Read Online Cubanita by Gaby Triana - Free Book Online

expect this from Carmen but not from me. “¿ Quién era ese niño que vino? ”
    â€œI tried telling you, but you didn’t want to hear it. His name’s Andrew, like he told you. He’s the guy I had coffee with. He’s nice; I like him. So I invited him over. What’s the big deal?”
    â€œHow old is he?”
    I don’t even know. That should probably be the first question to ask anybody on a date, but we had such a good time, it never occurred to me. “I’m not sure, Mom. I guess around twenty.”
    I can tell she’s trying real hard to stay out of my business, but she can’t. Number one, because she’s a mom, and number two, because she’s a Cuban mom. If she doesn’t pester me to death about my life, they just might revoke her Cuban MotherLicense to Drive Daughters Away.
    â€œ Isa, no es buena idea . Listen to me…he’s older than you, mi vida , he’s in college, things are different for him. ¿Tú me entiendes? ”
    â€œNo, I don’t understand. What are you saying? That because he’s older, I can’t handle him? Do I not use my best judgment? Did you not teach me about life properly?”
    Why is she staring at me? She’s wondering if I’ve been talking to Carmen. Damn, I really sounded like Carmen just now, didn’t I? She has to know what’s coming next.
    â€œDon’t you trust me?” I ask for the four hundredth time in my life.
    She sighs. “ No es eso, hija .”
    â€œWell, if that’s not it, then what is it?”
    She doesn’t answer. Again. Just spaces out. “ No sé ,” she says finally. “ Hablamos mañana, I’m tired.”
    And she leaves. Just like that. Really weird.
    I know that Mom freaked out the summer before Carmen left for college too, so this is probably the same thing. She’s scared because I’m leaving and doesn’t know how to say it, so she’s looking for other reasons to argue. Weird way of saying I love you, please don’t leave, isn’t it?
    Â 
    Monday is a day off, but Andrew ends up calling late at night. My parents are outside talking, which is good, so I don’t have to explain such a late phone call.
    â€œHey, there!” Cheery, cheery.
    â€œHi, Coach. How are you?”
    â€œGood. Sorry I didn’t call last night. I went fishing with Iggy and his dad, and we got back early this morning. Then I slept pretty much all day. Killer hangover.”
    Attractive thought. Andrew sleeping off a buzz, like Stefan does sometimes, when Mom thinks he’s coming down with something. I guess that’s college life for you. I’ll be seeing it soon enough, so it’s good that I get a preview now. “That’s okay. You don’t have to explain.”
    Why do I care that he didn’t call sooner? He’s not my boyfriend or anything. “I thought maybe you got scared, after watching me throw my ex into the pool.”
    â€œOh, that? Nah. That was me actually. I used my super mental powers to trip him, and down he went.”
    I crack up, but suddenly feel stupid for doing so. “Andrew?” I ask, my laughter lulling. “You know, I know I haven’t asked you this, but how old are you?”
    He chuckles softly. “Hmmm, don’t know. My real parents left me on someone’s doorstep when I was just a baby, so no one knows for sure.”
    I giggle some more. By now he probably thinks I’m a fool who laughs at anything, but this is nice for a change. Robi never made me laugh. It was always me amusing him.
    â€œSeriously, how old do you think I am?” he asks.
    â€œUm, twenty? Twenty-one?”
    â€œWarm.”
    Okay. “Nineteen?” If he graduated at seventeen like I did, I guess he could be starting his third year of coursework and be nineteen.
    He laughs. “Nope. Cold.”
    Uh-oh. I tug on my earlobe. “How old are you then?”
    He