Page 76 of Something in Between

“Sure looks like one to me,” says Dad. “And I don’t care about reservations. Un-reserve them.”

I’m not giving up yet. “We made them a week ago, Dad. Royce said they were really hard to get.” I’m stretching it a little—we’re just going to the movies and grabbing burgers—but Dad doesn’t have to know that.

“So?” he says. “You’ll save money if you eat here.”

“I wasn’t paying,” I say, trying to go around him, but he blocks me from leaving.

“Neneng.Don’t waste that boy’s money.”

“I’m not. I didn’t ask him to spend it!”

I give Dad the eternal look of daughter disapproval, but he doesn’t budge. It’s so unfair—I’ve been such a good girl my whole life, and he still won’t let me be a regular teenager for a few months. Not that I’m ever going to tell him about Royce taking me drag racing on Mulholland Drive, of course. Or what almost happened after. Filipinos think all brides are virgins, or should be.

Although Mom surprised me the other day. Out of the blue she said she hoped Royce and I were “being careful” and that “there are a lot of diseases out there” which I think is the code for “make sure you don’t get pregnant or catch an STD.” I wanted to tell her that we weren’t having sex! At least not yet. How does she know it’s on my mind? But then, moms always know, right? I was too embarrassed to say anything, but I promised her I was taking care of myself. She seemed okay with that.

Dad is another matter.

“Fine,” I say after our standoff. “I’ll get him. When’s Lola coming?”

“Your mother’s picking her up. Show some respect. She’s a lonely old woman.”

“She’s not lonely,” I say. “She hangs out with old Filipino women at the home every day.”

“Sounds like a hard life to me,” Dad says. “If you knew my mother, rest her soul.”

I laugh. My dad can always crack me up. I’m glad we’re staying in now. I have missed hanging out with my family. I walk out to the driveway, where Royce is waiting in his Range Rover.

He rolls down the window. “Why aren’t you getting in?”

“I can’t go,” I sigh.

“Oh,” he says, flummoxed. This hasn’t happened before. “Are you grounded or something? Do I have to leave?”

“No!” I say. “They want you to come in and have dinner with us. Is that okay?”

“Sure, of course. Why didn’t you just say so earlier?” he says. “You know I like Filipino food.”

Just then Mom rolls up with Lola Cherry. Mom gets out and opens the door for Lola, who starts arguing with Mom about something in Tagalog.

“You think I can’t open a door?” Lola barks.

“I was already here,” Mom says.

“You’re treating me like a cripple.”

As they walk toward the house, Lola leans on Mom’s arm. Suddenly, Lola Cherry sees Royce and me. “Neneng!What are you doing outside! Come in here with that handsome boyfriend of yours!”

I wave to her. My stomach has tied itself into a big knot. Oh well, Royce has to meet her sooner or later.

Inside, Lola sits down at the kitchen table with Dad, who’s drinking coffee. Mom starts cooking lumpia over the stove. I notice Lola has her curved wooden cane sitting at her side.

“Hi, Mr. and Mrs. de los Santos,” Royce says.

Mom claps her hands. “Royce!” she says. She doesn’t usually act this way. It’s something she’s putting on for Lola. She wants to show us off. She turns to Lola. “This is Jasmine’s boyfriend, Royce. He goes to Eastlake Prep.”

I sit down. Royce continues to stand.

“Where’s that?” Lola says.

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