Claudia isn’t in her bed when I wake up…and there’s a lot of commotion in the living room. I walk in to see her all packed up, hugging and saying goodbye to everyone.
Claudia says one last goodbye to her brother. Then is approached by Mama Nadine.
Mama Nadine: Come here, sweetheart! *gives Claudia a big, long hug* You’ll always be welcomed here. Come by if you ever need anything…I mean that.
Claudia: I will, thank you!
Claudia grabs her things and walks out the door as we stand and watch. After a while, the rest of us go to the kitchen to grab breakfast…but Mama Nadine remains there, staring at the door for a lot longer.
Eventually, she walks away. Sniffling and obviously trying to hide her tears…Mama Nadine excuses herself to her bedroom. I realize that she really does care about us…I mean – it’s not exactly a surprise, but I never knew how much Mama Nadine really loves us until now.
My thoughts are interrupted by a loud outburst from Raul…who’s staring down at his phone.
Raul: It’s him! He finally wrote back!
Although I’m hoping that I’m wrong…I think I know who Raul is talking about.
Raul: Robert Beasley wants to meet you after school…in Oasis Springs.
Alida: I don’t know Raul…I mean – I’ll miss drama club, and –
Raul isn’t fooled by my objection.
Raul: You don’t even care about drama club. He thinks you’re meeting him as a potential client. You’ll have to look the part.
Alida: What do you mean – ‘look the part’?
Raul: He’ll be expecting to see a model…so you’ll have to look like one. You already look good, but –
I’m waiting to hear the rest of Raul’s strangely offhanded compliment when Michael interrupts…
Michael: Have either of you considered the fact that this whole thing is a terrible idea?
Michael: *continues* Like…really bad – as in possibly the stupidest thing either of you has ever done?
I agree with Michael, but Raul insists on defending his plan.
Raul: We don’t know that Mike. It might be a good thing for Mama Nadine and this Beasly guy. Alida will go feel him out and if something’s not right about him or the situation…we’ll leave it at that.
Michael: *completely exasperated* How? How is digging into someone’s past and dredging up a whole ass fiancé ever going to be a good thing?
Raul: It’s none of your business.
Michael: I know about it so it is my business!
Raul: If you do anything…anything at all to mess this up – I promise you that I’ll kick your ass from this dimension to the next. Alida and I could get into a lot of trouble with Mama Nadine over this and I’ll do everything short of killing anyone who rats us out!
Michael: I never said that I’ll rat you out. Alida is like my sister…I’d die to protect her.
Raul: Good!
Michael: But you’ll need my help.
Raul: How so?
Michael: She’s supposed to pass as a model, right? I’m the only one that can get her ready. With my help…this Beasly dude will be ready to sign her as a client right away. He won’t suspect a thing.
Mama Nadine opens the door to her bedroom and I quietly shush Michael so he doesn’t say anything to give our plan away.
Raul: *quietly whispers to Michael and I* Okay…we’ll meet in the garage after school.
We end the conversation at that for now.
I go into my bedroom to change for school. I’m terrified of this whole thing blowing up on us… but Raul’s compliment still manages to put a small grin on my face, despite my worries. We all meet back up in the front room. Mama Nadine is sitting on the couch eating breakfast…probably still feeling emotional from saying goodbye to Claudia. All I can think about is the fact that this plan could potentially hit her with a bombshell that she won’t easily recover from.
The boys finish clearing the breakfast dishes and we all leave for school.
(Generation 1 Chapter Summaries)
