“Save your excuses,” my grandmother responds from the other end of the line. “You know why I’m calling.”
I lean against the kitchen countertop, defeated.
“You promised me a dinner.”
“I don’t remember it going quite like that…”
“It doesn’t matter what you remember, because I know what you said.”
“Granny…”
“I don’t take no for an answer. I want to get to know Sean and I want to do so away from prying eyes and ears.”
I knew this would only cause problems. I should never have taken Jake’s advice – I should’ve just made my own decisions, gone to that damn event alone or not at all.
What was even the point in me being there? What was it for? All it did was show everyone who I am – or, rather, who I’m not.
“I’m busy, you know, with the restaurant…”
“You got a night off for the fundraiser.”
“That was an exception.”
“And you can’t make another exception for your grandmother before she bites the dust?”
I sigh. “Even if I could, I don’t think he’d be… Available.”
“Is he always busy, too?” There’s a thread of sarcasm in her voice.
“Exactly, with work and…” I don’t know what else to add.
I don’t know him. I know nothing about him. I don’t even know if he has any family or friends – or a life, basically.
“I’ll call him. I’m sure we’ll find an evening that works for all of us.”
“No!” I cry. “Don’t call him.” I sigh again; I get the impression my problems are just getting started. “I’ll take care of it. I’ll ask him and let you know.”
“I’ll be waiting for your call.”
“Of course.”
“Don’t make me wait too long, though.”
“I have to get back to work now. We’ll talk soon.”
She says goodbye and hangs up. I scoff noisily, attracting the attention of Miguel and some of the other kitchen staff.
“You in trouble?”
“You have no idea.”
I’ve already told him everything about that night. Well, noteverything…
I told him I had to go to a family event and didn’t have a date; that my friend Jake helped set me up with one. He made fun of me, telling me he didn’t think I’d need help in that area. I told him that this event was a whole different ball game, and that I needed someone appropriate.
“My grandmother wants to get to know him.”
“Didn’t she already meet him the other night?”
