Page 99 of Paco
“I do, and I love you, but it’s not the same. I don’t feel like I fit in. People stare at me like I’m a freak, and you, Kate, Peter, and Grandma act like nothing has happened to me… and so much has. I’m not the same person I once was, Mom.”
“I hate that the news on TV showed so much coverage on your kidnapping and escape, and that you lost your sense of privacy with all the fanfare that surrounded it, but you’ll always be the same person to me.”
Chelsea went over and hugged her mother. “I need to move on with my life. I’m not fifteen anymore, and so much has happened to me. Paco met me when I was at my lowest, and he still reached out to me and gave me his heart.”
“What if it doesn’t work out?”
“What if what doesn’t work out?” Peter asked, coming into the kitchen.
Chelsea groaned inwardly. The last thing she wanted was for Peter to throw his two cents in.
“Paco has come to take Chelsea with him to Alina, and she wants to go.”
Peter narrowed his gaze, highlighting the nets of wrinkles at the corners of his eyes. “What the hell are you thinking? What do you have to offer her?”
Linda came over to Peter and leaned against him. “He’s right. Chelsea wants to go to college.”
Paco gripped Chelsea’s arm and drew her to him. “I love your daughter.”
Peter shook his head and exhaled loudly. “That’s it?”
“I’ll always have her back,” Paco draped his arm around her shoulder.
“What the fuck does that mean?” Peter said.
“Everything.”
Chelsea felt Paco stiffen next to her. The last thing she wanted was a big blowup between him and Peter, and from the way they were both glaring at each other, it seemed like it was inevitable. She cleared her throat. “I love Paco very much. I can still go to college and be with him.”
“I don’t know, honey. You’ve just been home for such a short time. Again, what if it doesn’t work out?” her mother replied.
Paco held her tighter. “It will. I promise to take good care of your daughter. She trusts me with her forever, and, as I said, I’ll always have her back.Always.”
“Aren’t you in a motorcycle gang? We don’t really know you. She’s been through enough heartache and disappointment. I don’t think it’s a good idea,” Peter said.
“I would never hurt Chelsea. And I’m not in a gang—I’m in a club. Chelsea is old enough to decide what she wants to do.”
“She hasn’t grown up normally, so I don’t think she’s capable of making this type of decision,” Peter said.
From the way Paco clenched his jaw, Chelsea knew he was holding his anger at bay. She pulled away from him slightly. “I’m capable of a lot of things. You have no idea what I went through, yet I survived. I’ve decided to go back with Paco and, as far as I’m concerned, the discussion is closed on this subject. I’d love for you and Mom to visit us in Colorado. You guys have been talking about going there ever since you got married. The San Juan Mountains are spectacular, and we’d be more than happy to show you all around. Paco knows the area so well. Please be happy for me, Mom. I never thought I’d ever be happy… but then Paco happened.”
Silence engulfed the kitchen, and after what seemed like hours, her mother nodded. “For the past three months, my heart broke whenever I saw the sadness in your eyes, and I knew it was because you missed Paco. I’m not going to tell you that I’m happy to lose you so soon after all the years you’ve been gone, but for the first time since he left, I see the light back in your eyes. I just hope you’re not planning to leave tonight.”
“This is fucking unbelievable! You’ve always given in to Chelsea, Linda.” Peter stormed out of the kitchen, slamming the back door behind him.
Chelsea picked at her cuticles. “I’m sorry if I caused a problem between you and Peter.”
Linda smiled weakly. “He’ll be fine. You know his bark is worse than his bite. So are you leaving tonight?”
Paco shook his head. “We’ll leave after Chelsea gets things in order with her job and makes sure everything is how she’d like it to be between all of you. It’s up to her when we leave.”
“I have to give two weeks notice at work, and I want to finish the quilt I’m making for your nephew. So, I suppose we can leave in two weeks.” She brought his hand to her lips and kissed it then glanced back at her mother. “I want to take you, Kate, Peter, and Grandma out for dinner before we leave, Mom.”
“Okay.” Linda went over to Chelsea and pulled her into a loving embrace. “All I ever wanted for you and Kate was to be happy. When you disappeared I blamed myself for it.”
“Mom, stop. You did nothing wrong. Things happen. I refuse to see myself as a victim. The important thing is that I’m beyond happy.”
“Just plan on a visit from me and Peter real soon.” She kissed her on the cheek while smoothing down her hair.
