Page 28 of Tell Me What You Want, Or Leave Me

“Call a friend and make plans for dinner or to go to the movies. Can you do that?”

“I don’t have a lot of friends, to be honest. I’ve spent four years focused on Dexter and lost a lot of friends along the way.”

I’m not surprised by this.

“There isn’t anyone you can call to just go get a cup of coffee?”

“Well...there is a couple I see every once in a while.”

I can tell by the look on her face the kind of relationship she has with the couple.

“Look, girl, enjoy yourself if the occasion comes up, just like Dexter does. In any case, you look splendid today, and you’ll have a doubly good time.”

She blushes again.

“We’ll tell Dexter we ran into a friend of yours while shopping and that you’re having dinner with him. If it bothers him, we’ll be able to tell. What do you think of the idea?”

Graciela is enjoying this as much as if she were a teenager.

“I promise I’ll tell you tomorrow if Dexter misses you at dinner.”

I laugh. I’m so bad! But she laughs too.

Graciela calls the couple and makes her plans. We head toward the parking lot and the car.

“Get ready, Graciela. You’re going to knock Dexter for a loop today.”

At seven that evening, after an entire day of shopping, we arrive at Dexter’s house wearing our new boots. The men, who’d been sitting in the living room, turn to look at us. My eyes find my Iceman, and I smile.

Graciela and I walk confidently up to Eric, Juan Alberto, and Dexter.

“Look at these two beauties!” says Dexter, and I almost crack up. He looks over at Graciela. “Tell me right now who you are and what have you done to Graciela.”

With a kind of an indifferent wave, like I’ve taught her, Graciela grins. “I’m the same as always, just wearing new clothes.”

Dexter is quite surprised by this incredible change.

“Graciela, do you have plans for dinner?” asks Juan Alberto.

Wow! This is getting interesting!

I knew this girl had potential.

She is, of course, blushing a brilliant bright red.

C’mon, Graciela, respond...respond.

“Of course she has plans,” says Dexter. “She’s having dinner with us.”

Graciela looks over at me. Poor girl; this isn’t easy for her.

I still remember how much Eric would pressure me, and so I wink at her, letting her know the moment has arrived.

“I’m sorry, Dexter, but I’m not having dinner here tonight. I made plans with a friend.”

Good. Very good!

I have to hold myself back from clapping when I see his face.

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