Twelve Hours in Manhattan by Maan Gabriel

Author:Maan Gabriel
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: She Writes Press

Chapter 18

I’m exhausted. But at least my weekend had a good ending. Or beginning.

I had an eventful weekend with my parents, which included visiting my dad’s apartment on the Upper East Side after our tearful conversation at the park. He lives there alone in a massive apartment that is suitable for a family of ten. He and Elaine have been divorced for over fifteen years now. They tried to make it work when he came back, and they had another child, but eventually, after more than seven years, Elaine gave up, packed up, and left. As it turns out, I have three siblings, and Dad is so excited for me to meet them. I’m not. Well, at least not yet.

I look at my bedside alarm clock that says it’s almost midnight. I need to be at work at seven thirty tomorrow morning. I jump into the shower and purge the weekend drama away. If I’m being truthful, I’m actually warming up to the idea of a complete family—a mom, a dad and me. And for some weird reason, I also sense a new fondness between my parents. Can love really stand the test of time?

Pam is on my bed when I walk back into my room wearing my new favorite pink fluffy bathrobe. She’s already in her pajamas and looks as exhausted as I feel.

“Why the long face?” I ask, concerned. Pam almost never shows sadness except when Tommy died, which was totally understandable.

“I have to tell you something,” she begins. The uncertainty in her voice makes me nervous. Pam is never uncertain. She bends her head as if she is about to confess the biggest sin of all time.

“What?” I’m now near panic.

“I think … well, actually, I know.”

“Okay?” I sit next to her on the bed and I hold both her hands.

“I like Miguel.”

I exhale upon hearing this. “My god, I thought it was something serious.”

“But that is serious!” she wails and widens her eyes to emphasize her point.

“Why? Why is it serious?” I shake my head and give her a questioning glare.

“Because I think. Well, no, I know.…”

“Okay?” I’m waiting for her to say more.

“That he’s in love with you.” She bends her head as she says this and looks at me from under her beautifully fashioned eyelashes.

“For fuck’s sake, Pam!” I get up immediately and look at her in disbelief. She lifts her head to face me. I back away in disgust because I think it’s the most ludicrous thing I’ve ever heard. “It’s like telling me that Marco likes me!”

“Why, is he gay?” There is surprise and fear in her eyes.

“No! But you know what I mean?”

“I think you’re just blind. That man will do anything and everything for you with a snap of your fingers.”

“Let’s not do this to Miguel, Pam. Let’s not taint our friendship with malice. He’s like a brother to me. That’s all he is.”

“I’m sorry. But all I’m saying is, if you’re not interested, then can I make a move?”

“Pam, he’s not just anybody.

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