My heart breaks hearing the story again.
“But this isn’t about me and you. This is about you and your daughter who you fail to see value in. I’m fine with being the asshole in your story, because if me being an asshole is the influence and push your daughter needs to stand up to the bully that helped bring her in this world, then so fucking be it. You don’t deserve her in your life, and the saddest part of all is that you are incapable of grasping that.”
Pushing down the tears that are hellbent on falling, I point to my grandmother’s ring.
“I know you consider yourself a religious man, and I hope you know that she’s looking down on you for what you did to me and to all her grandchildren. Changing my last name to Ramos from Tesoro was the final tie I had to you and despite how you feel about it, I want nothing to do with you. Or Mom for that matter.”
“Seriously? After all your mother and I have done for you?” I tune out as he goes on to list the essentials that parents like him choose to hang over their kid’s head. Like food, shelter, water. He’s right. He did provide those. But a house without love isn’t a home and unconditional love with conditions isn’t unconditional, it’s superficial.
“Are you done?” I interrupt him.
“You really are a cold bitch, aren’t you?”
My brothers lunge toward him in unison, and I can tell it’s taking everything in Tomás’ power not to flip the chair around and punch him. All three of them stop themselves and look at me for direction on how to proceed.
Sure, he deserves all three of their fists. But I don’t want violence. I want to be heard.
“What can I say? I guess I learned from the best.” I rise from my chair and motion for Tomás to come to me as I look to my brothers. “They’ll let you out.”
Hanging on to what little dignity he has left, he warns, “I hope you know, this is your last chance to apologize to me for all of this.”
With Tomás’ hand in mine, I look my father dead in the eye. “The only thing I’m sorry for is not telling you all of this sooner. Have a nice life, Michael.”
My brothers grab him and walk him out, and neither come back in, likely assuming Tomás and I need some time alone.
Tomás immediately asks if I’m okay.
“Yes,” I respond, tears streaming down my face.
“You sound relieved, but you don’t look it.” He brushes his thumb against each stream, catching and wiping them away.
“These are happy tears, I promise.Fuck, I need a drink.”
“Already on the bar waiting for you.” Tomás points to the bar where my usual drinks wait, all in a line.
“You’re disgustingly perfect you know that?”
“Odd way to compliment me, but I’ll take it.” Tomás shrugs, bringing me in for a kiss.
“You know what I mean,” I scoff.
We make our way to the bar and we both go to speak at the same time.
“You first,” Tomás urges.
“I didn’t call you here just to witness my official no contact get out of my life notice. I called you hear because I wanted to give you something.”
My hand becomes lost in my cleavage as I fish for the gift I have for him.
He turns to glance at the door. “You know, I like where you’re going with this, but your brothers will be back inside any...”
Once he swings his head back to my direction and I have his gift pinched between my fingers he is rendered speechless.
“Dame tu mano.”
He gives me his right hand.
“No, silly, this one.” I help myself to his left hand and slide his present onto his ring finger.
