Teachers Tapestry

Thirty-seven.

"Andrés, you're going to scare her, stop." I said to my brother and he laughed while she chuckled lightly.

"No it's okay." She said softly and we walked through the house to where everyone was still seated and eating their dinner.

"Ay hello!" My mom said with excitement as she lifted from her chair.

"Collette, that's my mom, Santiago, Matías and Jules and Charlie." I said pointing to each person while my mom made her way to us.

"Ah Valentina stop. Formalities don't exist here. Bueno, I'm Laura, now I need to know do you like mash potatoes or baked baby potatoes?" My m led her to the chair in between me and Matías that was left empty.

She smiled and I felt slightly more at ease.

"Baked potatoes." She said and my mom passed her the whole bowl.

"Mhm, Mario kart after this. This year is mine and Jules." Charlie spoke from across the table.

"No, me and ma always win." Andrés said loading his plate up with more mash potatoes.

"Not this year. We're winning this year." Jules said.

"No because this year I play with Collette and we'll win. Beginners luck. Right?" My mom said while she nodded shyly.

✾ ✾ ✾

"Matías you cheated!" Lottie said as she sat next to Stella.

"No, you weren't focused." He said countering.

"Yes you did, you jumped the whole track." Stella answered.

"Ya, okay next pair then can we eat pie please. It's what I come for every year." Andrés said.

"Just my pie Andrés?" My mom asked folding her arms.

"No mami, of course it's also to see you." He said sarcastically making us laugh a little.

"Okay, mami and Collette." Santiago said holding Daniel.

"Come, if we win I'll give you the biggest piece of pie." My mom said patting Collette's shoulder.

I sat back in the couch and watched them play. Collette looked happier. Much better and I'm happy she was.

The minute she said he's back I felt my bones tense. Nothing about that sentence was good to me. I hated that's she was around him again.

I watched as Collette and my mom played and actually won. "See I told you!" My mom exclaimed and Collette laughed while Jules and Charlie sighed.

"Okay, we retire, time for pie." My mom said and we all stood up in excitement.

Everyone trickled out of the living room back to the table while both me and Collette stayed back a little.

"Are you doing okay?" I asked her.

"Thank you." She wrapped her arms around me and i stiffened a little. I still wrapped my arms around her.

"You're welcome." I hugged her back.

"I'm sorry for calling, on a holiday." She rested her head on my chest while I relaxed resting my head on hers.

"It's okay, let's go eat yeah, we'll talk later." I said.

"Okay." She said pulling back.

"Aunty Val can I have whipped cream?" Natalia came in whispering to me.