Page 59 of Yours, For Good

"Oh, yeah, for sure," he replied. "But this is a formal dining event that's geared toward creating more opportunities for investment."

"More networking, I take it?"

"I see the program taught you a thing or two." A corner of his lips turned up. "But don't be mistaken— lots of drinking will happen tonight as well."

"Should I be scared?"

"Not if you don't get drunk yourself. When you're sober enough, you get to laugh at snobs slurring their words."

I laughed. "You paint quite the picture…"

"Nora," Sally's mom called. "I'm so sorry I won't get to meet anyone from your family tonight. I would have liked to meet your mother!"

She talked to me from Javier's other side.

I put on a tiny, polite smile and directed it her way. "I'm sure she would have liked to meet you, too."

It wasn't a lie; Sally's mom was a sweet person and my mom would have happily chatted with her… even if it was also true that my mom wouldn't have let that go beyond acquaintances level. In all the years I had with Mom, I didn't think she ever had a friend. It had always been her and me against the world.

"I am so curious," Amelia, Javier's sister-in-law and Julia's mom, joined our chat from my other side. "I feel like it came up in the conversation a few times during your visit, and yet I still don't know what she— or your father— do!"

"You know, Mother," Julia added, "I've known Nora for months and I don't think I know either."

My heart quickened. What was it with people wanting to know every detail about your family?

I bought myself some time with another sip of wine. "I don't talk much about them, so I'm not surprised. I keep all of that very private."

In my years skirting this issue with curious folk around me, I had not found the right way to politely tell them to stay the fuck away from that subject. Saying it was something I kept private was the safest version I had ever found but it didn't always work.

I lowered my eyes to my plate and hoped people got the message; I would appreciate it if the topic was dropped.

"I think a new round of food is coming soon," Javier said to my side. "How many rounds left? I lost track."

A small smile appeared on my lips. I was sure he changed the subject on purpose; he had done it the night before, too.

Gratefulness wrapped around my shoulders like a cloak. It shielded me from others' curiosity.

Except Julia didn't get the message, and she pulled from it until she left me cold.

"You have to admit," she said in my direction, "that an answer like that invites a thousand follow up questions! I'm not sure what to make of the need to keep it a secret—"

I lifted my eyes to her. My gesture turned flat. I watched her question me like she had probably wanted to for months, poking and prodding at the wall I had built around the subject. It was a flimsy barrier to begin with, and my breathing quickened.

"— at this point," she continued, "I'm starting to wonder if you're a royal of some sort. I don't know what else to think! But you're Latina and I don't know if there are any Royals in South America…?"

"My mom is dead." I said the words but I didn't feel them in my throat. I didn't feel much at all. "My father is— gone. They're both gone. That's why I don't talk about it, Julia."

One sensation broke through the sudden numbness in my body. Javier's hand landed on mine on the table.

He squeezed my fingers in his and talked to his niece. "Stop it, Julia. That was rude. There was no invitation in Nora's words. I expected you to be better than this."

His palm warmed my skin. The feeling radiated up my arm, and it cascaded into my chest like a waterfall. He stood up for me. I didn't know when was the last time I had anyone willing to do so.

Tears pricked behind my eyes.

"I apologize." Julia's mouth pressed on a tight, remorseful line. "I shouldn't have pushed."

"Thank you," I managed through a watery throat. "I don't like to talk about it."