Rebound (37 page)

When the time came to leave for the
reception, I sprinted to the limo. I felt like there was sand on my
entire body. Chelz planned on us having a two bedroom suite to
shower and clean up in. We have a dress change. Chelz wanted us to
have a second gown of our choosing. I purchased a long, goddess
dress in Emerald. The shoes were a silver, strappy sandal. I fought
the girl’s to get in the shower first. I was courteous enough to
shower in five minutes, rinsing away the sand. After toweling,
cooling down, and moisturizing my face and body, I put on fresh
makeup, much lighter than the coat of paint the makeup artist
sprayed on my face. I put on the necklace that Chelz gave as a maid
of honor gift. My large topaz earrings pulled off the look. I let
my hair down from the up-do. My hair is my veil, and having it down
gave me the extra bit of confidence that I tend to lose when I’m
with Matt.

The excitement over seeing him was
building. I promised Keta that I would wait for her to be ready to
go down to the reception. I was ever so grateful to see Keta exit
the bathroom, wrapped in a towel. I knew she would get dressed
quickly because she didn’t wash away her makeup like I had, and her
hair is a short, curly crop to the scalp. But when she pulled out
the lotion and started making conversation, I had to bite my tongue
from yelling at her to “hurry up”. I smiled and gave terse
responses while she dressed and put on her heels. She slowly put on
her accessories. Keta liked to accessorize with lots of gold
bangles and long, thin necklaces. She looked lovely when she
finally finished dressing.

“
Ready?” I
asked.

“
Yes.” She grabbed her
suitcase and started for the door. I took my suitcase and rolled it
to follow. We’d planned on leaving our belongings with the bell
service because neither of us planned on staying overnight at the
hotel.

We rode the elevator, making idle chit
chat about how beautiful the ceremony was and how wonderful
everyone looked. We commented on how hungry we were, but I didn’t
share with her my eagerness to see Matt. We checked our bags at the
bell service. The bellhop taking each of our names and assigning
claim checks to our bags. I took a deep breath as I turned to look
for the directional sign that led to the cocktail hour. Keta
grabbed my elbow and directed me to the left wing of the hotel. As
we walked toward the cocktail room, we heard the music getting
progressively louder. My heart skipping beats as I anticipated
seeing Matt.

Keta opened the door to the room and
held it while I entered. There were massive amounts of people
gathered about, I didn’t think I would ever find him. I looked at
the tops of people’s heads hoping to see his wavy, black hair.
There were men taller than his six foot, three inch tall frame, so
I expected not to see his face until clumps of people parted. I
walked through, standing on tiptoes, and looked around for him. I
didn’t even wait for Keta to follow me. My heart beat loudly in my
chest, and I could hear it in my ears.

I heard my name called behind me, it
wasn’t Matt’s voice, but it was a familiar and unwelcomed one. It
was Ben. I wanted to avoid him while I was alone. I pretended not
to hear him and kept walking ahead looking sideways, but avoided
having to turn around. I felt a tug at my shoulder and was turned
by a slight pull.

“
Perla. Hey. I was calling
you.” I turned to confirm that it was Ben.

Not hiding my annoyance, I responded
with a terse, “What?” and looked down at the hand on my
arm.

He recoiled, putting his hands up, “I
just wanted to say ‘Hi’. You look great. Just as beautiful as you
did at the Church.”

“
Thank you.” I said
pulling backwards, not wanting him to get any closer. I felt
violated by his touch, and I didn’t want Matt to see him touch
me.

“
How’ve you been?” He
looked me up and down lasciviously, waiting for a
response.

“
Great! Very happy. I’m
sorry. I can’t chat. I’m looking for my boyfriend. Have a great
evening.” I tried to turn, but his response stopped me in my
tracks.

“
Oh, you’ve got a
boyfriend. Wow. I’m happy for you.” His tone was a bit
condescending in his feigned surprise and excitement. “What’s his
name?” He asked incredulously.

From my right side, I felt a touch to
the small of my back. I turned to see Matt beside me.

Extending his right hand toward Ben,
Matt said, “Dr. Mathias Keene.” I smiled up at Matt and reached
under his arm to hug him.

Matt and offered his hand in
handshake. Ben looked up at Matt and accepted the gentlemanly
greeting. I offered introductions. “Ben, this is my boyfriend. I’m
sure he wouldn’t mind if you called him ‘Matt’. Matt this is my
ex-husband, Ben. He’s one of Dougie’s friends from the
neighborhood.” They released hands, and Matt wrapped it around my
body possessively.

“
Nice to meet you, Matt.
Perla was just informing me about you. She was eager to find you. I
hope you two have a nice evening.” He gave a clenched smile as he
retreated.

Before he went too far, I called out
to him. “Ben!” I gestured Matt to give me a moment. I walked over
to Ben, “I never got the chance to say that I’m sorry for your
loss. We weren’t the best of friends, but I never would’ve wished
her ill. Please extend my condolences to your parents.” He nodded
and gave a strained ‘thank you’, and I turned away and walked back
to Matt. I gave Matt a long, deep kiss.

He pulled away breathlessly, “Well,
hello.” He said melodically. I rose up on my toes, threw my arms
around his neck, and held him close.

“
I missed you so much.” I
held him tight. He put his hands around my waist.

“
I’m here . . . with you
all night. How are you, baby?”

“
So much better now that
I’m with you. Thank you for coming. I’m so happy you made it to the
Church and now here. Did you eat? How’ve you been getting along
here?” He stopped my questions with another kiss. He nuzzled my
nose with his, and he gave me another peck on the lips.

“
I missed you too. I
wouldn’t have missed this. I wanted to be here for you. I know how
much Chelsea means to you. It was a nice service. You look amazing.
What were your other questions?” We laughed.

“
There is so much to talk
about, but I’m starving. I need a little something before dinner is
served. And I need to sit. Long day of standing and walking in
heels, my feet hurt.”

“
Well, those heels are
kind of high.”

“
They’re supposed to be
high. It makes my butt curve better.”

“
I know how it curves. You
don’t need to share it with others. It’s just for me.”

“
Always.” I leaned in for
another kiss.

“
Perla, you need to stop
kissing your boyfriend. You’re not the bride.” I heard my papa’s
voice behind me.

“
Papa, how are you?” I
said turning around, unclenching Matt’s neck so I could give my Dad
a hug and kiss.

“
So ‘kay. Nice wedding. I
talking to your boyfriend. He taking care of me all time. Nice that
he speak Spanish. Better than you.” He smiled at me and reached to
pat Matt’s arm.

“
That’s because he speaks
fancy Spanish like the Spaniards. I speak Spanglish, like you.” I
teased my Papa. I smiled at Matt and held him tighter, mouthing a
‘thank you’. He stooped to give me a peck on the
forehead.

“
Papa, do you want to
sit?” I asked while looking around for seating.

“
You sister has a table.
We go and sit wit’ her.” He turned, seeking out Rubi, my older
sister. She was my father’s date. I’m sure she didn’t mind leaving
her two small kids at home with their dad so she could dance, eat
and drink the night away.

“
Your sister is a spit
fire. I thought you were tough. Phew. She’s a piece of work.” Matt
said.

“
Yeah, I should’ve warned
you about that. She curses like a sailor. And she’s more honest
than I am. Did she say anything to offend you?” He seemed reticent
to answer.

“
Nah, nothing I couldn’t
handle, but if my left arm is bruised, it was her.”

“
Aw. You can’t handle a
little lady’s punches given for emphasis when she’s laughing at all
sorts of stupid things?” I giggled.

“
You never warned me about
that.” He said, pinching my butt.

“
You’re lucky it was Rubi
and not Esmeralda, she would’ve stroked you instead of punching.” I
raised my eyebrow, shocking him into an awed expression.

“
Don’t leave me alone with
her at a family gathering.” We laughed. I felt so happy to be with
him and trade jokes. I loved that he tried to blend in with my
family.

“
Oh, no. I want to see how
you handle that, doctor.” We arrived at the table where Rubi sat
with four other people. The table sat eight. Papa sat next to Rubi.
Matt pulled out the chair for me next to Papa and helped push it in
when I sat. He took the seat beside me. I put my hand on his knee
and tried to start a conversation with him when he stood
up.

“
I’m going to get you a
plate of food. Should I get you a bit of food from each station?”
He asked.

“
Oh, yes. Please. A bit of
whatever is left, thank you.”

“
And to drink?”

“
Just cranberry juice and
ginger ale. Thanks.”

“
Does anyone want
anything?” Papa and Rubi said ‘no’. I continued to smile and
continued my gaze after he walked away.

“
You can’t take your eyes
off of him.” Rubi stated.

“
Cut me some slack, Rubi.
I haven’t seen him in a week. This is our first major event as a
couple. I’m happy he’s here tonight. You know how awkward it can be
to go to a wedding together at the beginning of a
relationship.”

“
He’s cute! You did right
for yourself, landing a doctor. Round the way girl gets Mr. Right.
He even has Papa in love with him.” She said.

Papa interjected, “He a nice guy. He
got me food and drink. And we talk boxing. He told me he operated
on a boxer, but he couldn’t tell me his name because he said it was
confidential, but I like him. He’s good for you. Better than your
ex. I see him go talk to you. What he say?”

“
Nothing important, Papa.
Once Matt introduced himself, he knew it was better to walk away.
You should’ve seen his face when Matt introduced himself as ‘Dr.
Mathias Keene.’ I went to heaven.” I said, reliving the
experience.

“
Don’t be so sure that
stops him from doing something stupid. Ben always tried to control
you because he never wanted you to be with anyone else. I’m sure he
will try something tonight to claim you.” Rubi’s words wouldn’t
have frightened me so much if I didn’t know there was some truth to
it. Ben could be a major prick, especially when he drinks. It
didn’t help that a lot of his friends are here, available to back
him up. It’s never good to be in a fight with a bunch of drunk
Irish and Italian guys at a wedding.

Matt returned to the table with a
plate of food and drink, setting it before me. “Thank you.” I tried
the stuffed mushrooms. “This is yummy. Thanks.”

“
So when do the bride and
groom get here?” He asked looking at his watch.

“
They should arrive at any
moment” Looking at my wristwatch and looking toward the double
doors. “We’ll get ushered into the dining room for dinner and
dancing. I don’t know if I can make it. I’m so tired.” As I
finished my statement, he put his large hand on my neck and rubbed
gently, his fingers kneading firmly down my spine. With the massage
and the food, I was in paradise. I could stay in this moment for
the entire night.

A chime of bells rung and the double
doors to the dining hall opened, signaling the guests and wedding
party to enter the dining hall. After wiping my hands clean, I took
a final sip of my drink, and stood to take Matt’s hand.

“
Vamonos.” I said to Papa
and Rubi. “Are you guys seated with us? What table do we have
Matt?”

“
We’re all at table seven.
There may be another four to six people sitting with us.” Rubi
offered in confirmation. We walked together with the crowd of
guests into the dining hall and found our table, which was close to
the Bride and Groom’s table. I was happy to spend time with Matt,
even if we didn’t get a chance to talk about the happenings while
we were apart.

Matt did triple duty and pulled the
chairs out for Rubi and Papa. Then he came over to me and pulled
out my chair and helped me settle in. He never failed to amaze me
with his attentiveness. I couldn’t wait to thank him
later.

“
How was your trip?” I
asked, hoping to get some time to connect with him.

“
It would’ve been better
had you come with me like I asked.” He took a sip of
water.

“
You were working. It
wouldn’t have been a vacation, if I’m just waiting for you to come
home after surgery or rounds with your patients, not to mention
your meetings. You know I would’ve been anxious about not working
or losing money as I sat around another continent.” I countered
softly. I didn’t want to get into a fight about this, considering
he thinks I work too much.