Empty.

48 - Bingo Night & Big Steps

I looked around the room.There were paintings on the wall. Shakespeare was the only one I actually recognized. The rest of them were foreign to my eye.Sarah set up the scorecards all around the tables while I made sure the chairs were straight.

"This is exciting."

"You've said that like a million times",Sarah laughed as she sat down on a chair and looked at me like I was a toddler getting excited for a piece of candy.

I straightened up the last chair and moved toward her with a sigh escaping my lips.

"Thanks for last night,Mia",she smiled at me knowingly and I could tell she meant it. I felt as if she missed her parents and spending time with my mother and I gave her a sense of home.

"It was nice having you,we don't really have guests over so you're going to be our special guest for the future",I shrugged as I sat down on the chair next to her.

"You've been so nice to me ever since we met ,and what do I do?I go and date your ex boyfriend. Wow, I am such a bi-"

"Chill your grill!",I cut her off. "Sarah,like I told you it's okay. We have to stop dwelling on this.  I'm happy that he's moved on and just because he's moved on with you doesn't mean I'm going to hate you. From what I've seen you seem like a great person. I mean you are spending your spring break at a retirement home",I shrugged as I finished my last sentence.

"I really like Trent",she said looking away from me as if she was scared of my reaction.

"I know you do but honestly just be careful. He has ways that I don't like. I don't want to see you get hurt."

"The same way you got hurt?"

"It's different though because you're not me,you're stronger Sarah. I can see it."

"I appreciate you Mia,I really do. I'm also happy that you're happy. Does Jamie treat you right?",Sarah asked.

I took a deep breath and looked at her. I didn't want to tell her how I felt on the inside. I didn't want to make her sad when I could see how happy she was.

"Yes ,he does. I miss him so much,I can't wait to see him on Monday",I replied in an enthusiastic tone. I was getting good at lying although I wasn't really lying.

"Are you not going to see him before that?"

"He's out of town",I shrugged.

"Oh then you have to come watch the lights with us on Friday!You know the light show at the promenade? I wanted to take my grandma and Carls is letting us go so you have to come!Please say yes",Sarah practically jumped on me as she begged.

"The promenade lights?Is it already that time of the year?",I asked in surprise.

"Yes,time flies doesn't it."

"My dad and I used to go see the lights every year.",I smiled.

"Hey if you don't want to I understand",Sarah put her hand on my shoulder.

"No it's not that, I do want to go it's just going to be a little weird without him. "

"I'll be with you Mia,and you should ask your mom to come with",Sarah suggested with a smile.

"Yeah sure, thanks Sarah."

"We'll have fun,I promise but...",Sarah started and then she paused as a frown appeared on her face.

"What is it?",I asked perplexed.

"Trent is going to be there."

"Oh",I managed to say when I heard his name.

Thoughts of Trent ruining a memory I shared with my father filled my mind.

No,I won't let him do that.

"Is is going to be weird?"

Yes.Yes!A million times yes!

"No of course not,don't worry. I mean he's your boyfriend he should be there",I said as I realised this was good. I was getting closure. My plan was in action and nothing would ruin the memory of my father. I would make sure of it.

"Are you sure,Mia?I don't want to make you feel uncomfortable."

"Relax kid",I smiled at her.

"Let's play bingo!",Sarah exclaimed.

"Did someone say bingo?", a voice echoed followed by an elderly hispanic man wearing a plaid shirt.

"Mr Perez, you're just in time",Sarah said as the man walked up to us.

I pulled out a chair and gestured for him to sit down.

"Thank you princessa",he replied as he sat down at the table.

Princessa.

I was immediately taken back to the day I fell into Leo's arms.His coffee eyes clouded my mind and his smell filled the atmosphere.

"Earth to Mia!",Sarah yelled and brought me back to reality.

"Sorry",I half smiled.

"Stop thinking about Jamie",she rolled her eyes.

If only she knew.

I fake laughed as I watched the room fill up with retirees eager to play bingo.It felt nice to know I was doing something to make others happy. The only thing that made me feel like a terrible person were my thoughts of Leonardo Garcia. The dark,sinful thoughts I had for my cousin's crush who had a girlfriend.
There was just something about Leonardo but I didn't have time to think about him I had a Bingo game to play.