Page 12 of Remember Me?
“Dinner's almost ready, so don't gossip too long! I have a surprise for you, Melody.” Rosa says with mischief in her eyes. The house smells like home, freshly made tortillas and spices. Her stomach growls audibly, loud enough for Rosa to try and steer her back towards the kitchen. Walking past the living room, where Mr. Stevens sits, snoring softly on his special recliner, a football replay on the television. He was a tall man with light skin and a smattering of blond hair on his arms. His eyes are closed, with reading glasses sitting at the tip of his nose, his phone resting face up on his belly.
“Don't wake sleeping beauty,” Marisol says in a fake whisper. “The man was outside by six am cutting the grass and getting ready for dinner.” She rolls her eyes.
“Marisol! Your brother just called. His class ran late, but he is on his way.” Rosa clasps her hands and exclaims, pride shining on her face. “Oh Melody, you should see my Graham. So handsome and grown up.”
“Oh yes, the prodigal son returns,” Marisol says. “He has always been the favorite.” She rolls her eyes, but you can sense the excitement in her voice. She misses her brother.
Melody follows Marisol up the stairs to leave her bag in the bedroom. The space is messy and chaotic, just like Marisol. Posters and pictures line an entire wall. This was a room well lived in. Marisol jumps on her bed, leans back, and sighs loudly in faux exhaustion, the way only a sheltered 18-year-old could.
“Girls come down for dinner,” Rosa shouts.
“God, that was fast. Graham is probably here already, and Mami wants everyone to fuss over her baby!” Marisol says, pulling Melody out of the room.
There was a commotion downstairs and an all too familiar voice that made Melody hesitate just before she turned the corner.
“What the fuck are you doing here?” Marisol says with venom dripping from every word. There in the flesh is Duke. Standing sheepishly in the foyer at the foot of the stairs. His blond hair is combed up and freshly shaved face holding a bouquet of flowers. He looks flustered and sweet but recovers quickly.
“Hey, Melly, I missed my girl, so I thought I would surprise you.”
He really was quite handsome, and his face was comforting. She could easily just walk right into his open arms, and know exactly how he would easily fold his arms over her body, tucking her into his embrace.
God, I am so easy.
“MARISOL, you will not speak to our guests in that manner. We are not animals.” Rosa admonished. “Thank you for accepting my invitation, Duke. Melody, are you not happy to see your boyfriend, Mija?” As if suddenly realizing that Melody hasn’t spoken, Rosa turns towards her, eyes roving over her face, searching for answers. Gulping down a few deep breaths in an attempt to keep herself from running right back into Duke’s arms, she sends Rosa a pleading look.
“You look pale, dear. Come with me. Let's get you a soda.” She gathers Melody in her arms, pulling her into the kitchen. Marisol, please take Duke to the dining room. We are setting up soon.”
By the hard look on Duke’s face he wanted to argue, however, Rosa’s words left no room for discussion. Quickly seeking refuge from her emotions, Melody finds what they call the ‘safe space’ in the kitchen. It's essentially a little alcove under the kitchen island that really makes no design sense. It has been there for as long as she can remember, through multiple renovations and design schemes. This little corner in the kitchen is where everyone comes to hide, cry, or vent about any little tragedy that would happen in their lives. Tucking herself in, with knees folded up towards her body, Melody rests her head on her knees.
“What happened?” Asks Rosa.
“Nothing, Ms. Rosa. Everything is okay, I think you are right, I just need something to eat.” The door opens violently, crashing into the wall behind them, as Marisol, with all the volatile energy of a warrior walks right in.
“Why did you invite that guy here, Mami? He is an ass. This is the second time he fools around with another girl. He cheated Ma, again!” Rosa is quiet. The only sound is the pop and fizz of the soda can top being released. She slides down to sit beside Melody, gathering her hands.
“We do not like Duke?” She asks me, her eyes begging me to answer honestly.
“I'm not quite sure. ” Melody admits, her chin dropping with guilt. She understands Marisol's frustration, but Duke is all she has known for the past year. His face feels like home, and she could very quickly find herself back in his arms, forgiving him of everything so that she can feel that comfort again.
“No Mami, we do not!” Marisol states angrily, her arms on her hips.
“Okay.” Rosa says. “Then we must work quickly.” She shoots up from her position next to Marisol with the energy of a child.
“Wait, Ma, what are we working towards?” Marisol asks suddenly on the balls of her feet, excitement making it hard for her to stand still. The adrenaline probably coursing through her veins. Marisol always did love a good dose of conflict.
“His replacement, of course!” And just like that, Rosa abandons Melody to begin her scheming. She has a bit of a matchmaker streak, always trying to set people up together. Everyone knew that when you were single and invited somewhere by Ms. Rosa, chances were you were going on a blind date. The community indulged her. She wants everyone to have the happiness that she has with Mr. Stevens.
Taking a sip of the soda, the cold sweetness rushed over Melody’s tongue. She braces herself for a very uncomfortable evening.
“You ready, Chica?” Asks Marisol, holding her hand out to Melody and pulling her up off the floor. “Let’s make this shit interesting.”
Leading Melody into the dining room, Marisol begins to call the names and backgrounds of the unfamiliar faces at the table. The first, a beautiful young girl with red hair and alabaster skin, sits next to an empty seat. “That's Jen. She is Graham’s girl when he is in town. Pretty huh? You’d never know she was one of my biggest tormentors in high school.” She scoffs. “Call someone an ugly cunt once, and all of a sudden, she and her friends start to spread rumors about you behind your back. What a bitch.” Marisol rants.
“That guy, over there.” She whispers while gesturing towards a Hispanic guy wearing a button-up long-sleeve and dress pants. Looking outrageously out of place and uncomfortable in his dress clothes while everyone else is in shorts and casual wear. “Is Peter. Mom is trying to hook him up with me. Every dinner is a new arrangement of guys and girls for us to choose from. She wants grandkids, I guess. Now, it looks like you’ll end up with an arrangement or two.”
Making an unpleasant noise in the back of her throat. “Look at him, no way, I'm definitely holding out for a cowboy.” Marisol says with a wink, already thinking ahead to her college days in Texas. “And then there is Theo. Even though it's weird between us, he still comes to every dinner.”
Theo has always been a cute kid, more sullen and withdrawn than she was used to, but definitely attractive, average height, wide shoulders, tanned skin and blond hair making his gray eyes really stand out. He stares after Marisol like she is his whole world. Rounding the table she sits at the empty seat, Duke to her left, Marisol to her right. Pete, the poor guy, is seated in between Marisol and a scowling Theo. Directly in front of us, Rosa stares daggers at Duke. He leans in closer.