Guests

How The Pain Begins

There can't be a better day than a girls' night out! Well, I should say a girl's night out. I would have loved for my actress friend Karla or my cousin Theresa to be here—along with a couple of my colleagues from the Killing Floor set—but I'll have to settle for Kay Winters. I hope she can't read my mind, or she'll kill me!

"Thee! Where did you put the beer?" That's her. We've planned to watch all the Jurassic World movies with Chris Pratt—whom Kay adores—taking advantage of the fact that Gareth is meeting with his American football team in Dallas for the offseason's final OTAs (organized team activities).

"Athena Diaz! Snap out of your fantasy world. Where's the beer?"

"I don't have any. You know Gareth doesn't like it. He prefers wine, sorry."

Kay takes a deep breath. I know she doesn't appreciate it when I tell her what Gareth likes or doesn't like. She needs to learn to respect it. I love enjoying a good cold beer while watching a movie and eating popcorn. It's not bad to compromise once in a while and try new things. Although I really feel like having a beer.

"I'm going to the 7-Eleven on the corner, and I'm getting myself a six-pack like Chris!" she says, with her usual mischief, though a hint of exhaustion shines through.

I give her a pleading look but let her go. I hope she doesn't buy all six, because if there's any left and Kay forgets to take it with her... Gareth shouldn't get angry. He knows I drink it very rarely.

Kay no longer tries to reason with me about it. It's a lost battle. Gareth only wants what's best for me, and beer is a drink that causes many health problems. His father, for example, is a recovering alcoholic with a ruined liver because of it. It's only natural that Gareth doesn't want to see a single can in the house. Still, it hurts me that the two of them don't get along. My best friend and my partner...

Gareth doesn't really talk much to my parents and their partners either. He thinks they meddle too much in our affairs and put strange ideas in my head. I'm a little tired of their arguments.

I try to stay out of it, but I have to support my boyfriend. He wants what's best for me. He has a different perspective than mine, and I think that's why we complement each other so well. He's an elite athlete, and who better than him to advise me on how to maintain my figure?

Kay returns just as I'm putting the popcorn in the microwave. I have to make an effort to smile. I can't be sad. Lately, there are few nights I can spend with someone other than Gareth. I have to do everything I can now that he's in Dallas and compromise with his rules. If he doesn't find out, there won't be a problem. I don't want him to lecture me about why beer is bad for my body, how it can make me gain weight, how it will ruin my liver... and he's right! I know. But once a year...

"I took the opportunity to buy napkins because I don't think there are enough to wipe off my drool during the Chris marathon... I mean, the Jurassic World marathon. By the way, can't you invite him for one of these nights?" Kay asks.

"Are you crazy? We would have two problems."

"What problems? If you care to share..."

"First: I don't think his girlfriend would appreciate it, and I don't want her to send a Terminator to seek revenge. Second: I can't bring a guy into Gareth's house."

"It's your penthouse, Thee. You can do whatever you want. You're not going to sleep with him. If anything, it would be me..."

"Kay! Don't you dare think about turning this holy place into your love nest."

"It's clear that I would have to present a bill to the esteemed congress of His Excellency Freechild."

"Don't talk about him like that. I know he has his quirks..."