“So, for the past few weeks some of the doctors were trying to come up with a good birthday gift for your dad, and decided that they wanted to keep up the birthday trip tradition, even though your mom has passed. It’s obviously tough for them to all coordinate their busy schedules, so they all agreed to push the trip back to Thanksgiving weekend, since they always take that time off every year no matter what. It’s supposed to be a surprise for your dad tonight, which is why we had to also keep the secret from you. I’m so sorry, please don’t shoot the messenger!” Abby pleads.
“Wait a minute, so you mean to tell me that the whole cousin crew knew and nobody told me or gave me a heads up?! What the hell Abby,” I scolded.
“Umm Amelia, you know I love you, and you have many wonderful traits—”
“Wow, can’t wait to see where this compliment leads to,” I say sarcastically.
“But…You’re really shitty at keeping secrets. It’s a well known family fact. Like seriously. And if you even try to deny it, I am prepared to give at least fifteen different examples of when you spilled the beans to somebody in this family.”
“Ughhhhhh. Really Abby?” I sigh.
“Lucy’s pregnancy, Tía Isabella’s surprise birthday party, our adoption being finalized…”
“Ok ok. Fine, you made your point! But for the record nobody told me that Tía Isabella’s birthday was a surprise party and I just called her to make sure there wasn’t a certain color I shouldn’t wear to clash with hers. You know how anal she is about color aesthetics,” I hiss. “And yes, it was really sweet of them to do that for my dad, but that still doesn’t explain what your fellow gringa comrade is yapping about. The Berkshires?” I ask.
Abby smiles wide. “Well that’s the best part! We hadn’t really thought about what we would all do for Thanksgiving until today when—”
Nikki cuts in, “—When inspiration struck, and all the cousins thought it would be a great idea to getaway together without the old geezers holding you down!” She laughs nervously.
“Ok…so a cabin in the Berkshires? That can’t be cheap. How much is it gonna cost to split—”
I’m interrupted by Nikki. “Well, that’s the best part, it’s free! I mean free for you. It’s only fair, right? Your dad gets an all-expenses paid vacation and so do you!” She wiggles her fingers at me.
I turn my back to Nikki and completely ignore the annoying demon that has apparently possessed my best friend. “Abby, I’m not a charity case, I can pay for myself. Or better yet, you guys can go on without me. Like I said, Netflix and Chinese food awaits me.” I shrug.
“Oh c’mon Amelia that’s not fair. Nobody said you were a charity case. In fact, you yourself said that it was sweet for everyone to rally around your dad and gift him a trip,” Nikki says into the back of my head while playing with my hair. “Plus you also said earlier today how you would love to get away and do all those fun self-care things and drink coffee out of mugs, the real dream if you ask me!” she squeals behind me.
I roll my eyes and face them both. “Ok fine. I’m not going to put up a big fight when I know I probably really need to get out of the city, and money is tight since I threw it all away on non-refundable deposits for a wedding that isn’t happening.” I take a deep breath. “So, when is the check-in date?”
Abby looks like she’s not quite sure how to answer the question, but before Nikki can butt in, she says, “Well it’s a flexible check-in process. We’re heading over there on Thursday, the day of Thanksgiving, but if you want to arrive sooner you can let me know what day you want to arrive, and I’ll make sure you’re able to check in yourself,” she says, nodding her head.
I don’t give too much thought to her half-baked answer. Her poor brain is probably fried, running after five kids and working for a successful law firm.
“Ok…well then do you think I could check in on Wednesday? I’m working from home that whole week and it would be nice if I could get there early before all the kids get there. Sorry, no offense.” I offer a fake wince at the confession.
She laughs. “Trust me, none taken. My own wife has abandoned me until further notice. She thinks I can’t see her taking fireball shots from here, isn’t she adorable?” She smiles lovingly. “But yes, Wednesday should work just fine. I’ll text you all the details in a day or two.”
“Am I allowed to speak again?! Yay this is so exciting! If this weren’t my first holiday meeting Justin’s parents I would totally ditch my Thanksgiving plans and leech off of you guys. This is going to be so much fun,” Nikki says, beaming.
* * *
I’ve somehow managed to survive the party with minimal whispers about my failed engagement. That is, until Priscilla arrived a minute ago.
“Prima Amelia, how are you?” She hugs and kisses me. “You look like you’ve lost weight, please tell me your secrets for that body! Or do I have to go find myself a fiancé to dump to get that killer ass.” She laughs maniacally.
“En serio, Priscilla?!” Vanessa shouts from the kitchen in her scolding mom voice.
“Oh I’m just teasing. We all know that Amelia here knows how to take a joke, right baby cousin?” She smirks.
Match. That. Energy.
“Priscilla, you do know I’m turning thirty in a couple of weeks. I think it’s time to retire thebaby cousinpet name. Oh, and while we’re at it, how old are you supposed to be now that I’m thirty? Since you’ve been claiming that age for the past four years now.” I smile generously.
“Toma pendeja!” Vanessa laughs followed by a hiccup. I let Abby know it’s time to get her wife some water and release the fireball bottle from her death grip.
Priscilla is still giving me a full body scan. You see, I’ve never so much as engaged in friendly banter with Priscilla. So my comment about her age for sure has her thrown off. Maybe this New Amelia attitude will have more victims than just Evan after all.
“Tell me Amelia,” Priscilla starts as she follows me into the kitchen. “What are you looking for in a man these days? I’m assuming successful doctors are off the table?” She bats her eyelashes innocently.
