Page 46 of Love Me

Yet, he doesn’t let up.

“We both know that’s not true,” he says. “Something’s changed, and you won’t talk to me about it. Maybe you should talk to your mom—”

“No!” I say louder than I intend to. I look toward the glass door that leads into the kitchen. A few of Diego’s aunts and uncles are standing around the kitchen island talking and laughing.

I tug him by the arm, pulling him out of sight of everyone.

“I will not bring this up to her and you know why. Like I said, there’s nothing going on with me. I’m just dating a guy you don’t like for whatever reason. He’s not perfect but nobody is.

“I’m sorry things didn’t work out between you and Jesse. You need to get over it. This is the last time I’m going to have this conversation with you.”

This is the third time we’ve argued over my relationship with Derek. Hence, why I’ve tried to avoid him all night. I didn’t want to argue with him on Christmas.

“Monique—”

“No,” I cut him off. “Just drop it. I don’t want to talk about it anymore. My life is none of your business.”

I take a step away from him with the intention of going back inside. Suddenly, a wave of dizziness hits me.

“Monique,” Diego calls. “What’s wrong?” He doesn’t wait for an answer as he instantly checks my glucose monitor. “You’re low.”

He says what I’ve pretty much figured out, at the same time he scoops me up into his arms.

“I’m fine,” I try to tell him, even though I’m starting to feel the effects of ignoring my numbers for too long.

He ignores me as he bursts through the kitchen door, causing everyone to look our way.

“She’s low,” he says by way of explanation. “She needs orange juice.”

Out of nowhere, my mom appears with a cup of juice and that worried look in her eyes. Even when I do my best to reassure her, my dad, and Diego that I’m fine, they all hover over me as I drink.

The next fifteen minutes are a series of constant checks on my numbers. My mom strokes my forehead and cheek. I hate the concern that lingers in her eyes.

“I’m sorry,” I say, peering up from the couch at my mom. “I didn’t mean to ruin everyone’s Christmas. I’m sorry.”

“Baby girl,” my dad kneels down beside me while my mom sits at my side, “you haven’t ruined anything. We just want to make sure you’re alright.”

“You need something to eat now,” my mom replies. “You have your insulin, right?”

I nod, knowing the drill. Slowly, I rise to my feet to head to the bathroom to inject myself with the necessary insulin before eating. In the meantime, my mom prepares a plate of stuffing, vegetables, and roasted turkey.

I slowly eat my meal while my family continues to linger nearby. When I show them my phone screen, it shows that I’m back in a safe range. “I’m feeling better,” I tell them.

My dad kisses the top of my head and stands to move away. His position is immediately filled by my aunt, Kayla, my mom’s best friend who’s also a naturopathic doctor. I’ve been a patient at the doctor’s office she works at for years.

“Hey, are you feeling okay?” Her tone is so soothing and comforting it almost brings tears to my eyes.

I’m sandwiched between the two women I love the most in this world, and at this moment, I want nothing more than to lay my head on their shoulders and cry my eyes out. For what, I don’t even fully understand. I can’t do that, though.

If I start to cry, they’ll hold me and let me cry and then they’ll want to know why. The truth might come out. And I can’t burden my mother that way. Not today or any day.

So, I remind myself to suck it up and answer my aunt.

“I’m great. All of the holiday excitement made me forget to check in on my numbers, that’s all. Sorry to worry everyone.” I look between my aunt and my mom but then immediately look away.

I hate the concern I see in both of their eyes. I know it’s out of love for me which makes me feel even worse. When I look straight ahead, I make eye contact with Diego, who I suspect has been watching me the entire time.

Without a word exchanged between us, he comes over to the three of us and squats directly in front of me.

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