Little Red

I was panicking!! Rogan had called, he would be the one to save Charlie's life being his personal doctor and no I wasn't in a state of panic because of Charlie, still bless his heart, I was more panicked about my forced 'solo' trip to Venice with the information I had now gathered in the last twelve hours. Everything had seemed to be going fine, and Rogan, set for our trip where i get to meet with his family and spend some time with them all when an emergency call was made from the hospital concerning Charlie being a victim of a ghastly motor accident which he had brought upon himself as a result of being severely drunk and wasted as USUAL. I always wondered as to how my societal definition of a 'morally upright man' as a fiance ended up with a complete a** as a best friend, talk about opposite sides attracting. Still on the topic of opposite sides, the actual reason for my severe panic, I couldn't stop myself from thinking, what on earth does a girl from a really average, disfigured and disoriented family have in common with a family of love, togetherness, wealth and power? It was a really scary dynamic especially for an ignorant soon to be bride who thought her man had freaking come from a random average family because of his decency and lack of flamboyance. Really Rogan? I was consumed with shock and utter disbelief when I 'intentionally' stumbled on the f*******: page of Rogan's sisters— his cousin, married to royalty— his aunty—his highly fashionable and young looking Nana— his beautiful and elegant mom and would have proceeded further to his Dad if there wasn't a single detail about him on the internet. The sophistication I had sensed and seen through my screen was enough to know I may be getting myself into the wrong world, one I feared I wouldn't fit in, one my fiance never seemed to disclose, one I feared never entertained the likes of me but still here I was about to face this all on my own, lost in a heap of my suddenly appearing 'mid' clothes and well? borrowed outfits, Thanks bestie!trying to find the perfect fits that may soothe the taste of my Insanely wealthy in-laws. Once again, Really? Rogan really? "Why didn't you say a thing about this aspect of your background all this time?!" I had asked with a raised voice and a confused expression, shifting the direction of the laptop which had the view of my mini media research to face the screen of my video call to Rogan who seemed to hate every second he spent in the hospital working. "I'm sorry honey, never thought it was so important, besides I am genuinely used to viewing my family as normal and random and I'm sure you will too by the time you get to know them," he smiled an assuring one. Rogan had talked about his family quite alright, his compassionate mum, his adorable sisters, his really fun and friendly queer cousins, his cool dad and his dramatic Nana... An adorable family right? No cause for panic right??? but maybe, just maybe, if he hadn't left such information out which may not have been vital to him but was vital to me, I would have had two years to mentally prepare myself and not twenty four freaking hours! Twenty four hours till I get to meet the Marcinis, and as I took my seat by the window of the airplane, I had never felt so grateful for having secured it at this particular time. I could freely process my thoughts (overthink and question my entire life's choices) while staring into the clouds. "Boy...friend isss...sues?" The graying old man seated next to me said smiling at me with a set of yellows drawing out his words with a dull voice. I turned to him hesitating in giving a reply at first, but in no time found myself spilling to a man who I shouldn't be bothering with my dilemma but rather encouraging to rest and get some sleep, nevertheless, this naturally seemed to be one of those few situations where one had to be selfish besides, he was a willing audience. "Oh child, if they are really who you claim they are, then you may have to consider getting a total makeover, here – my daughter's business card, you will get a discount," He said after the outpouring, having a tone to his voice that was of a mix of care and jest simultaneously, not hesitating on hitting the nail straight on the head. F***k me! Not a man who was probably in his eighties pointing out my fashion flaws, and my foretelling 'average class lady' aesthetic. But he had a strong point, I have got to make an impression if I ever wanted to earn their respect. I accepted the courtesy of the old man with a weak smile, he was sweet but just had the undiluted commentary that came with the age which made me also remember my grandma, may her soul rest in perfect peace. If there was anyone that I always considered genuine family, she was that person even though she was a tough one and never minded how brutal her honesty was. Even now, I could still hear her voice so loud and clear. Ruby darling you've put on some weight!... Don't you dare shed those tears! I watched you spend a lot of money on that make up... Look dear you should know this new hair trim would only attract the broke ones... It's about time to get a boob job done... Oh honey! you definitely need some s*x! Once, seated really close to her at our church back in New Orleans, the African American pastor who always had a thing for positive affirmations gave an instruction to turn to the person seated by your side and say 'I am beautiful regardless.' The lady seated at the other close seat to my grandma at her left hand side had turned to say what the pastor had instructed so confidently and right there, my old lady's words came out as undiluted as it always would...'Oh dear you shouldn't lie in church!' I chuckle having recalled those moments with her which I missed so much. I had always wished she was my mom and my mom was my grandma. When I was a lot younger, I would go on my knees by my bedside and pray for a switch in their bodies so I get to fully experience the maternal love I yearned for since that was the only thing left I could hold on to ever since my dad made the decision to be voluntarily absent from our lives and my mom was too depressed and drunk to remember she had a daughter. I turned around once again to find the old man now fast asleep,in a manner that showed he really needed it. This time, enjoying his gentle snores, I don't turn back to the view of the window, rather I settle down to read the novel I had brought along with me... The art of seduction.