Salty Licorice

Chapter 41

Marisa's POV

I pull the tamales out of the pot and stack them neatly on a plate before wrapping it in tinfoil to hopefully keep the heat in for as long as possible. I wash my hands and the pot before walking upstairs to finish getting ready, all that's left is to put on my dress, I already did my hair and make up. When I walk out of my room and head for Mateos, he is sitting on his bed playing fifa in jeans and his Mexico soccer jersey like every year on Thanksgiving. I sigh, feeling an argument is about to ensue.

"Mateo, can you please put on this button up and slacks I pulled out for you this morning," I rub my temples.

"But I don't like the shirt, it's too restricting around my neck, and the pants aren't comfortable either. Besides I can't take off my jersey, it's bad luck," He blabbers on still with his eyes on his game.

I watch as he finishes the game before walking over and turning off his TV, at least I let him finish the match. I cross my arms and sigh.

"How about this, put this shirt over your jersey and if you wear the pants I'll um, buy you a reeses at the store later," I bargain.

"But why?" He whines. "We never had to dress up for this lame holiday before."

"That was when we were celebrating at home, this year Dad decided that we were going over to the Thompsons for dinner," I explain with a growing irritation from just the thought of having to see Emily's face again this week after that stunt she pulled on monday.

"I don't wanna go," He whines.

"Do you wanna see Avery?" I ask hoping that he'll finally cave at the promise of her presence.

"Yes, is she gonna be there?" He asks, his eyes lighting up.

I just nod and he jumps to his feet and pulls on the shirt. I leave before he starts to change his pants. I sigh and make my way down stairs to find my dad in the kitchen looking at the plate I just put together. I catch him peeling the foil back and I smack his hand away.

"Stop it, wait for everyone else," I roll my eyes, fixing the foil wrap.

"Do you think you could um, help me with this?" He holds out the two ends of his tie with confused eyes. "Your mother always tied them so I never really learned to do it myself."

I smiled softly and a memory of my mother doing his tie flashed in my mind when he was getting ready for a job interview while we still lived in Missouri. I shook my head free of the beautiful smile on my mothers face and looked back at my helpless Dad. I slid the tie from his hands and straightened it up along his neck and in a few smooth movements I had it tied perfectly and tightened it up around his neck before fixing his collar over the tie for him.

"You look good dad," I smile awkwardly at him with a curt nod.

"A dress?" He teases, "Never thought I'd see the day that my only daughter puts one of those one by choice."

"What don't I look nice?" I say, batting my eyes and swishing the hem of my shirt all girly.

"You look beautiful, as always princess," He kisses my forehead.

"Dad, don't call me that," I whine at the childish nickname.

"What but you our my Princess," He grins with a teasing tone in his voice. "Remember your 6th birthday party when you wanted a princess party? You were so cute in your little pink poofy dress with your tiara," He reminisces. "You were my precious little princess that day."

"Well no pink on this dress, just a black and dark purple," I shrug trying to ignore the nostalgic feeling I get from his story.

Mateo stomps into the kitchen with his sneakers, black slacks and a red button up with his jersey peeking out of the collar. I walk up to him and try to fix his hair before sighing and shaking my head leaving it be. I look at the time on my phone before looking back at my father who's trying to steal a tamale, I pull the plate from under his hand before he gets a hold on one and points to the time.