Reader this was my first date. Ever. Tommy had called me earlier in the day to confirm everything and that he would call me before he left his house. I now had the joyous task of informing my mom i was going out tonight and with a member of the opposite sex. I finished taking a shower and went about my business getting dressed and doing my hair. It always took me about an hour to dry and style my hair. I had very thick and dark hair. My mom walked into my room and was looking at me.
"Where are you going ?" i was setting my hair with hot rollers.
"I have a date tonight." I resumed my attention to my hair, and silently prayed she would leave me alone.
"Who are you going out with?" she says this with a chuckle. And now i know she isn't going to let this go as easily as i would have liked. "His name is Tommy Nichols. He is from Kingsville. We met in class." As i stand in front of the mirror i look past my reflection and see her mouth is slightly open and she appears to not be satisfied with the vague information i provided. "Who is he?" Here we go. Apparently my last statement wasn't enough.
"Okay, he is from Kingsville. My age. His parents are Carol and Shane Nichols. He is picking me up and i will be home at a decent hour." She is now standing there with her hands on her hips and probably stunned i haven't asked her permission to go on this date.
"He's Gringo?" This is not a question. It was an accusation. Before she walks out of the room she says " Be home by 1." I nod in agreement and pure disappointment.
I quickly remove the hair rollers from my hair and run my hands through the curls. Once it complies with my brush i spray it lightly with hairspray and give a satisfying nod.
I have decided to wear jeans and a maroon long sleeve zip up top. As i finish getting dressed my phone rings and of course my mother answers the kitchen phone before i can greet the caller.
"Hello?"
"Hello. Can i speak to Veronica ?" His voice is so deep.
"uh, yes. Veronica ! The phone is for you." She is annoyed
"I got it. Thank you." i wait to hear her disconnect the phone.
"Hi Tommy." I am standing on my tippy toes because I can't walk on air.
"Hey i am leaving my house. I'll be there in ten minutes. See you in a bit. Oh do i just honk?" Oh she would seethe over that.
"Oh no, please get down and knock." I must be the one to greet him.
"Okay see you in a few." The line disconnects. Is it really going to be this easy?
I walk out to the living room to wait and look out the window so i can meet him at the door with no delay. My mom is no where to be seen but she is on the phone. Fingers crossed she remains distracted.
I see him park his truck in front of the house. He is now walking towards the house. He is wearing brown boots, stone washed jeans, and the most adorable blue tshirt wirh the words "I love animals they are delicious." the word love is replaced with a red heart. The shirt is so him. He is so cute. He knocks on the door. I look behind me and see my mom standing and watching me. I wave bye. I then hear her words. "His parents are bigots." Is all I hear from her. Not have a good time or anything positive. Immediately tears are in my eyes. Veronica don't cry. I take a deep breath and glare in her direction. Since our last conversation, which was no more than ten minutes ago, she has called all her Comadres and she knows "everything" about him.
I open the door and see the boy of my dreams smiling back at me. That smile and the boy it belongs to are all that matters to me at this moment and no one not even my mother is going to ruin this for me.
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