The Guy Who Gave Up His Jersey (New Version)

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Thanksgiving has been a special holiday in our family. It's the time where all our family problems and anything else in between is pushed aside and we enjoy the presence of our family and friends. Aunt Vivian, mom, and I spend the majority of the day cooking for dinner. While Xavier and Dad go over to the cafe and set up a table for our family and friends. Alejandro's family, my grandparents, Uncle Simon and his wife come to dinner. 

I believed this year Thanksgiving was going to special for us, with all the problems happening, we were all grateful things were starting to settle down. Dad arrived back in town a day before Thanksgiving and he has been spending time with mom. Xavier is meeting the end of his punishment and helping out at the cafe, while I have been at home cleaning around and not sneaking out of the house.  

We've had holidays where dad hasn't been able to make it due to weather conditions and there have been years where his job hasn't let him get the chance to be around. Mom didn't think we would notice how upset she would get spending Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Years alone without my dad, but Xavier and I noticed everything. 

I have a few stories of special events dad has missed and the effects it had on everyone. I don't want to think of those times anymore, he promised to change, although the changes are extreme, he is trying. It's going to take time to notice the effort he doing whether it is coming home early or not spending most of the year out of the city. I admit the atmosphere at home has shifted and it's easier to breathe. My parents haven't argued and it's not like them to argue quietly when Aunt Vivian is here. 

"Your mom and I are going to head to the cafe, we left the pies on the counter for you to take. We couldn't fit them in the car." Aunt Vivian said as I finished curling my hair. 

"It's two pies, place them on your lap." I chuckled. 

"The car is packed with all the dishes-" I raised my hand, stopping her. 

"It's a joke, I'll take the pies and the bottles of wine," I smirked, reminding her how she spent the last two hours of the afternoon looking for a store opened to buy her favorite wine. 

"That's why you're my favorite niece." She smiled and left my room. 

"I'm your only niece!" I yelled. 

I turned off the curling wand and shuffled my hair around to loosen my curls. It had been awhile since I dolled myself up. The last time I spent time getting ready I was going on a date with Lucas and seeing myself in a burnt orange casual dress made me have flashbacks. How was nieve I to think a guy like Lucas was kind? Truly, he was a monster.  My hands run over my dress getting rid any of the wrinkles it has and getting to the edge of my dress, my fingers curled inward and grasped onto the fabric. 

Is it strange I feel disgusted in wearing a clothing like this? I didn't feel as if I was exposing myself but I couldn't help but to think about the first time I went out with Lucas and how hard I tried to impress him with my outfit. Tonight was different, I wasn't trying to impress anyone, Alejandro had seen me in my worst attire, so there was no need for me to try to impress him. 

I released my hand and took in a deep breath. It was useless for me to try to comprehend why I dated a guy like Lucas, at the time it felt right. It was a lesson learn and I have to move on from it. I gave myself a quick glance and flipped my hair towards the back. I looked good. 

When I  arrived at the cafe I was surprised everyone had arrived early, my mom told everyone dinner was going to start at seven and it was barely six-thirty. I entered the cafe and my hands landed on Alejandro was behind the bar, helping my mom open up the pots of food. He looked up and a small smile spread on his lips when his eyes locked on mine. 

I responded with a smile and quickly looked away to greet my grandparents. "How are you feeling dear?" My grandma asked. 

"Good, grandma," I replied. Grandpa turned to look at me with a straight line on his lips. He still wasn't happy with me about our problem at school. By now he must've known what happened between Lucas and me, which brings him down to the negatives of how happy he is with me. 

"Grandpa," I said, giving him a side hug. 

"I'm glad to see you didn't run for the hills tonight." He muttered. 

"George!" My grandma hissed. 

I deserved that one, I forgot he was present when I ran off to Florida. "I should've guessed you would show up if you Romeo is here." He motioned towards Alejandro. 

My grandma hits him on the shoulder. "Behave!" She muttered. 

I chuckled quietly. "It's fine. I'm going to drop these pies off at the bar." I excused myself and placed the pies on the counter before going towards Uncle Simon who was talking to my dad. 

"Hey kiddo," He said, giving me a tight uncle. 

"Hey! how are you?" I asked him. 

"Good and you?" 

"I'm good too," I responded. "Aunt Cassy?" I asked. 

"Right here." I heard her cheery voice behind me. I turned around and felt her arms around me. "You gave your uncle and I a good scare!" She whispered in my ear. 

"Sorry..." I whispered. 

"I'm glad you are okay though," she added. 

I was expecting everyone to continue to ask me how I was feeling and get after me about what happened, yet I didn't expect to feel as embarrassed as with Aunt Vivian. I was scared to show my face to my family from the pure embarrassment. There aren't enough I am sorry to show them how truly bad I felt for sneaking out the house and getting myself hurt.  

"I'm expecting you to still compete in the barrel racing next month." Uncle Simon chimed in 

I nodded. "Greg said once my stitches come off I am able to do whatever I want." 

"Good, I want Alejandro, Xavier, and you to compete in the Rodeo this year!" 

"Yes, I know." I rolled my eyes. Each year we get close to making into the competition to the Rodeo but there is always someone better than us and we don't make the cut. Uncle Simon is determined to see us compete in the Rodeo once in his life before he retires from training us. 

I looked around the cafe and saw Mindy and Greg talking to Aunt Vivian, I left Uncle Simon and went to greet them. It was weird how Midy's parents weren't here yet. They are never late, so it was strange. 

"And your parents?" I asked Mindy. 

"They're going to be late," Alejandro said, not giving Mindy a chance to speak. I turn to my side to see him standing next to me. When did he get here?  

Mindy gave him an odd look and agreed. "Yeah, they're late." 

"Okay," I replied quietly. 

"Is everything okay?" I found myself asking Alejandro as we walked towards the bar. 

He nodded. "Mindy and you tensed up when I brought up your parents. Did you guys fight or something?" 

By the small talks Alejandro and I have had in the past, his relationship with his parents isn't the best either. He lives a similar lifestyle like me and we tend to understand each other because of it. If something is happening at home, he knows he can tell me. I want to be able to give him a person to talk to. 

It wasn't going to be as easy as I thought though, because in reality as much time as Alejandro spent with me, we didn't spend it together. He was around the house with Xavier and we never had deep conversations. I didn't know how thick his skin was and I believed when he said he wanted someone to know the real him. 

The problem was how certain was he now he wanted me to be the person who knew the real him? What if he believed his dark secrets were too much to let someone in?

***

Again another filler, but who remembers Alejandro hasn't told Juliana about his parents cutting him off? What do you think he should do tell her the truth? Or keep it to himself until it suddenly is exposed? 

Up in the section is a picture of Juliana's dress!