Dahlia

Suspect

To Dahlia, it seemed that the Dennis curse of dysfunctional family was creeping its way into her marriage before it even officially happened. She struggled with watching her fiancé have to navigate all of the necessary steps to prepare for court and DNA testing. Everyone Cortez called to try to get some assistance was rude and not helpful. They treated him as though it was his fault that he wasn’t told that he had potentially fathered a child. As expected Anita had been extremely uncooperative. Cortez didn’t communicate directly with her. Tempers were still too high. He had to communicate with her older sister Josephina. It seemed to Dahlia that Anita was trying to avoid having the DNA test done. She fed Josephina every excuse in the book. She was worried about the effect the DNA test would have on Demetrius. She didn’t want him to be traumatized by all of the drama that was happening behind her admission that Cortez was Demetrius’ father. Of course, all of this was somehow Dahlia’s fault. Cortez’s parents were still upset with him for what happened that night when Cortez stormed out of the house. She couldn't help but feel guilty about all of this. She kicked herself for not listening to that nagging feeling about meeting family. She and Buckey supported Cortez in everything that he did. Titi Enid and Tio Juan called every week to check in with Dahlia and Cortez. They did not agree with how Alvaro and his wife were handling the situation but they didn’t believe it was their place to say anything. Towards the end of April, about a month after Anita’s revelation Cortez was finally able to schedule a DNA test. Now that he had that done he was able to shift his focus on school and Dahlia.

Even though Dahlia was 100% supportive of Cortez she was still conflicted about the situation and found herself avoiding romantic alone time with Cortez. It was early May and classes were dwindling down. Dahlia busied herself getting ready for graduation. She had finished her internship and was on campus to take care of some paperwork. She decided to meet Buckey for lunch. Dahlia was sitting in the Sullie Hall eating her sub and scrolling through her phone waiting for Buckey to get there. Cortez was in class all day today so she probably wouldn’t see him until dinner. All of a sudden a pair of hands covered her eyes. “Guess who?!” Dahlia touched the hands that were covering her eyes. “I’d know those hands anywhere!” “Hey girl!” Tania gave Dahlia a big hug. “Where the hell have you been girl?” “I’m so sorry Tee.” “It’s been hectic.” “You missed all the drama at Cortez’s parents’ house.” “I’ve been dying to tell you about it.” Tania sat down beside her friend and started munching on her yogurt. It was about 12:45 in the afternoon and the cafeteria was packed. It felt good to be back at school and hanging out with her friends. “Girl, we’re waiting on the results to a paternity test.” “His ex Anita told him that her son was his.” “Shut up” Tania said softly. “What the hell?” Dahlia told Tania the whole story and Tania listened in amazement. 

“Hey Dahlia!” A deep voice said to her left. “Long time no see ma ma.” Dahlia smiled and waved at Jason Little. “Hey” she said with a big smile. They hugged and he kissed her cheek. “So, how’s the off campus life?” He took a seat beside her and waved at Tania. “Well, there’s certainly never a dull moment.” Dahlia laughed. Jason smiled at her. “Well we miss you around here.” As the three of them sat talking Buckey and his friend Danny walked into the chill spot. Buckey was looking around for Dahlia when Danny say “hey man, ain’t that your brother’s girl over there that Jason is talkin to?” Buckey looked over towards the group. “Oh yeah, that’s Dee.” “Why is Jason all up in her face like that bruh?” “He always trying to talk to somebody’s girl.” Bucky wasn’t feeling Jason in that moment. He didn’t like the body language or the close proximity. Buckey looked down at his watch. He was 10 minutes late for their lunch. He was happy that Tania was keeping Dahlia company but Jason needed to leave. As Buckey and Danny  started toward the threesome Danny laughed. “Man, I would be close to her too. She sexy as hell.” “Nah, fam.” “That’s my sister.” “Don’t disrespect her like that.” Buckey rolled his eyes at Danny and walked over to their table. “Dee, what up?” “What’s goin on Buck?” she asked. “Can I holla at you for a second?” “I’ll be right back ya’ll” she said as she got up to walk with Buckey.

Buckey knew why Jason was all over Dahlia. It was no secret that he was interested in her. He had been ever since he transferred to the school last year and he made it known, despite the fact that it was common knowledge that Cortez and Dahlia were dating. Buckey didn’t like it and he felt that it was his duty to protect Dahlia. This was his future sister in law. He knew that she wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize the relationship she had with Cortez but he didn’t trust Jason. He put his arm around her shoulder. “So, how’s it goin?” Dahlia sighed. “It hasn’t been too good at home.” “Kinda weird.” “Cortez has been trying to make sense of everything but people are treating him like he’s the one at fault.” “And it’s crazy cause we would have never known if she didn’t just show up.” “But I have a feeling that was no accident.” Buckey said. “Yeah,” Dahlia said. “Mami is buggin.” Buckey said. “She loves Anita for Cortez for some reason.” “She’s been trying to get him back with Anita since they broke up.” “I told you she has an issue with us not dating a boriqua.” “It's not that she’s prejudice or anything, she just doesn’t think that any other cultures can understand us.” “Yeah, I guess I understand that but it’s still a little antiquated.” Dahlia said. Dahlia had a thought and then smirked a little. “She’s going to have a heart attack when one of those beautiful twins comes home with a black man and the other one with an asian man!” They laughed heartily. Then Dahlia  said “Buck I just don’t know what to do.” “I love Cortez but your mother…”

As the two of them were talking and they didn’t notice Cortez walking behind them. “Baby” he called to Dahlia. She turned around and saw him standing there with a dozen roses. “Awww, Cortez they’re beautiful!” She kissed him and took the roses. Buckey smiled and winked at Cortez. Out of the corner of his eye she saw Jason staring at them. He was glaring at Cortez with an envious look that made Buckey a little uncomfortable but he didn’t say anything. He didn’t want to spoil Dahlia and Cortez’s moment. “Well, that’s my cue to be gone.” Dahlia crinkled her nose.  “What about lunch Buck?” She asked. “I’ll see ya’ll later at the house.” Buckey said as he and Danny walked out of the chill spot.  Dahlia cradled her roses tenderly as if they were a newborn child. “Baby this was so thoughtful of you.” She kissed him again. “Listen, I gotta go to class.” He said. “I know you’re in class until 9:30 tonight so what do you want for dinner?”  Dahlia asked. Cortez smiled at her. “Well, I was thinking we could go out to dinner tonight.” “I don’t want you to do anything tonight.” “I know you had all that paperwork to get done today so I want you relax tonight.” “This would be the perfect time for you to hang out with Tania I think.” “That way we can just go to dinner from here.” “Ok baby I’ll talk to her.” She started to walk toward Tania when he called to her “Mi amor, te amo mucho.” Dahlia smiled at him and said “I love you too baby.” When she got back to the table, Jason and Tania were just finishing a heated discussion. “What is your problem?!?” Tania said scowling at Jason. “She’s engaged you d**k head.” “So?” He said. “What’s wrong with admiring her from afar?” “I mean she isn’t married yet…” “So disrespectful” Tania was saying. “What did I miss? Dahlia asked. Tania turned toward Dahlia and smiled. “Nothing Suga.” “He was just leaving” Tania said looking pointedly at Jason. He raised his arms in defeat. “What are you two arguing about now?” They argued over the smallest things. When Jason first transferred to the school they couldn’t stand each other. Dahlia had always thought that Jason and Tania were going to hook up. That’s why she was so surprised when Tania met Antonio and fell madly in love with him. “Because he is an imbecile.” Tania blurted out. “And he’s disrespectful!” “Oh Tee.” Dahlia said with a sigh. “At least you get me to yourself for the rest of the day.” The two best friends caught up and hung out for the rest of the day.