"No, you calm down! This is how I talk when somebody accuses my Manny of stealing!" Mom is yelling on the phone while Manny and I do our homework at the table.
We secretly exchange a look at each other when she wasn't watching us. I know I'm keeping Manny's secret that he stole a locket from a girl named Alisha. And I'm only doing that for him because he overheard my conversation with Scarlett on the phone. He knows that we're dating now because I told Scarlett that I love her and she said the same to me and who knows what else he heard. Manny is smart enough to put two and two together.
So, in return for keeping my secret that I have a girlfriend, I'm going to keep his that he's a little thief.
"Who is that?" Jay asks, entering into the room.
"It's the principal," Mom answers. "He's saying that Manny stole some girl's locket," Then she resumes to speak to the principal on the phone. "What, do you think that all Colombians are criminals because a Colombian necktie is a symbol of violence all over the world? No, no, I'm not threatening you. Okay. Apology accepted. No, I didn't mean anything about the necktie. I just-I was trying to make a point."
Mom eventually hangs up and is still frustrated from the conversation she had. Jay is trying to calm her down and get an understanding of what is happening. Manny and I are just minding our business by doing our homework.
Later on in the evening after dinner, I help Manny to take out some garbage and put it in the trash in the garage. When we turn around, we jump and gasp in fear because Jay has been right behind us.
"You're a little jumpy tonight, kids," Jays says. "Anything wrong?"
"No." Manny and I answer too quickly that makes Jay suspicious.
"Well, I'm just gonna-" Manny starts to say, but Jay interrupts him.
"Have a seat, kid," He places a stool for Manny to sit and turns the light on. It feels like an interrogation room in the garage. "You just stand," He orders me so I do. "You know, maybe it's me, but I thought you two were kind of squirrelly tonight - you know, before, when your Mom was on the phone with the principal. Almost like you wanted to say something, but you just couldn't," He looks at me. "And you have something to hide."
For some reason, I feel like he already knows about my secret, but that just can't be.
"Anything you want to say now, Manny?"
"No. I got nothing to say." He answers.
"Me neither." I answer as well, trying to sound confident.
"You sure about that? Think real hard."
"Could I get a glass of water?" I roll my eyes at my brother's question.
"That girl's locket. You took it, didn't you?" Jay somehow has it all figured out.
I can tell that my little brother is about to crack.
"Be strong, Manny." I encourage him.
"Um-"
"Didn't you?" Jay pushes sternly.
"Yes. Yes, I took it. I didn't mean to." Manny finally confesses.
"Way to go, Manny..." I sarcastically mutter under my breath. He can't even think of a good lie to save himself.
"I don't want to hear any excuses," Jay says. "You're gonna tell your Mom, and you're
gonna set this right, you understand?" Manny nods shamefully. "All right, get outta here."
We're about to leave the garage except for when he calls us.
"Why did you keep that secret for him, Vanessa?" Jay asks me.
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modern family | vanessa delgado
FanfictionManny's older sister, Vanessa, is Gloria's oldest daughter and Manny's big sister. She has to learn how to live with Jay and get along with his family before giving into the temptation to buy a plane ticket for Colombia. She didn't approve of her mo...
