Where Do We Go From Here?

Dinner was lovely. Mrs. Perry, who later insisted I call her Gabriella (Gabby for short), made a delicious fideua with a side of tumbet. It was all new to me since I never tasted traditional Spanish cuisine, but once the food hit my taste buds I was in heaven. Maria spoke of her small business she owned in San Francisco. She ran a salon and would soon open up her boutique once the bank approves her business loan. I smiled at the realness of everything. Nothing about Tony’s family seemed forced or strained; it only consisted of laughter and vibrant stories that I felt myself relaxing into their homey embrace. When dinner had finally come to an end, I glanced at my phone; eyes widening because I had well over five missed calls from my mother.

“I think you might have to take me back to the hospital so I can grab my car.” I told Tony.

Tony nodded. “Mama, I have to take Verity to go get her car.”

“Aww, leaving so soon?” She smiled at me.

Offering an apologetic smile, I said “Yeah, I have some missed calls from my parents. I think they’re a little worried because I don’t usually stay out this late.”

Gabby pulled me in for a hug. “Come by any time you want.” She smiled. I don’t think I’ve ever felt more welcomed. Not even my own family seems to be this warm.

“Thank you again for the great food.” I commented.

Maria stood up next, walking over to where I was standing and pulled me in for a hug. “I don’t know what you did to my brother, but I’m glad it happened.” Maria whispered in my ear, earning a blush to show in my face.

“It was really nice meeting you.” I told her.

“I hope I can see you again before I head back to San Fran.” She gushed.

Rosie hugged me, reminding me that tomorrow will be our face paint day. I hugged her back, saying that I’ll come over when I finish work. Saying goodbye to Tony’s family felt like I was saying goodbye to the show Cheers. I didn’t want to because I liked them; they were sweet and funny.

“I like your family.” I smiled at Tony who opened the car door for me.

“They like you too.” He replied before sighing.

I tensed up a little because when people sigh, it usually means that bad news follows. My breathing hitched in my throat as I mentally prepared for Tony to say something along the lines of ‘this isn’t working out’. We were sitting in his car; silence enveloping us as anticipation spread through my veins.

“I never brought a girl home before.” He blurted out, something I already knew since just the other day Mike had pointed it out.

“I know.”

“No, I—well, it just never felt right to bring a girl home before.” Tony stammered.

Confusion spread across my face. “Tony, what are you trying to tell me?”

“I like you Verity.” He blurted out.

“I like you too.” I replied softly.

“No—umm, I” Tony sighed again, muttering something under his breath. “I really like you Verity and I just want you to know that I guess.”

I smiled weakly, unsure of what I should say. Words didn’t seem right, so I leaned over and kissed Tony. It wasn’t one of those cheesy kisses where the windows fogged up and we were mere seconds away from ripping each other’s clothes off. But this kiss felt different from the other ones we shared. Maybe it was because Tony said he really liked me or maybe it was because I really liked kissing Tony, but either way this kiss held vigor.

“Sorry.” I mumbled while I leaned back into the passenger seat.

Tony smiled. “I’m not.” He said smugly.

Rolling my eyes, I said “Just take me to my car before my parent’s kill me.”

We arrived to the hospital with the song Thank You by Led Zeppelin playing in the background. I smiled because it was my favorite song by them, even if it had a cheesy romantic feel to it.

If the sun refused to shine, I would still be loving you.
When mountains crumble to the sea, there will still be you and me.

Kind woman, I give you my all, kind woman, nothing more.

Little drops of rain whisper the pain, tears of loves lost in the days gone by.
My love is strong, with you there is no wrong,
Together we shall go until we die. My, my, my.
An inspiration is what you are to me, inspiration, look…see.

“This is my favorite song by them even though it’s one of their softer songs.” I commented while remaining still in Tony’s car.

In my peripherals I could see a small smile tug at his lips. We didn’t say anything, not even when the song ended. I didn’t want to speak in fear that I’d ruin this moment, which felt much too fragile to tamper with. The silence seemed to stretch with solace that I didn’t realize that time was ticking by quickly. It felt infinite even though my time was running short and soon I’d have to go home to face my parents who are probably upset with me, but I didn’t care because Tony was holding my hand, rubbing small circles on my wrist with his thumb. It was these small gestures that made me ease into the thought of being with Tony—the Tony I knew rather than the one I heard countless rumors about.

“I better go.” I said softly while grabbing my things. I glanced in the mirror, glad that I took off the paint before dinner.

“Here, take this.” Tony smiled while handing me the small strip of pictures.

I ripped it in half so we both could have two pictures. “I look so stupid.” I laughed while peering at the funny faces we made in the set I had.

“You look perfect to me.” Tony commented.

I shook my head, rejecting his compliment without voicing it. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Tony waited until I was in my car before driving away. I drove home in silence. The day’s events played through my mind like home movies on a white screen. I couldn’t recall a day I laughed so much. When I finally arrived home, I could see the house lights on. I didn’t have to read minds to know that my mother and father will probably give me a long lecture on responsibility and making the right choices. I walked into the house with hesitant steps. I could hear both my mother and father having a discussion in the kitchen, and it didn’t sound pleasant.

“…Jim, I can’t do this anymore.” My mother said in a sad voice.

“I apologized, Grace. I ended it months ago and even fired her from my staff. What else can I do? I’m trying my best here!” My father pleaded.

“But you broke my trust. Jim, I love you but I can’t forget about it. How can I?” My mother remarked.

I was standing in the hall while listening to what they were saying. I was confused because at first I thought they were talking about Veronica or me, but now it seems if they were discussing another matter entirely; one that I didn’t really want to hear, but gravitated towards.

“Are you suggesting a divorce?” My father challenged; his voice was impatient and a little hurt.

My mother was silent. Letting out a sigh, she said “I don’t know. I mean, how can I ever trust you again?”

I in took a deep breath as theories and speculations ran through my mind. It all didn’t make sense to me because from what I remember, from what I always remember, my parents are in love. They are happily married with well-paying jobs and a good house. I always viewed them to have a typical American Dream kind of lifestyle; picket fences, green lawns, and nice cars. But now it seems that’s not what was really happening. Maybe I should’ve caught on earlier, back when I heard them grumbling a few weeks ago. But I wasn’t paying attention to any of that, just as I couldn’t pick up the signs that something was different with Veronica. I couldn’t help but notice that I tend to overlook small matters that paint up the big picture.

I walked into the kitchen, making it known that I was there. My mother and father quickly tucked away their previous argument and focused their concerns onto me.

“Where have you been, young lady?” My mother said sternly.

I did my best to conjure up an oblivious expression to their previous conversation while saying “I ate dinner at Tony’s house.”

“Did you skip school because of this boy?” My father stepped in.

I sighed. “How’d you find out I wasn’t in school?”

“They called us, asking if we wanted to pick up the work you missed.” My mother cut in. “Verity, this is unlike you. Why did you skip school?”

Running my fingers through my hair, I said “I visited Veronica this morning, when I was heading to school. And, well I guess after seeing her like that I just wasn’t in the mood to go to school. I mean, she looked so fragile.”

My mother’s features softened. “That doesn’t mean you can skip school, sugar.”

“You have to remain focused, Verity. Colleges won’t like to see your grades slipping during your senior year.” My father added.

“I know and I’m sorry.” I said sincerely.

“You know what this means, right?” My mother asked.

I shook my head no in response.

“You’re grounded Verity. No car privileges, no dinners at Tony’s, no cell phone, and no going out. Only school work.” My father listed.

“What?!” I exclaimed. “I ditch for one day and I’m getting grounded.”

“No ifs, ands, of buts about it young lady. We know that you’re aware of our rules, Verity and today you broke one of them. So, in return, it only seems fair to say you’re grounded for a week.” My father explained.

“Are you kidding me?!”

“No.” My mother said sternly. “Now, go up and shower and then to bed.”

Turning on my heels, I scoffed. I’ve never been grounded before.

Notes

Two updates in one day? Whaaaaa?

Haha, well the reason for my double update is because I may not get the chance to update tomorrow.

Hope you liked this chapter and let me know what you think :)

Thanks for reading! <3