Dahlia

Issa Party

As Cortez prepared to go and pick up Demetrius for the first time his mind wandered back to the day the court decision was made.There was a somber mood in the courtroom. They had just found out that Demetrius was Cortez’s son. On top of that his mother had completely disrespected his fiancee. He had been absolutely livid with his mother and wanted to go after Dahlia immediately when she walked away. After Anita and family bombarded him he rushed to the pizza shop to grab Dahlia and had seen Jason Little talking to her. Buckey had always told Cortez that he didn’t trust Jason around Dahlia because he stood just a little too close to her and his eyes lingered a little too long on her. He had always been secure in his relationship with Dahlia and he trusted her. But that day when he saw Jason with Dahlia a rage went through him. He wasn’t sure why it upset him so much to see Jason with Dahlia but he immediately stalked over to where they were. When Cortez made eye contact with him through the window Jason quickly walked away from Dahlia and Kalmia. He did regret the tone in which he spoke to Dahlia when he was letting her know that it was just about time for the judge to make her decision about Demetrius. Dahlia, being the selfless person that she was, still accompanied into the courtroom provided him comfort and support during the rest of the hearing. Cortez’s nerves were shot. 

When the judge finally took her place at the bench both parties prepared to present their cases. Anita went first. “All Mr. Flores has to do is take responsibility for his son.” She said. “I am perfectly willing to compromise with him.” “I want joint custody and apparently so does Mr. Flores.” “I have only one condition.” The judge raised her eyebrows. “What’s that Ms. Vega?” “I do not want my son to be in the presence of Dahlia Dennis.” Cortez glanced at Dahlia who did not react at all. “Are there any grounds?” the judge asked. “I feel that Ms. Dennis might be detrimental to my son’s development. I worry that getting to know a father that he never knew and having to get used to being around another woman might overwhelm him and make him uncomfortable.” “I see.” The judge murmured. “Mr. Flores, what would you like to say?”  “I am perfectly willing to meet any demand that Ms. Vega proposes, except the one that was just proposed.” Cortez said.  “And why is that Mr. Flores?” “Well Your Honor, before I found out about my son I was engaged to marry Ms. Dennis.” “We have been together for two years and  have a house together.” The judge looked at Dahlia and then at Anita. “If you don’t mind me asking Mr. Flores, how did the relationship between you and Ms. Dennis commence?” “And how were you unaware that you fathered a child?” Cortez explained about Anita back in high school and then about Dahlia in college. The judge listened to how Anita neglected to tell Cortez about the baby. She then asked Anita to explain that decision. Not wanting to make herself look bad, Anita said that she didn’t want to burden Cortez with that information because he was going to college and she didn’t want to be a burden to him or his family. 

The judge looked skeptical. “I can’t see any reason why the child should not have any contact with his future stepmother.” “But I will say this, the first few visits will be monitored.” Cortez smiled and breathed a heavy sigh of relief. Tears began to well up in Anita’s eyes. Regina sucked her teeth and rolled her eyes at Cortez and his family. Anita’s mother put her arms around her and whispered comforting words in her ear. The final ruling was that after three supervised visits at Cortez’s parents home he would be able to have Demetrius every other weekend and every other holiday. Anita left the courthouse in tears with her head down. Cortez tried to talk to Anita to make arrangements for the first visit but Regina stepped in front of him. “When she’s ready, she’ll call you.” “Thank you Regina.” Cortez said rolling his eyes. “Please don’t wait to long.” “I am looking forward to meeting my son.” “Hey babe.” Dahlia’s voice brought Cortez out of his thoughts. “We are going to be late for the party if you don’t hurry up.” She smiled at him. She looked beautiful today. It was mid May, so hot in New York City. Her jet black hair was in its natural curly state today. She wore it down with her baby hairs slicked down. She wore a teal maxi dress and some tan open toe sandals. “Buckey and Kal are waiting in the living room babe.” He took a moment to look at her. “You’re beautiful Ms. Dennis.” She walked over to him and stood on her toes to plant a kiss on his lips. “Thank you handsome.” “Let's get out of here.” “We have to go get your son.” Cortez smiled, sprayed on his cologne and walked out of his bedroom. 

 “Dahlia, hand me those empanada’s please.” Cortez yelled to his fiancé. She brought him the plate of food, he leaned down and kissed her, then he smiled. Today was the day that Cortez was able to have Demetrius unsupervised. The plan was for all of Cortez’s family to be able to meet him today. Members of Cortez’s family and some of his closest friends were packed into the house like a can of sardines. There was lively music playing, couples dancing, people drinking Corona’s with lime and Hennesy and coke. The atmosphere was just happy. Later that day Anita would be dropping Demetrius off to the house. As Dahlia was helping LaLa and Nina in the kitchen, Mrs. Flores stood in the doorway. “Laila y Christina, go and see about the plates in the living room.” “If there are any empty ones put them in the garbage can.” “Si Mama.” They said in unison. Dahlia was a bit uncomfortable alone with Mrs. Flores. She hadn’t forgotten about how Mrs. Flores had treated her, but her pride wouldn’t let her show her insecurity. “Dahlia, I owe you and apology.” Mrs. Flores said abruptly. Dahlia was stunned. She waited for Mrs. Flores to finish speaking. “You are a wonderful young lady for staying with mi hijo through all of these things.” “I don’t know of anyone who I would rather have him marry.” “Thank you Mrs. Flores, I really appreciate your apology.” She tried to sound as diplomatic as possible because she wasn’t sure if the apology was sincere or not. The two of them made small talk as family members came in and out of the kitchen. Dahlia was making some potato salad for the cookout. Cortez came and watched his fiancée. “She’s just so perfect.” He thought to himself. “Thank you Lord, you have blessed me with this beautiful woman; I thank you so very much.” 

Buckey came out of the hallway and saw Cortez standing in the kitchen. When he got up to him he knew immediately why he was standing there looking so awe stricken. “That family produces some beautiful women don’t it man?” Cortez came out of the spell Dahlia put on him and smiled. “Speaking of which, where is ya wifey man?” “I haven't seen her since we got here.” “She’s on her way back.” Cortez said. “She and Tania went down to the bodega to get a couple more sodas.” Dahlia finally looked up from her food. “How long have you two clowns been standing there?” She said smiling. Just then, LaLa and Nina scurried back into the kitchen. “Dee, our cousin Natalia is here and she doesn’t believe that you are going to take us to Roosevelt Fields mall.” “Can you please come out heer and tell her!”  LaLa said. “Yeah, she said we was lyin’ cause she thinks you are too busy to hang wit us.” Nina scoffed. “Yeah, I got you.” She washed her hands and covered the pan with aluminum foil. She gave Cortez a quick kiss and followed the girls into the back yard. Cortez hadn’t felt this happy since the day he heard Dahlia tell him that she would marry him. He and Buckey stood in the kitchen talking about how good they felt.  For once they weren’t at odds with their parents about something or other. Both of the boys talked to their parents with the support of Tio Juan and Titi Enid. Everyone had finally come to an understanding that the Dennis girls were going to be a part of their family and everyone was just going to have to deal with it. The boys were both in love and they were both happy. 

Cortez and Buckey went to the front porch to wait for Kal and Tania. Antonio was outside smoking a black and mild looking out for the girls As they were talking, they noticed Johnny and Manuel were coming down the street to the party. “What the hell are they doing coming from down that way?” Buckey asked. It looked like they had just come out of Anita’s house. As they were coming down the street, Tania and Kal were walking up to the porch from the other direction. Just as Johnny and Manuel were getting to the porch so were Kal and Tania. Kal smiled when she saw Buckey and he smiled back at her. Johnny went to give Buckey a pound, but Buckey walked right past him and drew Kal into a hug and kiss. “Oh man, not you too son.” Johnny looked annoyed. Buckey gave Johnny the finger and walked into the house with Kal. Cortez just shook his head. Tania followed but not before she shot Johnny the dirtiest look she could. Johnny, Manuel and Antonio and Cortez stayed outside and smoked a black and mild. Johnny seemed to be frustrated about something. “Yo Cortez, what is the deal with you and Buckey man?” “I think you forgot where you came from.” 

Antonio raised his eyebrows and puffed on his black and mild. “What the hell are you talking about man?” He said casually. Johnny laughed. “You don’t see what’s going on here?” “Cortez went and got with that homewreckin’ ass girl and then Buckey went and got with another one.” “I’m starting to think that you’re the only one with some sense out of us.” Antonio laughed a little bit.  Johnny was a little offended. “What’s so funny?” He asked coldly.“If you only knew how stupid you sounded man, you would laugh too.” “We’re the same people man.” “I just don’t know why you don’t see it.” After that, he threw his cigar to the ground and walked in the house after his girlfriend.” Cortez shook his head at Johnny. “Man, you gotta get it together.” “You really can’t be that pissed off about who me and Buckey choose to be with.” “That decision doesn’t affect you at all.” “If you can’t get with it, then maybe we not as cool as I thought.” With that, Cortez walked back in the house, leaving Johnny on the porch alone with Manuel..