And though nothing about the plans sounded like something Grandma would enjoy, I stayed quiet. After all, seventy was a milestone birthday. Dad had invested a lot of money in the party, the least I could do was be supportive. Though I really didn’t understand why I had to be kept in the dark for so long. But I also refused to ask too many questions or raise objections, partly because it was pointless this late in the game, but mostly because for once, I wanted Luis to see I’d grown up. I wasn’t immature, nor was I a child. It was stupid how much that mattered to me, but it did.
The night before the party, I’d thrown out the idea of a nice dinner to Grandma. After much protest on her end, and a little begging on mine, she agreed. Though she wasn’t happy about me footing the bill for dinner, I’d insisted it was my birthday present for her. Once she was on board, we made plans to spend Saturday shopping for a nice outfit for dinner. It would keep us busy and avoid any possible run-ins with Luis, who was to arrive that day.
So after breakfast, we drove an hour away to the nearest mall. And though I hadn’t been able to plan the party I would’ve for Grandma, the day we spent together was completely worth the rest. We shopped, tried on a million different dresses, ate lunch, and shopped some more. I worried that she’d be worn out before we even made it to the party, but never once did she slow down. In fact, it was finally me who called it a day.
“Grandma,” I huffed. “No more walking!” I laughed and shook my head. “I can’t keep up.”
“But mijita, you need a nice necklace for your dress.”
With a smile, I shook my head. “I’m sure I can find one at home. But if we don’t stop now, we’ll never make it to dinner.”
“Let’s reschedule then.”
Oh crap. “No! Those reservations were hard to get.”
“I don’t need fancy restaurants. We can go to Eddie’s.”
“Uh, I eat there all the time during my shifts. I need something different. We’re going. No arguments. But really, let’s head home and rest for a bit,” I pleaded.
She smiled and patted my cheek. “Of course.” She stared at me, then sighed. “Seventy birthdays and this is by far my favorite.”
“Aw, Grandma, it’s not over yet!”
“I know, mijita. Te amo, y gracias.”
“I love you too.” I wrapped my arms around her. “And thank you. For everything. I could never repay you for the things you’ve done for me.”
“You do. Every day.”
I willed the tears to go anywhere but down my cheeks.
When I pulled back and saw the glossy sheen in her own eyes, I laughed. “No crying on your birthday.”
She sniffled a little. “Tears of happiness don’t count.”
—
Grandma and I both managed to sneak in a nap before her party, and I was grateful because I’d been exhausted. But now, completely refreshed, we were dressed and headed to the restaurant. A little nervous bubble had settled in my stomach. I couldn’t pinpoint the exact reason, but it seemed to be a combination of wondering how Grandma would react, seeing Colby all dressed up, and…Luis. It had been years since his last visit. And it hadn’t been a good one.
I’d spent a long time in the shadows of my parents’ failing marriage. I’d listened to arguments, followed by silence that was even scarier than the yelling. Where there should have been compassion and encouragement dwelled passive-aggressiveness. Holidays were filled with contempt. Weekends were filled with resentment. Until eventually, every day, I walked around wondering who would finally throw the last stone. I’d never imagined it would be me.
Though that was long ago now, Luis still resented me for it. Honestly, my whole family seemed to. Except Grandma, of course. When I chose to stay in Port Lucia after the divorce to finish high school, no one argued it. No one cared. Good riddance, right?
From that day on, Luis harbored more than his fair share of resentment for me. Not because I stayed, but because I started it. He came home once. My high school graduation. I don’t know exactly how it started or why he became so angry, but that was the night he exploded. I was childish. Selfish. Spoiled. I’d ruined our family. On and on it went. He berated me, while I apologized. Because though a part of me knew our family had been wrecked for years, I still felt responsible for the ultimate outcome. It was bad enough they divorced, but when they moved as far away as they could from Port Lucia, well, that came back to me.
As we pulled into the parking lot, I immediately spotted Colby’s truck and the little black sports car which had been Luis’s college graduation gift. Unlike me, he had full support from Dad. A free ride to college. Housing paid for. Money in the bank. Dad never offered it to me, and I’d never ask. Instead I took out student loans and worked my ass off. I went to community college because it was affordable. It embarrassed Dad that I hadn’t had “the motivation or dedication” to attend a major university. Mom, on the other hand, couldn’t care less. As long as I found a way to support myself, she was indifferent. Secretly, I think she liked that I was always in opposition to Dad. But only because she’d lived under his control for so long; she enjoyed watching me do the very opposite. Unfortunately, it wasn’t really my choice either way. I did what I had to. That was it. Nothing more. I’d spent the last few years trying to fly under the radar, but here I was tonight, faced with the past in the form of my brother.