Inner Diva (15 page)

He nodded. “You can protect me.”

Monica blinked. “You’re totally serious. You
actually want to come to a family birthday party? I mean, I didn’t
invite you because I would never expect that of you.”

“Family is important.”

“Yes, they are.” She only hoped he wasn’t
scared away by the women in her family.

They climbed into Monica’s car, Carlos on the
passenger side. Monica checked her rearview mirror to make sure she
hadn’t completely lost her mind. Had she remembered to -- yes,
there it was – that big splash of pink with the gorgeous purple bow
in the back seat – she’d thrown Mae’s birthday present in before
she left home.

As she drove to her mother’s house, Monica
lowered the tension out of her shoulders and took a soothing breath
of fresh air. A move not missed by Carlos, judging from the fact
that he reached over and massaged her shoulders with his strong
fingers.

Due to the evenings she spent with Luisa, she
had fewer hours to do other things – such as all the family stuff
that normally took up every spare moment she wasn’t at work. But
subtract eight to ten hours from every week she used to hand over
without a blink to her mother, sister, niece or nephew, and there
was a noticeable gap. And noticed, it had been. Barbie had asked
her for favors several times over the last few weeks – pick up her
prescription at the grocery, pick up Mae’s party dress from the dry
cleaner, take Spencer to tee-ball practice. Monica did the best she
could, but she could no longer run herself into the ground.

She had responsibilities – not only a special
project at the theater – but now, the time and effort she dedicated
to Luisa. Not to mention the time she spent on her budding
relationship with Carlos. She needed to set boundaries.

It was time to say no.

As Monica pulled onto her mother’s street,
she strengthened her resolve. Whatever the next favor they asked
her, the answer would be no. There was a first time for everything.
They would just have to get used to it.

“You’re awful quiet.”

Monica glanced over at Carlos. “I’m sorry. I
was just thinking that I needed to set some boundaries with my
mother and sister.”

“Why?”

“Let’s just say they’re under the impression
I have one purpose in my life. To serve them.”

He laughed. “It can’t be that bad.”

She gave him a wide-eyed expression. “You
just wait and see.”

Evelyn’s condo sat on a cul de sac with
little traffic. A cute two-story tan townhouse with white shutters
and doors, identical to five other units on each side, it was the
perfect size for an active, widowed grandmother.

She parked her car in an empty space out
front. She pulled out the huge gaily-wrapped box from the backseat
and the two of them hiked to the front door. When her mother swung
open the door, Monica couldn’t help but smile. Evelyn the
Entertainer was on.

“It’s Aunt Monica!” she trilled, for Mae’s
sake. “She’s got a beautiful package. And I bet I know who it’s
for.”

Monica stepped inside, handing the gift over
to her mother. Evelyn turned to place the big package on a table in
the living room. When she turned back she saw Carlos. “Oh! What
…?”

Monica wasn’t about to find out what the
question would have entailed. “Mom, this is Carlos. My …,” She
stumbled to a halt. Sure, he’d told his mother they were dating.
But was he comfortable with a label like …

“Her boyfriend,” Carlos finished, and she
grinned at him in gratitude. “Nice to meet you, Mrs. Lampton.” He
held his hand out and Evelyn took it limply, her stare
unabated.

“Hello,” she replied uncertainly. “Monica
didn’t tell me she was bringing anyone.”

“That’s my fault. I kind of sprang it on
her.”

“Well, I’d like to chat, but I need to help
with the party.”

“No problem. Don’t let me stop you.”

Evelyn planted a glare on Monica and pointed
at her. “You need to help too, Monica.”

“Of course.” Monica sighed. “I hate to leave
you to your own defenses, but I really need to …”

Carlos waved a dismissive hand. “I’ll be
fine.”

They followed Evelyn into the house. It
looked like a circus clown had burped and unloaded every
primary-colored embellishment known to the big top. Bouquets of
balloons were tied to every light fixture and doorknob. A kid-sized
canvas canopy stood in the living room and a life-sized mannequin
dressed in clown gear stood next to the dining room table.
Cardboard cutouts of clowns, costumed ponies and lion tamers stuck
to the walls. The cake sitting on the counter was, what else,
circus themed. Each guest – adult or child – wore a pointy
cardboard clown hat, complete with a torturous rubber band under
the chin.

Evelyn handed them each one. Monica accepted
it, wondering if she could stuff it under a couch cushion and claim
ignorance. But a pointed glare from her mother made her sigh and
strap the silly thing on, careful not to twang her larynx. Carlos
chuckled and held his by his side.

Barbie swept in then, carrying the
one-year-old guest of honor, who wore a yellow satin dress and
white patent leather shoes.

“Here she is!” Barbie practically sang,
reminding Monica of all the times she and her sister had planted
themselves inches from the TV, watching the ladies in ball gowns
glide down a curved stairway. Giving graceful long-fingered waves,
hair swept up in smooth chignons, Burt Parks singing, “… Miss
Americ-aaaa! He-e-e-re she is, look at her smile.”

“Well, hello Carlos. So glad you came.”
Barbie’s genuine smile gave Monica’s churning insides some
relief.

“Thanks.”

“Mon, could you grab a garbage bag for the
wrappings? I think Mae’s going to open her presents.” Evelyn
scooted off.

Monica nodded, rolled her eyes at Carlos and
headed for the kitchen. She pulled out a couple white plastic bags
from beneath the sink. If he wanted to get a glimpse of what life
around her family was like, this was going to be an unabridged
opportunity.

“Mon,” her mother’s raised voice came from
the living room, “could you bring the paper and pencil I put on the
counter? Someone needs to write down who brought what.”

Monica sighed and glanced around for the
items.

“Oh, and Mon? Could you write everything down
for Barbie?”

A deep chuckle made Monica look over at
Carlos.
So glad you’re enjoying this.

Two hours later, Mae had opened each present,
Monica had carefully documented each one and who’d brought it,
squeezed all the wrappings into the bag, and helped cut the cake
and scoop ice cream. She and Carlos stood in her mother’s kitchen
throwing away paper plates and placing used silverware in the
dishwasher. Through the serving window, they could see Evelyn and
Barbie reclined on the couch, enjoying the post-party quiet.

“Why don’t you go relax with your mom and
sister? You’ve been working hard all day. I’ll finish up here.”

Monica glanced around the kitchen, trash bags
to be taken out, a few more utensils to be soaked, then she looked
into his eyes. “Really?”

“Sure. Won’t take long.” He brushed a quick
kiss on her forehead and gave her a little push.

Monica circled into the living room. All the
decorations were stowed away now so her mother didn’t have any work
to do later.

“That was really nice, Mom,” Barbie said.
“Mae had a great time. Rick got tons of great pictures.”

Evelyn rested her palm on Barbie’s cheek and
patted her. “You know I’d do anything for my Mae and Spencer. I
enjoyed every second.”

Monica plopped down on the couch with a cup
of punch.

“Do you believe the haul that little girl
made?” Barbie mused.

“Mmm mm mm,” Evelyn responded.

“And that was just the family party. The
party for our friends is next weekend. We have at least forty
people coming.”

Evelyn pried her head off the couch and
stared at her daughter. “Forty people? What are you serving?”

Barbie yawned. “It’s all catered. Roast beef
sandwiches on rolls, a pasta dish, salads, chips.”

“But will you need help serving your guests?
You’ll have your hands full with Mae.”

Monica felt her spine stiffening.

“Because I’m sure your sister wouldn’t mind
helping out, would you, Monica?” They both turned their attention
to her. From where she sat, she could see straight into the kitchen
and she noticed Carlos froze in drying a serving bowl.

This was it. Her first chance to say no. To
turn down the opportunity to attend Mae’s second party for her
first birthday, and serve the friends of her sister and
brother-in-law so they’d be free to mingle. A perfect opportunity
to exercise her newfound determination to say …

“N-n- …,” she began.

“No, that’s all right, Mom -- Monica. The
caterer is sending help. They’re supposed to cover everything we
need.” Barbie lifted a fingernail and detected a flaw in her
manicure. She picked at it a moment.

Monica smiled. Well, she got points for
attitude. She was ready, gosh darn it. She would’ve said no.
Wouldn’t she? A ghost of a smile flickered on Carlos’s lips.

“Hey, but you know what? I do have a favor to
ask you, Mon.”

Monica’s smile froze. She had to stay on her
toes around these two, or she’d slip into her old patterns of
agreeing to anything. They almost had her, those sneaks.

Barbie went on, “I need a babysitter the
night of Rick’s political fund-raiser. It’s a black tie affair, and
the kids aren’t going. It’s a week from today. You can come over
about five.”

It was a simple enough request. One she’d
agreed to a hundred times in the past. But tonight, it irritated
her. It was just assumed Monica had no plans, or she’d drop
whatever she had going on to come to her sister’s beck and call.
But not this time.

Monica took a deep breath. She straightened
her shoulders and said, “No.”

Both heads jerked in her direction. Four
eyebrows popped up, causing two sets of creases between them.
“What?”

“I can’t help you that night.”

“Are you busy?” This, from her mother. “Can’t
you change your plans?”

Monica shook her head. “No. I can’t.
Sorry.”

Barbie stared as though she sported a
colorful parakeet perched on her head. “Seriously?”

“Yep, totally serious.”

Carlos finished in the kitchen and joined
her. Before he could settle in on the couch with her, she jumped
up. “Gotta go.” She wrapped her arm around his. Monica felt an urge
to laugh. And that wouldn’t be a good demonstration of her newfound
resolve, so instead she gave her dumbfounded mother a kiss, her
astounded sister the same and headed toward the door. “It was
really fun, guys. See you soon!” They made it out the door before
either of them emerged from their trance.

As they drove off, Carlos turned to her and
rubbed a knuckle against the soft skin of her cheek. “Good job.”
Her heart felt so light she felt she could fly.

The week before opening night, Monica arrived
at play practice without her script. She would fly solo. She not
only knew every stage direction and corresponding set of props, she
had the whole play memorized. She could probably understudy any
role, but she was definitely prepared to play Victoria. She was
only at practice a few minutes before she realized she might have
her chance.

Trina arrived on stage tonight remarkably
quiet. She wore a black turtleneck sweater and an additional gray
scarf wrapped around her neck. She remained ominously silent. Her
eyes narrowed when they landed on Monica. They could’ve burned a
hole in her if Trina possessed superpowers. Monica shuddered. The
best way to deal with Trina was to avoid paranoia.

Monica forced a smile and a wave. Trina
rolled her eyes and turned away.

“Trina?”

She spun around to face Monica and
glared.

“H – how are you?” Monica was at a loss,
because she’d never had to convince Trina to talk before. Quite the
opposite.

Trina opened her mouth. She moved her lips
and bobbed her head as if to coax the words out. But nothing came.
Trina shook her head and pointed at her throat, tears forming in
her eyes.

No voice? The leading lady, a week from
Opening Night, had no voice. She needed her understudy.

Panic grabbed Monica’s heart. Trina needed
her understudy!

“Monica, a word?”

Monica looked up. Director Dave circled by,
an amused smile on his face and his finger beckoning her. She left
Trina, now with tears rolling down her cheeks. “Dave, have you
heard Trina?” she whispered. “She can’t …”

“Talk, I know. You’re on.”

Something squeezed her heart, making it hard
to breathe. “I was afraid you were going to say that.”

“This is the chance you’ve been waiting for.”
He directed his gaze at her, eyebrow raised.

“I never would’ve wished illness on
Trina.”

“Of course not.” Dave rested a hand on her
shoulder. “But you’re the understudy and this is what understudies
are for. Stepping in when the primary actors can’t go on.” He
patted. “You know what they say.”

Monica grabbed a deep breath. “The show must
go on.”

“That’s right,” he said with a smile. “I want
you to do the entire run-through tonight.” At her determined nod,
he gave her shoulder a squeeze and moved on.

After practice, she raced home to freshen up.
Carlos was picking her up in minutes and she wanted to change
clothes and fix her makeup. She heard the doorbell from the
bathroom and raced to answer it. Not waiting for an invitation,
Carlos charged inside and tugged the door shut behind him. He
placed his hungry, warm lips on top of hers, putting a stop to all
her thoughts. His tongue made a delicious assault, mixing with hers
and causing her knees to go shaky. Her core tingled. When he parted
from her, she gasped.