it has to be. Mia is with Aaron, and she wouldn’t risk losing that for someone she slept with once… or twice. Vic tried to erase those negative thoughts as she poured pancake batter on the hot griddle. The scent of bacon frying took Vic back to childhood memories. Saturdays were meant for watching cartoons, playing jump rope on the sidewalk and fighting with her siblings. The Alonso’s, being a typical Bronx, New York family with four kids, worked hard to support and raise them right. Saturday was the bonus day of the week where everyone was at home having pancakes and bacon for breakfast. Sunday mornings were spent at St. Boniface Catholic church until eleven, with the kids squirming restlessly on the pews. They were often on the receiving end of the threatening looks from their larger than life father.

  “Breakfast is ready!” Vic called out to Mario, sleeping in the guest bedroom three doors down the hall on the right.

  He woke to the sound of a voice coming from the kitchen. Mario rolled over, rubbed his sleep caked eyes and looked around. The room was unfamiliar to him. He stretched, yawned to increase the oxygen to his brain and remembered. Oh yeah, I’m at Vic’s. In just three days, he drove from Telluride, Colorado to Hunter, New York and then on to Tarrytown with very little sleep. Mario inhaled the scents of fresh coffee brewing and maple flavored bacon frying. There was a direct path from the kitchen to the hallway, then under his door where the aroma found an entrance and wafted through his room. It was wonderful, and he realized now how he missed having a woman in his life. Of course Vic being his sister was one thing, and she could cook, but having someone to love again was another story all its own. He thought briefly about Sarah as he dressed. What is she doing now that I’m gone? Does she have any regrets, or is she happy with Brad, the bastard? She was the real reason Mario left Colorado. Cheating was one thing, but with Brad, his best friend and head ski instructor? The pain and betrayal was too great to remain in Telluride. Mario fired Brad and hired several new people to oversee the ski school and run the store.

  “Mario, your breakfast is going to get cold,” Vic yelled out. Her voice snapped him back into reality.

  “Okay, I’m coming, Sis. Gotta put some clothes on first.” He was happy to be in Tarrytown again. Mario already met Karen yesterday, and there would be more new faces today, particularly Max’s. Mario wanted to stay busy, and what better way than to have several stores going. It would help keep his mind off Sarah. Plus it sounded like Max was exactly the type of person Mario wanted as a business partner. He would learn more about Max at the party.

  Mario planted a huge kiss on Vic’s cheek as he danced his way into the kitchen. Lively Spanish music played in the background. She laughed at his antics and danced along with him.

  “I love you, bro. Now sit your ass down and eat before I have to throw everything into the microwave,” she said, waving a bubblegum pink, polished fingernail at him.

  “Damn, woman, you’re just like mom,” he teased in response.

  “You’ve got that right. You better be afraid, my pretty, very afraid!” she said, with a laugh.

  “So what’s the story with Karen?” Mario asked, between mouthfuls of pancakes.

  “Are you interested? I wouldn’t have pictured her your type. That whole hippy dippy, mountain man thing you’ve got going on gives a different vibe. I’m surprised you didn’t scare her off yesterday,” Vic teased.

  “Hey, I saw how she looked at me.”

  “Really? And how was that, hot shot?”

  “I don’t know. She just looked… intrigued… I guess.”

  “You dumbshit, I was intrigued when you came into the salon. Who wouldn’t be curious when a wild looking, long haired, pierced dude strolls into Tarrytown? Heaven forbid it turned out to be my own brother, for crap’s sake. Want some more pancakes?”

  “Hell yeah. I have to admit, Vic, you’re a damn good cook.”

  “Well, bro, you’re going to man the grill today. I’m just saying. After we eat this afternoon, I think you and Max should get acquainted and run some ideas past each other.”

  “For sure, that’s the plan. I’ll take some more bacon if there’s any left,” he said, while licking his fingers clean.

  ***

  The backyard began to take shape. With Mario’s help, it started to look more like Party Central than a typical residential backyard in Tarrytown. Mario reminisced about the many family parties in the past with their crazy cousins.

  “Vic, do we have enough beer and wine?” he asked, knowing how much they liked to drink. He wrapped streamers around the trunks of several small trees and hung lights from the oaks near the patio while Vic checked the beverage supply.

  “We have ten cases of beer and twenty five bottles of wine. I hope we’ll talk and eat too. I don’t want eighteen people camped out on my living room floor tonight because they’re all wasted. Could you imagine?” Vic giggled at the memories of the parties back in the day with the cousins.

  The sound of car doors slamming and people laughing echoed from the front of the house.

  “Mario, go around through the side gate and lead people back here. By the sound of things, it has to be the cousins out front.”

  He laughed and disappeared around the house. Within minutes there were six Puerto Ricans kissing Mario, pinching his cheeks and yelling at the top of their lungs in Spanish. A mountain of food was dumped on the picnic tables. They hugged Vic so tightly, she was sure a few ribs cracked. The ringing doorbell and humming of Vic’s cell phone sounded at the same time.

  “Mario, get the door. It has to be Karen. She’s the only person I know that rings a doorbell. I’ve got a call coming in.” Vic found a quiet spot near the garage to talk. It was difficult hearing anything over the voices of excited Puerto Ricans. “Hello,” she said, knowing full well who was on the other end.

  “Hey, babe, it’s Max. I’m on my way. I should be there in about thirty minutes. Is there anything you need, other than me?”

  “No, you’ll do just fine. Seriously, I could never run out of anything now that my cousins have arrived. I’m sure Scott and Morey’s clan are bringing things too, but thanks for asking. I can’t wait to see you. I’ve missed you, Max.”

  “That’s nice to hear. I’ve missed you too. Sounds like the party is already off to a good start. I’ll see you in a few, bye.”

  “Bye.” Vic felt giddy every time she spoke to him. Max would be easy to love. If he actually started an outdoor sports business with Mario, everything would fall into place
just as it should. The possibilities excited her.

  Vic returned to the backyard to find more people had arrived, including Mia, Aaron, Tina and Sasha. Her best friends were all there, everyone she loved the most, except Max. He would arrive soon. Do I really love him? she wondered. Today might be her turning point. She would see for herself how Max reacts around Mia.

  Bottles of wine flowed among the ladies. The guys helped themselves to an abundance of beer in coolers strategically placed throughout the yard. Gossip, stories and loud music filled the air. Dancing Puerto Rican’s entertained the crowd. The neighbors gathered, inviting themselves because they knew a better time would be had at Vic’s house than at their own. Vic paid close attention to Mia and Aaron’s body language. It was obvious they were in love.

  Why the hell am I so insecure? she asked herself repeatedly. Vic excused herself to go inside, saying she was getting more snacks. She needed some quiet, if only for a few minutes before Max showed up. She followed the air conditioned hallway to the master bedroom, wiping her clammy forehead as she walked. The indoor temperature seemed comfortable, and not at all humid, yet Vic felt overheated. It’s nerves, that’s all. I just need to breathe deep and relax for a minute. I can talk myself out of this, I know I can, she thought, as the ringing in her ears and nausea overcame her. “Oh shit.” It came up her throat without warning. Vic bolted for the bathroom and threw up in the sink. There wasn’t enough time to even lift the toilet seat and vomit like a dignified woman. “Son of a bitch. What the hell is wrong with me? I friggin need a shrink, or some Xanax, damn it!” She wrapped a large wad of toilet tissue around her hand and scooped up as much vomit as possible, flushing it down the commode. Just the act of doing that almost sent her into another round of projectile vomiting. Vic recognized the sound of his motorcycle pulling into the driveway. “Son of a bitch!” she wailed. She launched herself into the bedroom and peeked out the window facing the driveway. Max just pulled the bike back on its kickstand and was heading for the front door. “Mother of God, I have puke breath and he’s ready to knock on the door,” Vic cried out to the bedroom walls. She dove back into the bathroom and guzzled half a bottle of mouthwash, gargled and spit it into the sink. Rinse-repeat-rinse-repeat, the voices in her head commanded. She wiped her face with a cool washcloth and ran down the hall to the foyer. He already knocked twice. She stopped, caught her breath, looked at herself in the foyer mirror making sure she didn’t have any residue on her teeth, and opened the door. There in her face stood the man that sucked the air right out of her lungs. Max was the Adonis of Westchester County, with Aaron and Mario tying for second place.