“I thought you wanted me to follow in your footsteps and become a lawyer? Carry on the legacy of amazing real estate lawyer Hector Hernandez?”
“Of course I was hoping at least one of you would. I can’t lie and say I wasn’t disappointed that you didn’t want that, I know it showed. That’s on me, not you. Expecting you to be a lawyer would be like expecting Anita to wear something out of style. It’s just not who you are, and I needto accept it. All I want is for you to do something you love the way your sisters have done.”
I know he means well, but I can’t hide my annoyance at how out of touch what he just said is. “That’s much easier said than done, you know that, right? We’re more privileged than most, and this family also has had a lot of luck. Most people, myself included, just work to pay the bills, and it’s not the end of the world.” My dad sighs.
“I know that, I don’t like that I seem out of touch with reality. Reality doesn’t mean much when it comes to your kids, you know? Parents want their kids to live their dreams, and go after everything they want, not be stuck in reality. The real world sucks.”
“I like my job, Papi. Since I don’t know what I’m passionate about, I don’t even know what to pursue. I’ve been thinking about art school, seeing if that could be a good side job, or at least make it a regular, fulfilling hobby.”
“That would be wonderful! I’ve always loved your sketches so much,” my mom exclaims.
“Tania mentioned it, and the idea is sticking with me. I think I could really enjoy studying art for real.”
“Oh, I like her very much. She’s good for you,” my mom says with a wink, her voice almost at a squeal because she’s so excited about the possibility of Tania and me together. I’m not going to add fuel to the fire by letting her know we’ve been spending a lot of time lately getting closer, sharing meals, dancing, and snuggling.
“I feel left out. I need to meet your roommate, your mother keeps raving about her. Bring her for dinner soon, ok?” It’s not really a request from my dad, more of a demand to meet the woman I’m living with. I guess it’s time for her to face the Hernandez clan soon. This is thesegue I need to ask my dad about helping Tania’s foster sister.
“So I actually came by because Tania could use some help. Her foster sister is her only remaining family, and she’s in jail for aggravated assault. A man at a bar kept groping her, and when he refused to back off, she beat him up pretty badly. She gets triggered by unwanted touch, and I don’t even want to think about why. The guy is well connected, and her court appointed attorney was useless, so she got jail with the maximum sentence. Do you think there’s anything that can be done legally to lessen her sentence or get the charges lowered, considering she was assaulted and provoked?” He rubs his chin thoughtfully.
“It sounds like she needs a proper defense attorney to talk to, this isn’t my area of expertise. My friend Damian from law school does a lot of work for women who have been assaulted but aren’t believed. I could see if he’d be able to help her. He even does pro bono work if they need it and he has the capacity.”
“Papi, that would be perfect.”
“I’ll call him when we’re done with dinner and let you know what he says later.”
“Thank you,” I tell him earnestly.
“Eat up while you tell me more about this wonderful woman you’re living with whom your mother loves so much already.”
We finish our meal while I tell him some bare bones details about Tania and how if she leaves or things don’t work out, she and I will have to work out a joint custody agreement for the cats. I’m getting really attached to them. We never had pets growing up since my parents worked long hours, coupled with the fact that both Lucia and Anita are allergic to any type of pet dander. I’ve always loved animals though, and now the thought of notliving with Gomez and Morticia makes my chest tighten. Almost as much as the idea of not living with Tania anymore, which basically makes my heart want to crack in two. My parents press me to make a family dinner with her happen, hopefully next Saturday. I feel lighter when I leave. My dad and I starting to get our issues talked out has me hopeful, although we still have some more conversations to come about how his comments affected me.
When I get home, I find Tania on the couch in a threadbare t-shirt and leggings, laptop on the table, and surrounded by the two furballs. Her face is bare, and her hair looks damp all twisted up in a messy bun. The way she is so painfully adorable, comfortable, and at home here makes my heart flip. She looks up with a smile designed to melt me when she hears me come in.
“Hey, how was it at your parents’?”
“It was great! They fed me of course, and I had a good talk about a few things with my dad.” She sits up straighter, those warm chocolate eyes curious and hopeful.
“Really? Did you work things out more about his expectations for you?”
“Yeah, that was a shock. I’ve never heard him say he’s wrong about something but he said it was wrong of him to make those comments.”
“That’s great!” Her face completely lights up with genuine enthusiasm when she says it.
“He’s also bummed he hasn’t met you yet, would you want to come to a Hernandez family dinner in the near future?” Her eyes widen.
“I thought my ears were burning,” she jokes. Then her face goes solemn as she worries her plush bottom lip with her teeth. I barely resist the urge to pull it free and run my thumb over it. “I’ve never been to a big family dinner. Ihope I even know what to say to your parents and sisters,” she tells me quietly.
“If it’s too much that is no problem at all. We can wait until you’re comfortable, or you obviously don’t ever have to meet my crazy family if you don’t want to. You know my mom already loves you. The others will, too. They just want to meet my roommate that my mom raves about so much. What do you say?” She chuckles at my blabbering eagerness.
“That would be fun. I’d love to meet them, too.”
“They were thinking next Saturday, so I meant it when I said the near future. They don’t mess around. Taran and Lyra are probably going to come too. Would that be ok?”
“Sure! I’ll be meeting everyone, then.” Her voice is now a little shaky and nervous.
“It’s very low key, and always a lot of fun. My sisters and Lyra will have you dancing and helping to make the pupusas,” I reassure her. She audibly gasps.
“I freaking love pupusas.” I can’t help it, because that sentence is complete music to my ears. I reach out and cup her soft cheek with the biggest, goofiest smile on my face.
