OFF THE RECORD (First Person)

6. Bar Hopping

Emma
Mr. Miguel Echeverria, my father, was the first to hold me. He carried me, twirling me around, ignoring the multitude around us. Paola Echeverria, my mother, held me next, wiping a few tears that had escaped.

Luna gave me a tight hug, congratulated me, and then excused herself. She had been called for an emergency at her job. She was the director of the toxic substances coordinating committee, and she was needed immediately back in Austin, where she had resided for the past ten years.

My friends were next, showering me with bouquets and balloons. It had been a while since I had last seen Memo and Erica, being grateful to be able to hold them again. Isaiah handed me two gift bags.

"The little one is from the Rocker." He pointed out to me. The statement didn't go unnoticed by Memo, who tiptoed a bit and lowered his eyes down at the paper bag, trying to catch a glimpse of what was inside.

We went out to eat dinner to a taqueria close by, where my parents asked me again if I would go back to Corpus Christi, now that I had graduated.

"I'm already enrolled in Law school, here in the same university. Besides, the grant that will be given to me is only good for this school. It really is one of the best of the state, of the country." I explained to them, opening my case.

Isaiah nodded, trying to help me out, "It really is. Don't you guys worry. She's been fine here. We've taken good care of each other, right Emilia?"

I gave him a swat. It annoyed me when he called me by my real name.

"Okay, but what about the money we keep sending you? You haven't touched that bank account." My dad accused me.

"Don't worry about it. Im doing okay. I haven't needed it yet." I dismissed it, playing with the fajitas with my fork.

"We know you'll be okay. And you too, Isaiah. We are very proud of the people you have become. You two, too." My dad turned to see Erica and Memo. "But, if there is anything that we can help you guys with, please don't doubt about calling. We are here for you." My dad assured us.

"I hope you call your mom often, muchacho!" Barged in my mother, looking straight at Isaiah.

"Eh, yeah. We're in touch." He answered, drinking from his mug of beer, trying to not be the center of attention.

Isaiah's mother, Mrs. Veronica Rodriguez, had a good relationship with my mother. I think she had a good relationship with every parent of our friend's group. Maybe the only grown-ups that would stray away from the bunch were the Gonzalez's, Regina's parents. But that was because they were always working. Once in a blue moon, when they would bless us with their presence, they were amicable enough.

Mrs. Veronica had been very close to Isaiah too, after all, he was her only son, and she had been a single mother since he was eight years old. When he moved to Houston, she also went back to school, to finish her GED and then got her registered nurse certificate. She seemed happy, focusing on her career and on herself.

My parents stayed in my apartment, since they would stay the weekend here with me, but Erica and I would go in and out, just to get ready for the night. The guys would meet us in Main Street downtown. We would bar hop, in celebration to my graduation.

Getting ready was already part of the fun. I had bumped a late 2000's hip hip playlist in my room.

I grabbed both gift bags, setting them on my bed. I started with Isaiah's gift, which was a personalized leather folio. I held it to my chest, appreciating the thought of my friend.

Erica waited, expectantly, for me to reveal Tomas's gift. I pulled out a small turquoise box from the paper bag. A pristine Tiffany's chain bracelet laid on it. Both of us stood in front of the piece of jewelry with mouths wide open.