The Original 1982 by Lori Carson Read Free Book Online

been in the paper recently, the New York Times Arts & Leisure section. The headline read CROSSOVER KING . He’s promised to make an appearance at some point today, as much as he hates these things.
    I put off opening gifts for as long as possible, but when he hasn’t come by three, we start without him. We gather on the lawn, everyone seated around me. My sister places each wrapped gift in my hands, and I open it, trying not to tear the pretty paper. We ooh and aah over every miniature article of clothing and pass it along to be inspected by everyone in the circle. It’s a well-practiced ritual, exact in its specificity. At the end, every item is returned to its box, accompanied by a card, to remind me of whom to thank for what.
    When it starts to rain, it’s getting late by then anyway. We quickly gather all the presents and wrapping and move inside. I call the cats in, and they come running back, from over the fence where they go.
    After most everyone has gone, and only my mother, sister, and Alan remain, Gabriel shows up.
    â€œHi,” he says. “Sorry I’m late. Did I miss the whole party?”
    â€œWhat a shame you couldn’t be here,” my mother says. “Such a wonderful day.” She’s mad at him, though it’s hard to tell through her characteristic cheerfulness. I’m almost seven months pregnant and there’s been no offer to put a ring on my finger.
    Gabriel is oblivious to her message. “I know. I tried to get here sooner. These guys can talk your head off.”
    I have to smile because although I don’t know where he’s been, I know he was the one doing the talking. He sits beside me and puts his arm around me.
    â€œSorry I’m late, baby.” He kisses my cheek.
    My mother is picking up discarded plates and napkins, bits of tape, ribbon, and wrapping paper. Gabriel jumps up to take the garbage bag from her hands. “Let me do that, Mrs. Nelson.”
    She warms to him then, just a little. Maybe she thinks it means a proposal is near. He picks up a napkin, a cup, and sets the bag down.
    â€œHey, nice article in the paper, man,” Alan says.
    â€œOh, you saw that? Thanks, man!” Gabriel is in good spirits. I’m feeling pretty good, too. I’m thinking about leftovers, planning what I’ll eat first after everyone has gone home. All I want to do is eat and sleep, but I’m glad Gabriel is there. I feel a hopefulness about us. Maybe it will all work out somehow. When he smiles at me, I beam my love at him full blast, and it makes him laugh.
    â€œPajarito,” he says tenderly.

Eighteen
    W hen I first hear the rumor, I dismiss it instantly. I know it can’t be true. It hurts to hear the vile lie, makes me a little nauseous, but he would never, ever, do that to me. I know he wouldn’t.
    Gabriel’s been spending more and more time in L.A. He says that’s where the opportunity is. He calls me every night, though. He tells me how much he misses me. We make plans for when he’s back in town. He seems happy again, in fact, accepting of impending fatherhood. He brings me little presents. He’s always full of stories. So, it’s not possible that what I hear is true. No way.
    Janelle is such a gossip, I think. Why doesn’t she worry about her own life for a change? Why does she always have her nose in everyone else’s business?
    â€œI heard it from a very reliable source,” she says gently. We’re all sitting around the table in the back of the restaurant where we eat before out shift. She’s speaking to me like I’m a mental patient, like I might totally flip out.
    I want to slap her face, wipe the sympathy right off it. What does she know about the love we share? She doesn’t even know us. Look at her. She’s never been less attractive. She’s getting old; she must be nearly thirty.
    â€œYou don’t know what you’re talking about,” I say.