Page 61 of Collision
Seventeen
I spend the morning in a catatonic state. After dropping Alex off with Stella, Tiffany gives me a ride home. She hugs me tightly and swears that Travis won’t be a problem anymore. I know that she has the means to keep him in line whenever she wants. Before saying goodbye, I promise that I’ll retrieve her clothes from the fraternity. I hope they are still intact, at least.
Returning home, I discover to my relief that Mom spent the night at Victor’s place and therefore knows nothing about my “disappearance.” After a pistachio ice cream binge for lunch and a monumental sleep, I wash and dress up for tonight’s dinner: an olive-green turtleneck and white jeans cinched at the waist by a gold belt. On my feet are my beloved unicorn slippers. My mother won’t appreciate it but, what the hell, we’re not the royal family.
I gather my hair into a high ponytail and use a curling iron on the ends. I give myself a light layer of foundation, a little peachy blush and a smack of nude lipstick. I’m ready to welcome our guests, although I would much rather stay curled up in bed.
I had to lie to my mother and tell her that Travis couldn’t join us because he had practice. And she certainly didn’t jump for joy when she found out I invited Alex and Stella in his place. It doesn’t matter. I need the support if I want to make it through this.
At six o’clock sharp, a black Mercedes pulls into our driveway. I pull back one side of the curtains and peek out my window to watch thearrival of this man who has captured my mother’s heart. He gets out of the car and walks toward the house with a confident and determined stride. He is very tall, wearing a dark gray suit and elegant shoes.
Before ringing the doorbell, he adjusts the knot of his tie.
“Nessy, come down! He’s here!” my mother chirps. I roll my eyes heavenward.
I join them in the living room and do my best to seem sociable. “Hello, Victor. Welcome,” I say, extending my hand to him. This is the first time I’ve spoken to him for more than two minutes; we’ve only ever met in passing when he brought Mom home after nights out.
“Hi, Vanessa. Thank you for inviting me to dinner,” he replies in his Canadian accent. “I’m happy to be here tonight. Your mother speaks highly of you.”
Surprising. My mother doesn’t usually speak well of anyone but herself.
“Oh, um, I’m sure she exaggerated,” I say, embarrassed.
The doorbell rings, saving me from this awkward impasse. I run to open it and find Alex and Stella. Alex is wearing a pair of jeans and a white wool turtleneck under a tweed blazer. Stella, by contrast, is wearing a leather jacket, with an elegant powder pink blouse underneath, skinny jeans and over-the-knee boots. I hug them both simultaneously. I am so relieved they came.
“Thank God you guys are here,” I whisper to them both as I squeeze them tight. “Stella, I am so happy to meet you in person,” I say, offering her my hand. When she reciprocates, her grip is warm.
“I was looking forward to it too. Alex told me all about the wonderful friendship you two have,” she says in a sweet and joyful voice.
We join my mother and Victor in the living room, and I take my friends’ jackets.
“Thanks for the invitation, Mrs. White,” Alex says.
“Thank you for coming,” my mother answers in a sugary, slightly forced tone. “Come on, don’t just stand in the doorway, get in here.”
“Mom, Victor. This is Stella, Alex’s girlfriend. They met this summer in Santa Barbara.”
“Santa Barbara? Do you live there?” my mother asks as she shakes Stella’s hand.
“No, I live in Vancouver. We were both in Santa Barbara with our families, and we met purely by chance.” Stella exchanges a look with Alex, and her cheeks, still tanned, turn scarlet. Alex wraps his arm around her waist and pulls her close in a reassuring gesture.
“Oh, first love is so magical,” my mother squeals. “Too bad it’s always doomed.”
What?!I shoot a look at her.
Victor intervenes, alleviating our embarrassment with a friendly wave of his hand and introduces himself to both of them.
“Sometimes fate surprises us,” he concludes with a smile. Having finished the introductions, Mom ushers us into the dining room, where we find the table already set with serving dishes.
“Wow, Mom, when was the last time you did a setup like this?”
“I was inspired…” She smiles broadly at Victor. Nauseating. “Honey, Victor and I will sit here,” she says pointing to the seat at the head of the table and the one next to it. “You can be next to me, Alex and Stella on the other side.”
We sit down, and my mother busies herself filling plates with slices of roast turkey and baked potatoes before uncovering the serving trays, which contain vegetable side dishes. Finally, she brings out a basket filled with sliced bread.
Dinner proceeds peacefully, Alex tells us about the trip to China that his parents are taking, Stella about her life in Vancouver. Older than Alex by two years, she is in her last year of college and has decided to take a gap year after graduation to travel.
After a moment of silence, Alex turns to my mother. “Dinner is delicious, Mrs. White. My compliments to the chef.”
