chapter Four
In My Reach
Lorenzo
Lucky for me, I didn’t have to figure much out on my own. I woke up to my father standing over me, with a similar look from the night before. I sat up in the bed, not sure what he was about to do.
Maybe he was thinking about beating on me to settle the score for Victoria. I wouldn’t blame him. Before my thoughts could come in clearly, my father began to speak.
“I spoke with Venny this morning. I didn’t tell him the whole story about your lying, but I told him that I thought we should meet today.”
His face seemed to get more aggravated as he spoke. I could feel my heart race in my chest. I would go to her today. I would make sure she was okay. This was exactly what I needed to hear.
My dad’s frown deepened. “Things are a little more complicated for Venny than I thought. Maria, his wife, is taking things a bit far. She has taken Victoria from her mother. She feels Venny and Lakeisha owe her that.”
I know Venny’s wife, Maria better than I know him. She and my mom were close. I could see her losing it and doing something like that. She could be very nice, but she could also be impossible. She has a bit of a temper.
I saw the sadness in my dad’s face as he spoke. “Lorenzo, I wish you hadn’t put us all in this situation. Maria isn’t out to hurt the girl, but Venny and her mother are another matter.
“Things around there are going to be uncomfortable. I don’t know if the truth of what you’ve done will help at this point. I also think this can complicate other things as well. To be honest, I told Venny this meeting is about the arrangement and me wanting to discuss some details. I’m not sure what to do with this new information. Things have gotten out of control.”
I could feel my heart squeeze in my chest. How does someone take you from your mother, was Victoria okay? We needed to get to Venny’s place right away.
I had to fix this somehow. I hopped off the bed and headed for the shower. By now, my father was used to me not responding to him when he talked. I've been doing it for about six months now.
I was too busy with my thoughts that morning to exchange conversation. I understood what he was trying to say to me. I had put the relationship of the families in trouble with my lies. We needed to be careful of what was done and said going forward.
I showered and thought about what I would say to Victoria. She probably thought I was crazy yesterday, the way I walked off. Would they tell her who I am today?
Does she know I am the one who got her in trouble? I couldn’t shake her face out of my head. I hate the fact that it’s my fault that she is hurting. Will she let me make it right?
I couldn’t help but chuckle a bit. I can’t imagine her being upset with me. Her face had no business looking upset in my thoughts.
I ran into my closet and hunted out some fresh jeans and a new t-shirt. My closet was as big as my mother’s and sister’s. Between myself and my mother it’s always freshly stocked.
I caught myself double checking the mirror as I gelled my hair and fumbled with my t-shirt. I am having a hard time with the fact that I’m so spent on this girl I only saw once. Not that I’m a slob or anything, but I know I put more effort into my appearance than usual.
After my sixtieth look in the mirror, I ran downstairs to find my dad. I’m sure to find him in the kitchen this early in the morning, I thought. I was wrong.
My dad was waiting at the front door. I guess I was taking this all a little too lightly. Without a word, Uncle Fredo opened the door and my father walked out, with Uncle Michael following. I followed them out to my father’s blue Hummer.
We loaded up into the jeep, my father and I climbing into the back. He was dressed in a suit, as usual, all business. The ride to Mr. La Marcello’s restaurant was quiet.
I wasn’t expecting that, I thought I was going to get more scolding. The ride felt like it took forever. As we pulled up to the restaurant, I felt my heart racing again.
I jumped out the jeep before Uncle Fredo could open the door for me. I almost ran to the curb. I really need to calm down, I thought to myself. I looked a little too anxious.
I recognized Big Sal from the meeting last year. He’s a hard guy to miss. He opened the door for us to enter the restaurant.
“Venny’s in the back room, fellas. Yous can follow me,” he said, as he followed us in.
Sal made his way around us all and led the way to the back. I scanned the room for Victoria, but only found a woman that looked something like her.
That must be her mother. She’s a beautiful woman. I see where Victoria got her shape from. She looked so sad. I could feel my heart sinking in my chest, I really did some damage this time, didn’t I?
We walked into a large room with red and gold walls and a few tables. A large, semicircular bench with matching tables, covered by red tablecloths, wrapped the back wall. Mr. La Marcello was sitting at one of those tables.
His eyes looked as red as the tablecloths. His jaw was set tightly as he stared out at nothing. After a few seconds, I think he registered our entry, as he forced a smile and stood up.
“Welcome, gentlemen, I was set up to see yous guys in a year. I guess things change all the time,” he greeted us. His words were full of multiple meanings. It looked like he hadn’t slept in months.
“Things happen, Venn. We’ll straighten this whole mess out,” my dad replied.
“Yeah, this part is the only part I know I can straighten out. Victoria is mad at me, Maria only speaks to me to demand what she wants, and Lakeisha cries whenever I try to talk to her,” he shrugged his shoulders and laughed, “What a mess.”
“How is Victoria?” I knew protocol. I was to be seen and not heard, but I couldn’t help myself. I saw my father scowl at me from the corner of my eye.
“She is fine, she’s a tuff kid, she’s taking the move better than I thought. I think she’s really upset with her mother and me. She and Maria are redecorating her new room. Victoria will survive this. She’s just hurting right now.” He spoke as if he were answering himself.
“Maria is insisting I allow a large birthday party to make up for hitting Victoria. I’ve never done that, hit her. I love her too much to hurt her. What was I thinking?”
My jaw clenched. It took everything in my not to lunge at him. Maybe if I hit him, he would figure out what was wrong with him. I balled my fists at my side and tried to swallow down all of my reactions.
“Venny, we all lose focus sometimes. A party sounds like just what yous guys need,” my dad chimed in. I stood, stewing and listening really trying to figure out how things got this far.
“Yeah, Maria already started planning it last night. I guess that would be a great opportunity to introduce your boy officially. It looks like Maria isn’t the only one interested in who Victoria really is.”
I didn’t quite understand what he meant by that. I just knew it sounded like I wasn’t putting something into perspective. My head was moving in too many directions to pull the pieces apart to form them correctly.
“By the way Lorenzo, I’m sorry if Victoria was out of line yesterday,” Venny spoke to me this time, with sincerity in his voice.
My father shot me a look of caution as I responded to Venny. “No, sir, no apology necessary, Victoria is a lovely girl.”
I stopped right there because it looked as if my father was about to swing a backhand at me. I looked down at the floor. Venny seem to come to the full realization that we were in the room with him.
“Oh, please, everyone have a seat.”
I sat in a chair that was right next to me, facing the large table my father and Venny sat at. They began their talk about the arrangement. Any other time, this would’ve pissed me off, but I felt like I owed this man something. I may not have liked what he wanted of me, but I owed him just the same.
We were there for hours and I continuously watched the door to see if she would walk through it. I paid no attention to their conversation, though I had a feeling I should’ve. It was around five o’clock the next time I even heard her name again.
“Maria and Victoria are out front Venn,” Big Sal announced, “Maria says she ain’t coming in here. Victoria needs her school bag and she wants to see Toni. I thought I should let you know.”
Venny’s face drained of the little pleasure he had painted on for us. I could feel my heartbeat getting out of control. She was so close. I needed to see her, but what excuse could I use.
They just sat for hours making plans for us to meet at a party in a few weeks. That was too far away, she was right outside as I sat there. I knew I had used up all my passes. If I speak out of turn, my father was sure to lose it.
“Her school bag is over there, Sal. Toni is in the kitchen with the boys. Take him out front, but don’t let Maria take him too. Keisha can’t handle that,” he paused to think before speaking. “Is she at the bar?”
Sal shook his head sadly. “No, she and Joann left out about an hour ago. She needed to get away.”
Venny perked up. “Good, she don’t need to see this. Gentlemen, it’s getting late, maybe I should walk yous all out.” Venny looked like he needed to see Victoria as much as I wanted to.
Venny started to rise and I jumped to my feet. I was going to get to see her. It was all working out. Sal grabbed the bag in the corner and we all filed out of the large room, back into the main dining area.
As we got closer to the door a younger boy ran past us calling, “Victoria, Victoria!”
My heart was about to explode. I could see her. She had gotten out of a red Range Rover.
This time her hair was different, it was curly. She still looked older than sixteen, but not as old as yesterday. She was wearing a khaki skirt, with a white t-shirt that clung to her beautiful skin in all the right places. She was more beautiful than I remembered.
I was distracted for a moment as my father leaned over to whisper in my ear. “Don’t even think about it. Get your ass straight in the car.” I could hear the aggravation from last night coloring every word he spoke.
He couldn’t be serious, she was right there? I wasn’t allowed to speak to her? This was cruel punishment.
I walked out of the restaurant and straight to the jeep, watching her with the younger boy the whole time. He hugged her tightly and buried his face in her long curls. I envy that young man in that moment.
What I would give to be able to hug her and rest my face in those full luscious locks. I bet they smell wonderful. She must smell wonderful.
She was so busy with her brother, she didn’t even notice me. Not until her father called out to my dad. “So, long, Alfonzo, nice seeing you again, Lorenzo,” he called.
Victoria’s head snapped up at the mention of my name. She remembered my name, but it was too late. Uncle Fredo had my door opened, pushing me into the jeep.
This was ridiculous. Why couldn’t I talk to her? I watched her crane her neck to try to see into the jeep. Her face looked frustrated with the tint on the windows.
She turned to her father with a curious look on her face. However, the way her mouth was set, I could tell the questions would remain on her lips. She wasn’t even close to talking to him from the looks of it.
In that moment, I knew I had to see her again. I had to be the one to answer her questions. I would tell her everything she wanted and needed to know.
I would fix what I had done by giving her whatever she wanted. I just hoped that what she wanted was me. If I am too old for her, I would wait till she’s comfortable. Eighteen is not that far from sixteen at all. Her birthday is next month.
I hoped that me going to grad school next year didn’t bother her. It didn’t seem like she would have been deterred by that fact yesterday. I could make her very happy, much happier than she was.
I hated the frown on her face. I hated me because I put it there. Anything she wanted I would give her, whatever made this right.
I had no idea my father had his own plans for me that would hinder what I was thinking. Not until we reached my house. I went inside to get the key to my 350 and noticed that all my car keys were gone from the rack.
Not one set that belonged to me was there. I turned around to see my father grinning, a sinister grin and knew I had pushed things way too far.
“Lo, you are my son so I put up with a lot from you, but this time you need to be held accountable,” he began. I didn’t have time for this. I just wanted to get to Victoria and fix what I had done.
“But Dad, I…”
“Lo, I can care less what you are about to say,” he interrupted, “I saw the way you looked at that girl. Now I know I made the right choice. Uncle Mike will take you to class for the next few days until graduation…”
This was unbelievable. I was twenty. I was about to graduate from college. I broke into his sentence, this is outrageous.
“Are you serious? Dad…”
“You want to act like a child? Well, I’ll treat you like one. In three weeks, you will meet Victoria formally. You will not see her before then. Do I make myself clear?”
He was making himself clear, alright. He was trying to ruin my whole life and keep me away from Victoria at the same time. I could feel my head ready to explode.
“But Dad, what’s the big deal?”
“You will not injure this arrangement any further, Lorenzo. There are things you don’t understand. Just for once in your life, please, do things my way.”
“Dad, I understand this is important. I just want to see her and …”
“And what, son? Tell her, you did this?” he said as he raised an eyebrow with the questions. “Lorenzo, I know you aren’t that stupid. I want you to stay away from her.”
“Dad!”
“This isn’t up for discussion,” he said turning on his heels and strolling away.
I was boiling mad. This was the end of my college senior year. I’d blow through my four years with my hands behind my back.
I had plans. How was I to get around? Fine, I would give all that up, but why could I not see her? I wanted to so badly. This was insane.
I went straight to my room. I thought about my options. I could always call a friend and get them to drive me to see her, but where was that?
Three weeks, this sucked. In three weeks everything would change, I didn’t want to meet her that way. I don’t want to be introduced as some life sentence she has no choice in. I’m so willing to be sentenced to her, but that doesn’t mean she has to be sentenced to me.
Then it hit me. She’s a teenager, teenagers have more than enough technology. I can talk to Victoria without seeing her, in person that is. There are hundreds of social networks and apps.
She has to be on at least one, if not all of them. If she accepted my friend requests then I’ll talk to her. If she doesn’t I’ll do it my father’s way.
I ran over to the desk, in my bedroom and grabbed my laptop. Rushing over to my lounge chair, I flopped down into it. As I looked around the room, I began to think about what Victoria’s room looks like.
I remembered Mr. La Marcello saying that she was remodeling her new room. Is it half as big as mine? I could fit two king sized beds in here and still have room.
I looked at the light blue wall color. I let Lucie pick it out for me and the navy-blue roman shades my mother had custom made. Mom knows I like the room dark when I play video games. This place is my escape when I don’t want to be on campus.
The thought brought on a smile. Everything in the room brought me comfort. The tall oak dresser by the door, when you entered the room. Next to that is a wall of custom made oak shelves that run from the dresser, across the rest of the length of the room. The shelves held my books on top, CDs in the middle, and video games on the bottom.
The wall next to the shelves, outside my bathroom, held pictures that mirror the length of the shelves. They seemed to be in line with the height of each shelf, a perfectly straight line that creates symmetry in the room. Across from the bookshelf is my desk that sits next to the closet wall and under the window to the left of where I’m sitting.
Picture perfect, my life has always been picture perfect. I shook my head at the thought. I’ve never felt like more of an asshole.
I noticed a fresh stack of grad school envelopes. I wondered who my father offered a new library now. I sigh at the thought. I have it good, but I’ve ruined someone else’s life.
Another quick glance around the room. I know I need to clean this place up over the weekend since I have nowhere to go. Even my king-sized bed behind me is a mess.
The light blue bedspread is tossed into a bunch at the foot. I have some towels from the morning lying across the middle and one on the oak post at the top. The two oak end tables on each side were filled with car, sports, and gaming magazines. You could barely see the base of the silver lamps that sit on them. Definitely need to clean up.
I brought my attention back to the laptop in my lap and opened it up. Before I sent her any friend requests I would need to take some pictures of old girlfriends off my profiles and update my profile pic. It wasn’t the best photo of me. I looked like I hadn’t showered in days. It was taken after a game a few years back.
I uploaded a decent picture to all my profiles. Then deleted the others I knew I wouldn’t want her to see. After, I searched for her on each site.
I love technology, I found her on each one. I noticed she wasn’t as active on a couple, but I still sent a request not wanting to leave anything to chance. When I was done, I felt a little better, because now all I had to do was wait for her to respond.
Then panic set in again. What if she didn’t? What if she didn’t want to be friends? Did I weird her out yesterday at the mall?
Suddenly, I felt like a stalker. An old pervert stalker. She’s sixteen, I look like the bigger douche in the world. At that point, my idea didn’t seem good at all. Man, I need to start thinking things through a lot more.
I slammed the laptop shut and went to the kitchen to get something to eat. Venny had made sure we ate, but I was starving from the stress. That’s when my cell phone went off.
I groaned as I remembered I actually had a date. I promised a girl in my class, Sabrina, that I’d take her to a party at my best friend, Chris’s house. Nice, how was I going to get out of this?