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Teddy darted his eyes at me nervously, probably expecting Papa to drill him about us.
“Who is the all around better football team between the Texas Tornados and the Florida Sharks? Now, be honest. No one here is going to get their panties in a wad if they don’t agree,” Papa stated, and bugged his eyes out at Diego, making me laugh again.
Teddy took a drink of his beer, pondering his reply. “Well, sir, the Texas Tornados have won three championships in their history, but the Florida Sharks have only two rings to wear from their championship wins.” He paused to take another swig of the amber liquid. “However, the Sharks are looking like they could go all the way this upcoming season. So, if they do, then it’s really a tie.” I laughed out loud at his nice, politically correct answer.
“Nope, there is no tie. You must pick one or the other as the all time best program in the league.” My dad shook his head and took another drink of his beer.
“Okay, then if I had to pick right now, based on the history of wins and losses, I would have to say the Texas Tornados would be the best team.”
“Yeah, Papa!” Diego yelled as he stood and hit the table, followed by a little celebration dance and a fist bump with Teddy across the table. “I told you the Tornados will always be the better team!” He did a fist pump in the air, then played out an act where he had imaginary holsters strapped to his hips, quickly drew two pistols, and shot them in the air. We all laughed at his show.
“Forgive them. This has been a lifelong debate,” I leaned over to Teddy and whispered in his ear. He patted my leg as he took a drink.
“I haven’t heard from Cruz. I don’t know if he’ll call this week.” My mom’s worries darkened the mood. No one responded. She shook her head as she started loading the table with the meal she had probably spent all day preparing.
The parade of food began by her bringing out piping hot platters of both beef and chicken fajita meats with grilled bell peppers and onions, accompanied by bowls of pico de gallo, guacamole, shredded cheese, sour cream, and freshly made salsa. I jumped up to help, bringing over hot pans full of rice and refried beans. Finally, Mama placed the two things that bound these foods together: homemade tortillas and tostada chips.
“Eat up, and don’t worry, I have sopapilla and honey for dessert.” She raised both her hands in the air like giving an offering at church.
“Mama, this is all too much. You always go through so much trouble,” I commended her efforts.
“No, Bebita, it’s never trouble. It’s all made with love,” she said, and patted my shoulder before she sat down.
“You heard my wife. Everyone, dig in, please,” Papa boomed throughout the kitchen, and without hesitation, we obeyed.
Everyone fell silent with full mouths. My heart was full being among family, and my soul was dancing with Teddy beside me. But my belly, oof, thank God I wore stretch pants.
“Everything was delicious, Mrs. Reyes,” Teddy praised Mama.
“Thank you, Theodore. We’re glad you could join us tonight,” she responded.
“Yes, Mary, is right. It’s great to see you after all these years,” Papa added.
I admired the gorgeous man sitting next to me, enjoying his food. I didn’t want to sit by an empty chair at Sunday dinner ever again. Teddy was right. I fully crossed the line with him and could never go back to just friends.
The evening was perfect until Mama crashed the party with the same speech my brothers and I had heard all of our lives. “Mia’s brothers can’t be bothered to take a few classes and get a college degree so that they could have the best life that this country can provide. That’s why we sacrificed so much when we were just teenagers to make our way in this world and go through all the legal red tape to move to the country and build a future here. That way, when we had children, they could grow up and be able to have a fruitful life and families without all the hardship that we endured. We are so proud of Mia for being the first one in our family to get a degree.”
“And proud you should be. She’s wonderful at what she does,” Teddy agreed and winked at me. He pushed back from the table, one hand on his stomach, the other arm around the back of my chair. His fingertips brushing my shoulder sent tingles through me.
“So, tell us, Theodore, what are your future plans?” Papa cut in.
“Well, I’m currently working towards getting my degree in engineering. Once I complete that, then I may have a job waiting for me within my cousin’s international construction business.”
“I see. Good to hear.” Both of my parents sat back in their seats at the newfound knowledge that Teddy would be a college grad and already had a good job lined up. I could see the unspoken wheels turning in their heads. The one where they already had me in a white lace dress at the church, and pregnant thereafter. “And your future plans with my daughter?”
“Oh, Papa, stop.” I tried to pin Diego down with my eyes for a little rescue here. I figured he could be a nice brother, change subjects talking about the bar, but he deflected by studying the excess honey on his plate, fingering it, and bringing the sweetness to his lips. My cheeks pinked as I peered at Teddy, who was chuckling at me.
“When it comes time for marriage, Mia will quit her job and will take care of the man and the home.” Mama spat out her words so unexpectedly, she sent a chill up my spine. Forget the embarrassment of her bringing up marriage in front of Teddy. There was more at stake here.
“Mama, why would you even say that? I’m not giving up my career. I can have both family and work.” I glanced at Diego again, to hopefully agree with me. He just shrugged one shoulder and went back to dissecting his stupid honey.
“She’s right, Bebita. You know our customs, our traditions and ways,” my father confirmed. Heat arose through my body and burned the tips of my ears.
“After all this time of saying how important education is, now you say I should give up my career after I marry? All the years, the money spent—some student loans I’m still paying for and will be for years to come, by the way—and all the hard work and sleepless nights I’ve had to get to where I am today, should be tossed to the wayside?”
“Bebita, nothing is more important than family.” Mama said in a soothing tone. I really wanted to tell her exactly where she could take that soothing tone and shove it. Yet, I was trying to play the good little daughter.
I swallowed down all my objections. “Sure, whatever you say.”
