Chapter 7: Daffodils

“So you got a date, my little Teresa?” Mama asks as she sips her morning joe.

“Yeah, she uh, said it’s at six-thirty tonight but she wants me ready for dinner at five downstairs,” I say, rubbing my head to try and numb the headache.

“Why don’t you wear that dress I got you yesterday?” she asks, “you’ll just have to wear something else for dinner on Wednesday.”

“You think I’ll be transformed, mama?” I ask.

“Based on you transforming at seven-thirty or so last night, it’ll be cutting it close, but you never do know,” she said, “what’s the worst that can happen?”

“I mean, it is with Lina. I’ve told you about her, right?”

Mama cocks her head at me as her eyes narrow, “Yech, how’d you square that away?”

“I don’t know, it just,” I wildly gesture with my hands, “it just happened!”

“I thought she hated you,” Mama replied.

“She does! Well, she hates,” I gesture to my body, “this me! She thinks the other me is a walking Venus of Milo or something.”

“Venus of Milo. Cultured, young lady,” she replies, smirking, “and you know, in my time, I found quite a few wolves walking my way. Only one I wanted was your father, though.”

“Okay, so, wolf-me is hot and I’ve just got to live with it?” I ask, leaning on the dining room counter.

“Yep, now get ready for class, I’ll be driving you into school in the Rolls-Royce,” she said.

“Aw, Mama, I can just bike,” I reply, throwing my backpack on.

“Young lady, I’m okay with that other times of the month, but not right now,” she replies, “I don’t want you getting hurt if you do transform at school.”

“Mom, I’ll be fine, I bike like every day, I’m probably faster than anyone can catch me,” I reply.

“The answer is no, Teresa,” she replies as she dumps the rest of her mug, “I won’t see my daughter getting hurt over her optimistic hubris. You never know what creeps are lurking here.”

“Alright mama,” I reply with a sigh, “I’m ready to go.”

“Alright, down the stairs we go,” she says as she brings me down to the back garage. She puts the key in the engine, mutters about it taking a bit to start, then finally starts it. She clicks the little door raising button on the flip-down mirror, then drives off.

“So Mama,” I ask as soon as she’s sure the door’s closed again, “if I can’t ride my bike, how am I supposed to do delivery later this week?”

“We’ll just let people doorhub it or whatever it’s called,” she replies, “we’re getting busier, you know, and people just aren’t used to seeing a sweaty eighteen year old on a bike anymore.”

“But Mama,” I reply, “does that mean you don’t want me biking at all once things advance more?”

“You’re only here for a few more months, Teresa,” she replies, “and besides, that thing’s going to be the wrong size for you once you finish your changes. Once you go to college, we’ll get you a new bike.”

“I guess,” I huff, remaining silent for the few minutes it takes us to get to school, still tired.

“Love you dear,” Mama says, “call me when school ends today!”

“Will do, Mama,” I call back as I wave and she drives off. I turn around and nearly run into…my date for tonight.

“Hiya dork,” Lina sneers, “mommy driving you into school?”

“Not feeling well,” I reply, “thought I told Tess to tell you that last night.”

“I..uh,” she blushes nervously, “what?”

“Yeah, oh, did she not tell you? Major stomach bug, hope it didn’t get on the pizza,” I reply, smirking as I walk away.

“Hey you fucking jerk, did you get your dirty monkey hands on my pizza?”

“I’m like, ninety-five percent sure I didn’t, take a pepto-bismol just in case,” I reply as I shrug and shuffle off.

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Suddenly, I feel myself get pinned to the ground as she breathes down the back of my neck. “Listen, fuckface, I’ve gone easy on your loud mouth because you’re a pipsqueak, and I was in a good mood today because I’ve got a date with your cousin tonight. It better not get messed up for me because of you. I don’t care who your brothers are.”

“Okay, I’ll take a hint,” I reply, “she likes daffodils, by the way.”

“W…what?” she asks as she takes her hands off me and lets me stand up. It’s a good thing transformation heals bruises.

“You were gonna take my cousin out for Valentine’s but you had no plan to buy her flowers? Not gonna fly in my family,” I reply, waggling my finger as I wink.

“I…I’ll have you know I was going to get her flowers and perfume and claw polish,” she replies, “so there!”

“Not me you gotta convince,” I reply, “girl has high standards, you gotta impress her so she speaks well of it to Nonna. She is a part of the family, after all.”

“Whatever, thanks,” she mutters as she storms off.

“She nearly beat you up, man,” Tom says as he runs up to me from a distance, grinning, “what’d you do to finally piss her off?”

“Having a hot cousin, I guess,” I reply, “what are you out here for?”

“To watch you get your shit kicked in, mostly,” he replies, “but really, I’m just here to ask your help on that Calculus test tomorrow.”

“...fuck,” I say, “is that tomorrow?”

“Yeah, you got something going on?” he asks.

“..No,” I lie, “nothing. Nothing at all. Just nervous.”

“Jeez, man,” he says, rubbing the back of his neck, “I gotta be worried about this shit, huh? I mean, you looked dead in the eyes for a few minutes there.”

“Oh, I’m sure we’ll cover it fine,” I reply, “just need a little practice.”

Classes and lunch are, as per usual, uneventful. It is, in fact, a review day in calculus, much to my disappointment. I discreetly texted Mama to come pick me up a few minutes before class was done, though Mr. O’Neill was staring at me. Whatever, he’s going to think I’m a disappointment anyways.

As the bell rings, and I’m packing up my things, I notice him standing in front of me. I wave meekly to him, then continue packing my things, expecting to get a lecture. About phone use, whatever, I’d heard it all before.

“Lupo,” he says, placing an arm on my shoulder, “I just wanted you to know, and in no way are you obligated to attend, but should you need it, we have a club for affirming LGBT+ and questioning students after school.”

I sigh and look around to confirm there’s no one around anymore. “How’d you know?”

“The office told me. I thought it would be best to let you know of, what are in my estimation, poor administrative practices while also letting you know I’m doing the best I can to support you going forwards,” he replies, smiling, “Also, I did it the old fashioned way, just, well, the other direction.”

“You’re..”

“Yep,” he says, revealing a pin with blue, pink, and white on the inside of his jacket, “and if you do decide to come, I assure you you will not be among strangers. I know I haven’t always held you in the highest regard, and that is my fault, but I will do my best to make sure you feel welcome there.”

“Thank you, Mr. O’Neill,” I reply, smiling, “I appreciate the apology. I’ll see you around, Mama is coming to pick me up today. Oh, and tomorrow, I may not be here for the test, depending on how early I, y’now.”

“I’ll make sure it’s not an issue if that happens. Have a good day, Miss Lupo,” he replies as he waves me off.

I run across the building, to where I know Mama is going to be waiting. She’s there, waving at me as she pulls the window down. I run over and jump in the car.

As she drives away, she clears her throat and says, “So, a young lady approached me, with a very anxious demeanor, and asked me if I knew anything about my niece, Teresa, who she’s taking on a date tonight.”

I freeze. “..and what did you say?”

She smirks and replies, “I told her that she better treat that girl right, and that she likes fancy places for eating.”

“Thanks, Mama,” I reply, blushing.

“Don’t mention it, just be sure to thank your aunt by taking lots of pictures, okay?” she says, “I don’t have any good ones of you yet.”

“Okay,” I meekly reply as we pass by the city streets on the way home.

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