“Ooh, that’s the worst age,” Aida said.
“Yeah, them little f**kers think they know everything.” Manny patted the seat behind Romero. “I remember when Moe was that age. Son of a bitch if he wasn’t a smartass. Luckily, Ma—God rest her soul—knew how to crack a whip. Otherwise he might’ve ended up like his dad.”
“No, I wouldn’t have! She was around when he was a kid and he still ended up like he did.” Isabel squeezed his hand but said nothing. This was a f**king mistake. They hadn’t even gotten to the restaurant and already his uncle had brought up the last thing he wanted to talk about.
“Maybe,” his uncle said, not even noticing he’d pissed off Romero. “But this guy was a knucklehead,” Manny laughed. “Did he ever tell you about the time he was trying to figure out how the fire extinguisher worked and he sprayed himself in the face?”
Aida cackled Manny wheezed. Great. Fucking Great. Was he going to break out with the naked baby pictures, too?
By the time they’d reached the restaurant Isabel had heard all the stupid shit Romero had done in middle school. Manny was getting ready to start with high school. Luckily, Manny and Romero got out of the same side of the car. Romero grabbed his arm and spoke low. “Will you can it with all the dumb shit I did? I’m trying to impress this girl, not make her think her boyfriend’s an idiot.”
“What? That was a long time ago. I’m just making conversation.”
“Yeah, well talk about the time you shit your pants in Mexico. I’m sure Aida will be impressed by that.”
Instead of balking, Manny laughed so hard he wheezed again. “I already told her, but if you want me to tell Isabel—”
“Just stop with all the vulgar talk.” Romero took a deep breath. “Be cool. Okay?”
“I can be cool.” Romero heard Manny say as he walked away.
He held out his hand for Isabel who took it then patted it with her other hand. “I like him. He’s funny.”
“Yeah, he’s a real comedian. Just wait ‘til you meet the other one.” God this was going to be a long night. And to think he never gave a shit what anyone thought of his uncles. With Isabel, it was different. He’d hate for her to realize just how different her life was from his—maybe too different.
They were seated at one of the bigger tables. Manny was doing his usual drumming of his fingers on the table as he looked through the menu. Romero nudged him casually. “What?”
Isabel looked up from her menu and Romero smiled at her then leaned into Manny. “Will you stop with the fingers? It’s irritating.”
Manny frowned but stopped. Alex walked over with Max. “Hey, the whole family is here.” After all the hellos and introducing Max to Isabel, he took his seat, and Alex asked, “So are you guys ready to order? I can send someone over, or you need more time, Max?”
“Nope,” Max said, sitting back in his seat. “I already know what I want—the usual—chimichanga plate.”
After confirming everyone was ready, Alex said he’d put Max’s order in and send over the waiter to take the rest of the orders.
Max dipped a tortilla chip into the salsa. “There was a thing at the bar today. Cops had to be called. I don’t know if you wanna talk about it now or not but that’s why I’m a little late.”
“Talking about it later is better.” Romero gave him a look. He’d told Isabel about his uncles bar but left out the part about the topless waitresses.
“Thing? What kind of thing?” Manny put his menu down.
Fuck.
“Some dick thought just ‘cause he’d tipped one of the girls a fifty he could feel her up, so she slapped him. When he tried getting his money back she told him to go f**k himself. He was drunk and got all stupid and shit. The guys try throwing him out and he starts makin’ a scene and demanded the cops be called ‘cause our waitress stole his f**king fifty.”
“You should’ve had the f**ker arrested for feeling her up. They’re there to look, not touch.”
Romero was beginning to cringe every time his uncles cussed. Without even looking up from his menu he warned, “Will you guys watch the language? Remember where we’re at.”
Apparently, Max took that to mean he should just lower his voice, because he began to whisper. “The f**king ass**le—”
Romero kicked him under the table—hard.
“Ow!” He turned to Romero with a pained and angry glare. “Whatcha do that for?”
Romero spoke through his teeth. “I told you to watch the language.”
Max winced, leaning down to touch his leg. Manny looked at him and for a moment it gave Romero hope that he got it and maybe they’d be cool it finally. “Yeah, Max. Maybe we should wait ‘til we get home to talk about this.”
The waiter arrived with their drinks. “I’m told you’re ready to order.”
They all started putting in their orders. The waiter wasn’t even done taking their orders when Max said, “Well it’ll have to wait until tomorrow then, because I’m going out tonight. I need to get me some.”
Romero downed half his beer. “Can I get another one of these?” he said to the waiter then added, “And a shot.”
Isabel stroked his leg under the table and smiled at him. He could tell she meant to reassure him, but he was beginning to wonder if he’d survive this night.