Her mother’s expression didn’t change. “What about Angel? I thought you two were so inseparable?”
The knot in Sarah’s throat nearly choked her. All she could manage was to shake her head and look away before the tears escaped her eyes again. Her mom squeezed her hands.
“Tell me about it.”
Sarah took one hand back to wipe the tears. She was angry at herself. This wasn’t supposed to be about her. The last thing she wanted was to burden her mom any further. But her mother pushed.
“Talk to me, baby.”
After composing herself she breathed in deeply. Sarah reached out for her mother’s hand again. Her mom took it and squeezed it, smiling. “He found out about Sydney.”
She knew her mom would be confused and her expression was just that. “I never told him that Sydney was…”
Sarah felt foolish. She’d told her mom as much as she could about Angel. But their conversations on the phone were so short she always felt guilty about using up all their time talking about herself so she’d left a lot of the details out.
“Was what, honey?”
Sarah glanced around the room and back at her mom. “Ever known anyone that doesn’t believe a guy and a girl can be friends?”
In an instant the look of confused concern on her mother’s face was replaced with that of understanding and she nodded.
“I messed things up bad, mom.” Talking to her mom felt really good.
“So, he didn’t know about Sydney?” Her mom let go of her hand and reached over to the box of tissue on their table she handed it to Sarah. “Blow your nose.”
Sarah did and then continued. “Not exactly.”
She told her mom the entire sordid story. About Angel assuming Syd was a girl, and how she wanted to tell him the truth so many times and how finally he found out the truth in the worst way. And then how she’d called him to tell him she was leaving and how cold he’d been telling her to be happy.
“So, he thinks you’re staying in Arizona?”
Sarah bit her lip. “That’s what I really wanted to talk to you about.”
Her mother’s eyebrow went up.
“Mom,” Sarah’s voice fell almost to a whisper. “I can’t go back.”
Her mom shook her head but her expression was kind. Sarah looked away. “Honey, I want nothing more than your happiness. Look at me.”
Sarah turned back at her mother’s tired eyes. There was no way she would argue with her. When she first arrived in California she was so bitter she didn’t care how angry her mom would be when she moved back to Arizona. But after seeing her today, her heart yearned to give her mom any pleasure no matter how minuscule.
“Listen to me, Hon,” She cupped one of Sarah’s hands in both of hers. “I know right now this seems like the end of the world. And you’ll never know how sorry I am that I wasn’t there for you when it happened. But give it time. Things have a way of working themselves out. Angel will understand...”
Maybe it was Sarah’s expression. She couldn’t even pretend to believe that this would somehow get worked out, but her mother stopped mid speech. She leaned over, a tiny smile rising from the corner of her lips. “I have good news.”
“What?”
“Well, I wasn’t going to say anything until I knew for sure, but you look so sad.” Her mom pretended to pout. “My lawyers found a loop hole in my case.”
For the first time since she’d been there, Sarah thought she saw a twinkle in her mother’s eyes. “What does that mean?”
Her mom sat back with a cautious grin. “Well, I won’t know anything until we go to court and that won’t be until after the holidays, but according to my lawyers, if everything goes well I could be out by early spring.”
Sarah jumped out of her seat, causing one of the guards to look at her funny. She gave him a crooked regretful smile and then hugged her mom. “Oh, my God, mom! That’s the best news ever.”
Her mom beamed then went back to being serious. She motioned for Sarah to sit back down. “But you have to promise me you’ll stay in California until then, Sarah. It’s not that much longer.”
Sarah felt an uneasiness set in her stomach but nothing could take away the joy of what she’d just heard. The smile was still pasted to her face and she felt the lump in her throat again. This time it was joy that had her choked up, an emotion that had been so foreign to her all week. “Okay, mom,” she smiled. “Whatever you want.”
***
Carina was a tall busty girl with blonde hair. Not at all what Sarah would have thought was Sydney’s type. But the girl loved her music and that alone could have Sydney talking for hours.
She didn’t offer much at all for conversation, but was polite. Sarah hoped they could become friends, especially if Sydney was in this for the long haul. But so far things were awkward at best.
After just a few days of being around them, Sarah finally accepted it. Her and Sydney’s relationship was one that was going to take some getting used to by any third party.
Sarah was so used to being completely uninhibited around Sydney. She had, after all, grown up with him. Around Carina she tried to catch herself before doing things she didn’t even do around Angel. Like belch.
It was so easy to get right back to the way things had always been, and start laughing and carrying on. It amazed her that although she could never get Angel completely off her mind, being around Sydney really helped.
Christmas day at Sydney’s was the same as usual. Mr. and Mrs. Maricopa were blasting the Christmas carols in the kitchen while they finished up dinner together. They were going to have a few family members and Carina over for dinner.
Sarah could barely hear the television in the front room over the music but it didn’t matter, she practically had the movie memorized she’d seen it so many times.
Sydney walked out of the kitchen shaking his head. “They’re already hitting the eggnog.” He chuckled.
Sarah barely looked up from the T.V. She sat on the floor using some of the pillows she’d used from the night before to plop against. Sydney turned to see what she was watching.
“Pride and Prejudice again?” He sounded disgusted. “Geez haven’t you seen that like a hundred times?”
Sarah ignored him, still staring at the television, but smirked. He sat down next to her and picked up the remote from the floor. Next thing she knew there was football on the screen.
“Hey!”
“Now this is more like it.” Sydney grinned.
“I had the remote first and I’m your guest.” She reached over for the remote but he put his arm up and she couldn’t reach.
“I’m telling,” she smiled wickedly. “Mrs. Maricopa!”
There was no way Sydney’s mom could hear her over the loud music in the kitchen and Sarah knew it. She got on her knees to try to reach it but Sydney fell back laughing and she fell onto him. She had her hand on the remote and Sydney tickled her in the ribs. Sarah instinctively flinched and started laughing.
“No fair!”
She tickled him back causing him to drop the remote and she grabbed it but he grabbed her by the waist and she fell back shielding the remote under her body. He pinned her down trying to get the remote from under her. Sarah hadn’t laughed that much in a while. She squeezed her eyes shut trying to catch her breath between laughing when she opened them and saw over Sydney’s shoulder. Carina was standing in the middle of the living room staring at them. She looked stunned and Sarah pushed Sydney off her.
“Hi, Carina.”
Sydney immediately turned his head, his body was still half on Sarah. He pushed himself away from Sarah.
“Hey, Babe.”
“I knocked but…” Carina’s eyes went from Sarah who was pulling down her blouse that had ridden up, showing a bit of her midriff, to Sydney and then turned around and rushed back to the door.
“Carina, wait.” Sydney jumped up. “Where you going?”
Carina walked out and Sydney followed her.
Sarah stood up and made her way to the window. She peeked out and saw them arguing. Carina appeared to be crying. Sarah couldn’t believe how naive she’d been. Angel would’ve had a much more violent reaction. Just because this was normal to them didn’t mean it was to outsiders. It was like she had a brother, but he really wasn’t. They were out there for quite a while, but he finally convinced Carina to come back in.
Sarah had no idea what to say but knew immediately when they walked in by the look Sydney gave her it was better to not say anything. He got the chance later when Carina was in the restroom to tell Sarah everything was okay. But Sarah knew better. She’d almost ruined Christmas for them.
So, when Valerie called a few days later to convince her to come back to La Jolla for New Year’s Eve she agreed. Originally she planned on staying in Arizona and to spend it with Syd and Carina. Given what happened, though, she decided to let them enjoy a romantic New Year’s Eve without the third wheel.
Sydney wasn’t happy she was leaving early, but he was glad that she’d decided to stay in California. At least until her mom got out of jail.
CHAPTER 24
Christmas came and went, with no feelings of joy for Angel. The restaurant wasn’t nearly as busy the week after Christmas as was the week before. His parents were gone for the week visiting family in Mexico. Every year they left the week after Christmas and came back after the New Year. Angel and Alex had covered the morning shift at the restaurant and since Sal was there for the week, he and Sofia covered the afternoon shift.
Angel was in no mood to celebrate New Year’s Eve. Especially knowing Sarah’s birthday was at midnight and it wouldn’t be him kissing her happy birthday. Angel slammed the drawer he’d just pulled a pair of socks out of.
Alex poked his nose in his room. “What’s with you?”
Angel glanced at him but didn’t answer. He sat down to on his bed and began putting the socks on.
“I got people coming over, so get down here and help me clean this place up.”
Angel’s shoulders slumped. “Who’s coming over?”
“None of your high school, rioting, crumby friends, well,” He laughed. “Except for Eric and Romero. But everyone else is grown up. So, try to pretend.”
Angel frowned “What time?”
Alex had already walked away but he yelled, “In about an hour.”
Angel glanced at the clock, it was already close to nine. He’s just worked out and showered. He was looking forward to a quiet night of shooting some pool and calling it an early one. Not a damn party.
By the time he got downstairs the kitchen counters had been transformed into a mini bar. The music was blasting and Romero was already there with a beer in his hand.
Sal and Sofia walked in just as Angel grabbed a beer from the fridge.
“What’s going on?” Sal asked.
Alex walked back in from the backyard with an ice chest. “Party time brutha.”
Sal peered and Sofia grinned.
Sal looked back at Angel. Angel raised his hands in the air. “Don’t look at me. This is all him.”
“Yeah,” Alex said. “Don’t worry. It’s not any of his juvenile friends. Except for Eric and Romero.”
Romero pretended to be appalled. “I’m standing right here!”
Alex ignored him as he grabbed a bag of ice from the freezer. “It’s just a few of my more refined friends.”
Sal shook his head. “Good luck. This place better all be in one piece tomorrow, ‘cause I ain’t taking the heat for any of this.”
Sofia ran out of the kitchen and up the stairs. Alex stopped to watch her. “Where is she going?”
“Yeah, she’s gonna be here around all your refined college friends.” Sal smirked examining the bottles of booze on the counter.
Alex didn’t like that. “Well, no one invited her.”
Angel chuckled, “What are you gonna do? Lock her in her room?”
Alex raised his eyebrow. “Now, there’s a thought.”
“Oh, yeah,” Romero smirked. “College boys are what you guys need to be worried about.”
All three brothers stared at him. “What does that mean?” Alex asked.
Romero shook his head and shrugged. “I don’t know. I just felt left out.”
Angel who was closest shoved him.
They finished getting things ready and people started arriving. Angel hung out with Romero in the front room, his thoughts, as usual, miles away. Romero kept nudging him to get his attention. After a few annoying conversations with what Alex referred to as refined college girls, he’d had enough. He headed back to the kitchen for food.
He stopped dead when he walked in the kitchen. Sofia was wearing jeans and heels that made her look way taller, not to mention older, but it was the blouse he couldn’t take his eyes off. It was the same backless one Sarah had worn at that very first party he talked to her.
Alex walked in after Angel. “Sofia, what are you wearing?”
Sofia looked down at her blouse. “What? Sarah lent it to me a while back. What’s wrong with it?”
“You look…” Alex struggled to find the word.
“Hot?” She teased.
Alex’s jaw worked. “You need to change.”
“Why?”
Eric walked in the back door and froze when he saw Sofia.
Alex saw the way he looked at her. “Go change now, Sofia, before anyone else gets here.”
Sofia stomped out of the kitchen and up the stairs. Angel felt bad. He didn’t mind the way she looked but he was glad the blouse would be gone. Just seeing it brought back memories of holding and kissing Sarah for the first time. It was all too painful and again for as much as he missed her he was glad he wouldn’t have to see her again.
The time went by quickly and before long they were counting down. Angel was outside with Sal, Alex, and a couple of the girls. Sofia had gone inside with Eric and Romero to watch the countdown on the big television.
When they were done with the hugs and happy new year’s, Alex took off to bring some more beer from inside. Angel followed, his mind still on Sarah and what she might be doing right at that moment. She was officially eighteen now.
Alex walked in the kitchen. “What the fuck?”
Angel couldn’t see but Alex was livid. He caught up in time to see Alex charge Eric. “You’re kissing my little sister?”
“It was a New Year’s kiss.” Sofia said stepping in front of Eric.
“I don’t give a shit! You don’t kiss my sister like that. What the fucks wrong with you?”
“Like how?” Angel tried holding Alex back.
What the hell had he seen? By then other people were sticking their heads in the kitchen and Sal rushed in from the backyard.
“It was just for New Year’s, Alex. Relax,” Eric said.
Alex reached over Sofia and grabbed Eric by the shirt. “I know what I saw fucker. Sofia move!”
But between Angel, Sal, and Sofia, they held him off. Eric began for the door.
“What the hell, Alex?” Angel asked. “Wait, Eric.”
“No, I want him out,” Alex barked. “I ever see you around my sister again I swear to God I’ll fuck you up!”
Sal winced. “Enough, Alex.”
Alex hadn’t seemed drunk earlier but now Angel could only assume that he was. Eric left in a hurry. Angel turned to Sofia. She looked ready to cry. People had given them their privacy and left the kitchen, except for Romero who stood at the doorway.
Angel didn’t even want to ask. It was too bizarre. But he had to. “How was he kissing you?”
“Your friend had his tongue down her throat!” Alex shouted.
Before Angel could wrap his brain around what he just heard. Sofia spoke up.
“Maybe I had my tongue down his throat, ever think about that?” The tears streamed down her cheeks.
She stunned them all momentarily. “I’m not a baby anymore, Alex. I’m tired of being treated li
ke one!”
“You’re sixteen, Sof,” Alex’s tone was much softer now and Angel knew he wasn’t drunk.
“I’ll see him if I want to, you can’t stop me,” Sofia rushed out pushing Romero as she made her way out the kitchen.
“Like hell you will,” Alex said soft at first and then again louder. “You hear me Sof? Like hell you will!”
Alex turned and glared at Angel. “I don’t want that asshole around her again.”
***
Sarah was tired and her feet ached. The party showed no signs of dying down. Valerie tried to pull her into the circle of girls where she was dancing but Sarah motioned that she was going to the restroom.
Valerie’s friends lived in a gated community. They had a recreation center and that’s where the party was being held. It was about the size of a small banquet room with a pool just outside.
Sarah passed the restroom and went outside. It was chilly but felt good. She sat down on one of the picnic tables by the pool and searched her small clutch for her compact. Her cell phone was lit. She’d just missed a text. Sydney had already called her to wish her a happy birthday.
When she flipped it over she noticed she also missed two calls, both from Sofia. Sarah smiled. Since the break up, Sofia had called her a couple of times once to tell her how sorry she was about them splitting up. And another just after Christmas to tell her she missed her and wished she was still in California. Both times Sarah had choked up.
She didn’t remember if she’d even mentioned her birthday being on New Year’s to Sofia. She clicked the envelope and read the text.
I hate my brothers. I’m so mad I’m crying.
Second:
Call me please. I need to talk to you.
Sarah thought of the cavemen and couldn’t help frowning. What had they done now? She called Sofia and she picked up right away. She was hysterical. Sarah could barely make the words out. The only thing she could make out was that Alex had ruined her life.
“Sofia, slow down. Take a deep breath,” Sarah did her best to speak in a soothing voice. She remembered her mom doing that to her when she was little and she was crying. “I can’t understand you.”
Sofia breathed heavily but Sarah could tell she was trying to calm herself. She sounded like a little girl and Sarah wished she could be there to hug her.
“Alex told Eric to stay away from me.”