by Blue Saffire
It was just like Lorenzo’s, except it was a shiny black. I picked up the train of my dress and ran over to my car. When I opened the door, I saw the red seats inside. My father had Lorenzo’s car revised.
It was perfect. I slid inside and started the car. The sound was amazing. I revved the engine and cooed at the sound. I hadn’t even noticed my father and Lorenzo watching me. Both chuckling at my reaction.
I held my hand out of the car, needing help to get out in this dress. Lorenzo took my hand, helping me. I ran over to my dad and gave him a big hug. He hugged me back tightly.
“Enjoy it, Honey,” he whispered in my ear. I was too emotional to answer him. This day was perfect.
Everyone returned to the party, as Maria announced hors d’oeuvres were being served. Angie, Chris, Matt, Martina, Lorenzo, Lucie, Toni, and I all hung behind to admire the car a little more. My mother stood by the door, watching us.
It made me a little angry that she didn’t feel comfortable coming closer. Lorenzo picked up on the tension and began hovering over me, trying to make it better.
“What’s wrong, Baby?” he finally asked, when I didn’t relax.
“Why is my mom acting like she shouldn’t come near me? It’s frustrating me. Lo, everything is so perfect. Why can’t that part be?”
He didn’t answer me. I could feel that he was tense now too. Something had been going on with Lorenzo all day. I couldn’t figure it out.
I combed my brain, trying to register what the look I kept seeing on his face could mean. I didn’t want to talk in front of the group with us. Just in case it was about the families’ secret, I let it go for now.
“Hey, guys, maybe we should go back,” I suggested.
Everyone headed back inside, but my mother was off before I could reach her. When we got back to the party, I worked the yard, trying to get to the guests I’d missed. Maria was back on collection duty.
“Happy birthday, Victoria,” I heard for the millionth time. “Congratulations to you both on your engagement.”
I looked out the side of my eye and spotted Lorenzo’s dad at my grandfather’s side, with my dad on his other side. I thought about what my grandfather said earlier. However, I quickly shook the thought off so it didn’t ruin the night for me. After another hour, I was sure I had gotten to everyone.
“I do believe that was everyone,” Maria sighed.
“Thank you, God,” I huffed and sagged into Lorenzo.
“Yous two go have fun,” Maria smiled.
Lorenzo dragged me to the dance floor, grabbing my train to throw it over his arm. It was the first time we’d gotten to dance and just relax. I breathed a deep sigh of relief.
“Are you having fun?” Lorenzo asked as he pulled me close.
“Yeah, I guess so,” I wrinkled my nose.
Lorenzo looked down at me skeptically. I got ready to ask him what was going on with him, but Matt, Martina, Angie, and Chris came to join us on the dance floor. I pushed it aside once again.
My dress was a little too restricting to truly enjoy myself. I was more than happy when Maria came to tell us we had twenty minutes, before she was coming to get us to change.
“Lo,” Lucie sang as she run over. “Dance with me, please.”
Lorenzo winked at her. “Sure, Squirt. I’ll show you how it’s done,” he chuckled.
“Yeah, right,” Lucie side eyed him.
He threw his head back and laughed.
While they danced together, I danced with Toni. I laughed as Lucie told Lorenzo he had poor form. She tried to correct him, but he would twirl her in circles each time until she gave up.
Exactly twenty minutes after her first appearance, Maria was back. “Let’s go, final change,” Maria chirped.
She had one hand on Lorenzo’s arm and one on mine, pushing us into the house. I was upstairs in my room in no time, being released from the constricting dress. I wasn’t going to complain.
This time the hair stylist had first dibs. She pulled the pins from my hair in record time and began to blow my hair straight again. This time she pulled my hair into a ponytail on the center top of my head. She curled it under into a long fall.
When she was done, we were back in the closet. This time Maria placed the dress at my feet for me to step in. She pulled the dress up on to my shoulders and Carlos rushed in to do the final adjustments. This dress was long and flowing in a blue. The neckline plunged into a very low V. I understood why we were fitting this on the spot.
Maria’s assistant placed a pair of clear stiletto wedge heeled sandals on my feet, fastening their jeweled straps around my ankles. The neckline of the dress stopped at my belly button, by the time Carlos was done with his adjustments.
The back of the dress cowled to my mid back. The front of the skirt had a high split and the back fanned out a little behind me. The fabric was pleated all over.
I wasn’t sure how Lorenzo would feel about this one. I didn’t really think him or my father would like it. Maria of course was pleased. She removed the bangle from my wrist and handed me another jewelry box. Inside was a tennis bracelet, with diamonds that looked the size of tennis balls.
“Wow, my father went a little overboard, you think,” I snorted.
“Oh, Victoria, that isn’t from your dad. That one is all Lorenzo,” she said with a huge grin.
I was speechless. I shut the box and headed downstairs. Maria raced to catch me this time. I could see Lorenzo watching the stairs this time, standing with his tux jacket open and his hands in his pockets.
I all but ran down the stairs. When he had a good look at my dress, as I got to the bottom of the stairs, he pulled a hand down his face. I handed him the box, raising my brows in question. The shoes I had on put me closer to being eye to eye with him.
“You don’t like it?” he asked looking disappointed.
“Lo, that’s a ridiculous gift after this ring,” I argued, pointing to my engagement ring.
“So, your dad is the only one that can give you ridiculous one after the other?” he asked sarcastically.
“Lo, that’s not fair. I’m used to that, that’s how he raised me.”
“Well, I only want to give you what you’re used to.”
“Lo.”
He had my chin in his hand, his lips, cutting off my words. I placed my hand on his stomach to brace myself. He placed his lips on my neck and kissed it softly.
“You’re welcome, Beautiful, happy birthday,” he whispered in my ear, “You look amazing. You take my breath away.”
“Thank you, Lorenzo. I wouldn’t have made it through the day without you.”
He opened the box and reached for my wrist. I complied with his wishes. Handing Maria the box, he placed the mammoth bracelet on my wrist. Lorenzo’s jeweler was having a great week. I’m sure he’ll be marking my birthday on his calendar.
For the first time, I fully took in what Lorenzo was wearing. He was in a black tux with a white shirt and a blue vest underneath the jacket. He’s so handsome.
The photographer was back and ready to start snapping. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see my mother and my father talking in the shadows. My mother looked pissed. I’ve never seen her that way with my father, no matter what. Not even the day he hit me. I tried to focus on them, but my attention was interrupted for the pictures.
Their conversation began to get more heated by the second. Lorenzo noticed the distraction. He tried to work around it, by becoming more affectionate than necessary to grab my attention.
He was annoying me and it was beginning to show on my face. Lorenzo looked bothered by my reaction. Finally leaving me alone. I released myself from his arms, moving to go find out what was going on.
“Venny, no, that’s not fair. I’m still her mother. You should’ve told me.” I heard my mother protesting.
“He’s a great kid, Keisha. I grow up with his father. He loves Victoria, isn’t that all that matters?” my father answered.
“No, that’s not all that m
atters. That’s my baby you’re allowing to be married off. Venny, I don’t say much about what you do, but this is too much. First your wife snatches her from me, and you tell me to deal with it for a little while. Now, Victoria is engaged to a boy that is in love with her…after only three weeks,” my mother hissed.
“Keisha, I’m making sure Vicky is safe. Lorenzo loves her more than you think. Didn’t I fall in love with you the first time I saw you?” my father said sincerely.
“Oh, please Venn, if that were the case, why am I standing in your wife’s house, when I knew you three years before you married her?” she fired back.
“You know what Lakeisha … you know very damn well the sacrifice I had to make. This would be your home if I could have changed that,” he hissed at her.
“Wait a minute. Venny, please tell me you’re not making that sacrifice again, with your daughter? I know she will do anything you tell her. Does she really love that boy or are you forcing this to happen?” my mother accused.
“I do love him, mom. Would you two please stop fighting? Daddy’s right, Lorenzo loves me and I love him. Why can’t everyone just let me make my own decisions and be happy for me?” I cried.
“Victoria, honey, we’re just talking some things out, don’t be upset,” my mother said.
“Don’t do that. I’m not stupid, I heard you. You two make me so angry. Why ruin today? Why can’t the two of you just let me have one day,” I sobbed.
I turned and ran to Lorenzo, who stood by the back door. I grabbed his hand heading out the door to my guests. I painted on a smile and did my best to mingle.
Maria announced dinner, giving us a chance to sit and be away from the crowd. When we went to our seats at the table; that was now lit by tiny spotlights, there was a box in my seat.
Lorenzo’s mom grinned from ear to ear, giving away the fact that she’d placed it there. Lorenzo lifted the box, so I could sit, then placed it in my palm. I pulled off the wrapping paper and opened the little box.
Inside was a set of keys. I was puzzled. They didn’t look like car keys, so I knew Lorenzo’s mother wasn’t as over the top as he was. Mrs. Botticelli came over to sit where my father’s seat had been.
“They’re the keys to our home. I want you to always feel welcome to come over. I know it’s not much, but it was the gift that means the most to me. I hope it means as much to you.
“You’ve made Lo very happy and relieved my husband of much stress. For that you always have a place in my family,” she explained.
I was speechless, once again. Why can’t my parents behave like this? I wrapped my arms around her and hugged her tightly. She rubbed my back with her warm hands and rocked me from side to side. I love Lorenzo’s mom, she was always so thoughtful.
“Thank you so much, Mrs. Botticelli. This is one of the best gifts I’ve gotten all day. I think it’s the best,” I said.
“Oh, no, Victoria, call me, Sharon. Even Mama will do, Chris and all the others are used to that,” she replied.
“Okay, that’s nice, I’ll try it,” I said as my father came to claim his seat.
Sharon kissed my cheek and returned to her seat. I turned away from my father. The food was on the way out and Maria had come to take her seat as well. I was glad playing dress up was over.
As we ate our dinner, I could feel my temper flaring. I had yet to see my mother return to her seat. I had a feeling she had left and that made me stark mad.
Lorenzo had given up trying to calm me down. He was lost somewhere of his own. I was going to need him to snap out of it. I needed him.
When dinner was over, we cut the cake and guests began to leave. I had given a thank you speech, during the cake reveal. Maria gave me permission to cut out not too long after.
She could see something was going on with my dad and me. I grabbed Lorenzo’s hand and headed straight for my car parked in the front of the house. I just wanted to get out of there.
We jumped in my car and I took off. I wasn’t sure where I was going. I just knew it was out of that house and away from my father.
I couldn’t believe how my mother never fought back, not the way she was tonight. When she finally decided to, it was about the one thing she shouldn’t be concerned about. I was in love with Lorenzo. So what we were being forced to marry, we were in love first. I was so angry with them and then to top it off they had the nerve to lie to my face.
I needed to pull over. I pulled into a parking lot and jumped out of the car. I paced back and forth mumbling to myself.
“I can’t believe them. They’re so selfish. All they had to do was let me have this one day. Why is that so hard,” I grumbled.
I heard the other car door open, Lorenzo slowly walked toward me. I was still pacing, as he stopped a about a foot away from me.
“Victoria, what’s wrong?” he asked sounding disconnected.
I couldn’t help but wonder what his problem was today. I paced a little more, before I headed back to the car without answering him. I went to open the door to get back in, but he was right behind me, placing his hand on my back. I turned to face him, knowing my temper was in full steam.
“Victoria, please talk to me,” he begged.
“Lorenzo, I’m sick of people treating me like a baby and lying to me. It makes me so angry. I don’t think I can take it anymore. I just want to know the truth,” I answered.
He paused in thought for a moment, as he stared at my face. He looked so conflicted. I didn’t understand what was going on with him.
I needed him right now and he was lost in something I couldn’t figure out. I decided to fix his problem first, but when I went to ask him what was wrong, he started to talk.
“Victoria, I need to tell you something. When I first met you that day in the mall, I knew who you were. At the time, I wanted nothing more than to get out of this arrangement.
“I was angry that I had met you, and you were so much more than I expected. When I realized who you were, I just wanted to make the truth go away. So, I called my dad and told him that I met you and you were less than a lady when I did.
“I just wanted him to change his mind, but he involved your dad and things got out of control. I didn’t know he would hit you. I wish I could take that back.
“I’m so sorry I ruined your life and caused you so much pain. You’re so angry right now because of me. I wish I could erase that day and start over. I wish I hadn’t figured out who you were. I wish I could fix what I did to your family.
“I love you so much. I had to tell you the truth. I never want to lie to you.”
I stood in shock. I just stood there looking at him. What was he saying?
I could feel the tears warming my face. I tried to breathe, but it was becoming overwhelming. He reached down to grab my hand, but I pulled away. He dropped his hand to his side and stepped back, still watching my reaction.
Part of me wanted to slap him as hard as my father had slapped me. The other part of me wanted to scream, no. He was taking away my safe place, the one person I did trust and love.
Why now, when I was truly happy and in love with him? Why now? I folded in half, grabbing my knees. I sobbed so loud my ears were ringing. I tried my best to speak in coherent sentences.
“Why? Why Lorenzo? Why tell me now? I need you. You’re all I have left. Why? I…I don’t know…why?
“What does this help? Did you think about how this would make me see you? You’ve known all along how I’ve been hurting because I didn’t understand. Why, Lorenzo? Why?
“Is this your plan to get out of what they want? To take everything from me? I don’t understand. You said you love me, so why would you hurt me like this? Why?” I sobbed.
He said nothing. I only heard my crying. I looked up to see his face. He almost looked green. Tears were streaming from his eyes as he shook his head. I unfolded myself and stepped in front of him to ask again.
“Why?”
He reached for my face and held it in between his hands. “Victor
ia, I don’t want to hurt you. I thought … I thought telling you before you found out on your own was the best thing to do.
“Hearing you say you’ve been lied to, that made me want to tell you. Please, Victoria try to see. I didn’t know what would happen. I didn’t know things would get so out of control.”
I was so angry. So confused and angry. “Stop it, Lorenzo. That’s not the part that is making me so upset. What’s making me so …so pissed, is that you knew, you knew everything, but you told me nothing. What do you want me to do with this?” I yelled in his face.
He just looked at me. Tears running from both of our eyes. He shrugged.
“Let me start over. Let me do this right. Let me fix this. Please, Victoria, I can’t lose you. You promised you wouldn’t leave me, please let me fix this.”
“That’s not fair. I made that promise to someone else. I don’t know you,” I said as I shook my head.
I saw his face twist with pain as my word sunk in. “I deserve that,” he half choked out, as his eyes filled with a look I couldn’t understand. “I would die for you, Victoria.
“My father threatened to kill me if I told you this, and he meant it. I told you for us, because others are controlling everything else around us. I won’t lose you, I will fight for you.
“If you need time, then I’ll give you that. I’ll let you put the pieces together. I know you’ll see I did what I thought was best the whole time, but I won’t lose you.”
Before I could react, he had his mouth pressed to mine. In all the confusion, for a moment, I forgot about everything. I kissed him back with everything I had.
It was easy to let him kiss me, to let him make me feel better. To forget he was the one who caused the pain. I forgot because I wanted to.
I placed my hands at his waist, as he pulled me closer. I thought only of the good feeling passing through his lips to mine. It was so easy, until his phone rang and brought me back to reality.
I stiffened to his touch and drew back from his lips. I could see the pain on his face, when he realized I was retreating. His hands fell to my waist, trying to retrieve me, but I was gone. Not physically, but emotionally.