Aspiring independent artist Cecilia Evans is in seventh heaven after being nominated for what any artist on the rise dream of garnering-- a Grammy. On the night of the Grammy's, Cecilia's world turns upside down and her stomach turns at the traumati...
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Cecilia
"Hey, Love Bug!" Both my parents enter my bedroom after I tell them to come in while I'm laying in my bed with my cousins Reagan and Misty as well as Zayna are sitting on the edge of the bed just we're already on the fifth episode of The Best Man: The Final Chapters because my neighbors were knocking boots earlier and we decided to watch the series in my room. We were cracking up through some of the episodes so far, especially when Quentin and Jordan were having a four-way calling along with Shelby as well as Murch and Quentin mistakenly said, 'Non-bindering' for non-binary. This series is something else, I tell you.
"Hi, mom and dad!" The corners of my mouth move up as my eyes light up like the lights on a Christmas tree. Mom and dad greet the girls with affectionate smooches of the head along with warm hugs when my mom hands me my favorite flowers-- red orange hydrangeas with the stems swaddled securely in a brown wrapping paper. "Thanks, Mami." I bring the soft flowers to my nose as I take in the rich honey-vanilla aroma.
"How are you feeling, sweetie?" My mom leans forward to give me a kiss on my forehead. "Did you put a small amount of cranberry juice or Vita Coco in your plain water bottle like I suggested to you?" My mom suggested that I could pour a slight amount of cranberry juice in my plain water bottle, but I did considered the idea. However; I decided to listen to my doctor to drink merely four bottles of water for the next eight days to treat my kidney infection. When the days are numbered, I'm steering clear from the sodas and I don't want to go through that again, especially waiting five hours to get treated for my kidney infection. Damn diet coke.
"I thought about it, but I listened to the doctor because I'm worried that drinking a spike of cranberry juice infused in my water bottle would worsen the flank as well as my kidneys." It is true. I'm glad I went to the hospital right away because it was a learning experience for me as I never heard of flank until the doctors told me when I was in such a dire situation with my health. The five hours that I've spent at the hospital is a lesson that my body is telling me to drink more fluids since our bodies are retained of water. As a thirty year old female, I have about fifty percent of my body being made of water, in which I have to thank my health teacher Mrs. Gabbier from Venice High School.
"It's okay, baby. What matters is the fact you're feeling better as well as taking your antibiotics and drinking your water like your doctors advised you to. And besides you feeling better, your father and I were in the kitchen with your aunts and uncles when they announced you as one of the nominees for the Grammy awards!" Mami cheers.
"That's right," Dad beams. "We were all elated; your Uncle Patrick opened a bottle of champagne that spilled all over the kitchen counter and your Aunt Sharon made him clean his mess, of course." I titter as I imagine Uncle Patrick uncorking a bottle of Moët as it erupts like a volcano with the liquid running down the bottle and his hand as well the glossy ecru tiled counter. "How does it feel for you to be nominated for a Grammy?"
"I feel grateful and blessed. Most likely incredulous at the same time." I answer frankly.
"We are so proud of you, Cecilia. You managed to keep a modest heart along with walking by faith and keeping God in your life as we raised you all to believe." Mami smiles fondly just as my phone rings beside me. My body shifts to the right side as I pick my phone up with my hand to take notice at the caller ID. I grin at the name before I answer with a swipe and place the phone to my ear. "Hey, my love--"
"Meet me at the Market tonight at 7:30."
Before I could get a chance to respond, the call abruptly ends. What the hell?
"Was that Gabble-Head?" Mami queries unamusingly.
"Mami, his name is Aiden. How did you know it was him?"
"We heard the damn fool over the phone." Dad shakes his head. "I can't even eat my food in peace without laughing at how he talks, let alone my favorite cool ranch flavored Doritos when we saw and heard him speak for the first time." The first time I introduced Aiden to my family, I caught glances at them covering their mouths with their hands to refrain from laughing along with pressing their lips together tightly before their cheeks puffed upfollowed bya brief snicker breaks out. My dad was howling in laughter outside of the house, causing several of my relatives to snicker, giggle, snort, and chuckle. In that moment, I didn't find anything about how he talk is funny. I honestly believe he is articulate and rhythmic as a fast-paced beat of the drums.
"He wants me to meet him at the Grand Central Market tonight."
"Cece, you could do so much better than wasting your time with a guy who is a follower to a toxic bald ass hat." Cousin Reagan says, causing both my parents to stare at her with piercing eyes of surprise.
"What did I say-- My bad, Aunt Mariam and Uncle Luis," Cousin Reagan apologizes. "But that's what he is, though."
"If there are any problems, you can call us right away or come spend a night or two or more with us." Mami assures me.
"Mami, I'm not a little girl anymore." I chuckle softly. "Just so you know; I know where I'm going when I need you all."
Mami and dad beam at me with content and wrap their arms around me while I envelop my arms around them. I love my family so much and no matter what we go through, we simply turn to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ as well as each other because that's where our lives began. Just like Proverbs 3:6 says, 'God first, family second, and everything else in life fills in the blanks.'
