Of course Elissa had to go through all the trouble. The mandate her mother had handed her when diagnosed with cancer almost a year ago declared everything should remain as normal as possible.
Her mom’s exact words at the family meeting had been, “I don’t want anything to change.”
As the eldest daughter, “normal” fell primarily on Elissa’s shoulders. Ensuring everyone had everything they needed, keeping traditions, updating extended family, even getting the Christmas cards out on time. Things she’d usually helped with but had taken over completely this past year.
And “normal” also meant lasagna for New Year’s Day, as it had always been. Her mom was too tired to cook, and Elissa stepped in. She’d asked her useless teenage brother to help, but he’d fallen asleep.
Elissa put down her wine, too. The complex flavors turned to dust in her mouth, and she couldn’t swallow. They still had one more hurdle before her father could sound the all-clear. One more follow-up with the oncologist to see if Mom was in remission. Only then would Elissa breathe easy.
“Elissa, now that my chemo is done, you should really consider getting on with your life. I appreciate everything you’ve done for me, for this family over the last year, but you’re twenty-five. It’s time for you to live your own life and not worry about us.”
Here we go again.
Since her last treatment a few weeks ago, she’d been meddling. When was Elissa going to move out? Had she been on any dates recently? Shouldn’t she be looking into getting a newer car?
“Let’s see what the doctor has to say, Mom.” Elissa wasn’t yet ready to trust in her mom’s progress. If she did, and the cancer wasn’t gone…
“I’m fine. I feel pretty good, actually, and the doctor has always said the chances for remission were high. We caught the cancer early. You need to move on.”
“We’ve talked about this. I want to make sure you’re okay before I move out. Anyway, tax season is about to start. I won’t have time to find an apartment, let alone move, before April.”
Elissa had chosen a practical career in accounting. Most of the year, her hours were normal and manageable. But from February until mid-April, she wouldn’t have time to do anything other than work, eat, and sleep.
“Fine. But would you please consider a small request before the IRS ends your social life for three months?”
How could she deny her mother anything? She’d raised three kids—one with a chronic health condition, one with a chronic attitude condition, and one with a chronic tendency for perfectionism—and seemed to have kicked cancer’s butt.
“Sure, Mom.”
“Go on a date. A friend of mine has a son about your age. He’s single. Give it a shot.”
Elissa didn’t hide her eye roll. Yet another bone of contention between the two was her complete lack of a dating life this past year. She’d stayed in Tucson to take care of her family, and her live-in boyfriend hadn’t. Good riddance and a sacrifice she’d make again. Her mom didn’t need to worry about her dating life, too, not while waiting for the all-clear from the doc.
Life this past year had consisted of little besides work, chores around the house, toting her brother around town, and Mom’s appointments. It wasn’t much to brag about, and after all, it was a new year.
New beginnings, right?
“Fine. One date, but then you have to lay off. Once you have the all-clear and tax season is over, we can revisit this. Deal?”
“Deal!” Her mom beamed like she’d won an important victory.
Maybe she had.
two
the cousin group chat
Ryan sat with arms crossed on the big, overstuffed leather recliner in the living room, glaring at his father and brother as they waited for his mother to join them. The lack of cars outside when he arrived and the quiet interior had set off alarm bells. His gut insisted he’d walked into a trap, or else the rest of the family, all those aunts, uncles, cousins, second cousins, and great-whatevers, would be here to enjoy the food he smelled cooking in the kitchen.
At the DeMarco clan’s annual Christmas brunch, Ryan had politely declined his father’s invitation to join them for New Year’s dinner. He’d hoped to hook up with the holiday hire before she went back to college in California in two weeks. He should have figured out his parents’ plan earlier. The clues had all been there. His parents had each called several times, but he’d never returned those calls. Instead, they’d sent their minion.
His older brother Alex had shown up at the bar where Ryan worked minutes before the New Year’s party officially started. Immersed in the chaos of New Year’s Eve and with his arms around the holiday hire—what had been her name?—Ryan’s stomach plummeted when he caught a glimpse of his brother. His parents weren’t going to take no for an answer, apparently.
“What is it?” Ryan asked.
“You need to come for dinner tomorrow, Ry.”
“I don’t want to come for dinner tomorrow, Alex. I want to sleep and not deal with the parental bullshit.”
