Page 25 of Tell Me What You Want, Or Leave Me

“That’s not what I’m talking about, Graciela,” I say. “Is it true you’re going with Dexter to Spain and then Germany on this trip?”

She nods.

“That’s great! Tomorrow you and I will have a girls’ day out. We’ll go shopping while they talk business.”

“You’d do that for me?”

“Of course. We women are here to help each other, even though it may not always seem that way,” I say, sure I’ve now overstepped.

We hear a knock on the door. When we open it, we find Eric with a worried look on his face.

“Why are you taking so long?” he asks. “What’s going on?”

I give him a sweet kiss on the lips.

“My love, I just got my period.” The poor man furrows his brow. He knows I turn into a beast during my period. “Also, listen, I’m going shopping with Graciela tomorrow, OK?”

Eric is surprised by our sudden friendship. He knows I’m up to something, I can see it in his eyes.

“No problem on my part, and I doubt on Dexter’s part either.”

I grin. Nothing gets by him.

4

The next morning after a terrible night of cramps, I open my eyes, and all my discomfort is gone. Fantastic! I know it’s just for the moment and that it’ll come back later, but I’m used to it.

I get up, and, after breakfast with Dexter and Eric and letting them know about my plans with Graciela, Dexter insists someone go with us. He refuses to let us go alone anywhere in the city. He gets on his phone, and, an hour later, we have a very charming driver to take the two of us to the most exclusive stores.

We go from shop to shop. I love being able to buy whatever I want for my family and for Eric. I love giving him gifts. Although I know him well enough to know he’ll never wear this red T-shirt that says “Viva la morenita,” I still buy it just to see his face.

Hours later, when I’m bogged down with stuff and Graciela hasn’t bought a thing, we come to an enormous store. I try to encourage her.

“Let’s see, Graciela, what can we buy you.”

“I don’t know,” she says. “Something pretty to wear during our trip; price is no obstacle. I’ve been saving for so long, I think today is a good day to spend it on a new wardrobe.”

I love her sweetness.

“Why don’t we start by getting you a pair of jeans that fit you so well they’ll make men cry?”

“I don’t think I’ve worn jeans since I was a teenager.”

“Seriously? I couldn’t live without them. It’s what I wear most, and I can tell you they go with everything.”

Graciela grins. She’s in a good mood.

“We could buy several things to combine—cool, trendy things; a few pairs of jeans; maybe a dress; and perhaps something more elegant in case we go to a party like the one last night.”

“Fantastic!” Her eyes are bright.

I’m ready to help her conquer Dexter so I start looking around. In the background I hear Jessie J’s “Price Tag,” and I sing along.

I pick up a pair of low-waisted jeans, a top with purple straps, and a pair of tall black boots.

Knowing Dexter, he’s going to love these boots. In fact, I’m going to buy myself a pair of red ones and drive my own man insane.

“Try this. I think it’s going to look great on you.”

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