Atavus (7 page)

Chapter Four

“What are you kids doing up this late?” Alfonzo asked when he busted Sal and Aldonza sitting on the floor in Sal’s bedroom. The light from the computer and giggles when he passed the closed door is what had given them away.

Sal’s finger pressed a button. “Nothing, I was just helping Allie look for a present for Uncle Nico.”

“Goddamn liars!” Alfonzo blurted out, which received a snicker from Aldonza and her hand went in the air for money. He slapped her palm down as he walked over and snatched up the laptop. Fucking kids thought he didn’t know his way around computers. They had a lot to learn. He pulled up the history and opened the most recent link. “What the fuck is this?” he asked.

Aldonza had her mother’s pout. “We’re reading.”

Alfonzo spread his legs as he perused the fan page in his honor, or maybe dishonor, who knows with these unauthorized shrines to the famous and infamous. He couldn’t believe people were following media gossip about his family, or started a fan page in homage to an individual they never met. The illusionary lifestyle of glamour he supposed was appealing to some. Money, clothes, cars, watches and shit like that are a joke in his opinion. As a younger person, he had believed that mattered, however after everything he went through, he learned material stuff is fluff.

When a bullet bores a hole in a designer suit and an expensive car crushes an occupant, the trail of tears widen to a river of wisdom. Yeah, having material crap is nice; having a loved person breathing is a million times better.

He read the title
,
ALFONZO’S VIP SPOT
.

Amused he grinned, another place to kickback, in cyberspace, go figure.

There were pictures of Selange, decked out during Fashion Week with Amelda and other designers. Admittedly, his woman was ‘oomph’ hot.

Alfonzo examined the collages. There were photos of him and Selange at various functions. He liked the creative way his suits were displayed.

The caption didn’t swell his head, if he believed everything he read then he needed to stop reading
.
SEXIEST BEST-DRESSEDMAN IN THE WORL
D
!

Really? The world? Talk about embellishment, this fan had exaggeration down to a science.

“Sal, is this a prank?” he asked, although he hoped Sal had more sense than that.

“For real pop, you think I want us on blast?”

Alfonzo glanced at Aldonza. She twisted her lips to the side, but her eyes were sincere. “Lo siento, pero no. You and mom are boring.”

“Yeah, we’re boring until you want something, then we’re cool, eh? Put that hand down, you're not extorting any more cash out of me hija. I curse; get over it. Pay attention to how well you're treated. I don’t want my little girl believing profanity is worse than ill-treatment. People will lie their asses off and speak
very
nice to get something from you when you’re grown up. If you believe cursing is the only bad thing in the world, wait until you deal with some of those schmucks.” He wanted to hug his daughter to keep her safe from the hard future. However, a dad’s power isn’t that strong. Aldonza was starting to sprout buds. They were small now, but in a couple of years she’d be a gorgeous young woman and boys were going to start sniffing in her drawers. If he didn’t cut this bullshit out now, he feared his daughter would fall victim to charmers looking to fuck her out of money and the ability to reason. “Maybe I need to start whooping that bottom for having a smart mouth that does more damage than bad words. Now go to bed, and computers are off limits until I get to the bottom of this!”

Sal decided to come clean. “It’s like this dad; Aaron stumbled on the site. Allie and I were only reading to find out what people were saying about us, that’s all. Aaron investigated the page administrator already and found out she’s some person from New York who had worked for Tio Domingo. I guess she met you, because she seems to have a really big crush.”

Alfonzo sniffed. He wondered if it was that loca secretary. He also felt uneasy. Having a crush on somebody is one thing, but stalking people isn’t normal behavior. “Yeah?”

Aldonza stormed off to her room. “Good night meanie!”

“Hey…hey…get back here my love and give papa a kiss.”

She turned around and blew him one. “There, catch it.”

Ah, shit, Allie tested his nerves. No wonder Selange was at her wits end with the adolescent. “Allie, ven aqui!”

She huffed over to her dad and planted a dry smack on his cheek when he bent down and then said, “Happy?”

“Si and I’ll be happier if you drop the attitude.”

“Maybe tomorrow if I’m not mad at you. I don’t like being fake.”

Hey, he had to respect that statement, because that’s the way he felt all day, every day. Was he that bad to have karma return in an innocent faced girl? Alfonzo waved the pajama-clad smart mouth out of his face. ”Go to bed and pray that I don’t beat your ass.”

Aldonza exited and he paid her no mind. He scrolled down the thread to read some of the postings. There was an open letter addressed to him and Selange; say what?

“Good night Sal, te amo hijo,” he said before stepping into the hall to read the members comments.

If You Had The Opportunity to Write An Open Letter to Alfonzo and Selange What Would You Say
?

Holly:
I would tell them to be careful with little Ms. Allie. Do not spoil her; she is a smart kid, who needs a lesson in humility. Selange needs to get Allie involved from a young age in charity work, so that she can appreciate all that her parents provide, as well as empathize to the less fortunate.

Karen R:
These two went through so much in a short period; I actually think they are doing pretty well. The only thing I would say to them is to be up front with each other and keep communication lines open. I also would say don't do anything behind each other’s backs you wouldn't feel comfortable doing in each other’s presence, and use that as your guide as knowing when you're doing something wrong. Even in Alfonzo's business life, I know there are things he keeps from her to protect her and his kids though, but be as open as possible, because you don't want to lose the trust you have with each other.

Alfonzo’s mouth tugged down at the solid advice from strangers. He logged out when he reached the master suite and closed the device before he entered the bedroom.

Selange was completely engrossed in that book. She only realized Alfonzo had entered when he spoke. “You’re still up reading again?” he asked, sitting the computer on the dresser and then unbuttoning his shirt, eyeing her inquisitively.

She bookmarked the page and then placed the heavy tome on the nightstand. Her eyes widened when she noticed the time on the digital clock. “Wow, it’s that late?”

Alfonzo removed his shirt and then his trousers. “Si, apparently the children wanted to hang out, too. I busted Al and smart mouth on-line. We have a fan page I understand.”

“What?”

“People like our outfits.” He laughed. “I wonder if we’re on any of those fashion blogs.”

“That’s too funny. We’re just irregular people living our reality. I never understand the fascination with other people’s lives. Do people sit in their homes and compare themselves to the pictures or media hype about someone and believe ‘oh wow’ they must have a ‘fabulous’ life? If they only knew…whew…the stuff we go through.”

“Word.” His eyes stretched open. Someone had a rocky day. “Anyway, check this; we have to become more diligent with the older ones. I’m not a fan of these social networks. They can do more harm than good to kids.”

“I agree. They’re not ready for that stuff anyway. Ugh, if it’s not one thing with them it’s something else. Today I had to chastise Allie for talking back to Anita at dinner.”

“Yeah?”

“Yes indeed. She told Anita don’t get it twisted, everything she cooks isn’t delicious.”

Alfonzo shook his head. “Aye ya-ya. She didn’t like the fried shark?”

“No, and Anita told her it’s ‘
mucho bueno’
,” Selange said imitating their longtime cook and surrogate everything. “And that’s when she made the remark. I ejected her from the table and sent her to her room without dinner, but I really wanted to pop her in the mouth, and you know I’m not a supporter of corporal punishment but –oooh honey she’s causing me to revisit that decision.”

“I thought the food was banging,” Alfonzo replied. He and Nico tore the meal up.

“She’s inherited your sharp tongue but she’s using it on family.”

“Yeah, I see that, too.”

“She doesn’t get it.”

“Nah, she doesn’t. But, what I say isn’t for a laugh or attention.”

“The problem is she’s getting too much attention. This phase has gone on long enough. When the heck is she going to grow out of this Al?”

“When I spank that behind.” He observed his wife’s fatigue. “It’s all right babe, she’ll straighten up. Some of the baddest kids turn out decent. I’ll step up the discipline but you’re going to need to hold firm in a supportive position when I do, okay mami?”

“Al, just keep in mind that she’s at that age where she can take what we say to heart and think she’s not loved.”

Selange tried everything positive with Aldonza and he felt bad she believed somewhere she failed. Parenting is a lifelong test of wills and sometimes –tough love is required. “Hey, but you love us, and trust me, right babe?”

“Of course, even when you’re both working my nerves.”

“I won’t rough her up too much, all right.” Selange cringed when he said that. She should know by now, he wasn’t abusive to his family. He saved that shit for people who deserved it. He finished his sentence. “Aldonza is officially on lockdown. No extracurricular activity, she must help Anita in the kitchen for two weeks, do a five page report on the struggles of Latina and African women throughout history. How that has shaped them into the strong people they are today and why such women, especially seniors deserve respect.”

“Dang, okay. Harsh.”

“It’s not harsh enough. I’m in charge with the punishment Corporal, time to whip Allie in shape in the Diaz Boot to the Butt Camp.” He joked wearily to cheer her up.

Selange smiled. She understood what he sought to accomplish by the assignment. Opening Aldonza’s eyes through education was a great idea. Maybe, the juvenile delinquent might feel bad when she read the stories of brave women seeking rights to vote and in some cases to be able to marry for love instead of a loveless arrangement. There was a time, beating women was not a crime. Yes, she hoped Aldonza learned to appreciate the many benefits she received carved from suffrage and oppression by the mavericks of her gender. Being disrespectful for fun to others is twisted and cruel. “Yes sir.”

“Anyway,” he exhaled, “I hope they give us a break in the morning. These stunts are cutting into my sleep. Once –just once I want to sleep late on a Sabado.” He chucked his clothes to the storage seat and missed. “I’m losing my touch, that’s how tired I am.”

Selange laughed as he walked toward the bathroom. “You’re not losing your touch. It still feels good to me. Good night honey.”

“Hey, don’t fall asleep on my account, besides I’ll only to wake you up for some loving when I’m done, that’ll help me sleep better, ” he said at the entrance to the bathroom.

The tattoos on his golden flesh popped with color as he stretched his arm to hold on to the molding above the door.

Damn, maturity never looked so yummy, Selange thought as she lay on her side, gazing at Alfonzo’s chiseled features and physique. He was a wonderful husband and father. Simply thinking of him during the day elicited smiles.

Alfonzo grabbed his nuts and shook exaggeratedly. “You get my battery running. See what you do to me chica?”

Selange scoffed, he was also incorrigible. Her husband never tired of sex. Where he stored the excess energy for the pastime remained a mystery. After juggling work, children, everything women do, she sometimes relished sitting quietly with a book for that alone time. Sometimes mental fatigue is what drains women out.

Selange yawned. “No nookie tonight, I’m menstruating
and
I have cramps.”

“Oooh babe, that sucks.” He slapped the doorframe. “I’ll be your warm compress and masseuse. If it gets really bad, I’ll become your pain reliever.”

Selange tucked the bedspread around her legs. Alfonzo wasn’t the type who let a period deter him. She could be naked in the shower and he’d come in to have sex. “I bet you will.”

He winked. “You can always come join me if you have the urge Bloody Mary.”

“Ugh, be glad men can’t have periods, I swear I’d love to see how you’d cope.”

“I couldn’t handle it, that’s no lie.”