Escapade

Chapter Two: Family

The Aventura suburbs in Miami weren't like any other. All the houses looked vaguely Latin. They were yellow with brick red roofs, and were aligned perfectly together in neat rows. Their lawns were sprawled around them, a light shade of green and perfectly cut. Palm trees were dotted here and there. Tall buildings, apartments and condos were sprayed in between the houses, and the sea was always only a short distance away. Everything about the suburban homes was perfect, except for some of the owners there. It wasn't unusual to see a 70 year old woman wearing a hot pink running suit jogging down the street, or a random business tycoon bring a woman— who was definitely not his wife— home when no one was there.

In fact, in the Miami suburbs, everything was like a soap opera or drama show: unbelievably real. That afternoon, I was unpleasantly aware of this as Sophia introduced me to her daughter, Olivia Sparks. We were at the door to penthouse of a large apartment building situated by the suburbs.

"Hello, Olivia," Sophia said curtly. She didn't seem comfortable here. In fact, she was frowning, glancing around as if she was looking for a place to escape to.

"Mother, it's so nice to see you!" Olivia exclaimed, hugging her mother. "It's been too long. You haven't visited in weeks, and Liz was just dying to see you again. I was getting worried."

"Nothing to worry about," Sophia replied shakily.

Sophia and her daughter chatted for a while, catching up on things they missed. They started talking about the children. According to the conversation, Eric was Olivia's favorite, a true surfer as I expected, and also a jock and 'the most popular guy in his school'. The conversation turned to Liz a lot, about how she sometimes tried to run away, and how she shoplifted a lot. Although Olivia made no move to hide her hatred toward Liz, she seemed to be Sophia's favorite grandchild. All the while I stood there, wondering whether I should say anything or just keep quiet. Eventually I was stricken with a thought and accidentally said it aloud.

"You don't look like your mom," I blurted out.

Olivia and her mother swiveled to stare at me. Sophia was beaming at me, but Olivia looked disgruntled. Olivia stared at me hard, as if she just noticed I was there, looking at me from head to foot, taking an entire minute to analyze me.

"Who was this again, mother?" Olivia said primly.

"Her name is Natalia, dear.  I met her last night at the store and she said she was looking for Eric, so I decided to take care of her for the night and bring her here. One night with her and I like her already," Sophia said, still smiling.

"I see," Olivia said quietly, staring at me again. This time, I took this chance to stare back.

Olivia was a small woman, like her mother. Her thick, dark hair barely reached her shoulders and was curled into a conservative style. She seemed to like pearls.  She wore them on her ears and neck and even on a ring. She was wearing a skirt and sweater, like her mother, but hers looked new and ironed rather than Sophia's old, faded lavender smelling ones.

"Mother, you know you shouldn't just bring strays into your house," Olivia whispered worriedly. "One of these days you might regret it."

Sophia laughed it off. "Now don't you worry, I know which strangers to take in and which to leave alone, daughter. And she isn't a stranger. She's my  grandchildren's friend, like I said earlier."

"Eric's just a teenager. He doesn't know any better. Anyway, I think he's being influenced by Elizabeth a bit too much these days, too. And let's not mention what befriending Elizabeth tells us about the girl."

Sophia held her chin up, her long braid swishing slightly as she looked at her daughter indignantly. "She prefers it if you call her Liz, Olivia, and there's nothing wrong with my grandchildren bonding."