Chapter Thirteen: Madrid and Seville:

Now we go from France to Spain. We will be following two people today. Lola and T.J. went back to their native country. Let’s see how they are doing, shall we?

-Madrid-

Lola drove into the nursing home parking lot. How long since she had last been here? She hadn’t expected to do this. But her aunt insisted that she come to visit her grandmother.

“She would be so happy to see you,” she said. Lola rolled her eyes. Still, her aunt wouldn’t let up. In the end, the young woman gave up. So, here she was.

Lola sat in the car for a moment. She could turn around and drive away. Nobody would have to know. Lola frowned to herself. Her aunt would be asking questions. The woman sighed and rolled her eyes. Might as well get this over with. Lola got out of the car and walked up to the building.

She tapped on the glass of the window. A chubby woman looked up half-asleep. She drew open the window.

“Yeah?” she asked. Lola cleared her throat.

“I’m here to see Senora Sierra,” she said. The fat woman narrowed her eyes.

“You family?” she asked.

“Yes, granddaughter,” Lola said. Neither one wanted to be here. She could just leave. No one would have to know. But then again, her aunt would be asking questions. Lola cursed herself under her breath. The lady behind the glass handed her a clipboard.

“Sign this,” she said.

“Thank you,” Lola said. She picked up the pen and read over the paper. The woman signed the bottom of the paper and handed back the clipboard. The receptionist wrote the visitor’s name on a nametag and headed it to her. Lola put on the tag and walked down the hall. That part was done. Now to get the rest over with. She waved at the receptionist but the fat woman didn’t look. Lola shrugged to herself and kept walking.

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-Seville-

T.J. sat at the table with the rest of his family. They were in the middle of dinner. Felt kind of strange, really. Still, it felt good in a way. T.J. paused when he noticed his aunt looking up at him.

“Hm?” he asked. She and the other women in his family stared at him.

“What is it?” he asked.

“Are you seeing anyone?” his mother asked. T.J. raised his eyebrow. He should’ve seen that one coming. He mentally prepared himself for it. Still, it caught him off-guard. T.J. set down his fork and knife.

“No,” he said. The women in his family looked disappointed. It was always the same. T.J. sighed.

“I do have someone in mind,” he said. Now, everyone had a curious look on their faces.

“Where is she?” his grandmother asked.

“Madrid,” T.J. said. “She’s visiting her own family.” He had to try and get out of this before he was pulled down the rabbit hole.

“What’s her name?” his mother asked.

“Lola,” he said. The man shoved more food into his mouth. Everyone waited with bated breath. T.J. took his time chewing before he swallowed. He set down his fork again.

“I will tell you all everything later,” the man said. “I just want to eat my food right now.” He shoved more food into his mouth. The females in his family looked disappointed. His mother looked ready to speak up but his dad put his hand on her shoulder. She turned to her husband. T.J.’s father shook his head. His wife closed her mouth. T.J. smiled as he ate his meal. He thanked his dad in his head. There would be many questions about his love life to come. T.J. knew that this would be inevitable. For now, he was going to do his best to hold off until he was ready to talk.