Delayed
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Nick raised his eyebrows. He still didn’t know how his sister knew about the keychain. He hadn’t kept the palm tree with him for almost three weeks. It didn’t feel right, to carry another girl’s belongings when he held Rita’s hand.
“I lost it,” he lied again. The answer satisfied Mimi and she left his side to join the crowd around the dining room buffet.
He had no regrets. As he watched Rita talking with his Abuela, he wondered what he would do if he saw Olivia again. But then he knew it wouldn’t matter, because for once it felt like his life was moving forward.
12
October 27, 2007
Olivia was falling asleep while walking. She could barely drag her feet forward.
“And on your right, you’ll see Smith Hall, this is where most of our first year students reside,” the tour guide said.
She didn’t think the tour of Glensford College would be so painstakingly slow. The website had made it seem like it would be more interactive, not just a guided voice tour of everything that could be found online.
“Olivia, perk up. You’re being rude,” her dad said.
She rolled her eyes. Why she had agreed to let him come with her, she’d never know. It had been her mom’s idea.
“It’s a good way to bond with him,” she said over a phone call.
Olivia didn’t know why her mom wanted them to bond. They weren’t even living in the same house anymore. She’d moved in with her mom in August, just after the first issue of the magazine came out. Her dad had finally agreed to let go of the custody agreement.
“You can live with who you want,” he said the night of the argument. “I don’t care anymore. Jocelyn’s done everything to make you feel welcome, but if you want to leave, then go.”
They hadn’t spoken much since that night. So having him here, on her first official college tour was making her anxious.
“This is Trekker Commons. Most students dine on campus here, with their meal plans,” the tour guide said.
The mass of people moved forward. Olivia forced herself to follow.
“So, do you like it so far?” her dad asked.
She shrugged. “It seems like any other college. Nothing too special.”
“It’s grown at least twice from it was when I graduated,” her dad said.
She could here the stung pride lingering in his voice. And it didn’t give her the usual bout of satisfaction she felt.
“Maybe you can get Isabel to go here. You can go to her graduation.”
Her dad stopped walking at the mention of his second daughter. Olivia knew it was still a sore spot. She’d refused to be Isabel’s godmother for the baptism, and when Jocelyn had asked her if she considered her a sister, Olivia had said no. Isabel wasn’t her sister. When she looked at the toddler all she saw were Jocelyn’s features, round brown eyes and a growing head of blond hair.
“Please don’t ruin a good day,” her dad pleaded. The defeated tone in his voice made her stop.
The mass of people around them came to a sudden halt. The tour guide took the opportunity to jump on top of a concrete ledge, so that all could see him clearly.
“This is the part of the tour where we like to give the students a chance to experience the campus for themselves. Parents, in the theater behind me, you will be given a one hour presentation about how you can help enhance your child’s future here at Glensford College. Students please follow me in this direction.”
Olivia pulled her fleece sweater tighter around her. The trees on the campus were no longer green; the grass under them was strewn with red and golden leaves.
“I’ll meet you back here in an hour,” her dad said. He followed the rest of the parents into the Performing Arts building.
The tour guide took his spot in the front again, just as excited as he had been for the entirety of the tour.
“Alright guys, I think this will be your favorite part of the tour. I want you to turn to the person on your left and introduce yourself. We are going to partner off and walk through the campus for our own self-guided tours. Please meet back here in an hour.”
Olivia sighed. She didn’t like mingling with strangers, least of all when it was at a college she didn’t even plan on attending. Maybe she could hang out in the school’s newly constructed Melo’s Coffee.
“I’m Simon,” someone said behind her. She turned to face the source of the introduction.
A boy stood in front of her, well a man really. He had boyish features, which were brought out by his closely cut head of black hair. He was a few inches taller than her, but of average stature. Everything about his demeanor seemed subdued.
She tilted her head, knowing that once she introduced herself there was no turning back.
“Olivia,” she said, taking the hand he had offered out to her.
“Want to partner up for the self guided tour?” Simon asked.
“I don’t think you were to my left,” she said. Up this close, he looked cuter, his brown eyes wider.
“Well then I guess I’ll have to ask someone else,” he said.
Then he began to walk away. Olivia waited. He turned back.
“I was expecting you to run after me,” he said.
She crossed her arms. “ I don’t run after anyone.”
That made Simon smile. He nodded, accepting the challenge. “We’re the only two people left. We might as well partner up.”
Olivia gave in. She wasn’t one to flirt back often, but this guy, well he had caught some part of her interest.
“Okay. I give. Where do you want to go, partner?” she asked
His smile widened, revealing a single dimple on his right cheek.
“I might know a place. That is if you trust me?”
She shook her head. “I don’t trust you, but I’ll follow. And if you turn out to be a creep I’ll scream and run back.”
Simon nodded. “Fair enough. Follow me, then.”
Piles of dead leaves adorned the campus. A few students pointed at the two of them, the obvious high schoolers that they were. It took them fifteen minutes of fast, silent, pacing to reach the lake that gave way to the nature trails.
“You going for a swim?” Olivia asked, slowly regretting her choice to follow the cute boy.
“No. I think the water might be a little cold,” he said.
“So what are we doing here?” she asked.
He pointed to a corner of the lake. “Paddle boating, if you want to.”
Olivia squinted her eyes, it took a few seconds, but she was finally able to make out a few abandoned red paddleboats.
“I feel like this is becoming a really lame attempt to flirt with me,” she said.
Simon scoffed. “Don’t flatter yourself. You’re not my type.”
She swallowed. “Well then have fun paddle boarding. I’ll be at Melo’s until the hour’s up,” With that she turned; ready to walk off the rejection.
She heard footsteps. “Wait. I was kidding. You’re my type and I am definitely trying to flirt with you,” Simon called out
Olivia tried to hide her smile. She cleared her throat and turned back around.
“What if I’m not interested?” she asked.
“Then you would have walked away already,” he said.
The conversation ended there. He ran out to the docks and brought lifejackets. The two of them boarded a paddleboat, and made their way around the miniature lake.
“So, what are you going to major in?” he asked her.
Olivia looked up at him, wondering why she hadn’t forced herself to talk first. She didn’t like telling people what her intended career choice was. Most strangers tended to scrutinize it.
“I want to major in Dramatic Arts and Theater.”
Simon nodded. “Do you want to work backstage or in front of the audience?”
Olivia held her breath. She hated answering the follow up question. “I want to act. Hopefully musical theater.”
He nodded, just as coolly as before. “I like it
. I mean I’m not a performer, but I work with them. Or I will one day.”
“What do you want to be?” she asked him, suddenly interested.
“I want to direct plays to start, and maybe movies too. All the behind the scene stuff.”
The two of them paddled around a small island of land. A cool breeze followed, stinging Olivia’s already flushing cheeks.
“Maybe you’ll be at one of my casting calls someday,” she said
He looked out to the lake, and then to her. “It would be my honor.” She could feel herself flushing all over. “That’s if you’re any good, “ he added.
Olivia stared up at the sky, taking in the random but welcomed meeting. Simon. It had a certain ring to it.
The two of them spent the rest of the boat ride talking about the plans they had for their futures. Their plans were different and yet so intermingled. Simon understood her passion, and she understood his. It was a strange sort of attraction, but instant nonetheless.
When it came time to finally return to the tour guide, he pulled her to one side.
“Let’s grab coffee after this,” Simon said.
Olivia shrugged. “Are you asking me out?”
“Yes,” he admitted.
“Okay. Coffee. Sounds safe enough,” she said.
She held her breath as they rejoined the group; thinking maybe, just maybe, there was something interesting about Glensford College after all.
13
May 19, 2008
Rita gave the valedictorian speech, it was a half hour long, poetic sort of spectacle. Nick watched the entire thing from his seat in the eighth row of graduates. His friend shined. She was primed for moving people with the simplicity of her words.
“So here’s to the class of 2008, may we make our place in this world, and change it for the better,” Rita said.
Everyone around him stood up. Nick tossed his cap in the air, wondering if it would land back in his hands. Surprisingly, he caught it on the first try. The ceremony ended shortly thereafter.
Rita ran up to him. He wrapped his arms around her, leaning in to her ear.
“You were amazing,” he said. He was proud to call her a friend. Nick corrected his thoughts. His girlfriend. She was his girlfriend.
She pulled back from the embrace. “Thanks. I was all nerves.”
“You couldn’t even tell,” he said.
The two of them walked toward the back of the auditorium. They’re families had gathered together to form one giant mass of spectators.
The Patels had flown in their family from India, so they outnumbered Nick’s own bunch. He walked up to Mr. Patel, who had a firm handshake waiting. Mrs. Patel gave him a soft smile; she had worn a brown sari that blended in with her dark braid.
“We are very proud of you both,” Mrs. Patel said. She hugged Rita and then patted Nick’s shoulder.
Mimi was the first member of his family to come out of the mass. His sister walked toward him, but not with open arms. She’d stopped giving hugs. Their dad claimed it was just a part of her newfound teen rebellion.
“You’re finally free,” she said.
Nick tilted his head. “I don’t know if free is the word for it.”
“Well it’s true. In a few months you’ll be moving out to college and I won’t see you as much.”
He thought she was teasing him, so he played along. “You’ll see me on Thanksgiving and on Christmas, maybe a few holidays in between.”
“You’ll be back in March right, for mom’s birthday? And in June…” his sister’s voice grew serious.
“Mimi. I’ll be back more often than that. My school’s only twenty minutes from home. I’ll come back every weekend and maybe even during the week so I can do my laundry for free. Do you really think I’m going to leave without looking back?”
He leaned in toward his sister. She had once been so close to his height, now she remained a head below him. She didn’t look at him right away.
“I would, if I had the chance,” she said, more quietly than before. Then without another word she walked off, toward where their family was.
Nick remained still, not knowing what to make of the conversation. He thought about the option of never looking back, and he knew he didn’t have it. He would always have to lead a part of his life looking back. It was the only way he could assure that his mom’s memory remained alive.
“You’re coming to my graduation party, right?” Rita asked. She took the spot next to him, stopping to wave at their classmates.
He nodded. “Why wouldn’t I?” The tone came out more argumentative that he had intended it to.
She sighed. “I was just making sure your family wasn’t throwing you a surprise party. They have a habit of doing that, surprising you I mean.”
“No surprise party… at least not that I know of.” Nick began to count how many family members were present, roughly twenty, ten less than the usual batch. “They might be actually.”
“So you’re not coming to mine,” Rita said very matter of factly. Her smile faded.
“No. I’ll be there. Don’t worry,” Nick said. “Just let me get changed and I’ll meet you at the restaurant in an hour.”
She still wasn’t smiling. “Do what you want,” she said.
Then she rejoined her family, leaving Nick to return to his. His Abuela ran over to him.
“Nicolas. Mi niño. I’m so proud of you,” she called out. The two of them hugged, right until his dad interrupted them.
“You’re finally a high school graduate, “ his dad said. He put an arm around his mother, and another around Mimi who joined the group soon after.
“You make it sound like I’ve been trying to graduate for a long time,” Nick said.
“I’m proud of you Nick. That’s all. Your mom would have been proud too.” His dad’s expression changed as he began to recall his late wife. It was the face of a man whose heart was slowly breaking; it was the face his dad made anytime they mentioned her.
“Thanks,” Nick managed. He couldn’t remember the last time his dad had spoken about his mom.
They snapped a few pictures in front of the San Mateo stadium, then packed together into three cars, down to the beach house.
Nick squeezed Mimi’s hand on the ride over. Unlike most days, she let him hold her hand. It was the same feeling whenever they went back there, like visiting someone at a cemetery.
Rita hadn’t been to the beach house. He hadn’t wanted her to. They were friends, well more than friends, but she’d always seemed distant when it came to anything related to his family.
“I’m dating you, Nick, not you’re family,” she had said a few days after they celebrated their one year anniversary.
He’d said I love you that night, meaning every word of it. He loved Rita. The way she took studying so seriously, and the way her words could stir a room about. She had a certain amount of courage he knew he would never possess.
“It’s not love,” Mimi told him once, “It’s admiration.”
Nick didn’t think about it that way, at least, not until recently.
The surprise party awaited him inside. There were more people than the ten he had counted missing. Rita was among them. She walked over to him, after his family members dispersed.
“You knew about the surprise party?” he asked her.
She nodded. “I guessed. Since you’re coming to my graduation dinner, I thought it would only be fair it I stopped by. I didn’t know your family owned a beach house. I got the address from your Abuela.”
Nick didn’t know why, but there was a small pulse of anger beating through him. Rita wasn’t supposed to know about this place. She wasn’t supposed to be here. This was his mom’s memory, and Rita barely liked to talk about his mom.
“She’s gone, Nick. It’s wrong to hold on to the dead,” she’d said once, when Nick had to miss a debate meeting to spend his mom’s birthday at the beach house.
“You’re happy I’m here, right?” she asked.
Before she could answer his family began to gather around the two of them, and soon it came time for him to open a present from his Grandma Joan and Grandpa Felix.
His Grandma handed him a tiny box.
“Open,” she said gently.
Nick could feel Rita watching him, over and over again. He pulled open the box, recognizing the key immediately.
“Why are you giving me a key to your house?” he asked, too surprised to look up.
His grandma pressed the key into his palm, “It’s yours.”
“What?” he asked, not sure he was processing the words correctly.
“For the summer,” his grandpa corrected. “Joan and I are going to spend three months in Peru. We need someone to house sit. All groceries and plane tickets will be paid for though. And you get to use our car.”
Nick laughed at his grandpa’s brisk words. That sounded more like the truth. The present was still wonderful. He had three months to spend in Shepton, vacationing, away from his impending responsibilities.
“Thank you guys. I love it,” he said, kissing each of his grandparents.
His Abuela broke apart the embrace. She handed Nick an envelope.
“It’s not a house, but I think you’ll like it.” She had no patience and tore it open for him.
“A plane ticket,” Nick read the print, “to Mexico.”
His Abuela hugged him before he offered her the embrace. “You should get to know a little about your heritage. I don’t want you to become full gringo yet.” She smiled as she said the words.
More family members gave him presents, and the few minutes he had planned on staying, turned into two hours. Rita pulled him aside.
“Ready to head to my dinner?” she asked. Her tone was cold.
“Yeah. Let me get your present.”
“Don’t bother. Give it to me later. We’re going to be late.”
He nodded. “Hold on. Let me just say bye to everyone. I have to thank them.”