Page 16 of Holiday Plus-One
“Yes, but that’s okay, it just means you want me as much as I want you.”
“Is that all you think I want?” She asks me.
Quickly, I look her way and then back on the road.
“Nope, I want more, and I don’t have to even kiss you to know that. It’s bananas, isn’t it?”
“It could be blueberries.” She jokes and I laugh.
“You should be a comedian next.”
I see her smile in the corner of my eye.
“But seriously,” I began. “I want more than just a good time. I’ve never been into just good times; those don’t last as long as we want them to.”
“But I live in another state, don’t I?”
“Yes, but it doesn’t mean we can’t make it work. We’ll figure it out if we really want to.”
Valentina makes a sound.
“You’re a relationship type of guy, aren’t you? And here I was thinking I was going to keep avoiding relationships for a little while longer.”
“Ha. guess again, Miss Myers.” I tease her. “But I do understand you wanting to take your time with them. You did go through something traumatic and a huge loss.”
“Thank you, I appreciate you for realizing that.”
“Now let’s enjoy this date because I know you’re going to love it.”
“Oh really?”
“Yes, really.”
* * *
After the date, Tracie called me and wanted to speak to Valentina, even though Valentina was reluctant, she agreed to meet up with her. Now, I’m just sitting as they both talk to each other. I don’t know why I’m here, but they don’t want me to leave.
“Valentina, I want to say that I’m sorry.” she begins, and Valentina remains neutral. There’s no expression on her face.
“What I did back to you in high school wasn’t okay and I recognize that as an adult now, but I did wrong by not bringing it up when I knew that you were Victor’s sister. I’m not just doing this because Victor isn't speaking to me but I’m doing this because I know better,” Tracie looks at me with a sad smile. Her brown skin has lost its glow a little bit but there’s hope in her eyes. “I just want you to know that I will forever regret how I treated you, I was jealous of you and the way you were loved by both your parents. I know that I don’t deserve your forgiveness and it came a little too late but if only you could see that I’m not the same person as I was before.”
“I would’ve been able to see that if you didn’t act like you didn’t know me. I would’ve seen it if you simply pulled me to the side and explained all of this but instead, you went out of your way to exclude me in things that I would’ve gladly been a part of. He’s my brother, the only one I have, and you did this. You messed it up.”
“I know, I know, and I can’t say a thousand sorries to make up for it. I know I can’t, but I really do love your brother and I just can’t see my life without him. I know that I should’ve expressed it better and me using my upbringing is not a good thing but it’s true. It really is, Valentina and I’ll take my time to make up for it. You didn’t deserve that at all back then and now.”
“Thank you, I appreciate it.”
“I know that you’re not going to do this for me but for your brother, can we try? I do want to try being friends or something?”
Valentina stays quiet for a moment then she nods.
“We can try but this isn’t suddenly us being friends or anything like that. You’re really going to have to earn it, Tracie. You really hurt my feelings back then and recently. I don’t trust you but one thing that I can help with is, getting Vic to the wedding. He loves you and I know that. He may be my brother, but he will be your husband and the man you spend the rest of your life with.”
“Family…” Tracie repeats. “That’s what I should've done in the first place with you instead of hiding that. I’m so sorry, Valentina. I’ll do better.”
“That’s all I hope for and if you don't, I’ll make sure you know it. I’m not that little girl from high school. I’m a woman now who knows she’s not the problem. Yeah?”
“Yeah.” Tracie says and I smirk because my best girls have come to some sort of agreement.
