Web of Deceit

Holidays are for Explosions

Emil... I have already told you... the doctor rescheduled my appointment. I got the sonogram done and passed the envelope off to the baker. Why are you still mad, we'll find out today" I explain to my cheating husband.
These last two weeks have been hell. Trying to not gag and vomit being around him or her. Suspicious of every time he looks at his phone. I played my part though.
I have everything in place for today, Execution Day. Well not that type of execution, but my exit plan is set and ready to go. It's good to have a friend who's a realtor. Stacia will have the movers let in an hour then hurry over to my Abuela's for Thanksgiving dinner. My new apartment upstate won't be ready for a week, so I'm having it all shipped up there and staying with Stacia in the in-between.
My divorce papers seem to be burning a hole in my bag.
"Grab the goodie bags by the door please, I ask.
I'm ready to go."
I have on my chocolate leather wrap dress and sable textured boots. I feel good and know I look good. I am gliding out of the house.
" You excited too huh," Emil asks. I smirk and reply, "sure am."
He is a handsome man, with clear brown skin with a groomed beard. His man bun sits low and he is almost matching my fit. Sable leather long-sleeved shirt, distressed jeans, and some Tims.
Ugh, it's sickening how I still love him. I thought it would dry up like the Sahara for all the pain I feel... but nope. Still love the bastard.
We get into the truck and pull off.
"Hey, Meldy... you okay? You have been so busy with work, I feel like I haven't seen you in weeks."
"Like you care..." I mumbled. "Huh? I didn't hear you, baby, replied Emil.
"I..." clearing my throat " have been putting in extra time so that I enjoy my ... our vacation without having to take work with me," I tell him.
"I can't wait to get out of the city for Christmas" feel some sand in between our toes... he says as he glances at me with what looks like love in his eyes. I look out the window, "yeah sand and sun sound good right about now."
He pulls up to the high rise. Abuela's condo is on the Upper West Side. The doorman opens my door and I slip out. "Don't forget the goodie bag box, Emil." The doorman moved to open the doors to the building. Looking around, this older building needed a facelift. But my Abuela will never move. She loves to tell us that she will die here.
I get into the elevator and go to push the button for the penthouse. "Hey, you not trying to wait on ya man now, mami?"
"Sorry, I was in my head, "I explain.
"No worries," he says and grabs his phone as it beeps with a message.
"Let me get this and shut my phone off so I give you my undivided attention."
Ugh... I think to myself, it's probably my mother.
He finishes up and pockets his phone as the elevator doors open.
Damn... I don't want to cry, but it looks perfect.
I wanted a honey bee theme for the party. Yellows and chocolates are all over the entry. There are au devours and bagged honeycomb-shaped cookies. It looks perfect, but it's all a lie. Silent tears roll down my face.
"Awww, she loves it. I knew you would, says my mother, Maribela. She walks over in stilettos and a wrap dress. I freeze as she hugs me. I break away when she tries to kiss my cheek. "Let me look at the rest Mami," I tell her.
"Is dinner ready? Cause I'm hungry." I walk down the hall into the living space popping an au devour in my mouth.
We were waiting for you both, the guests of honor to arrive.
Maribela prides herself on how young and tight she looks. Who would expect her to have a grown daughter, but she's 47 to Emil's 30, and my 28.
Her dark curly hair is bone straight today. Her features are my features 19 years from now. Pecan skin with a dusting of freckles across our cheeks. Dark chocolate eyes and a slim but curvy body.
As I enter the great room, I see my lovely Abuela seat on her favorite armchair.
"Mi Amorcita, ven aqui" she shouts! I hustle over and drop to my knees laying my head on her lap. "Lita," I whisper "I have missed you."
"Emmy, estas bien?" she asks. Two seconds and she already knows something is up. That's my Abuela for you. I could never hide anything from her.
"I will be, Lita, I will be," I reply. "Can we eat now?"
I turn and greet my Tio Manny and Tia Aña. " Hey". I see more family at the table or walking toward it. " Y'all were waiting on me, am I late," I ask.
I turn to see my mo- Maribela walk in with Emil. "Come on love, let's get Melda some food." Ah, they are bold as hell playing in my face. The last laugh will be mine though, better believe it.
I sit on my Abuela's right side. Emil is on my left, and of course, Maribela takes his left too. "Mari, que hastes, te sientas allí,"points Abuela to a seat across the table. "Si MaMa," says Maribela as gets up and walks around the table.
"Oramos, comemos" says Abuela . We all bow our heads. Tio Manny stands and prays. We all shout "Amen" and reach for the food.
"English Lita" I hear my cousin Mini say, "please. I brought my girlfriend. I want her to understand."
"Gringa necesita aprender español", say Abuela. "Si Lita, pronto lo hará" says Mini. " Okay my nieta , I will do this for you this time."
Mini has a thing for redheads. This one is no exception, I notice as I reach for the tamales. I want to skip all this, but family is super tight and this food really is amazing. "Lita... mmmm this is so good," I tell her. I lean in to kiss her cheek. "Me and baby love you most." A tear streaks down my face. My emotions are getting the better of me.
"We will speak of this trouble soon, my Emmy," she tells me as touches my cheek. "Sì Lita."
The rest of dinner is smooth, with Emil talking to my uncles seated nearby.
Stacia walks into the dining room and nods to me. She turns and announces "It's time for the big reveal. Please join me in the salon"
I stand and grab Emil's hand. "Showtime," I say. A staff member is rolling in a beautiful white iced cake. "I know you don't like fondant, but buttercream didn't look as nice so I had it changed," Mari says as she walks by. I grit my teeth as I turn to greet the room. "Stacia, can you pass out the favors?"
" I still don't see why you didn't let me help with those" complains Maribela. I refuse to call her mom, not even in my mind.
"You have helped yourself to enough," I tell her. I let Emil's hand go and walk to my Abuela. " I will explain my troubles now" I whisper.
I turn back to Maribela's shocked face and Emil's confusion.
"Everyone this is a joyous moment. We have two reveals today. Come Emil let us cut the cake."
He hurries over to hold my hand. I grab the knife with my other hand.... it trembles. I have to talk myself out of stabbing him. My heart hurts.
He reaches across and holds on as we cut into the cake. Pink beads cascade from the cake as Stacia takes the picture.
My last photo with my cheating husband.
I turn as tears start to fall... Emil picks me up and spins me. I want to believe the lie, that he actually loves me and this is real.... but she stands right beside him, Maribela. How had I not noticed? Or maybe she just doesn't care to hide as much anymore.
I play nice as he puts me down.
"Now on to our biggest reveal. Each of you has a cookie. Please take it from the bags and snap them open. I hand Maribela and Emil theirs last.
I hear gasps as I turn back to face my Abuela and family. " You see, my world was turned upside down a few weeks ago, mi familia. I found out I was betrayed.
As you can all see, Emil and Maribela are having an affair."