Page 22 of Tell Me What You Want, Or Leave Me

I’m sitting on my husband’s lap, and he holds me close as I listen to this romantic and passionate song. When it’s over, Eric kisses me.

“I love you, sweetheart,” he whispers in my ear.

After a few more songs, they want me to sing. I’m the Spanish girl!

Oh man...

Eric grins. He knows I know how to have a good time. I sing “La Macarena,” and they all laugh uproariously. They know the words!

Once we finish the song and its corresponding choreography, Dexter’s father, who plays guitar very well, plays a little rumba. Happier than a pair of castanets, I hit the floor and dance like Rosario Flores and let my hair down and completely let go.

When it’s over, Eric claps with pride, and everyone congratulates him.

Once we’ve all settled down, I notice Graciela again as her gaze follows Dexter all over the room. I feel bad for her. I know what it’s like to suffer because you’re in love with your boss, and there’s nothing you can do about it.

While Eric talks to Dexter’s parents, I take a stroll and end up by Graciela’s side. She looks my way and smiles, and I notice something in her eyes I hadn’t seen this morning: resentment. Of course, when she looks at Dexter, it’s pure adoration.

Poor girl.

“Have you been working for Dexter for very long?” I ask.

“Four years.”

Four years is a long time to yearn for somebody.

“What is Dexter like as a boss?” I ask.

“He’s a good boss,” she says, pulling a strand of hair from her face. “I make sure he’s good at home and that he doesn’t need anything.”

I realize that, even if he were a tyrant, she wouldn’t tell me. Goddamn it, I feel a cramp in my belly. I think I’m getting my period. “Sometimes, he’s a little disconcerting,” she says, bringing me back to the conversation, “but right now, with your visit and the party, he’s very happy. He really appreciates this.”

“You know what? Eric was also my boss, and he used to behave exactly the way you describe Dexter,” I say in an attempt to bond with her.

“Mr. Zimmerman was your boss?” she asks, stunned.

“Yes. I worked in his office though, not at his house.”

I see her attitude change. All of a sudden, she sees me as an equal.

“Well then, it makes me doubly happy to see that your love is real. That’s great!”

“Thank you, Graciela.”

Eric and Dexter look at us from across the room. They’re whispering about us, and I smile but Graciela blushes. There are many things I want to ask this young woman, but I hold back. I don’t want to be nosy like my sister.

“I have to go to the bathroom,” I say to keep myself from asking more questions. “Do you know where it is?”

“I’ll go with you,” she says.

We walk down a long hallway until she stops and opens a door.

“I’ll wait for you here, and then we can go back together, OK?”

I go in by myself. Goddamn it, I got my period.

“Graciela, do you happen to have a tampon?”

“Yes, I’ll get it for you right away.”

---