Translation of Love - By Alice Montalvo-Tribue Page 0,63
times, I felt alienated from my friends. I couldn’t see them as often as I wanted to because Brian was so anti social. At the end, the only relationship I was able to preserve was the one with Jordan. It’s just another reason why I’ll love her forever. After dinner, the four of us sit in my living room and watch movies together. I’m snuggled into Victor’s side when his phone rings.
“Shit. I gotta take this,” he says, getting up and walking to the dining room. Alex and Jordan barely notice that Victor has left the room, they’re so deeply invested in whatever is on the television. I, however, try to give Victor privacy but I know that if he’s left the room, it’s probably bad. I can’t help but to listen.
“I’m sorry, I just couldn’t make it.” I hear him say. I shudder because I know that it’s his mother on the other end of the line.
“I can’t do this with you now. This was your deal, not mine. I really don’t have an interest in promoting anything else.” I hear a long stretch of silence and I know that she’s flipping out on him.
“What am I throwing away? That isn’t my dream anymore, it’s yours. I’m tired and you could care less. Maybe you should think about that.” I can hear the sadness in his voice. It’s hard to understand a parent who cares more about their child’s career than the child himself.
“She has nothing to do with this. This decision was made before I ever met her. Stop dragging her into things that don’t concern her. I know what you did, leaving that article in my house for her to find.” I can hear the anger in his voice. He’s walking that fine line between controlling his emotions and completely losing it. I love that it’s me that he’s defending, that he would get that angry at his own mother because of something she’s done to me. At the same time, I feel guilty, like I’m throwing a wrench into their seemingly perfect relationship.
“It doesn’t matter. For once in my life, the only thing that matters is what I want.” Oh God, this is breaking my heart to hear him go toe to toe with her. What is it about me that she finds so unacceptable? I care about her son. How can that possibly be bad? Ultimately though, Victor’s right. Her approval is not necessary. We aren’t children who need to sneak around behind her back. This isn’t a forbidden love affair. We’re adults and it’s none of her business.
“Well, I’m sorry that’s what you think. I gotta go. Bye.” He hangs the phone up and I turn my head to face the television again. He walks back into the living room and bends down next to me, his lips to my ear. “I’m tired, Love. I’m gonna go up to bed.”
I blink up at him. “I’m coming with you,” I whisper. I get up and turn toward Jordan and Alex. “We’re going up to bed guys. Good night.”
“Good night,” they both return in unison.
Once upstairs, I change into a comfy pair of pajamas and join Victor in bed. He pulls me into his side, bringing my head down to his chest. “Baby? Are you okay?” I ask. He’s silent for a while and I wonder if maybe he hadn’t heard me but finally he speaks.
“I don’t know. I mean, yes, for the most part I’m great. I’m happy with you. I’m happy with the work I’m doing on this new album. I just wish that my management would have my back.”
I sigh. “By management you mean your mom?”
“There are others, but yes, ultimately everyone takes her lead.”
I tighten my hold on him. “I feel bad that I’m the reason that you two are fighting.”
“Don’t. Don’t feel bad, Babe.” He kisses the top of my head. “Did you hear my conversation?”
“Yes. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to eavesdrop.”
“I wasn’t hiding anything, you don’t have to be sorry. I just hate the fact that you’re being put in the middle. It wasn’t supposed to be like this. I thought she’d be happy that I’m happy but I guess that’s just too much to ask for. I mean, I’m an adult, I don’t need her approval, Ellie, but it trickles down into the work and makes it harder.”
“I understand.”
“Please don’t put it on yourself, okay? It really has nothing to do with you and everything to do with