Chapter 13
I walked through the mall with Veronica trying to figure out what to give Javier for Christmas, frustrated I’d end up leaving empty-handed. “What do you give to the guy who has everything?”
“He doesn’t have everything. I'm sure he's mentioned wanting something at some point. I mean I know you two don’t do a whole lot of talking when you’re locked up in the guest-house, but I’m sure you talk other times.”
“Ha, ha, very funny.”
“It is actually. How about something for that car he loves so much?”
“Like what?”
“I don’t know, just trying to come up with ideas.” As we strolled the mall, Veronica pointed to a jewelry store. “Let’s go in there and see what they have.”
I shrugged, open to any and all ideas in order to find something he’d like. We entered the jewelry store and browsed as we walked up and down the aisles, not really having anything specific in mind. My eye caught the glimmer of the diamond engagement rings, and for a moment I wondered if someday Javier and I would tie the knot. A smile spread across my face as I scanned the rings again.
I stopped when a gold pinky ring with onyx inlaid around the center grabbed my attention. It’d kill my Christmas budget, but I really wanted to get it for Javier. I waved Veronica over from the necklaces to get her input. “What do you think?”
The saleswoman took it out of the display case in order for us to have a closer look.
“I think you just found a gift for the man that has everything.”
As I gazed down at the ring, I felt a smile spread across my face. “I’ll take it.”
The sales associate gift-wrapped the small box after ringing up the sale. She handed me the small bag. “Have a Merry Christmas.”
“Thank you. Merry Christmas.” As I turned to leave, I noticed my father standing at a counter looking at jewelry with someone who wasn’t my mother. I’d no idea who the woman was, but they looked very cozy together. I looked away and started toward the exit into the mall.
Veronica hurried behind me. “Hey, wait up!”
“My father is in there.” I kept walking and looking down.
“He is? Where?” She turned around to look.
“Don’t. He’s with another woman.”
“You’re kidding! Maybe, it’s someone he works with and she’s helping him pick out a Christmas gift for your mom.”
I smiled, hoping it appeared sincere. “Maybe.”
Veronica put her arm around me as we continued to walk. “It'll be okay. Whatever it is, I'm here for you.”
I laid my head on her shoulder as we walked. “Thanks.”
After several hours, we finally finished our holiday shopping. We took to the road for the long drive back to Nogales. Christmas break was next week. I looked forward to spending as much time as possible alone with Javier. Only six more months and we’d graduate, totally done with school and done with hiding.
Veronica dropped me off and I made quite a lot of racket balancing my purchases as I entered the house. Setting my bags down, I decided to let my mother know I was home.
“Hey, Mom.” I walked into the living room and found her sitting in front of the Christmas tree.
“Hi honey. Did you get all of your shopping done?” She smiled at me, but it didn’t seem to reach her eyes.
“Yep. I am officially ready for Christmas. Where are Dawn and Dad?”
“Dawn went to her friend Yvette’s house and your dad is working.”
“Working on the weekend?” I hoped I didn’t look as stunned as I felt. He is so not working.
“Yes, he should be home anytime though.”
“Okay, Mom. Well, I'm bushed, so I'm gonna wrap these gifts and then turn in for the night.” I walked over to give her a hug.
“Good night.” Mom kissed my cheek.
I went to my room and called Javier.
“Hola, mi amor.”
“Hello. How are you?”
“Missing you. Do you want to meet me at my house?”
“You know I do, but I just got home from shopping with Veronica, and I already told my mom I was turning in for the night.”
“What’s the matter?”
“What do you mean? Nothing is the matter.”
“I know you and something is wrong.”
I heard the concern in his voice. “You do know me, don’t you?” I let out a heavy sigh, remembering what I saw at the jewelry store. I needed to get it all out. “When Veronica and I were shopping, I saw my dad with another woman. We thought maybe it was a coworker helping him shop, but when I got home my mom said my dad was at work. Clearly, he’s not.”
Javier was quiet for a moment. “Kayla, I’m sorry.”
“Me too. My mom doesn’t deserve this. He has a lot of nerve holding me hostage all the time when he’s out with his little girlfriend.”
“It won’t be much longer and we can live any way we want.”
“That sounds like a dream come true.”
“Do you want to go skiing with me over New Year’s?”
“You ski?”
“Why do you sound so surprised?”
I laughed. “Well, I don’t know, you grew up in Nogales. How often could you possibly ski?”
“Well, Miss East-Coast, Snow Snob, we have the White Mountains in Arizona and I ski quite well.”
“I am not a snob and I’m sorry. I stand corrected. I’d love to ski with you, but how will I pull it off?”
“We take our chaperone of course.”
“Where will we stay?”
“My family owns a cabin in Greer.”
“But, of course. Why didn’t I just assume that? Will your folks let you use it?”
“Heck, yes. We’ll take Veronica, Ricardo, and his girlfriend. It’ll be fun.”
“We should take someone for Veronica too.”
“You want me to set her up with someone?”
“No, maybe one of her girlfriends can ski?”
“I think Alma does. I'll ask her.”
“What do I tell my parental units?”
“Ask if you can go to Veronica’s family’s cabin through New Year’s. It isn’t a lie because I am her family and we do have a cabin.”
“Who’s driving will be the next question.”
“Let’s hope they don’t ask that since you are asking about going with her family and that implies her parents.”
“I will give it a try and let you know. Will I be able to see you Christmas?”
“Probably not, cariña. We are going to Mexico to see the family and you know how your folks are. There won’t be a good excuse to see Veronica on Christmas, and seeing me is out of the question.”
“I hate this.”
“Not much longer and we’ll live together soon if that’s what you want.”
“Do you want that? To live with me, I mean?”
“If that’s what you want, then yes.”
“But, what do you want? I mean what school do you want to go to?”
“I can go to school for business anywhere. As far as what I want, well I just want to be with you.”
I wanted the same thing. “When can we exchange gifts?”
“Let’s plan on it when we are in the mountains.”
“Everyone else will be there though.”
“I'm sure we can find some alone time.”
I moaned at the thought of being alone with Javier. “I'll ask tomorrow.” Please let them say yes, I silently begged.
“Good night, my love.”