by Ancelli
“Lunch is served.” He remembered what Mrs. Noreen had said about actions speaking louder than words. By the look on Alicia’s face, he’d scored a point or two. “I’d come out here when I needed to calm down and reflect on my life.”
“And what did you think about?” Alicia placed her hands on the railing and smiled.
“You…” Perry prepared his sandwich and took a bite. “That night when you gave yourself completely to me.”
“That night seems so long ago.” She continued staring at the view. “I was so happy.”
“We were happy,” he added. “And I know we can make it happen again.”
She gazed down at him, and then at the lake. “I’m confused. I don’t know what I want anymore. I need time to reflect on me.”
“If you need time, Ali, then I will respect that.” Perry took a bite of his sandwich. “I’m moving out of your parents’ house this week, so you won’t have to worry about seeing me there.”
She sat down beside him, and placed her head on his shoulder. “You are just coming out of a marriage,” Alicia added sadly. “A marriage I encouraged.”
“My marriage to Lorie was never real, and you knew that from day one. I told you I was marrying for my daughter,” he said, leaning back. “I asked your opinion and you told me to marry her because anything we had together was over.”
Alicia didn’t say a word.
“However, I understand where you’re coming from. When you are ready, I will be waiting for you with open arms.” Perry rubbed her back and she placed her head on his lap. “I’m sorry if I ever made you feel like you weren’t enough, because my love, you are more than enough for me or any man out there.” He traced her nose, down to her lips. “I will never feel an ounce of what I feel for you for another woman.”
“I know you love me…” She entwined their fingers together. “I know I’m enough…”
“I’ll keep my distance until you decide if you want me, him, or nobody.”
“Thank you.”
He placed their food to the side and they sat in the same position until the sun started to set. The view was marvelous, the way the sun kissed the lake and made bright, stunning colors. The day began to fade.
“I’ll be right back.” Perry went to her car and returned with two medium paper lanterns, and handed her one.
“Why are you giving me a lantern?”
“I read this can be a releasing practice.” He passed her a pen. “Write down the best and worst day of your life so far.” Perry started writing on the light paper. The best day of his life was the day he’d met Alicia and the worst day of his life was the day he’d screwed Lorie.
“What did you write?” Alicia was being nosey. Perry went to grab her lantern and she moved out of his reach. “I asked first.”
He handed her his. Perry didn’t have anything to hide. While she was busy reading his writing, he grabbed her lantern and read. The best day of my life was the day I made love to Perry for the first time, and the worst day of my life was the day I moved to Chicago, because it ended the best thing I ever had. Perry swallowed, gazing at Alicia. They lit the small candles on the inside, and released the lanterns into the air.
Alicia lay back on the wooden floor and he sat on the step, watching the light wind swoop them lights away.
“Releasing of the past…” She sighed.
That was the exact thing Perry was thinking.
She was quiet on the way back to her parents’ house.
“Thank you for a great day.” She touched his chin. “More beautiful memories with you.”
Perry pressed her knuckles to his lips. “We have so many memories. The good ones will always outweigh the bad times. I will give you the space you need.” He opened the car door, and stepped out.
“Bye, Grandma and Grandpa!” Mia waved at her grandparents coming down the pathway and stopped, staring in between them. “Bendición, papa.”
“Que Dios te bendiga.” Perry kissed her forehead. “Did you finish your homework?”
“Yes, but you and Mommy took forever,” she said. Perry opened Alicia’s door, helping her out. “I’m not complaining.” Smiling, she raised her eyebrow. “Did you have fun?”
Staring at their little girl, Alicia shook her head. “Yes, we had fun. Today was a really special day. We released two lanterns in the air.”
“Without me?” She pouted her full lips.
“Yes, without you, princess.” Perry winked. “Next time, I’ll take you to a lantern festival.”
“Yeah!” Love you, Daddy!” She slipped into the passenger side and maneuvered herself to the back seat. “See you tomorrow after school.” Mia buckled her seatbelt.
“Take care of yourself, Alicia.” He stepped back, watching her as she got in the driver’s side.
“Bye!” She waved before driving away.
Perry strolled up the pathway into the house. He would respect her space and stay away, even though it would kill him inside. No matter what happened between them, they always found each other, if not as lovers, then as friends. Alicia was the one constant in his life and that would never change, regardless of who she was with.
Chapter Ten
Lola pulled up behind Lorie in her driveway, blocking her in. Perry didn’t have any idea what she was up to; however, she was tired of the heifer treating her boy like shit. She’d raised a good man, and Lorie had sucked the life out of him. Something was wrong with the woman, but she couldn’t quit put her finger on it. Perry wasn’t a fool. The old Perry would’ve walked out on her months ago if she wasn’t holding Tiffany over his head. Perry was back to being himself, laughing and going out more. Lola smiled, looking at the picture she’d taken of him and Mia last night on her cell phone. He was a great father, unlike his own father. Lola traced the E on the tattoo on her wrist, thinking about her past life. She took a deep breath, because keeping her cool with Lorie wasn’t easy. Lorie and Tiffany got out of the car, and Lola jumped out of her truck.
“Hey, mamita, how’s my angel doing?” she asked, looking down at Tiffany.
The little girl smiled. “Good!” She handed Lola a drawing. “Look what I drew for my daddy.” It was a drawing of a sun with a house.
“That’s beautiful,” Lola said. “Your daddy will love anything you give him.”
“You think he’ll come home if I give it to him?” Tiffany tilted her head. “Mommy said Daddy doesn’t love me no more—”
Lola glared at Lorie. “What? Your daddy loves you more than anything in this world. I think your mommy fell and hit her head, because only a crazy person would say something like that to a child.” She continued to stare at the bitch. “Tiffany, come on.” She took her little hand in hers, guiding her to the truck. “Get in. I’m going to take you to see your daddy.”
Tiffany’s face beamed at the mention of Perry, and she ran to the truck. Lorie went to move, and Lola lifted her index finger, stopping her.
“I dare you to take another step.” Lola walked over to the truck and opened the back door, helping Tiffany in. “Buckle yourself in.”
“A princess car seat!” She touched the seat as she sat in it.
“Daddy wanted you to get around like a princess that you are. Here, baby, put these on so you could watch the cartoon.” Lola placed the headset securely over the girl’s head and turned the DVD player on. “I’ll be right back.” She lowered the window and closed the door. Lola strolled back up to Lorie.
“You just can’t come here and take my child. That’s illegal.” Lorie pointed. “Are you crazy?”
Lola chewed her gum, staring at the woman in front of her. “Actually, I thought you knew by now that I am crazy, especially when you mess with my family. Why are you keeping Tiffany from my nephew?”
“If your nephew wanted to see his daughter, all he has to do is come see her,” Lorie said.
Lola smirked. “And that’s why I’m here; he doesn’t want to see you. Don’t you get it? Perry is done with you.” Lola lifted
her hands in the air. “Halleluiah!” she shouted. “Que podedoso es Dios!”
“What!” Lorie asked, placing her hand on her hip.
“God is powerful.” Lola pointed at her. “You tricked my nephew into marrying you because you preyed on his weakness. His parents were fools when they walked out on their son, but you knew Perry wasn’t anything like them and you saw a gold mine. I still can’t figure out why him. He definitely didn’t have money, but one day I will figure that shit out. He went behind my back and married you down at the courthouse and after, went about his day like nothing happened. He was still living in his apartment months after.” Lola chuckled, “That my dear, should’ve been a sign, and if that wasn’t, the fact that he never bought you a wedding ring should’ve been a given.” Lola tapped her lips with her index finger. “Hmm, I wonder why?”
“He didn’t have money.” Lorie rushed the words.
Lola burst out laughing, in her face. “Que pendeja eres. You know what a wedding ring symbolizes.” She watched her closely. “Love. The circle represents never-ending love, something he never felt for you. All he felt was contempt, because you kept him away from the woman he truly loved.” Lorie took a step forward, trying to intimidate Lola, but it only made her angrier. “I pray he goes back to the woman that deserves him.”
“Alicia doesn’t deserve him.” Lorie’s cheek turned a hue of dark pink as her lips thinned. “Perry chose me!” She pointed at her chest.
“Oh really?” Lola tilted her head to the side. “Perry was Alicia’s blessing from God, the way he was to me when he was placed in my arms. The devil used you to come and destroy what little hope they had of reconnecting, keeping their blessing held as hostage, but you can’t keep an Ortiz down for long. You reaped the benefits that should’ve been Alicia’s. She stuck by him when he didn’t have anything.” Now it was her inching forward making Lorie move back. “Perry will get everything God had planned out for him. You watch and see.”
Lorie chuckled. “Perry will get exactly what he deserves: nothing. Because when I’m done with him, no one will want him. Now move out my way. You’re not taking my daughter.” Lorie pushed Lola out of the way. In a sudden move, Lola snatched Lorie by the hair, yanking her back, and she pointed her index finger in the woman’s face, making her eyes cross. Perry had never seen this side of Lola and she prayed he would never have to. Her own past was just that, the past, but sometimes you had to show your ass in order for people to listen.
“I told you I’m a crazy bitch! You don’t want to mess with me, chica,” Lola snapped as Lorie tried to get away from her by scratching at her arms. “You hurt my nephew in any way and you will deal with me. I’ve done things in the past that I’m not proud of, and I would do it again in a split second for Perry.” Her grip on Lorie’s hair got tighter. “Tiffany will be spending every weekend from now on with Perry and I will be coming to get her and dropping her off. Do you understand?” Lola asked.
“You’re hurting me!” Lorie yelled in agony.
“Good.” Lola shoved her face with her other hand. “Do you understand the terms of this agreement?”
“Yes!” she yelled. “Now let me go!”
Lola forcefully pushed her against her own car. “Don’t tempt me, little girl. I will pick her up at five every Friday.” Then she smiled. “If you try to take Tiffany on the run, don’t. I know some very powerful people in this town and they will find your ass. So if you were thinking of making a move, don’t. Pull up your big-girl panties and handle your business like a grownup.” Lola was crazy, but when you grew up the way she had, there was no other way. Sometimes she had to pull out the old Lourdes Ortiz to get her point across. Lola’s lips curled up to a grin. “It was nice doing business with you.”
“Crazy bitch!” Lorie blurted out.
Lola chuckled. “I did warn you. See you Sunday evening.” She waved, going to her truck. “Let’s go see Daddy!”
“Yeah!” Tiffany danced and then waved out the window. “Bye, Mommy!”
***
Perry kept his word: he’d stayed away from her. He would pick Mia up from school every day and Alicia would pick her up from his apartment, but she didn’t get out the car. Lola called and asked if she could spend some time with Mia.
“Mia!” Alicia called out. “Your aunt Lola is here to pick you up.” She walked to the door.
“Okay, Mommy!” Mia ran down the hall. “I’m going to get my stuff.”
Alicia pulled the door open and sighed. “Byron.”
“Hey.” He held a bouquet of flowers. “I’m here to apologize.”
“I’ve told you to call before you come to my house.” Alicia stepped out, closing the door behind her. “My daughter is home.”
“And?” Byron tried to give her the flowers. “I think it’s time for me to meet your daughter.”
“That’s my decision to make.” She grabbed the flowers, trying not to be ungrateful. “I think we need to take a break.”
He raised his eyebrows. “Why?”
“I don’t know what I want anymore.” She held her head high.
“What do you mean?” He crossed his arms. “Does this have to do with your baby daddy?”
Alicia had always hated that term, but he was the father of her baby. “Yes, I still have feelings for him.”
“What about me?” He sounded hurt.
“I’m not sure what I feel for you, Byron, and I can’t be in a relationship with someone if I’m not one-hundred percent committed.” She spoke honestly. “You said I shouldn’t be second to anyone. You shouldn’t, either.”
He glared at her. “Alicia, he’s a married man.”
“Who, my daddy?” Mia asked, opening the door.
“Mia!” Alicia raised her voice. “This is an adult conversation. Get your ass back in the house.”
“Mommy, you said Aunty Lola was here.” Mia tilted her head. “I obeyed you.” Then she looked at Byron. “My daddy is getting a divorce and he’s having a baby with my mom.”
“What!” he blurted out.
Alicia shook her head. “Don’t listen to my daughter; she has a very creative mind.”
“Mia.” He extended his arm. “I’m Byron, your mom’s bo—”
“My friend.” Alicia gave him the look.
“I have something for you.” Byron dug in his back pocket, pulling out his wallet. “Here.” He handed her a twenty-dollar bill. “I heard your grades were great.”
Mia’s eyes lit up. “Thank you, mommy’s friend.” She took the bill.
“Give that back.” Alicia snatched the bill, trying to give it back to Byron. He grabbed it and gave it back to Mia.
“Mia, I’m not going to repeat myself. Get inside.” Alicia pointed inside the house. Mia’s lips curled up into a sneer and as she was about to pass Alicia, she gave her the flowers before she went back in the house and closed the door. “Really, Byron. You think you can buy my child?” The nerve. “Mia can’t be bought.” Her daughter was a very smart and sassy kid. If she didn’t like you, there was nothing you could do to win her over.
“I was rewarding her for doing good in school.” He placed his wallet back in his back pocket.
“You don’t have to reward my daughter. How many times do I have to tell you, my daughter is off limits?” Alicia twisted her lips.
“Why is she off limits? We are or were seeing each other. The next step was meeting our kids,” Byron said. “You’ve met my son.”
“Because that was your choice,” Alicia replied. “As for me, I was not ready to introduce you to Mia, and with good reason.”
“Alicia you’re full of shit!” He raised his voice. “He’s supposedly getting a divorce, according to your daughter, and all of a sudden, you don’t want me anymore. That man whispered some bullshit in your ear and now you’re in love with him. Come on, I know you’re smarter than that. Are you so desperate for attention?”
Alicia chuckled sarcastically. Having let him speak his mind, she placed her hand on
her hip.
“Hola,” Lola said, holding Tiffany’s hand. “Hello.” She tipped her chin at Byron.
“Hi.” He waved his hand.
“Hi, Mrs. Alicia.” Tiffany ran up and hugged her legs.
“Hi, baby girl.” She bent down and kissed her head. “You get bigger every time I see you.” Alicia stared into her big, bright eyes.
“Daddy says I’m going to be tall like him,” Tiffany informed her.
“You are?” Alicia touched her cheeks. Tiffany was such a kind and beautiful little girl. Alicia loved her, because at the end of the day, she was part of Perry. “Go inside, peanut. Mia’s waiting for you.”
Tiffany strolled into the house. “Mia, I’m here!”
Lola looked at Byron and then at Alicia. “Excuse me.” He walked between them. “Alicia, when you’re done, I need to speak to you.”
“Give me a minute.” Alicia’s lips thinned when she turned to Byron. “As you can tell, I have to go.”
“He has you babysitting his kid!” He shook his head. “I get it now. I guess we can be friends then, because I won’t settle being second—or is that asking too much?”
“Byron.” Alicia walked back in the house, holding the door. “You don’t know half of the history between me and Perry, and yes we can be friends.”
“See you at your birthday bash,” he said, going down the path of her driveway.
She couldn’t take back her invitation, or could she? She closed the barrier.
“I don’t like him.” Lola raised her eyebrow.
“You don’t like anyone besides your nephew.” Alicia strolled into the family room, where the girls were playing with a couple of baby dolls.
“He’s never stopped loving you,” she mentioned. “Don’t you get it?”
Alicia sighed. “Maybe he needs to tell me how he really feels.”
“He married that pendeja because of that precious child.” Lola pointed at Tiffany. “If it wasn’t for her, he would’ve begged and pleaded until you gave him another chance. As I recall, he did beg you, and you threw him into that witch’s arms.”