Page 16 of Always Been You
“Auntie Laaawliss!” my four-year-old niece squeals, stretching my name as usual. I crouch down, laughing as I hug her tightly and kiss her cheeks.
“I miss you.”
“I missed you too, cupcake.” I breathe her in, taking in the faint, sweet scent of lemon that I’ve always loved.
“Mama says you travel. Did you bring gifts? Where are my gifts?”
“Janette!” Aria chides, and I chuckle. My sister’s been trying to teach her to filter her words, while I’ve been encouraging her to say whatever comes to mind.
“Of course I brought you gifts.” I drop my hand in my bag and she eyes me while I slowly pull out the box that contained the Miniature Tea Set. She squealed with her legs wrapped around my waist, making me laugh more. She gives me a peg on my cheeks, then gets down to take her gift.
“Thank you!” I watch Janette skip off with her gift, her laughter filling the house. But even here, in the warmth of home, my mind drifts back to Eddie. To that damn document, I signed without thinking. What have I gotten myself into?
“You’re spoiling her,” Aria says as she steps forward to hug me. “You know that, right?” I laugh, but it fades quickly. “I know, I know. It’s just so good to see everyone again.” I expect to receive a hug from everyone today, well, except from my mother, who isn’t all about physical touch to show love just like me. But unlike her, I accept the hugs and sometimes initiate them.. rarely. Yeah. like when you jumped on Eddie… Oh.. OH.. I did do that too.
“It’s good to have you back,” she adds when we break the hug.
“Am I the last to arrive?”
“Elisa is running late.” She leads me to the living room, where kids' toys are scattered on the floor and my twin is sitting on the couch with a newspaper in hand. My eyes scan the room and a sense of calm fills me. Various framed photos of all of us sisters on the mantel. I spot Mom in the dining room bustling around, going in and out of the kitchen. What's going on with her? I begin to walk in that direction but my dad's sweet voice stops me in my tracks.
“Is that my baby girl?”
The familiar sound of his voice has me looking up. He’s standing at the bottom stairs with a wide grin and open arms. A hint of silver glints in his hair, making him look more distinguished. I feel my chest tighten and something unknots in me as I hurry toward him, a surge of warmth pushing me into his embrace.
“Hey, pumpkin,” he murmurs, pulling me in close and resting his chin on my head. I lean into him, resting my head on his shoulder, and for a moment, I let myself be a ten-year-old again. His shirt smells faintly of leather gloves and oil and his voice is like a balm, soothing in ways I didn’t know I needed. “Been keeping us all waiting, haven’t you?”
I smile, though he can’t see it. “Had to make an entrance.”
He chuckles, the low, familiar sound reverberating through his chest. “You picked that from your sisters I’m sure.” He leans back just enough to get a good look at my face. “How’re you holding up, really?” His hands remain on my shoulders, steady and solid, like they’ve always been.
“I’m… okay,” I manage, though my voice sounds far from convincing. “One day at a time.”
He nods, his eyes softening. “Well, you know I’m here. I’m a stubborn old man, Lawliss; you can’t get rid of me that easily.”
I let out a laugh. “Good to know, Daa.”
He gives my shoulder a squeeze. “That’s my girl. Just remember, nothing you bring back here is too heavy for us. You don’t have to carry it alone. That goes to the rest of you girls.” We all nod.
“How does it feel like to be the only man in the family?”
“ELISA YAYRA DUA!” My mother’s head pops out and my sister drops her bag. “Oops… Sorry Maa,” I step away from my father's embrace and he chuckles when Elisa jumps into his arms. “How are you, old man?” she whispers “I heard that,” my Mom shouts from the dining room and my dad laughs. He leans in to kiss Elisa on the cheeks, knowing very well she hates that.
"Eeew, dad,” she says and we all laugh. As Elisa finally lets go of Dad, I feel my nerves settle a little. For a moment, everything feels right, like it used to before Derrick, before the secrets. My father’s laughter echoes around us, and I catch my mother’s eye from across the room. She smiles, but it doesn’t quite reach her eyes.
We start having small talk among ourselves when my mom calls out to tell us dinner is ready, then we move to the dining table, where my mom continues to bustle in and out of the kitchen.
“Is Mom cooking? What happened to the chef?” I whisper to my twin, Lauren, who was sitting to the left of me.
“You tell me, big sis. You finally broke her down. That’s two of her daughters now.”
“I heard that.” Aria, responds and Lauren fake gasps. I shake my head. After my mom takes her seat beside my dad, opposite us we take our seats, and as usual, my mother is last, smoothing her dress as she sits down. She’s never the type to join in on the banter, but tonight she seems even more reserved, watching us with an extra layer of scrutiny. We start to eat and the room quiets, with only cutlery moving.
“Mom, are you cooking now?” I tease, glancing at the spread of dishes on the table. Lauren steps on my feet as a sign to stop me from talking but I ignore her and then ask, “What happened to the chef?”
My mother’s lips twitch, the faintest hint of a smile, though there’s still that look in her eyes. “Don’t make a fuss about it. You know I like things done properly.”
“Properly?” I raise an eyebrow, exchanging a knowing look with Elisa, who’s practically glowing with mischief from across the table. “You’re one chef’s apron away from being Martha Stewart, Mom.”
