Overjoyed

Chapter 11 - It's pulling me back

I woke up bright and early at 1 in the afternoon, to my phone beeping beside me; a text from Dan. It read:

‘Good morning Eliza. I hope you don’t mind, but your roommate let us in. We’re in your living room. xx Dan’

“Oh my God, he’s here” I thought to myself.  I practically fell out bed and mumbled curses under my breath. I rushed to my closet to change into some clothes and as I lifted my oversized t-shirt over my head I saw Dan turn into the hallway from the corner of my eye. As soon as he saw me he covered his eyes with his hands. “Oh fuck, I’m so sorry” he muttered and stumbled blindly as he turned around. Dan had just seen my bare breasts, which had only ever been seen by my ex-boyfriend Jason. Once again I was utterly mortified, but also somewhere in my dark depths, I had to admit, I was turned on.

“Good afternoon!” said Kyle as I walked into the living room, fully dressed. Will and Woody joined in and greeted me too. Dan just looked at me apologetically. In the kitchen there was a rare sight of Courtney cooking up a storm. “Morning sleepy” she said with a smile. I stood there, taking in just how insane the scene in front of me was, a wildly successful British band was sitting in my living room, of which the lead singer had been the landing place of my drunken fall and bore witness to my uncovered breasts, and the bassist, whom my suddenly domesticated roommate had spewed her guts on. It had been one crazy fucking weekend.

Suddenly my phone rang, it was my aunt Maria and I stepped onto the terrace to take the call. “Hola Eliza” she said in her thick Spanish accent. “Hola tia” I replied with a smile, happy to hear from her. “Cosa bonita, we miss you!” she exclaimed. My heart swelled as I realised how much I’d missed my family, “I miss you too, tia” I said. “Eliza,” she began, her tone far less jovial, “Tu madre, mi hija. Your mother is back.”

My jaw went slack. I was in total disbelief, how could this be? I began asking my aunt a million questions in Spanish. Where had she been all these years? Why was she back? Was she alright? I must have not realised I had been raising my voice because Dan came out to check on me. I said goodbye to my aunt, not wanting to lose my composure in front of Dan. As soon as I ended the call, Dan looked at me seriously and asked, “Are you okay?” I mumbled a yes but he cut me off. “You’re shaking, Eliza. Come here” he said and stepped towards me, gingerly pulling me into his arms. I fell readily against his chest.

After a little while of him rocking me back and forth slightly, he said, “Let’s go inside.” He released me from his embrace and I followed him into the thankfully empty living room. “Courtney has taken the guys out sightseeing” he said, taking a seat and patting beside him for me to join. I did so willingly. I could see the apprehension in his eyes, they crinkled at the corners and his lips were pressed into a thin line. He didn’t quite know where to go with this, but chose an easier route and asked, “You speak Spanish?” I nodded and said, “My aunt is from Spain. She married my father’s brother and raised me since I was seven. You could say I had a somewhat Hispanic upbringing.” He looked intrigued, “What about your parents?” he asked. “My dad died when I was four.” I said shakily. “And your mum?” he asked gently. “His death kinda sent Mom on a downward spiral… Got her into drugs, she couldn’t take care of us” I admitted. “Us? You have siblings?” asked Dan. “I had an older brother, he was killed” I said, my voice breaking as I recalled the chilling memory of the day Michael was choked to death before my eyes. “Oh Eliza…” said Dan, his eyes filled with sympathy as he wrapped his arms around me, pulling me into his lap. “She’s back Dan. Why? What right does she think she has coming back?” I mumbled, aware that he had no idea what I was talking about. He said nothing, but kissed the top of my head gently. I began to sob audibly into his chest.