Carla & Julian - Chapter 4

By Julie D Cole

As I was getting a shower before I got into bed to watch some tv when my mobile rang. I grabbed a towel and wrapped it around me and just managed to reach it before the caller dropped the call. As I anticipated it was Carla. She said that she was just wanting to check on me to see how I’d got on with mum and dad.

I told her that it was just dinner together and that dad was too distracted with a business deal for us to have much of a social conversation together but mum had been treating me more like her daughter rather than her son and I’d got a bit frustrated so I decided to come to my room when dad came back from a call.

‘Oh Julian I’m sorry I hope that you didn’t fall out. Your mum seems really nice.’

‘She is nice, but I just had to tell her that I was sorry she was so disappointed that I was born a boy.’

‘I’m sure she didn’t mean that. I you sure that you didn’t misunderstand her? Was it because you went shopping together and she spoiled you and had fun together like mums and daughters do?’
‘Well it was more than that because you came up in the conversation and she was jumping to conclusions.’

‘What sort of conclusions?’

‘She felt that our relationship was blossoming and suggested if I had been a girl we’d have been making wedding plans like she was doing when she was my age.’
a bit awkward although I’m flattered if she thinks I’m a good match for you. I would have thought she’d have been selecting a suitable candidate from your Chinese family friends. I guess she doesn’t know much about me and that I’ve no plans to get married or have children.’

‘It’s none of her business, nor mine for that matter.’

‘Oh.’

‘Sorry Carla that came out all wrong. I really do like you and we had a wonderful time at Spring Break. I have never met anybody like you before. I didn’t expect to ever feel about another person like I do about you.’

‘So your mum is right then? She can see that you are infatuated by me.’

‘No. That’s wrong. I’m not infatuated by you. I like you and you seem to like me but that’s it. We are different. I’m from China and you are an all American girl.’

‘I thought you were born in Mexico.’

‘I was but you know what I mean. My family are all Chinese and my parents had to leave with their parents to avoid losing everything and came to Mexico with false documentation. I’m a refugee.’

‘No your not you are Mexican Chinese with official papers and your family are a big asset to Mexico and I’m sure they’d be welcome anywhere. Your grandfather and father are smart business people and they’ve created a lot of jobs for Mexican people.’

‘Well one of my problems is that I don’t think I can match their expectations..

‘Course you can. You have plenty of time on your side anyway. Besides you have the advantage of your looks as well. That counts for a lot these days.’

‘I’m Chinese. I have a small nose and a soft skin. No muscle and not very tall. How can all that be an advantage?’

‘Well you know my preferences and you do it for me. I think you are very cute.’

‘Thanks but that’s probably what mum thinks too. Hence the shopping trip and the yellow dress, Rosa seemed to be encouraging too..

‘Well I’m printing the pictures you sent when I get home. One or two of the girls here saw them on my phone. My cousin wanted to know who you were.’

‘Did you tell her I wasn’t a girl?’

‘Not exactly. I just said you were my best friend Juliana.’

‘But that implies I was your girlfriend and I was wearing a dress.’

‘If that’s what they want to think so be it. They are miles away from us and it’s not like we’ll bump into them. I hadn’t seen her for more than 5 years. Anyway, what are you doing now?’

‘I was half-way through freshening up in the shower ready to get into bed and watch some tv. I’m sitting here with a towel around me and my hair was wet when we started chatting. I put a small towel around it.’

She apologised and giggled. She asked me to switch to a video call to see what I looked like with a towel around me. Luckily the signal wasn’t good enough for it to last long but long enough to tease her by feigning shyness and keeping the towel covering my chest area. It went down past my knees.

We had to drop the video call and revert to a standard Skype call.

‘Pity but at least I saw you. Definitely looking cute so no wonder I fancy you to bits. I wish I was there with you since this is not really my scene. I’ll be glad when the weddings over. How about I persuade dad to buy me a flight home via Mexico City and at least see you for two days and travel home with you and your parents.’

‘I can’t see dad traveling home with us. He always changes his schedule but seeing you would be great. But please don’t do it if the flight is expensive.’

‘Let’s see. No promises but I don’t think dad will mind. Anyway you’ve given me an idea.’

‘What’s that?’

‘It’s only an idea so best to wait and see.’

We finished the call and I suggested Carla enjoyed her night and just message me when she got back to her room in case it was late. The bride and bridesmaids had an early appointment for make-up and hair so I doubted they’d be late back. Carla was not big into make-up and I was looking forward to seeing her with professional assistance.

I removed the turban like towel from my head and wet my hair again so that I could brush it and dry it with the hair drier. It was almost to my shoulders and mum seemed keen on me having it trimmed and styled and I was warming to the idea. I put on a large fluffy white dressing gown and lay on the bed and switched on the tv. I found that I could choose some old films so opted for a Tom Hanks film with Meg Ryan called Sleepless in Seattle. By the end of the film the music had really set me off and I needed a tissue to wipe the tears away. When I fall in love seemed strangely appropriate just as a message came through from Carla to say they were back early at their hotel.

I cleaned my teeth and put on my sleep shorts and top and sent a kiss back to Carla and snuggled up under the sheets. I had a lot going through my mind after the day I’d had and I was thinking about Carla and wishing I was with her for moral support. It was probably around midnight when I finally got to sleep and I was meeting mum and dad for breakfast at 7am.

I was up at 6am and I was trying to decide what to wear when had a call from mum who said that dad was skipping breakfast and had already left the hotel. She decided to come to my room and I knew that was to persuade me to pick an outfit we’d purchased. It was a clear day outside and she insisted that I wear white shorts and a light cotton top in a pale green colour that was clearly from the ladies fashion department. I had some plain white tennis shoes that matched and I got the necessary approval.

The shorts had small pockets so I had no place to keep my wallet or room card so mum went back to her room to pick up a small clutch purse that I could carry. It seemed big enough and I transferred my credit cards card and cash. It had a place for my room key so we were set to go.

Mum asked if I’d heard from Carla and I told her about the conversation we’d had and that she was thinking to re-route home via Mexico City after the wedding day and spend the last two days with us. I asked if dad would mind if I skipped the days in the office and she said not to worry since this was supposed to be a vacation.

We had a leisurely breakfast since Rosa wasn’t collecting us until 9.30 am. It was nice to have a wide selection of various cuisines since it was an international hotel. There was a party of Japanese guests, mainly women, some USA businessmen and a few Europeans that I presume were German.

Each time I went up to the buffet I felt eyes upon me and mum just had to comment as I sat back down.

‘I told you these shorts were a bit too well fitted. Have you seen the men over there staring at me. I should go change I think. I’m embarrassed.’

‘Don’t be silly just ignore them and don’t make eye contact. They are harmless.’

Then mum surprised me by telling me that she’d discussed my blossoming relationship with Carla and how she felt it was serious. I was speechless and finally said mum shouldn’t be so presumptuous and our relationship was more like best friends.

‘Look Julian your dad thinks it’s a great idea.’

‘Why? I haven’t even finished my studies yet.’

‘He sees a big advantage for you when you do marry Carla and would help you both.’

‘Why would dad be so kind, he’s never met Carla as far as I can recall.’
‘He knows her parents from playing golf but he knows they are from Los Angeles and they came to Monterrey for Carlas dad’s job. Your dad would like to open an office in Los Angeles and he thinks if you and Carla married then you become eligible for an immigrant visa that could be organised in less than 12 months. Plenty of time to finish studies but Carla would need a job and a salary.’

‘Mum please. Is everything a business deal with dad? What about the idea of marrying someone for love not for a business deal? Did you marry dad to expand his business empire?’

‘Julian no I did not. Your dad is thinking about you and your future. You’d have a nice wife and American citizenship or a green card that enables you to travel more freely and have a better life than our parents had and without being restricted to Mexico like we have been. Your dad is still going to sort things out but it takes time. Marrying Carla is a sure way that is risk free.’

‘Mum I am sure you both mean well but don’t you think we should let things run the course a bit first.’

‘Well you know what your dad is like. Within 30 minutes of me telling him about you and Carla he had it all worked out. Our aim was always to move to the USA as you know. One day we’ll get there and as your dad says this is a gift from the sky.’

‘But mum don’t Carla and I have a say in this? We are adults after all. You do realise that Carla is strong willed don’t you? If she got wind of this plan of dads she’d go mad.’

‘Well I’m sure you can coax her surely. She really does have an eye for you and from what I’ve seen so far she is attracted by your femininity.’

‘Is that what all the shopping trip was about yesterday? You think I should be using my looks to entice Carla?’

‘No Julian. Yesterday your dad knew nothing about your relationship with Carla and I just wanted to experience time with you as a daughter rather than you be uncomfortable as my son.’

‘But I am your son and it didn’t stop me joining you on your trip. I did it for you and to be honest the more I’ve thought about it the more I liked it. Mainly because it made you happy and I felt different.’

‘So can I ask you something?’

‘Yes why not?’
‘Do you think that Carla is straight or does she prefer women?’

‘Mum she likes men and women. That doesn’t make her a lesbian.’

‘Yes, but she does seem to be more of a tomboy than your other friends and she is very popular with all her teammates.’

‘Would it worry you if she did prefer girls to boys? She’s not likely to be marrying me if that’s the case.’

‘Well as long as you were both happy then I’d be happy. Better still if you made me a grandmother. It can be a boy or a girl.’

‘Mum you surprise me. Surely you’d want any child of mine to be a girl so you could help them make wedding plans as soon as they were old enough.’

‘Please Julian. I’m sorry about what I said yesterday I didn’t mean it. Really I didn’t.’

‘Mum I know you didn’t, but I can’t help who I am. I’ve tried to make you both proud of me.’

‘Julian I love you so don’t misunderstand my motifs yesterday. I have a beautiful son and I wanted him to have a bit of fun with me.’

‘I did mum. Just for you here I am again dressed as you decided earlier. To spend more time with you as Juliana.’

‘So you forgive me?’

‘Nothing to forgive as long as you and dad don’t interfere and scare Carla away.’

‘So are we going site seeing or more girly time today?’

‘What do you think? Whilst we are out I hope we’ll get some pictures from the wedding and some confirmation that Carla is coming to meet us.’

‘I hope so. I’d love it if we can spend some time together, away from your dad of course.’

‘She’ll just be getting up. Probably panicking and nervous. She has something up her sleeve as well. Shall we buy her something nice whilst we are shopping?’