Read Online Taking Chances by Nina Perez - Free Book Online Page A

shoulder. Everyone else at the table seemed to be occupied with the food on their plates as well. No one was willing to point out the obvious: no matter how busy Charlotte might be with school, it was Thanksgiving break and she should have been there.
     
    Once the subject was changed and the conversation could drown out what he was saying, Paul leaned over and whispered, “Denial flows at this table more than the gravy.”
     
    He wasn’t kidding. Patrick seemed to have lost his appetite and I knew he was worrying about the news he had to break regarding Charlotte. I reached under the table and held his hand. He squeezed mine in return and smiled. It was a nice moment totally ruined by the strained look on Mrs. Murphy’s face as she noticed.
     
    After dinner most everyone gathered in the family room to watch the home videos of Thomas’s most recent vacation with his wife and son. Paul’s mother had decided she was ready to call it an evening and asked Paul if he’d mind driving her home.
     
    “Chloe, want to ride with me? It may give Patrick a chance to talk about that which remains unspoken, if you know what I mean.”
     
    I excused myself to find Patrick to let him know I’d be leaving. Just as I was about to enter the kitchen, hearing my own name made me pause.
     
    “So, you don’t like Chloe?” I heard Patrick ask. His voice sounded tense.
     
    “It’s not that I don’t like her. I just don’t understand why you didn’t tell us she was… African American,” his mother said.
     
    “Because I didn’t think it would matter. Does it?”
     
    I knew it was wrong to eavesdrop, but I couldn’t help it. They were talking about me, so I justified to myself that it somewhat acceptable.
                 
    “Of course it matters.” Her answer shocked not only me, but Patrick as well as I heard him gasp.
     
    “Are you kidding me?”
     
    “Don’t look at me like that. I’m being realistic. Stop looking at me like I’m some kind of… racist.”
     
    “You said it, not me.”
     
    “Patrick! What has gotten into you? Since when do you talk to me that way?”
     
    “Since I come home with my girlfriend, who happens to be an amazing girl, and you feel the need to pull me in the kitchen and ask if I’d considered the consequences of such an inappropriate relationship. That is how you put it, isn’t it? Inappropriate relationship?”
     
    “If you would just let me explain. I’m sure she’s a nice girl. It’s just I want the best for you and—“
     
    “Chloe is the best.”
     
    My heart soared, but I wanted Patrick to let her finish.
     
    “—and her being… may cause you both unnecessary trouble. I mean, I just don’t understand why you’d put yourself through that.”
     
    “Because she’s worth it, and besides, times have changed. I don’t know if you heard, but there was this little thing called the civil rights movement.”
     
    “Fine! I’m glad you’re having fun with this and making a joke out of my concerns.”
     
    “That’s because they’re ridiculous. Does Dad share these concerns?”
     
    “Oh, you know your father. He’s a romantic. He doesn’t realize that people will think—”
     
    “What will people think? What? That I have a girlfriend who’s smart, sexy, funny, beautiful, and good to me? Yeah, I can see how that would worry you.”
     
    “Okay, Mr. Wise Guy. What about your children? Have you thought about that?”
     
    I suppressed a laugh, but Patrick was unable. “Mom! Are you serious? We just started dating.”
     
    “You live with her, Patrick.”
     
    “That came first, you know that. We didn’t expect for it to happen. You can’t help who you fall for.”
     
    “You’re in love with her?”
     
    I could hear Mrs. Murphy’s sharp intake of breath. It wouldn’t have been surprising to find she’d sucked all of the air out of the room.
     
    “I don’t know. I could be. Do you need to sit down?”
     
    “I just want you to be