Page 48 of Counting the Stars
“Yeah. I joke and say it’s because I’m my parents’ favorite. But the truth is, I like to go back and celebrate with my birthday buddy.”
“Has she ever come to celebrate with you?”
“She would, but my parents would make a big deal out of it. My family likes to do everything together and since they all live within twenty minutes of each other, it’s just easier for me to go there. The Joneses like to stand as a united front. They’re not happy that I broke away from the herd.” More like I escaped a totalitarian-run household, but I leave it at that. It’s probably best to ease Gabby into all of this.
“But you left because you didn’t want to be in the spotlight.” This was also a huge reason for leaving and something Gabby and I had touched upon. I’m not into the fame and fortune thing, which is something my parents and siblings have a terrible time understanding. I enjoy the anonymity out in Starboard Beach, and I love helping people when I can, but unlike the rest of the Joneses, I don’t need any fanfare or special recognition for my good deeds.
“Exactly. They still don’t see it that way. They act like I abandoned them.” I make the huge mistake of turning my face to look at Gabby, who has traded in her trail mix for some flavor of Blow Pop. While she’s innocently enjoying a piece of candy, the sucking sounds she makes can easily be interpreted as something else.This could be a very long weekend.
“Do you feel like you abandoned them?”
“What? Oh, yeah. Sometimes,” I answer her question as it pulls my mind out of the gutter. “Okay, a lot of times I feel guilty that I left. But a few hours back home usually remind me why and then I’m good again for a while.”
“Okay.” Gabby senses my discomfort. “Let’s get back to the topic at hand. We’ve already discussed Victoria, Roberto, and Lilliana. Who’s next?”
“Next in line is Isabella. She is a math genius and financial advisor just like her husband, Tony. Which reminds me. If one of them corners you and starts talking about stocks and bonds, send me some kind of signal and I’ll come rescue you. Trust me on this one: they’ll bore you to tears.”
“Noted. Who’s next?”
“Luis.”
“I don’t think I’ve ever heard you mention him.” Now she’s crunching on the candy, revealing what looks to be some sort of gum in the middle.
“That’s probably because the guy is less interesting than watching paint dry.”
“Stop!” Gaby giggles. “I’m sure he can’t be that bad.”
“Luis is an entomologist.No onehas anything in common with him.”
“Wait! Isn’t that a person who studies bugs?”
“Oh, he doesn’t just study them. He lives for them. His house looks like a laboratory. I’m sure if some sort of ant colony needed a leader, he’d be the next one to fly the Joneses’ coup.” While she’s laughing and trying to blow a bubble now, I pause and reflect on my family for a moment. Man, we’re such an odd crew.
I’m usually a mess when I go back to visit my family. With the exception of Lilli, I’ve always felt like an outsider. I should be feeling vulnerable about letting Gabby see this part of me,but I don’t because somehow, she gets me and that’s all that matters.
“On second thought, forget what I said about ignoring Isabella and her husband. It’s better to get stuck listening to the latest trends in IRAs than getting a lecture on the mating habits of dung beetles.”
“Alejandro, I swear, if you’re telling me stories to make me look crazy when I meet them, I’m going to be so pissed off at you.”
“I’m telling the truth,” I say in defense. “Trust me, my life is stranger than fiction.”
“Sounds like it,” she says, but I know she doesn’t fully believe me. I wouldn’t believe it either. Except I was born in this family. “Is Luis, the entomologist, married?”
“Yes, to his work.”
“Gotcha.” Gabby toys around with the air conditioning vent. “Who comes after Luis?”
“Ugh. Angel.” I cringe.
“Oh boy. I take it that he doesn’t live up to his namesake?”
“To the outside world, yes. But he’s hated me since the day I was born. He was the baby of the family until I came along.”
“Ah, so he was jealous of you.”
“Yeah, but it’s not like I did anything to provoke him. I was just, you know, born.”
“That’s normal with older siblings. I remember feeling jealous toward Mari. Her birthday was in January and with mine in March, it always felt like she got to celebrate first.”