Crash Into Me

Chapter Twenty: Alli

"I had a sister, but she passed away."

The room grows quiet and Eli turns to me. "I didn't know you had a sister." Concern spreads across his face as he places his hand on top of mine on the table. Regina looks down at her empty plate, regretting her seemingly innocent question.

I clear my throat, trying to swallow the uncomfortableness of the situation. I nod my head. "Yeah, she passed away eight years ago. A car accident." I don't want to go into anymore detail than that. The awkward silence masks the air as I rack my brain for some other subject matter.

"I'm so sorry to hear that, mija." Eduardo looks sincerely sympathetic, shaking his head.

"Yes, I'm sorry to hear that as well," Regina sounds slightly less antagonistic. "What about your parents? Do you see them often?"

Again, I am embarrassed by this question. "I don't see much of them. We haven't talked in awhile. Not since my sister's passing." Eli furrows his brows, trying to make sense of this information. We hadn't spoken about my family history, and I didn't mind that at all—I was relieved by that, actually.

The quiet stillness of the room is interrupted by an older Hispanic woman dressed in a traditional black housekeeper dress with a white apron. Her black hair is streaked with grays and is pulled up into a neat top bun. She is smiling pleasantly while pushing out a cart of food with what I am guessing is our dinner.

"Buenos tardes," the woman smiles sweetly and nods, uncovering a silver dish with a chicken garnished with an assortment of greens and bathed in spices. The appealing aroma wafts through the air and my stomach growls as I realize how hungry I am.

"Muchas gracias, Thelma," Eduardo smiles and nods to the housekeeper. "Allison, this is Thelma. She helps out around the house. She has been with us since Elijah was a baby."

"She practically raised me," Eli laughs. Regina shoots him a dark glare at this remark. Eli shrugs his shoulders, sensing his mother's hurt but not taking back his comment.

Thelma appears to catch on to Regina's jealousy and chimes in with a thick Spanish accent, "Mrs. Vasquez has been the true mother to Elijah. I only helped out here and there," she says modestly.

"Yes, well, I did my best with the time I had." Regina begins to pour herself a glass of white wine.

Thelma tilts her head down shyly and her cheeks turn a rosy pink. "It is so nice to meet you," she says to me sweetly.

"It's nice to meet you too, Thelma." I am glad to see another friendly face and at just the right time. The conversation had turned stale and Thelma was what we needed to clear the air. She begins to serve the chicken with a side of mashed potatoes and string beans to each of us. I hadn't seen such an appetizing home-cooked meal in quite some time.

"Can I get you anything else?" she asks us after she's done serving us.

"That will be all," Regina says, still irritated by Elijah's comment. Thelma nods her head and waves goodbye to me and Eli.

"I like her," I whisper to Eli.

"Me too," he whispers back.

Eduardo holds the wine bottle out to Eli, "Would you like some?" he gestures to both of us.

"Sure," I politely accept. Eli pours us each half a glass before placing the bottle back in the center of the table. Regina grabs the bottle, filling herself a second generous glass.

We continue dinner with back and forth pleasant conversation and it seems as though things have taken a turn for the better. Regina doesn't seem to be impressed with me, but what she lacks in cordiality, Eduardo makes up for in warm hospitality. Thelma brings out a chocolate pudding with freshly cut strawberries for dessert and I am absolutely stuffed by the time dinner is over. Eduardo leans back in his chair, stretching with satisfaction from a full belly.