“I’m not lying to him,” Dad says.
“I didn’t ask you to. I just… I don’t want to make anyone mad.” Frankie looks so fucking torn. I want to go over and wrap her in my arms.
“We want to keep things just between us for a while. Who knows? We might not even work out and then there’s nothing to tell anyone.”
“But we all know,” Eliana says.
“Because you’re all a nosey bunch,” I counter.
“It will be worse if he finds out from someone else,” Dad tells Frankie. “But I don’t need to be back in Vegas for a while, so until I do, you have time.”
“Thanks, Tío E.”
“I’ll also only tell him if he directly asks me,” Dad says.
Talk about an awkward fucking breakfast. First, my mom is talking about making Frankie a baby-making machine. And now, my dad is telling her to come clean about our relationship to her own father. A relationship she really wanted to keep secret. If I don’t do something to scare her off, I’m sure one of my family members fucking will. I’m surprised she’s still sitting here.
“So, when’s the wedding?” Eliana asks, looking at me and then at Frankie.
Frankie coughs on the water she was drinking. “There’s no wedding. I’m not the marrying type.”
“Why not?” Eliana presses.
“Because I don’t want to lose myself to a man. I’m not going to get married and be owned by someone.”
“That’s what you think marriage is?” my mom asks. She sounds sad.
“Some marriages, yes.”
“Who?” Mom questions. “Who in our family has given you that impression?”
“No one, but I’ve spent my entire life being told what I can and can’t do by males. I get to live by myself now. I like my freedom.”
“They’re just looking out for you, Frankie,” Ezekiel tells her.
“I get it,” Eliana says. “At least you only have two brothers. I have four.”
“I would have preferred to give you more but your mother said no.” Dad shrugs.
“Do you have any idea how hard it is to sneak around and go on dates without these guys finding out?” Eliana asks Frankie, and I turn and stare at my sister.
“Do tell… How hard is it, Eliana? And who the fuck are you going on dates with?” I ask her.
“Don’t swear at your sister,” Dad grits out through clenched teeth. “Eliana, princesa, who are you dating?”
“Yeah, I’m not telling any of you anything. I’m not that naïve.”
“Did you know about this?” Dad turns to Mom.
Mom looks to Eliana and then to my dad. “Maybe.” Mom lifts a shoulder.
“Evie, who the hell is she dating?” Dad’s voice rises.
Elias is the first to stand, then Ezekiel, Esterio, and me. Frankie looks around the room. Elias steps behind Mom. The rest of us stay in our respective spots.
“Oh, for fuck’s sake, sit down. I’m not a threat to my wife.”
Mom smirks. “You know, I specifically remember you saying that all these boys we were having would grow up to be my biggest protectors besides you.”