Secrets have always been the glue that has held my life, and the lives of everyone I knew growing up, together. Mama Nadine’s lived a whole past life that she kept secret from us. Claudia kept secrets about their mother’s true intentions from Raul. Michelle kept the secret of her identity for most of her…
Michelle has left to work on her newest commercial, so I use the time alone to start working on my next freelance job. I chat with my client who has a bad habit of responding to my questions with snide, snarky comments. I have to remind myself not to curse them out because I need…
Seeing my mom standing here feels surreal…like I just woke up from a dream world – the only place she actually existed. It’s been years since the last time I’ve hugged her, spoken to her and heard her call me Leelee. Michelle excuses herself to give us some privacy. After the hug… Alida: I can’t…
I know I won’t be able to fully enjoy the rest of my day with Q if I have this freelance assignment looming over my head, so I wake up extra early to try and complete it. I manage to get another file encrypted, so I start on the last one…stopping only when I hear…
Q is there waiting to pull me into his arms as soon as the S-Uber pulls up. Quincy: *whispers in my ear* You look amazing! I thank him and also silently thank Michelle for giving me my mini makeover. Q gives me the go-ahead to take my first look at the inside of the house….
I leave the bathroom the next morning and notice that something is different about the living room and kitchen. Then I realize that it’s the walls. The holes in the walls are fixed…which is exactly what I asked Father Winter to do for us last night. I sit down with Michelle for breakfast. Alida: Did…
I’m on the computer working on my first freelance job when Michelle returns. Michelle: It’s Winterfest! We can’t both spend the whole day working. Alida: But I have to get this done or I won’t get paid. Rather than spend time arguing with me…Michelle leaves the room. She returns to the room dressed all up…
Q is not in bed the next morning, but I quickly find him in the attached master bathroom. He greets me immediately with a kiss. Quincy: I’ll hop in the shower, then I’ll make breakfast. Alida: That’s okay…I’ll just go see if there’s something quick to eat. Quincy: You sure? Alida: Can you even cook?…
We watch a little TV, then Q asks me if I’d like to get into the hot tub. Alida: But I don’t have a swimsuit. Quincy: I don’t either. It’s just us…you don’t really need one. Q gives me enough privacy to undress and step into the tub, before he turns on a stereo and…
Letting out a bit of aggression helped for a little while, but it isn’t enough to make me forget that we’re broke. Seeing Roman’s nice house and car makes it all even more depressing. On the way to Roman’s, I let Michelle know that I had gotten fired and she assured me that I’ll make…
