Big Chicas Don't Cry(61)

“It’s good that you came,” he continued. I knew he was just trying to be nice, but I was too tired and too sad to care.

“Did you think I wouldn’t? Unlike you, Welita always remembered that I was a part of this family.”

He stepped closer, and instinctively I moved behind the door to put a barrier between us. Although my dad had never hurt me physically, I guess emotional wounds also have a memory.

“I’ve never forgotten that you were part of this family, part of my family,” he answered. “I wish . . .”

“What do you wish, Dad? Huh? That I’d just pretend that you didn’t become a drunk after the divorce and basically forgot you had a daughter?”

He shook his head. “I told you, I never forgot. I was going to say that I wish one day you’d let me explain everything. You don’t know what I went through.”

That was the tipping point. “What you went through?” I scoffed. “Wow. Okay. Well, it’s late, and I’m way too tired to listen to whatever excuses you think you have. So, I’m leaving now.”

He’d said my name again, and I slammed my door closed in response.

My cheeks grew warm as I thought about his words again. How dare he play the victim. How dare he want to excuse the fact that he’d basically abandoned me and my mom. My teenage years were the hardest of my life, and I’d worked my ass off to get everything I’d ever wanted.

I looked around my big backyard with the beautiful fountain and sparkling pool and smiled. Then I stopped.

Because for the first time in decades, I knew I’d trade all of it in a heartbeat if it meant Welita would get better.





Chapter Thirty-Three


GRACIE


When I arrived at Tony’s house, I was all prayed out.

I didn’t think it was possible to run out of prayers, but I had. I’d asked God over and over again to heal Welita and let her come home.

Six days after the heart attack, she was still in the hospital.

That doesn’t mean he’s not healing her. It just means it’s taking time.

Slowly, we’d given ourselves permission to get back to our lives in one way or another. For me, that meant meeting with Tony to finalize our list of game booths and review the contracts for all the bands.

I’d had to cancel on him a couple of times. He was understanding about it, and I appreciated him moving forward on the things that couldn’t wait. So when I rang the doorbell, I was determined to focus on the fiesta and nothing else.

When he opened the door to let me in, he greeted me with a huge smile.

Then he hugged me. “I’m so glad you could come today,” he whispered in my ear. “I’ve missed you, Gracie.”

“Me too,” I said, still not quite believing I’d heard him right.

He showed me inside his studio apartment. “Do you want some water or something else to drink?”

“Water is good,” I said as I sat down on his black futon couch.

Tony walked over to the kitchen area and grabbed two glasses from his cupboard.

“I like your place,” I offered.

“Thanks. It’s a month-to-month lease while I look for something more permanent. I still have stuff in storage but figured, why should I get it out if I’m just going to move soon anyway?”

“Are you looking anywhere in particular? My cousin Erica lives in the complex over by the new shopping center on Market Street. They’re pretty nice and affordable. I can ask her to check if there are any available units if you want?”

He handed me a glass of water and sat down. “Sure. I’m willing to move wherever, really.”

“Great. Now, let’s look at those contracts.”

“Definitely. The first one is for the mariachi trio that’s going to play on Sunday. They’ll also need us to send a list of specific songs. If not, they’ll just do one of their usual set lists.”

“Do they have some titles to choose from?” I asked.

Tony handed me a paper, and I recognized many of them.

“This looks good. I think—” Sadness squeezed my heart, and tears welled in my eyes. One of the songs on the list was a favorite of Welita’s. She requested that someone sing it or play it at every party.

I tried to laugh it off despite the fact I was obviously crying. “Jeez, I’m such a wreck. I’m so sorry.”

Tony took the paper away and hugged me from the side. “Hey, no need to apologize. I get it. Please don’t be embarrassed.”

“I bet you had no idea I was such a basket case. You probably kick yourself every day because you got stuck with me to do this.”

He lifted my chin with his finger so I would look at him. “Actually, I thank Sister Catherine every time I see her for putting us on the committee.”

His face was so serious. “You do? Why?”

“Because I have the perfect excuse to spend time with you, Gracie. You’re not a basket case at all. And you know it. In fact, you’re one of the sweetest and most caring people I’ve ever known. You’re beautiful on the inside and out.”

“I am?” I whispered, not ready to believe what I was hearing.

He moved his face closer to mine. “You are, and it’s been killing me not to kiss you every single time we see each other.”