The Thread Between Danny and Me

Chapter 39: I need you

After I visited Ashley-Claire for a few hours, I continued to my aunt's house and arrived at four forty-five in the afternoon. Rojo jumped out of the car and bounded across the driveway to Hector, who had just stepped outside.

"Hey, buddy! Been awhile!" Hector said as he scooped Rojo into his arms. Rojo barked and licked Hector's face while he ferociously beat his feather tail. "I missed you!" Hector laughed as Rojo continued to assault him.

I stepped up to hug my brother. He wrapped his arms tightly around me and rocked me back and forth. "Maria. I miss you all the time."

"Me too. I can't wait to hear how things have been going."

My mom was next. Amid our hugs and kisses was a dog who very much wanted to be the center of attention. He barked and pawed at my mother until we broke apart. 

"Come inside," my mom said after she pet Rojo.

My mother's countenance was completely different from the last time I saw her. Her face looked youthful and a genuine smile danced across her lightened eyes.

"You look good, Mama," I said.

"Thank you," she smiled. "I like it here. The change of pace has been good for me."

We stepped inside the house.

"Hola, Tía Valentina," I said as I hugged her.

"Good to see you, Maria." She tracked Rojo as he wandered through the living room and sniffed everything in sight. "That dog isn't dirty, is he?"

"No." I glanced at my mom.

"Hmm. Make sure his paws are clean when he comes in from outside." She frowned.

I looked at my mom again. Finally, I said, "Did you not want me to bring him, Tía?"

"Well, I know it's been a while since Hector and your mom have seen him. But I don't want him to mess up my furniture. Or my carpet. Or get into the trash."

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. "He won't."

My mom mouthed, "sorry," to me.

I had asked my aunt if I could bring Rojo and she said yes. I should've known that the answer was in fact "no". She'd only gotten more passive-aggressive as she aged, and I hated it. Everyone else in my family was straightforward.

"Is Tío Eduardo here yet?" I asked.

"Not yet," Mom said. "He should be here soon. Danny should be arriving soon too, right?"

I looked out the window. "Yeah. He should be."

My mom smiled. "I can't wait to see him."

"It's been a long time," Hector agreed.

"Maria, you'll be sharing a room with your mother," my aunt said. "Hector and...your boyfriend will be in the basement."

"Oh." I tried not to show my disappointment.

"I can sleep on the couch upstairs," Hector said. "I don't mind."

"No, you'll sleep in the basement," My aunt said to Hector. She frowned at me.

I lifted my eyebrows.

I should've known she would disapprove. What a pain in the ass.

"I'm going to check on dinner," Tía Valentina said.

When she exited the room, my mom immediately put her arms around me.

"How can you stand to live with her?" I mumbled.