Tangled Webs -Oscar Diaz-

Chapter 13

Sofia stood in the kitchen, chopping a tomato. Her mind on the current led zeppelin song that was playing on the radio. Her left foot tapped on the floor. Sofia was attempting to distance herself from the events of the previous night, but she seemed to be failing. She was struggling to forget the look on Ruby's face. Sofia finished cutting her third tomato and scooped the chunks into a mixing bowl. She grabbed an onion and began the process all over. The brunette didn't notice the person standing in the doorway behind her. Their eyes were watching her every move. Sofia cut the onion in half. Her grip was abnormally tight as she began cutting the vegetable.

The figure behind her moved closer. "Hey, honey," Geny spoke in a nervous tone. Sofia looked over her shoulder at her mother. The two hadn't spoken since the previous night.

"Hey, Ma." Sofia stopped her movements. She was prepared for whatever feelings her mother had been suppressing all night.

Geny stepped closer, "what are you making?"

"I'm making guacamole, with extra onions and tomato because-"

"Because that's how the twins like it," Geny raised an eyebrow. "That's very sweet of you, mija."

"Thanks, Ma." Sofia turned back towards her cutting board.

"Do you mind if I help?" Sofia was slightly surprised that her mom wanted to help, but she didn't object. Instead, she grabbed an onion and handed it to her. Geny happily took the onion from her and pulled a knife from the drawer. There was a heavy silence between them, neither knowing what to say. Sofia wanted to start a conversation about anything. The weather, her classes, even the twins, but she didn't. She was afraid that her mother was bottling up anger about her relationship with Oscar. Sofia was planning to tell her, but not last night. She was going to tell Ruby first and see how he reacted before telling the rest of her family. Things didn't go according to plan. Sofia chopped half of the onion and moved on to the next part. Her mother was cutting slowly, but Sofia didn't question her. "You know," Geny began. "When you were a child, you loved helping me in the kitchen." Sofia glanced at her. "You used to sit on the counter because you were to short when you stood." Geny placed the knife of the counter and smiled at her daughter. "Every time I look at you, I see that little girl. My first baby girl."

"Ma," Sofia whispered.

Geny kept going, "and I know your dad sees it too." She paused for a moment. "I don't know why you didn't tell me about Oscar. You know I just want you to be happy." Geny watched the look on Sofia's face fall. "I understand with your father." Sofia nodded at her words. She understood where her mother was coming from. "He doesn't want his baby ever to date. We both knew this day would eventually come."

"I know." Sofia turned away from her cutting board.

"But we both want you to be happy," Geny stepped closer to her. "I know that Oscar is a part of the Santos, I won't even go down that route because I trust your judgment one-hundred percent."

She felt relief at her mother's words. "Thank you." Sofia knew her mother was understanding of her choices.

Geny smiled, "we don't choose who we love." She paused again, "I just want you to feel like you can talk to me."

"I know I can." The guilt began to make it's way back into Sofia's mind. "I'm sorry, I didn't tell you sooner. I didn't think you would be happy with me."

"There is nothing you could that would make me unhappy with you," Geny thought about her words. "Unless you killed one of your brothers. I might be a little unhappy." Sofia laughed at her words. "I will love you forever, mija."

"I love you too, Ma."

Geny stared at her a second more. Sofia turned back and began cutting her onion. "I do have to say. Oscar is a cute one, even with all that stuff on his face and neck."