Sublime Wreckage (24 page)

"Take your time. Is there anything I can do? Will talking about it help?"

"No. I just want to forget about it. I have enough stress today, I don't need to add more just because of a nightmare. But thanks for offering." Vince takes my hand and rubs his thumb up and down my wrist. I start to forget about the dream and focus on the here and now. I still can't believe we found each other. He brightens my day so much. My appetite slowly starts to return so we eat while we wait for my Grandpa.

"Thanks again for breakfast. It was yummy."

"Anytime." Just then I hear the door. I'm kind of nervous about introducing Vince to my Grandpa. I really hope they get along.

"Hi Grandpa. Come on in. There is someone I want you to meet." We walk the five short steps into the living room and I introduce the two important men in my life. "Grandpa this is Vincent Moreno. Vincent, my Grandfather Colonel Joe Wilson." He loves it when I introduce him as colonel. It reminds people, especially boys, he isn't to be messed with.

"Hello Sir. It's so nice to meet you." Vince shakes hands with my Grandpa. I can't help but smile from ear to ear.

"Hello Vincent. It's nice to meet you too. I understand you know what the situation is with Maggie and her mother?"

"I do. I have no problem helping Maggie get her things."

"You can help her while I keep Patricia occupied. She won't bother you. But let's try to make this as fast as we can. I don't know how long I can be in the same room as that woman without losing my temper." I see Vince give my Grandpa a small nod of agreement.

We decide to head over in Vince's truck. My Grandpa follows us in his car. Vince even brought some boxes and packaging supplies. He is so thoughtful. The closer we get to the house the more my body starts to display my nerves. My leg is bouncing up and down like crazy. My hands can't stop fidgeting until Vince reaches over and grabs them.

"I'm right here with you. Nothing is going to happen. Ok?"

"Thanks."

When we finally pull into the driveway, I see my mother standing on the porch waiting. Her arms are crossed in front of her body and she looks pissed. She also looks like she just rolled out of bed. Her hair is sticking up in the front and her clothes look wrinkled and dirty. I can't even imagine what the inside of the house looks like given her state of being. I wait for my Grandfather to get out before I open my door. I see him walk right up to her. I quickly hop out of the truck curious as to what he could be saying to her. I overhear the end of their conversation.

"I mean it Patricia. Leave Maggie alone or I will call the police. Allow her to gather her things in peace and we will be gone before you know it. I don't want any trouble."

"But what am I supposed to do for money? Don't you give a damn that your daughter-in-law can't pay her bills?"

"You haven't been my daughter-in-law in years. We both know the only reason I ever agreed to help you was because of the paternity test. You are the one who burnt this bridge. Why don't you get a job like every other normal person and support yourself for a change. Now step aside so Maggie and her friend can get by."

I look up to the porch as my mother stares at my Grandfather. She seems speechless. She slowly moves to the side so we can get by. I don't look at her as I pass. My stomach already feels like an entire army of butterflies could burst through it at any moment. I don't need to make it worse by making eye contact. No words are spoken between us as I brush past her quickly. The inside of the house is a disaster. I can smell the rotten food from the kitchen. Her clothes are thrown all over the place. It's like she had some fit of rage and destroyed everything in her wake. Dread starts to build inside of me about what she might have done to my room. I take a deep breath before opening my bedroom door. Relief fills my body as I scan the place where I lived just a week ago. It looks exactly the same as the day I left. I'm shocked she didn't go on a rampage obliterating everything I own.

Vince helps me pack all my clothes, take down all the pictures, and get anything else important. He carries each box out to the truck putting it in the back. The walls are now bare. Nothing remains of me in this hallow space. I tell Vince to go ahead and wait in the truck. I just have to get my bathroom stuff then I will be finished. After filling my small duffle bag with the rest of my things I head outside. My Grandpa and mother are still waiting on the porch in silence. I head down the front steps while my Grandpa follows. He passes me on the sidewalk and then I turn around. I walk back up to the porch and stand right in front of my mother.

"I just have one question for you. Did you ever love me?" She looks up into my eyes for several seconds before answering me. It's like she's searching for her answer in me. Almost like if she looks long enough she will see the reason she should love me.

"Of course Maggie. Don't be ridiculous. You're my child. Why wouldn't I love you?"

"Because I haven't heard those three simple words come out of your mouth in years. I think you despise me. I don't know why. I don't know what I ever did to you to deserve such horrific treatment. Do yourself a favor and get help. Get treatment for whatever it is that has poisoned your mind against your own daughter."

She doesn't say another word. I turn and head toward the truck. I fight back the tears threatening to escape, swallowing down the pain of leaving. My heart clenches in my chest as I walk away from my only living parent. As much as I wanted to be free of her, I have to admit to myself, this is the hardest thing I have ever done in my life. I don't know what the future holds for us. I don't know if I will ever be able to fully forgive her. But for now, I know I have to walk away.

The next few days go by like a blur. I haven't heard from my mother since the day I packed up my room. I don't expect that I will. Everything is going well with school. I got all of my applications sent in for college. I'm anxiously awaiting responses but that won't happen for a few more months. I've had to work every night this week which means I haven't seen much of Vince. But it will be worth it when I get my first paycheck. I get to keep every dime I make and it feels amazing. It's Thursday and I finally have the night off. Vince is coming over after he finishes up with work. The grass isn't growing anymore because of the cold but he still puts down treatments in preparation for the winter. He was getting a little behind because of helping me so much lately. I feel bad that I haven't focused enough on his life. All my drama can suck the life out of a person. I need to try harder. He mentioned he wanted me to meet his mom but with everything that happened it got pushed aside. I plan to rectify that tonight.

Just like clockwork he shows up at my door right at 6:00 holding a huge pizza and a 2-liter of soda. He knows the way to my heart.

"Hey stranger." I give him my classic shy smile.

"Hey yourself. I figured you'd be hungry."

"Thanks. I appreciate the dinner. Maybe I will cook for you soon. I haven't been home enough to break in my kitchen yet. Which brings me to my next topic. I think I'm ready to meet your mom. I know you mentioned it before everything happened and it kind of got forgotten. I'm sorry about that. I want to take more of an interest in your life and that includes your family."

"Maggie, I understand you've had a lot going on and I don't blame you one bit for any of it. Please stop apologizing for things that aren't your fault."

"Sorry. It's just when you've been programed to apologize for every action whether it's your fault or not it becomes habit. It won't happen again, Slick."

"Good. And my mom can't wait to meet you. How about we go to her house tomorrow night for dinner? She would love that."

"That's sounds great. I hope she likes me."

"She's going to love you. But just fair warning, I've never brought a girl to dinner before. So if my mom seems overly excited that's why."

"Really? Haven't you dated before?" I'm very surprised to hear this. He seemed so smooth and confident when we first met I would have assumed he's had a number of girlfriends.

"I've gone out with girls before but never anyone like you. I've never been with someone that I wanted to bring home to meet my mother. You will be the first." I think my heart just skipped a beat.

"Well don't I feel special. So is your mom going to make some of her delicious enchiladas for me?"

"I'm sure she will along with every other item on her specialty list. She tends to overdo things. We will probably have enough leftovers to last a week."

Vince and I spend the rest of the evening studying. He takes his GED test in two more weeks. He is a nervous wreck but I know he will pass with flying colors. He doesn't give himself enough credit. It's just after eleven when I convince him to leave. He kept giving me tiny kisses up and down my arm while looking at me with puppy dog eyes begging to stay just a little longer. We haven't spent the night together in my new place yet. I want to savor it when it happens and we've both just been too busy lately to really enjoy it.

The next night Vince picks me up in the Mustang. I jump up and down like an idiot because he just handed me the keys.

"Don't get too excited. You wreck her and I may never forgive you."

"No worries. I'm a pro. Did I ever tell you that my dad had the exact same car?" That stops him in his tracks.

"What?" He says with a shaky voice. "You mean the car that...the accident? I'm so sorry Maggie. I didn't know."

"Vincent, its fine. It doesn't remind me of the wreck. I focus on all the good memories. Certain smells trigger different memories. The first time I rode in your car the smell of the leather brought back so many great times I had with my father. I loved riding in his Mustang nestled up next to him. Trust me. It's a good thing."

"You astonish me. I still can't wrap my head around the idea of turning something so awful into something so positive."

"It's all a matter of perspective Slick. Now, let's get going. I can't wait to drive your awesome car!"

He gives me directions to his mom's house but I suspect he gave me the long route so I could enjoy driving this baby a little longer. The rush I get from feeling the vibrations of a machine with this much power are amazing. I totally get why guys are into cars. We pull up to a tiny one story house that is painted white with yellow shutters. It's adorable. Before we even get out of the car I see this beautiful woman walking toward us. She has long, dark brown hair that falls just past her waist. As she gets closer I can see where Vince gets his eyes. Her skin tone is just a tad darker than his. She has the biggest smile spread across her face and I can feel the warmth beaming off of her. She walks right up to me, wraps her arms tightly around me, and whispers in my ear.

"Welcome home." I feel a tear start to form but I push it back. I don't know why but she just made me feel so vulnerable. I know she was just being nice but no one has ever said those words to me before. And I believe her.

"It's so nice to meet you Mrs. Moreno. Vincent has told me so much about you."

"Please, call me Martina. Come inside. Joey and his girlfriend are already setting the table."

"Thank you so much for having me over." We walk into the tiny house. The first room on the other side of the door is the living room. I can feel the love as we pass the walls lined with photo after photo of the boys. I take a few minutes to look over each and every one. There are so many happy memories here. I see a picture of Vince's dad. He is holding up a huge fish with both boys when they were younger. All three have the biggest smile. I see the creek in the background and it warms my heart that Vince has shared such a special place with me.

We make our way into the kitchen which is filled with a table big enough to seat six people. There is no dining room. Most of the smaller homes don't have them. Keri is setting the table so I join her. She really is a very sweet girl. She and Joey have been dating since summer. He already seems head over heels for her. Joey is helping his mother get all the food onto the table. Everything looks and smells amazing. My mouth is already watering. We all take our seats. Mrs. Moreno asks Joey to say grace.

"Mom, if you don't mind I'd like to say grace tonight." I hear his mother gasp in surprise then slowly nod her head in agreement. "Heavenly Father, we thank you for this food and all the blessings in our life. Thank you for bringing Maggie into mine. She has given me a new perspective that I will try not to take for granted. Thank you for giving my mother the strength to survive without my father. I love my family and feel blessed to know it's growing with Maggie and Keri here with us tonight. Thank you for the best little brother, I pray that he finds his way in this world. Amen."

"Vincent that was beautiful. And Maggie, thank you for whatever you have done to my son." I can't help but feel a little embarrassed right now. I just nod my head slowly and give her a small smile. I have no idea what I've done to Vince but if she's happy that's all that matters. Now it's time to dig in. Vince was right. His mom went all out for me. She made enchiladas, tamales, stuffed poblanos, a queso dip, rice, beans and guacamole. I'm in heaven. I take a little of everything because I want to try it all. I hear Vince laughing under his breath next to me so I kick him in the leg. That just makes him laugh a little harder so I kick him again. He lets out a small "ouch" under his breath. That will teach him. After I finish everything on my plate I go back for seconds. I can't decide what to eat more of because I loved everything, so I just get another small helping of it all.

"She's a keeper miho. Never turn away from a girl that isn't afraid to be herself." I look up into Martina's eyes. I'm captivated by what I see. Pure love. Love for her sons and maybe even a little for me. I give her a warm smile in return.

"Thank you so much for having me over for dinner. Your food is incredible. I could eat it all day." That makes everyone around the table laugh.

"I'll be sure to pack some up for you to take home. It warms my heart that you like my cooking. It's one of the ways I show my love and appreciation for these two wonderful boys of mine."