“We’l be there at six.”
My mouth stayed open.
This was going to put a major crimp in my plans to keep Eddie at arm’s length (that would be Gul iver’s arm if I was Lil iputian).
“Bring your mother, Chiquita. I can’t wait to meet her,” Blanca said.
How come everyone was after me but no one could kil me or maim me? It would make my life so much easier.
“Mom would love that,” I told her, and she would. It would be a meeting of the minds. A meeting in hel .
Gloria was smiling, ful -on.
“Maybe we should invite the cousins,” she suggested.
I turned and glared at Eddie, thinking maybe he’d help, but instead he wrapped his arm around my neck and pul ed me into his side.
Blanca stared at us with an expression that could only be described as blissful.
Then she snapped out of it.
“Gloria, get another cart,” Blanca ordered, “we’l have to go back through. Hasta mañana,” she said and she was off, on such a mission, she went without any kisses good-bye.
I turned to Eddie and, as his arm was around my neck, this put us ful -frontal so I tilted my head back. “You could have done something about that,” I snapped.
“Like what?” he answered, his face a lot closer than was comfortable.
I tried to pul back but it didn’t work.
“I don’t know. Politely declined somehow.”
“I’m having dinner with your mother before you have dinner with mine. Come hel or high water, Mamá is gonna one-up your mother somehow. Trust me, sooner is better than later, it gives her less time to plan.” Without thinking, I said, “My life sucks.” Eddie tensed.
“It’s dinner with my mother, it isn’t the end of the world.” It was for me.
“That’s not what I meant.”
It was, in a way, but not in the bad way Eddie took it.
His eyes got serious.
“We need to have another chat,” he said.
“No!” I nearly shouted, panic stricken, “No more chats.” His brows drew together.
I tried to calm down and said, “At least, not until I figure out what I have to say.”
“How long is that gonna take?” he asked.
About four lifetimes.
Of course, I was going to have to speed it up.
I needed my life to get back to its normal, everyday boringness.
But first, I needed to go to the liquor store and buy a bottle of Jack. I didn’t drink Jack but I thought now was a very good time to take up bourbon.
Instead of imparting any of this information on Eddie, I said, “I don’t know.”