Alida: What the f*&k is wrong with you? You think I’m here for woohoo? I’m only 15 years old!!
Mr. Beasley: What?? But you said…
Alida: I know what I said a**hole! *gets up to leave*
Mr. Beasley: How do you know Nadine? I haven’t represented her in many, many years. Who is she to you?
In my anger, I answer without thinking…
Alida: She’s my foster mom!
Damn it! I’ve said too much…
Mr. Beasley: Your foster mom? Please…you have to tell me how to contact her!
Alida: I don’t have to do sh*t! You’d better be glad I don’t call the cops on your old creepy ass.
Mr. Beasley: *tries to get up quickly* Wait…I didn’t mean that the way it sounded!
I hurry away from the table, tripping on my heels multiple times.
I walk towards Raul as quickly as I can in the god awful heels…cursing silently in my head the whole way. Raul is kneeling near a bench reading one of his textbooks when I approach. I don’t know how he can stand the scorching heat from the cement, but right now I don’t care. He stands up as soon as he sees me.
Raul: How did it go?
Alida: Terrible! I don’t know how Mama Nadine was EVER engaged to someone as slimy as that!
Raul: That bad?!
Alida: Bad? This a*&hole actually tried to proposition me! Can you believe that crap?
Raul: You mean – ?
Alida: Yes…he figured out that I wasn’t a model pretty quickly. He thought I was there for woohoo or something.
Raul: Oh wow…I’m so sorry. This is all my fault. We should have left when you had second thoughts.
It’s definitely all Raul’s fault and I’m glad he realizes it. I don’t know if I’m angrier at him or Mr. Beasley.
As mad as I am…I realize that it’s way too hot outside to stand there fussing with Raul.
Alida: *frustrated* Let’s just go home!
I turn and stomp away. Immediately regretting that I didn’t bring a more comfortable pair of shoes to change into. I call up a S-Uber and head to our pickup spot with Raul, who’s obviously feeling bad about his failed plan, trailing behind me.
Michael meets us out in the driveway when we arrive home. I follow him into the garage where he’s stored my drama club outfit. I change clothes, then he wipes off my makeup and spritzes my hair with water to get it to curl up again. Afterward, we enter the house together.
Mama Nadine enters the front room when she hears the front door shut. The expression on her face makes me believe that she’s on to us, but I soon realize that it’s full of concern…not anger.
Mama Nadine: Michael, thanks for texting me to let me know about the extra-long rehearsal today…you all must be starving. You too Raul…I can’t believe you stayed at school all this time to study for your test.
Raul: Yeah, I –
I give Raul a subtle look indicating that he should shut up before he gives himself away. Michael obviously made up a good excuse for why he was out so late. Luckily he caught it and didn’t say anything else.
Mama Nadine: I kept dinner warmed up as best I could. Sit down and eat before it gets too cold.
Michael: *quietly as we walk to the counter* How did it go?
Alida: Terrible…it was a bad idea just like you said it was.
Mama Nadine walks over to clear a dish. After she walks to the sink…
Alida: *under my breath* I’ll fill you in later.
Raul sits and eats enough to not cause any suspicion…then he walks to his bedroom. Mama Nadine finishes a bit of cleaning…then does the same. Michael and I are left alone. I give him a brief summary of how my meeting with Mr. Beasley went. He waits until I finish the story before he responds…
Michael: Raul is an idiot for putting you out there like that.
I’m in full agreement…
Alida: Yes…yes he is.
(Generation 1 Chapter Summaries)
