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“Ah, Mr. Delgado. We thought you may not make it, forgive us, they’ve started the salads already. Right this way!” A nervous staffer says as we enter.
My grip on Papá’s arm tightens. “We’re late!” I whisper.
He mutters back in Spanish.“A propósito. No esperamos, hija. Hacemos una entrada. Comeremosy después, te mostraré a todos los que importan.” On purpose. We don't wait, daughter. We make an entrance. We'll eat and afterI will show you around to the ones that matter.
Make an entrance…
I stop in my tracks and pull Papá to a stop too. He’s surprised, but if he’s going to tell me I’m a queen, he might as well let me act like it.
“Excuse me, do you have a coat check?”
“Of course, Miss.” I remove my jacket and as the breeze meets my spine, I hold onto my gold clutch for dear life. As if its five inches of leather, containing nothing but a tissue and lip gloss, could save me.
Papá looks at my back and then my face. He sets his mouth in a line and blows through his nostrils like a bull. “Una entrada, Papá.” An entrance, Papá.I say the words with a smirk, and I hold eye contact. He looks away angrily, but extends his arm to me without a word.
Score one for myself and repressed women everywhere!
We approach the large tent in the backyard to the sound of a meal already underway. The white canopy, white linens and masses of springy flowers make it look like a wedding. I even hear a live string quartet playing. All this to save…I look for a sign. There it is.
Prairie dogs.
Thousands or tens of thousands or who knows how much per plate, for endangered prairie dogs. I try not to chuckle.
The conversation definitely quiets as we walk into the tent. Our spots are at the front, one table over from the governor himself. I smile and keep my eyes on the staffer in front of me as we walk. I don’t see Mark as we walk along,but I’m purposefully not looking for him. We aren’t supposed to have met yet and I don’t want to seem like an anxious teenager on her first date. Although, that is one thousand percent how I feel.
The governor leaves his table and comes to welcome us. As I look at him, I notice Mark at the head table in my peripheral vision.
“Renaldo, glad you could join us. And who is your lovely date?”
“My daughter, Eleanna.” Papá says with a protective tone, as if the governor’s wife isn’t sitting just feet from us.
The governor extends his hand to me and I bow my head as I take it. “An honor, Governor.”
He says something similar in return and introductions are made around the table. Cheeks are kissed, greetings are said. I couldn’t repeat any of it back if quizzed.
Because I can feel Mark’s eyes on me like a laser. I don’t look in his direction, but I don’t have to. I regulate my breathing and fight the redness that wants to rush up into my ears.
It’s a distinct feeling, being watched.
I think I like it.
•••••
After the meal, I am paraded around just as my father explained. I meet so many council men and women, staffers, representatives, and activists, my head starts to spin. It’s not unpleasant though, since this is a room of professional talkers. A few, who clearly don’t know my father well, make jokes about what it must be like to have such a stern, rigid man as a father. He often negotiates on Tío’s behalf in business meetings and I’ve heard he never budges. So, I respond with the truth.
“Let’s just say I never eventhoughtabout trying to sneak out.”Because our twenty-five guards, four Dobermans and electric fences aren’t worth facing just to go get nauseated and sweaty at a trendy college bar.My audience loves my responses, and I find I am holding my own just fine.
Until I hear his laugh. Hearty, unabashed, and genuine. At something his date just said.
He brought a date!
Wait, of course he did. We’ve never met, and he probably got tickets to this prairie dog convention weeks ago. My smile falters all the same. Of course, he doesn’t have an aide from the office or a matronly donor on his arm today. No, whoever she is, she’s a bombshell.
She’s in a tight sheath dress that’s too short for the occasion, in my opinion, with long blonde hair flowing down her back like sunshine.Damn this low bun, flowing hair is alluring, what was I thinking? Can I run to the bathroom and let my hair down? Maybe I could—
Ellie! Get a damn grip!
I look fine. Better than. And that woman is history after today, whether she knows it or not. That thought brings me a sliver of comfort as Papá leads us to my future fiancé.
