On Labor Day, Jake and I headed to the lake on Saturday. The plan was to meet up with Jake's mom, step-dad, and family. His dad would be joining us there later in his boat. We were going to spend Saturday night at a hotel so Jake could go fishing with his dad in the morning. Jake and I would join his dad's side of the family at his Aunt's house for dinner before going home. Monday, we had the game night with our friends.
The first outfit Jake chose for me was a multicolored crochet dress. It showed a little bit more leg and cleavage than I would have chosen to meet his family, but it was cute and I felt great in it. I wore it over the nude cut-out monokini he bought for me but I had no intentions of swimming in it. The swimsuit had a plunging v-neck, cut-out sides, and showed entirely too much skin. I wore it to keep my part of our deal, but it was staying under the dress the whole day. On the drive over, he reassured me that meeting his sisters was the hardest part- Everyone else would be laid back.
"I'm not even worried." I said truthfully. "I mean, compared to the other girls you dated, I'm sure the bar can't be that high."
Jake frowned at me. "I know how you are at family get togethers. Just know, if you curse anyone out, you will get cursed back or worse."
I laughed, glad I could genuinely joke about my massive flip out at Ethan's family's 4th of July barbeque. "Shut up. As long as you didn't invite your ex-skanks, we're good."
When we got out of his Escalade, I did get a little nervous, but Jake grabbed my hand and I took a deep breath. We walked hand and hand to the area his family was meeting underneath a pavilion. When we arrived, it was already busy with people, eating, drinking, and talking animatedly. The smell of grilled meat and onions filled the air.
Jake was greeted with cheers of "Galaviz!" and "Mijo". More than a couple people eyed me with interest, but Jake just waved at everyone and asked where his mom was. We were pointed in the direction of the huge grill.
A petite brunette woman was watching a man flipping food on the grill. Her back was to us. Jake let go of my hand to scoop her up in a hug. She shrieked and swatted his arm.
"¡Suélteme! Ahora gordo! {Let me go! Now}" She commanded.
Jake just laughed, setting her down. "Make me." He challenged her, but he let her go. She turned around and gave him a hug. I smiled watching them.
"Mom, I want you to meet my girlfriend Lily Harris. Lily, this is my mom Dolores Trevino." Jake introduced us.
"It's so nice to meet you Mrs. Trevino." I said, reaching out my hand to shake hers.
"Please, call me Lola. It's a pleasure to meet you." Lola shook my hand as she looked me over.
"Lily, this is Julissa's husband Victor." Jake said.
I waved. "Nice to meet you too."
He nodded at me before returning to the meat.
"Where are the girls and Eric?" Jake asked his mom.
"Julissa and the kids are at the playground, Jocelyn hasn't shown up yet and Jasmine is around here somewhere with Reggie. You know Eric, he is probably networking as we speak. Can you believe he wanted the nursery open on Labor day? Who's buying plants today?" Lola asked.
"I believe it. He broke child labor laws with me. Doesn't shock me he wouldn't want to celebrate Labor Day." Jake said.
Victor and I laughed.
"We coulda hired workers for half of what he paid you." Lola countered.
"Sure, illegally. Y'all just chose which law to break." Jake finished.
"Don't listen to a word he says Lily. He'll try to exaggerate to make you feel sorry for him." Lola told me.
"It's not working so far." I smiled at Jake.
"These are done Lola." Victor announced.
"Ok. Put them on the tray." Lola instructed, holding a platter. Jake took it from her while Victor filled it with food.
"Can I do anything to help?" I asked them.
"No. We got it. I appreciate it. At least you offered." Lola said the last sentence, glancing over my shoulder.
"Yeah, I know not to because you always say no!" Jasmine said, approaching us. "Hey Lily." She said, hugging me.
"Hey Jasmine. How have you been?" I asked her.
"Good. Busy, but good. This is my boyfriend Reggie." She introduced me.
I smiled at him politely.
"Nice to finally meet you." I said.
"You too." He responded.
"Food ready yet?" Jasmine asked.
"Sure is. Go ahead in dig in." Lola turned to Jake. "Is Omar and his family stopping by?"
"No, he's with Kelly's family this weekend." Jake replied as he got me set up at a table with 2 Miller Lights before he made our plates.
He came back with two plates loaded with Carne Asada, grilled chicken, tortilla chips, salsa, guacamole, corn, grilled scallions, and homemade tortillas. Lola, Jasmine, Reggie, Julissa, Victor, and their two children joined us at the table. During the meal, different relatives and friends of the family came over to introduce themselves. Way too many people to remember, but everyone was more than friendly and seemed genuinely happy when Jake introduced me as his girlfriend.
Eric, Jake's step-dad, made an appearance as we ate. He was holding his granddaughter Isabella, Jocelyn's daughter, and sat down next to Lola. Jake introduced me again before Lola asked where was Jocelyn.
"Making a plate with her friend." Eric answered.
"Male friend?" Lola sighed, wearily.
"No. Criscelle." Eric answered.
I could have sworn I felt Jake stiffen up. When I looked up at him, he was ok. He took a sip of his beer before asking his sisters, "Have y'all heard from dad?"
"Yes. He's on his way with both mid-life crises." Julissa answered.
"What are the mid-life crises?" I asked, when Jake smirked.
"She meant dad's new boat and his future 4th wife." Jake explained.
Lola and Jasmine laughed while Eric shook his head, but smiled. Julissa continued eating, with a dark expression on her face.
"Oh ok?" I said, a little confused by everyone's reactions. 4 times was a lot to be married, but it sounded like a pattern, not a mid-life crisis. All his kids were grown; if he could afford the boat, I didn't understand the problem.
"His 4th wife graduated from our high school. A year before Julissa." Jasmine spelled out.
Ohhhh... that explains it.
"The boat is cool though. Definitely a mid-life crisis, but I'm excited about going out on it." Jasmine finished.
"Well, he works hard enough. He deserves to treat himself every now and then." Jake added.
His mom rolled her eyes. "You would say that. You treat yourself all the time. The amount you spent on your ridiculous car is evidence enough. Fair warning Lily."
I smiled. "That's ok with me. I'm the same way except I splurge on experiences."
"What do you mean?" Lola asked.
"I wouldn't spend that much on a car or a boat, but I would on going out, concerts, trips or food." I explained.
"In that case, you treat yourself all the time Lola. Let Jose have his boat." Eric said.
"No one asked you." Lola clapped back while we laughed.
"Be right back." Jake said, leaving the table. A few moments later, I saw why. He helped Jocelyn and her friend carry their 4 plates of food. Her friend held a boy maybe a year younger than Isabella in her arms.
After they got settled, Jake returned back to my side. He grabbed my hand under the table.
"Lily. I didn't know you were coming. Good to see you." Jocelyn said, warmly.
"You too. Thank y'all so much for having me." I said, sincerely.
"Anytime." Lola said, smiling at me.
"You never did answer my question when we interrupted you at my brother's apartment that morning. What is y'all relationship now?" Jocelyn asked.
I flushed at the mention of that morning in front of everyone.
"Lily is my girlfriend Jocelyn." Jake answered, emotionlessly. It was a little disheartening, considering how he said it all day with such pride and enthusiasm, but I knew his tone had more to do with Jocelyn's friend Criscelle. She looked a little uneasy hearing that I was Jake's girlfriend.
Anyone on Jake's Facebook page would have known that. I knew that Jocelyn asked for her friend's benefit, I just didn't know why. I know that Jake and her friend have a history, but I decided whatever happened or was said next, I would not respond to it.
"Can you believe how much Miguel has grown?" Jocelyn asked. At first, I was thrilled for a subject change. Until Jake tightened his grip on my hand. I looked up at him, confused.
"That's what kids do JoJo. You have one the same age, remember?" Jasmine reminded her, sharply.
"I know. It's just hard. The older Isabella gets, she looks more like her dad." Jocelyn said, wistfully. "Not Miguel. He looks just like his mom." Jocelyn asked.
Now Criscelle looked uncomfortable.
I looked at the little boy. I assumed Criscelle was his mother. They did look alike even though she looks so young. I looked over at Jake. He was looking anywhere but at the boy. I open my mouth to ask him who was Miguel's mother when Jake's phone rang. He picked it up at the table. After a brief conversation, he hung up and stood, pulling me to my feet.
"Dad is here. Y'all ready?" He asked his sisters Jasmine and Julissa. I eyed the Tres Leches cake, longingly.
