After what happened at the concert, he was wondering about Cici again. Was Fred still beating her? Was she even alive still?

His uncles had been arguing, going back and forth all day. This time it was about Aida. “I’m not busting your nuts, Man. I’m just saying you’ve only been seeing her a few months and already you’re talking about moving her in? How do you know she’s the one so fast?”

“I just do. She’s not like them other skanks I’ve dated. She’s different, okay.”

Manny stopped at his open door when he saw Romero still lying in bed. “What’s with you?”

“Nothing,”

“What do you mean nothing? You’ve been lying around a lot lately. You feeling okay?

Max stuck his head in the door. “You sick?”

“Nah, I’m fine.” Romero sat up. “Did you guys ever hear anything about Cici after she quit?”

“Who?” Manny asked.

“Cici, the waitress with the crazy boyfriend last year. She only worked at the bar for a couple of weeks?”

Max still looked lost but Manny frowned. “Oh, her. No, why?”

“Just wondering whatever happened to her.”

“Probably working at another bar. She was trouble. It was better that she quit.” Manny walked away from the door.

Max still appeared to be trying to figure out who they were talking about. “You don’t remember her, Max?” Romero didn’t understand his own sudden interest. It bothered him to no end to think she wouldn’t have had to live through that, if it hadn’t been for him.

“I think I do now.” His confused expression went hard. “If it’s the one I’m thinking, Manny’s right. Trouble—so stop wondering about her and get your ass outta bed. We’re going bowling and you’re coming with.”

Isabel

If it hadn’t been for Isabel’s insistence, Valerie might’ve taken her real estate license exam and dropped out of school. Valerie didn’t share Isabel’s enthusiasm for school. But in an act of friendship, and the selfish need to keep her new best friend around longer, she convinced her to stay and at least get her AA. Once Valerie had earned her degree, she was gone. Not wanting to get used to a brand new roommate, and knowing without Valerie there, things just wouldn’t be the same, Isabel decided to finish school while commuting from home.

Pat had transferred to a school out of state, making Isabel’s last two years of school easier. No one loved her decision to become a schoolteacher, least of all Pat, but her parents supported her decision. She knew her mom was secretly thrilled that Isabel had decided to follow in her footsteps.

“I just hope you’re not going to stop just because you get your credentials, Bell. If teaching is what you want to do,” Pat had said, with the roll of her eyes. “No offense to Mom, but you can at least take it a step further and teach at a university level.”

Unsure why she’d never been able to stand up to her oldest sister, Isabel actually agreed to consider it. Her sister had cheerfully made the announcement to everyone in the family. Ever since she’d started teaching full time, not only her sister but her father began asking her when she was going back to school. She was just getting used to her new role in life and they wanted her to squeeze in more school time?

Valerie moved out of her dad’s place months ago and had kept trying to convince Isabel to move in with her ever since. She was on the phone with her again on the way home from work. “Isabel, you promised when we were in school that we’d get our own place once we graduated. You can organize this place however you want. I’ll follow the rules, scout’s honor!”

The school district she worked for was actually closer to Valerie’s place than her parents’ house, and if she did go back to school, she would be much closer to the university also. The only reason she hadn’t agreed to it yet was because she was the last one home now. Pat married a highly decorated Navy Lieutenant Commander and moved out over a year ago. Her other siblings never bothered moving back into the nest after they left for school. Gina now lived in New York, while Art stayed in Los Angeles. Their dad was supposed to retire a few years ago but he kept putting it off. Isabel hated leaving her mom alone. But she had promised, and deep inside she really did feel it was time to get her own place.

“Okay?”

Valerie squealed, then laughed. “Is that a question or an answer?”

“It’s an answer,” Isabel smiled, beginning to feel the excitement of it. “I’ll tell my parents tonight.”

“Oh my God, this is going to be great!” Valerie gushed. “And Alex has his own place now too, so he won’t be over that much. He prefers we hang out at his place anyway.”

Isabel didn’t comment. Valerie and Alex still had their off and on roller coaster relationship. At the moment, it was on. But she knew it was just a matter of time before things went south again. Isabel didn’t understand why Valerie couldn’t just let go once and for all.

*

A few weeks later, she’d moved in and everything was put away exactly as she required things to be put away. Of course, Pat came by to put in her two cents about her new place. “Personally, I would’ve stayed with Mom and Dad until I saved up to buy my own place. But since you’re going back to school, maybe this is best for now.”

As usual, Isabel took the criticism with a nod and a smile.

The months passed, and Valerie kept her promise about not having Alex over too often, though Isabel didn’t mind having him around. He was pleasant enough, but he was clearly more comfortable having Valerie stay over at his place. Valerie spent so much time over there, Isabel began to wonder if maybe she’d move in with him. Then one night after he’d disappeared for almost a week, Valerie went to his place and confronted him.