Chapter 14

 

On Monday morning, Jeanette dragged herself downstairs to work. After she put Alonzo out she crawled in bed crying until she was exhausted. She ignored his calls and texts, along with her aunt’s. They both had deceived her and it hurt. And now because of them she was a zombie from a lack of sleep. Who could sleep when the rug was snatched out from beneath your seemingly happy life?

Pacing back and forth in her classroom, Jeanette couldn’t believe her luck. The first guy she had to go fall in love with was a big, fat liar. Once Alonzo was out of her space and she could think, more things started making sense. His never being around while the construction crew was remodeling the school. He was the anonymous benefactor who donated the money. No wonder he hadn’t said much when she told him about it.

All weekend she wrestled with her feelings for him. Every time she came to the same conclusion. She was hopelessly in love with Alonzo Castro. How could she not be? He was loving, thoughtful, caring, and considerate. He just wasn’t honest. And what hurt the most was that not only was he ashamed of her, he probably thought once she knew he was wealthy her hands would be deep in his pockets. That thought crushed her the most.

“Baby, can we talk?”

She hadn’t heard Gloria come into the room. A twinge of guilt stabbed her in the gut for refusing to talk to her aunt. There had never been this much tension between them.

“Yes, Auntie,” she whispered.

Gloria smiled, and it broke Jeanette’s heart. The poor woman looked as if she had aged ten years.

“Come into the kitchen. I’ll make us some tea.”

“Okay, Auntie.”

As Gloria was leaving, Jeanette's phone pinged. She picked it up off the desk and looked at the screen. Alonzo texted her again.

Sweetheart, please talk to me. I love you. I miss you.

Jeanette's fingers hovered over the keys. She wanted to tell him she loved him too, but couldn’t bring herself to do so.

You hurt me. Please leave me alone.

She waited a few minutes. Her heart sunk when he didn’t reply. Laying the phone on the desk, she went to go talk to her aunt.

Gloria was pouring hot water into the mugs from the electric teapot.

“I’m making your favorite, ginger-lemon,” she said as Jeanette slid on the stool at the kitchen counter.

“Thank you, Auntie.”

Taking a seat next to her niece, Gloria apologized. “Baby, I’m sorry you feel like I betrayed you for not telling you about Alonzo. That was never my intention. I would never deliberately hurt you.”

Jeanette hated the way Gloria’s voice trembled, but she had to ask, “Why didn’t you tell me? I’m your family.”

Gloria stroked Jeanette’s cheek. “It wasn’t my business to tell. Alonzo promised me he was going to tell you before you went to his parents’ for Thanksgiving.”

“Why did he tell you and not me? He should’ve told me first.”

Gloria smiled. “I’m sorry baby, but I can’t tell you that either. But what I can tell you is that he loves you—”

Jeanette cut Gloria off. “If he loves me so much, why is he ashamed of me?”

Gloria shook her head. How long was it going to take this child to see the light?

“Baby, try to think of the situation from his perspective. Imagine being this handsome man with millions and always wondering if you’re being looked at as a meal ticket. That people only want to be around you because you’re a famous athlete. Not knowing who your true friends are. Jeanette, baby, by keeping his identity a secret he didn’t have to worry about any of that with you.”

Sitting up straight in her chair, Jeanette lifted a brow. “So, Auntie, you’re saying that he thought if he told me he was a professional athlete I was going to have my hands out?”

Gloria shrugged. “Probably.”

When Jeanette bristled, her aunt pleaded, “Give him another chance. He’s crazy about you. Don’t make the mistake of throwing love away.”

The doorbell buzzed.

Jeanette didn’t respond as she slid off the stool to greet the first student of the day. Something in auntie’s voice told Jeanette she was speaking from experience. A sickening feeling began churning in her stomach. Auntie's words made sense and now she was slowly regretting her stance.

Had she permanently pushed him away with her last text?

 

***

 

Jeanette glanced at her watch, wondering who it could be buzzing at the door. The last student had left ten minutes ago. She glanced in the cubby holes against the wall. Nate had forgotten his sweater again. His mother had probably doubled back to get it. As she grabbed the piece of clothing, she didn’t bother to check the monitor. Jeanette took her time going to the door. She was physically and mentally exhausted thinking about Alonzo every second her mind wasn’t occupied with teaching. A good night’s sleep was what she needed to clear her head before she even thought about reaching out to him.

A frown marred her features as she peeped through the blinds. Had she forgotten about an interview for the teaching position? She opened the door and was met by a strikingly beautiful middle-aged woman.

“Hello, may I help you?”

The woman smiled. In Spanish she said, “I sure hope so. My son is miserable without you.”

Jeanette forgot her manners as her mouth fell open and she gawked at Alonzo’s mother.

Marta laughed. “Are you going to leave me standing out here?”

“Oh, my God, no! I’m sorry. Please come in, Mrs. Castro.” Jeanette apologized in Spanish as she stepped aside to allow Marta inside.

Marta pointed to the new chairs in the reception area. “Do you mind if we sit?”

Jeanette led her over to the seating. “Of course not. Can I get you something to drink?” Jeanette offered as she laid Nathan’s sweater on the counter.

“No, thank you. I’m fine. I just had to come see the woman who has my son in knots.”

If Marta hadn’t been smiling, Jeanette would’ve been offended and told her to leave. So far, his mother wasn’t the woman she expected her to be.

Jeanette returned a sad smile. “I’m in knots too, Mrs. Castro.”

The sincerity in Jeanette’s eyes tugged at Marta’s heart. How could she forget what it was like to be young and in love? While their family was having Thanksgiving dinner, she and Alonzo spent hours in the den talking. He painted a beautiful picture of Jeanette being a dedicated teacher, refusing to leave the school her aunt started decades ago for a better paying job with the school district. How she worked a second job to keep the school afloat, buying supplies and paying for repairs out of her own money. He bragged she was smart, kind, loving, and sassy. She was thrilled when he told her she understood and spoke Spanish. Alonzo also boasted how gorgeous she was.

Marta smiled. “Beautiful grandbabies.”

“Excuse me?” Did she just say beautiful grandbabies?

Marta laughed covering her mouth. “Did I say that out loud?”

Jeanette giggled. “Yes, you did.”

Marta grabbed Jeanette’s hands. “My son is crazy in love with you.” She gently lifted Jeanette’s chin so their gazes met. “Looking in your eyes, I can tell you love him too. Talk to him.”

“Okay …” Jeanette hesitated with what she wanted to ask Marta. She didn’t want her to think Alonzo had been talking badly about her, but she needed to know for her own peace of mind. If she and Alonzo did get back together she didn’t want anything dark and heavy weighing on their relationship.

“It doesn’t bother you that I’m not Cuban?”

Marta’s face blushed a tinge of pink as shame wrapped around her neck like a noose.

“Yes, at one time it would have bothered me. I learned a painful lesson when I forced my daughter to give up the man she loved. I’m sure Alonzo told you about it.”

Jeanette nodded.

“I shouldn’t have interfered in Teresa’s life the way I did. I’m not going to make the same mistake. You’re the one my son loves and wants to be with. And if that’s what he wants, I want that for him too. Please don’t close your heart to him.”

Jeanette couldn’t help leaning over and hugging Marta as one tear then another flowed down the older woman’s cheek. Her heart broke for Alonzo’s mother. She prayed someday soon, Marta and Teresa would reconcile. But until that happened, Jeanette promised, “I’ll make things right with Alonzo.”