Chapter 29: Chapter 29

The girls wanted me to wear a skirt but I wanted to wear tight jeans. I tried both and modeled for the girls and came to the same conclusion the jeans looked better with the blouse. We noticed that the weather was beginning to get cooler out a nice cold front was to hit tomorrow evening so the temperature began to drop from the ninety-degree mark to an acceptable eighties. We were glad for it by nightfall it would be at least a seventy-eight or seventy-five degrees cooler for party time. The next person to arrive was Melba’s friend the chef. It was around six in the evening. He made himself right at home and began cooking away. We were able to taste his entrees and we loved them. He was pleased. His assistance came in with a cake thirty minutes later but no one would allow me to see it. I wasn’t even allowed to go outside and look at how the place was beginning to look. I was imprisoned in my own home. I sat there watching an old favorite movie which was Breaking dawn part I and drinking a beer. Patty sat next to me while we both were entranced and repeating the lines as they were being said. Melba and Zulema made fun of us. It was already eight-thirty and my friends vanished from sight. The only company I had was Peter, Melba’s friend, and his assistant. By the time I was allowed to go outside and join the guest. I was already in my fourth beer. I felt the buzz as soon as I walked out the door. I hadn’t eaten anything heavy just two entrees that Melba’s friend had offered and I knew I would be getting drunk soon. The buzz I carried had given me the confidence to go out there. Melba and the girls escorted me to the most wonderful sight I had ever seen. The gazebo had been covered with white lights all around and they had even added floating flower candles inside the pool. The cascading waterfall was even lighted up. I wondered how it was that the girls were able to get some flowers to overlay near the waterfall but then I saw that there was a flat concrete area that was behind it with stairs to go up. I hadn’t even realized that it was there. I looked up to the above landing. I took the stairs to find the food table along with sitting areas. Once up there I could take in the sight of the gazebo and the pool. It was beautiful I looked to my right and found that the DJ had his spot. I noticed that the ledge lead to the pool’s waterfall and the girls had placed even more lights on either side of the ledges. The music was already going and there were already people. They had transformed everything into this wonderful event. I had people come up to me and wish me a happy birthday. The only thing was I had wished to know who they were. I saw a couple of teachers from the school so that was okay. The girl neighbors had joined in the festivities. I was glad that Patty had taken the initiative in inviting them. People were already drinking and having a good time. I hadn’t seen Diego, Roger or Fred. I kept wondering and speaking to random people but I wanted to be near someone I could feel comfortable with. I finally sat down and people began to dance. I was handed beer after beer and once or twice a shot of tequila which I took and doused. My buzz was already reeling. Diego hadn’t come. It was around ten when I saw the first man who had come into my life my neighbor Fred. I hadn’t wished him here but with the way, I was feeling I didn’t care. “Hi Fio, happy birthday,” he said as he came to hug me and kissed me on the cheek. I kissed him back. “Where do I put your present?” he asked me. I hadn’t realized that a stack of presents was gathering at a table nearby. I hadn’t asked for anything. Sara was around and took the present for him but not before I introduced him to her. “Sara this is my next-door neighbor Fred, Fred this is one of my friends Sara.” I said to both of them. They exchanged greetings. Sara gave me a look and mouthed out as she walked away. “He's hot!” I just shook my head. Fred looked around all the people. “So Diego couldn’t make I see.” He said to me. “I guess not he got the invite.” I said to him. I didn’t want Fred to think I was going to stay with him and decided he needed to meet our other neighbors. “Walk with me.” I said to him. He was too quick to oblique. He got closer to me than I wanted him to. “You look exceptional tonight.” He said leaning closer and whispering in my ear. I moved a bit away and turned to him. “Thank you.” I was glad I had reached the two girls I wanted to introduce them to. “Hi Mary and Janet,” I said to them. Both women came closer to us. “I don’t believe you know our neighbor Fred.” I said. “Fred this Maria she lives in apartment 30 and this is Janet she lives in apartment 31.” Fred shook hands with both women. I knew Maria was a talker so she started a conversation up right away in which I was pleased with. She was a hometown girl. She was only 22 and already living a successful life. She was pretty and taller than I was. Janet was a black woman who moved to Laredo after Katrina hit Louisiana. She had remained here ever since. She had said she liked the culture but was not happy with the events that had transpired with the Drug Cartel Spillover. I excused myself quickly, but before I could move Fred took my hand. “Won’t you stay?” He said. “I looked down where he held me. I squirmed my hand away. “I need to mingle. I see other people have arrived. I am sure Janet and Maria will keep you occupied.” I said to him and left. Maria seemed to like him and he kept him at bay from me, which I was glad. I went around mingling and speaking to random people. I was already extremely buzzed with all the beers and drinks being handed. People made sure not to leave my hands empty. The next visitors arrived showing their ten-gallon hats. From the looks of them, I knew it was Roger’s friend. I was anxious to see if he was among them. Being so short I opted to stand on the concrete bench. I stretched myself to see over the people. I couldn’t tell if he was with them or not. I was disappointed I couldn’t tell. Melba came over to me quickly. “Fio get down from there!” she said. I looked down at her and I started to giggle. “How drunk are you?” she said. “Don’t know and don’t care.” I said giggling. “I am going to party tonight and then I began to sing. “Like it’s my birthday” Doing dance moves. Melba started to laugh and I joined her. “Someone is sure having a good time.” a male voice said behind us. I knew in an instant who it was. I was listening to that voice last night telling me how I was making a mistake. I turned around quickly and thought the world did a spin on me. Roger quickly took a hold of me. I enjoyed his arms. “You’re in a safe place,” Melba said as she walked away. “Are you okay? He said. I nodded waiting for my brain to stand still. “Here sit down.” He said and helped me sit on the bench. “How much have you had to drink? Fio” Don’t know and don’t care?” I said giggling. “Well, I do care.” He said insistently. “Listen it’s my birthday. If I want to get drunk I will.” I told him not to care. “I know Fio but just think about all the people here with cell phones. I don’t want to catch it on YouTube.” He said smiling. Shit, he was right, nothing could happen or I would end up on YouTube and I’d probably have a gazillion hits. That would be embarrassing and more embarrassing if my students watched it. “You’re right.” It was already close to twelve and I figured Diego wasn’t coming so I spent the rest of the evening staying by Roger’s side. He made sure I drank less this time by taking away my beer and dousing it himself. He would leave me about ¼ of the beer for me to drink. Every time I would finish it. I would look at it and then at him and he would just smile. During the time I was beside him, I learned that he was from Northern Texas Amarillo to be exact. I heard his friends' retelling childhood stories. When music he liked came to play he would dance with me. I was having such a good time with him. My friends and I were all together and dancing away when I heard my phone buzz. I immediately took it out and saw I had a text message. Running late but I’ll be there. It was from Diego. I immediately text him back. Can’t wait to see you. I looked at the clock on the phone and found out it was approximately midnight. The next thing we knew the music went dead all of a sudden. Everyone looked up to where the music was being played and saw Mr. Martinez up there. The girls and I looked at each other. I hadn’t known how long we would be having this party. It seemed that the night's event would soon be at its end and Diego wasn’t part of my birthday celebration. I began to worry.