At Wits End

Chapter Three

"Qué? No, it's fine, trust me. You know I'd do that for you anyway, papá. Sorry about earlier," I apologized, keeping one eye on a deviously smirking Tessa and the other on the road. We'd just gotten back from the grocery store. Let's just say what would be a five minute trip took nearly 20. And also that I was not particularly pleased with Tessa at the moment.
I'm not saying another word on the topic.

I watch her pick at some loose thread on her jeans as my papá replies in rapid Spanish. He wraps up the conversation and I hang up, sighing for seems like the hundredth time this day. Beside me, my new companion chuckles. "Your 'papá' seems very protective of you."

Boy, didn't I know it. He acted as if I was still in my toddler days, just entering the a new life of school, people, and its environments. Never mind that I was turning 18 in a few months. Luckily, my dad was more relaxed and helped talk my papá out of restricting me so much.

"He's almost an adult, Sebastian." My dad would breathe out in exasperation. "I'm pretty sure he is able to drive himself to the mall for a few hours without dying."

Then my papá would come up with all sorts of scenarios, each with the worst possible ending. During this rant, my dad usually just waves me off and lets me leave while he deals with my papá.

"Aaron, so help me if that boy leaves my sight, I will never see him again." My papá would mutter glumly, then my dad would wrap his arms around him and kiss his cheek.

I shook my head at the thoughts and smiled, "Yeah, but it's always nice to know he cares about me. Just a little too much sometimes." Tessa laughs, her odd laugh making me smile more.

How could I think she was absolutely intimidating and daunting earlier? Tessa was very carefree and open, acting like I was an old friend to tag along with. I ran a hand through my thick black hair as I pulled into my driveway. I had another 20 minutes or so until Ana Maria's school ended, so I always chilled at home.

We both exited the car, bringing our bags. Tessa seemed impressed by the two story white house, though I didn't know why. My papá was home already; the lights in the living room were on.

"C'mon," I mumbled, leading Tessa up the walkway to the front door. I used my keys and opened the door, immediately being attacked. Arms wrapped themselves around my neck, making me jump and drop my bag.

"Julian, estás en casa!" My papá shouted jovially, squishing my face with his. I groaned, not all forgetting just how strong my papá was. "Eh, papá, stop, stop, that hurts!" That only made him squeeze harder and I let out a gasp. He could be so cruel.

A loud, ungraceful snort next to me made him freeze. My papá popped his head out of shoulder making eye contact with Tessa for the first time, who was standing on the porch behind me holding her bag in amusement.

"Huh? Quién es ella, Julian? Tu novia?" My papá questioned, detangling himself from me and slowly slipping on a shit-eating grin. He held out his hand to Tessa while my mouth was gaped open, completely stunned. "Hello, my name is Sebastian. Julian's papá."

Tessa returned the grin and shook his hand firmly. "I'm Tessa, Julian's best friend." Oh, you fucking liar.

"It's nice to meet you, Tessa." My papá said politely, though turning to wink discreetly at me. Ay, dios mío, papá, I thought to myself. Why are you such a weirdo?

Then I realized my dad wasn't here, and that I was thankful he wasn't. If he were, he'd be even worse than my papá.
"Likewise, Mr..." Tessa trailed. My papá brightened up devilishly, as if he knew what was coming next. In fact, we all did.

"Santiago-Carter. My beloved and I decided to keep both names." He said matter of factly, his deep Spanish accent coming out strong.

"Your beloved? Where is the missus, in fact?" Tessa asked coolly, accepting our offer to actually come into the house.

I closed the door as my papá said, "There is no missus, querida."

I bit my lip as Tessa looked guilty. "I'm so sorry, Mr. Santiago-Carter. I didn't mean--"

Chuckling, my papá shook his head. "No, no, you misunderstood. My beloved is not dead, nor absent." Now Tessa looked befuddled, tilting her head to the side as her eyebrows furrowed lightly.

"Then, what...?

"My husband is at work right now, Tessa. I've never been married to a woman." My papá snorted, crossing his arms to hide his shaking laughs. Tessa's eyes widen more than I've ever seen, her jaw dropping.

Her eyes shifted between my papá and I in shock. "But... how?"

"We adopted him, Tessa. Same with his younger sister." My papá explained, and Tessa let out a deep exhale.

Under her breath, she muttered, "Yeah, that makes sense... Why didn't I think of that?" I laughed quietly behind my hand and leant down to retrieve my bag from the floor where I dropped it.

"Anyway, papá... I'm going to go put my stuff away." I said, slowly walking backwards and pointing to the staircase. My room was the only bedroom upstairs, so I shared it alone while my parents and sister had bedrooms downstairs.

"Ah, sí hijo." My papá nodded, smiling oddly. I was halfway up the stairs with Tessa following me when he yelled, "Tu nueva novia es muy agradable!" I groaned in annoyance and he boomed with laughter. Walking down the hallway, I saw Tessa looking puzzled. She must not be able to understand a lick of Spanish. God? Yes, can you hear me? Yeah, thanks.

If Tessa ever knew what my papá said, she'd never stop. I can see it already: "Hey there, boyfriend." She'd pretend we're a couple all day, every day. I'd only just met her and I could tell that.

I opened my door and thrust my bag blindly in the dark onto my bed, letting it land with a soft thud. I checked the time. "Here, I need to go get my sister. I'll pick her up and then I can drop you off where you need to be." I shut the door still checking my phone when I heard her huff softly. I glanced up and promptly backed up into my door.

Tessa was much closer than she was before, her eyes averted. I gulped silently as my mouth felt suddenly dry. "T-Tessa?" I stuttered stupidly, my heart racing at her close proximity. She leaned against me in the car, but that was different. The atmosphere in the dark hallway was heavy and thick. Not sexually charged, but something else.

"Do I need to leave so early?" Her voice was soft. I didn't answer, I was unable to. She sighed. "I don't want to go yet, Julian." Tessa's stormy eyes drop to the hardwood flooring, her breath even and slow. Her voice was pleading, yet not at all sounding unguarded or vulnerable. How does she do it?

Hesitantly I reached out and held her shoulder. "Is everything okay, Tessa?" Her shoulder tensed and she nodded.

"It's nothing. I just don't want to go home yet." I bit my lip, and after a moment of quiet nodded to myself.

"Okay. Give me your bag then." I held out my hand, and Tessa's head snapped up in dumbfoundment. Taking her time, Tessa handed me her small bag. It was weightless, almost as if nothing were in it. I lifted it and heard some things move inside. I pushed it aside and opened my door again, throwing the bag next to mine.

I shut it the final time and turned to smile brightly at Tessa.

"Well, let's go then."