“Alejandro, I want you to meet my best friend and roommate, Mackenzie Graham.” She turns to me, her eyes bright and happy. “Mackenzie, this is Alejandro Rodriguez.”
“Are you a hugger? I’m a hugger.” His dark eyes are kind and his smile nice.
Before I can answer in the negative, I’m wrapped up in his arms, my nose smashed into his scrubs. I’m not sure what to do with my hands, so I awkwardly pat his shoulder three times. I take a step back, thankful to regain a bit of personal space.
“She’s just as you described her,” he says to Keri. “My friend is a lucky man.” He leans down and stage-whispers into her ear. “But not as lucky as I am.”
Keri blushes. Maybe not a big deal on most people, but I’ve never seen her cheeks take on that particular hue before. For a moment, I’m too struck with the sight to register Alejandro’s words. But then they catch up with me.
“Excuse me? What friend, and why would he be lucky because of me?”
Alejandro looks confused, and Keri’s blush deepens to chagrin. She clears her throat. “Surprise! We’re all going out on a double date on Saturday night.”
Is she for real? My gaze jumps between hers and Alejandro’s before settling on Keri’s. Neither of them seems to be hiding a smile that says they’re only joking. “No.”
A woman in purple scrubs calls for Alejandro.
“I’m sorry, but I have to go.” The look he gives Keri is full of regret. “Will you call me later? My shift ends at ten, if that’s not too late.”
Keri lightly touches his hand. “It’s not too late.”
She turns back to me as he walks away, and the look on my face erases all the happy feelings Alejandro left her with. This time when she sighs, it’s with a hint of exasperation.
“Before you get mad, hear me out,” she says.
I can’t imagine she’ll say anything to make me change my mind and agree to a blind double date, but she can try.
“Wouldn’t it be nice to practice dating and flirting and talking to a guy? With a complete stranger you have no feelings for and would never have to see again? And you wouldn’t be on your own. Anytime you started to feel too much pressure because the conversation lagged or you were given too much attention, Alejandro and I would be there to step in and say something to ease things along.”
Well, cherry cordials, that makes a lot more sense than I want it to.
“Plus,” Keri continues, “you’d be doing Alejandro and his friend a favor. Alejandro says he’s concerned about his friend because he never goes out. He’s too busy worrying and caring about the people in his life. It took a lot of convincing on Alejandro’s part to get his friend to agree, and if you back out, Alejandro’s afraid he’ll never get the guy out of the house again. So, you see, you’re his only hope.”
I can tell when Keri’s speech goes from serious to play. She really does think this date will be good for me, and she isn’t above a little teasing manipulation to get her way.
“Your reference is fromStar Wars. Totally different universe thanStar Trek.”
“My apologies,” she says in mock sincerity.
“And I know you’re trying to manipulate me into saying yes.”
“Is it working?” She grins shamelessly. “Because if not, I’m not above adding a little guilt into the mix.” She plants her hands on my shoulders. “I really,reallylike Alejandro and really want to go on a date with him. Saturday is his first day off, and if we don’t double date, then he might have to cancel, and I’m not sure when we’d be able to reschedule. Please say you’ll go.”
I roll my eyes at her pouty lip. “I’ll go.”
She squeals and hugs me tight. “You won’t regret it.”
“I kind of already do,” I mumble.
She laughs and waves me away. “Go see your mom.”
A small sense of dread fills me as I near Mom’s door. I hate this feeling, and guilt is a constant companion to it, but I can’t seem to suppress either one. Standing in front of my mom’s room is a bit like standing in front of a mystery door on a game show. I never know what awaits me on the other side. Will she be having a good day or a bad one? Will we be able to have a conversation, or will she have slipped into the time and space of her own mind? Will she know me, or will my presence only agitate her?
I’m thankful I still have her. That she still has good days that are as sweet as orange blossom marmalade. But I mourn the loss of her as well, even, sometimes, as we sit in the same room.
I prepare myself for the worst but hope for the best as I raise my hand and knock on the door. There’s a shuffling of feet on the other side before it swings open.
Mom glares at me, her eyes squinty. “Who are you? What do you want?”
