Chapter 71: Fifteen Percent
I was coming back from a run with Marissa, since Summer couldn't go with us today. We walked in and saw an older woman - in her mid‑thirties - lamenting in the kitchen.
"This is so humiliating. I am so sorry," she muttered, her voice trembling.
"Hey, is this Manny's date?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Jess," Gloria acknowledged, though her eyebrows also lifted in surprise. "How do you know?"
"Well, two things," I explained. "First, I told him to be careful with those chat sites and to only meet anyone here at home." Then I added sarcastically, "Second, I smelled the aftershave from outside."
Gloria rolled her eyes and went back to comforting the woman. "It's okay."
The woman tried to justify herself, "He just seemed so mature online. How could I be so stupid?"
"You're not stupid." Manny served her a cup of coffee. "'Stupid' is not following your heart and taking a chance on love."
"I mean, what kind of eleven‑year‑old talks like that?" she cried again.
"Manny's an old soul," Gloria deadpanned.
I nodded. "He is. That's why I always need to bring my girlfriend or a friend here -otherwise the youngest energy in this house (besides me) is pushing forty."
I had to dodge quickly so I wouldn't get murdered by Gloria.
"Here. Use my handkerchief," Manny offered her.
Gloria spoke flatly, "You see what I mean?"
"I'll just be alone for the rest of my life," the woman whimpered. "And that's okay." She tried to console herself.
"No, don't say that. In my country, there's a saying that means… 'Love is just around the corner,'" Gloria commented, gently rubbing her arm.
"There's a hot woman picture, and sometimes a price tag right after that phrase on the poster, right?" I whispered to Gloria.
She smacked my arm - but she also quietly agreed.
"What?" Marissa gave me a confused look.
"Gloria used a phrase from a love hotel… or, you know… a brothel poster," I clarified.
Marissa made an awkward smile.
"Maybe for you. I mean, men must throw themselves at you every day," the woman said, looking at Gloria.
You have no idea… sometimes I need to tell one of my hidden security guys to give the 'funny' ones a good beating, I thought.
Gloria encouraged, "You just need to find your inner beauty."
"It's hiding beneath a mask of insecurity," Manny added, making a dramatic gesture around her face.
The woman stared at him strangely. "Okay, he's starting to freak me out."
"Manny, go play," Gloria tapped him away.
Marissa stepped closer, offering a gentle smile. "I've been learning a lot about fashion lately - I could help pick out some different looks for you."
Gloria brightened and went to grab her makeup kit and salon tools.
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"I'm home!" We heard Jay's voice at the entrance.
Gloria yelled back, "We're here."
And when Jay appeared, Gloria motioned toward the woman, "This is Whitney. We're giving her a makeover."
"Hi. You have such a nice family…" Whitney gave a small wave. Her hair was pinned back, and she had some makeup on her face. "And a really beautiful house."
"Thanks. You two know each other how?" Jay pointed at Gloria and Whitney.
But Manny was the one who answered, "She's my date."
"Of course she is." He sighed. "I'll be in there." He signaled toward the living room.
Gloria said she'd be right back and went after him. I decided to do the same.
"I'm going to talk to my uncle as well." Marissa, who had been showing me some fashion magazines, nodded.
"Okay, I'll show them to Whitney."
When I sat on the other couch, Gloria was already asking, "How was your lunch with the boys?"
"Good. Ran into Mitchell and Cam."
"Ay, nice."
"You're not gonna believe this," Jay grunted, incredulously. "Mitchell says Shorty's gay."
"Shorty?" She thought for a moment. "Yeah, I believe it."
"Oh, come on!"
"Well, he's a great dresser, a great dancer," Gloria argued.
"That doesn't prove anything."
"He's the only one of your friends who never hits on me."
"My friends hit on you?"
"Yes, all the time. But don't worry, they're a bunch of harmless old men," she dismissed.
Jay threw his arms up. "They're my age!"
"I'm sure it's very hard on Shorty to keep a secret like that. Jay, I think you should talk to him," Gloria suggested.
"What?"
"You're the only one with a gay son. I'm sure he'll appreciate opening up to you."
Jay grumbled for a moment, but then stood up and said he was going to talk to Shorty.
I finally spoke when he left. "Shorty is not gay. You're only supporting Mitchell because Jay probably did something dumb to him."
"Good thing you said nothing," Gloria agreed.
"Yeah, but I'm not taking anyone's side. I just think it's going to be hilarious when Jay tells Shorty that." A mischievous grin tugged at my lips.
Gloria laughed too and pulled me back toward the kitchen.
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After a while, Gloria finished the makeup and hair, while Marissa had already returned with a floral dress for Whitney to wear.
"I'm a little nervous," Whitney said, still hidden behind the divider.
Gloria urged, "Don't be. I'm sure you look beautiful."
"Whoa!" Manny exclaimed as Whitney stepped out, and Gloria gasped.
"What do you think?"
"Look at you! Way better," I chimed in. Marissa and Gloria had done a great job.
"Really?"
"Yeah," Marissa supported her with a bright smile.
Then the doorbell rang, and Gloria went to answer it while we stayed inside.
"Hey, Cam," she greeted.
He handed Gloria some flowers and waved in our direction, saying, "Hi, Manny, Jake, and Marissa."
"Cameron, this is my new friend, Whitney," Manny introduced. "Whitney, this is Cameron."
"Hello."
"It's nice to meet you," Cam added, giving her an assessing look. "That is a spectacular dress."
"What about this hair?" He continued. "Oh my gosh… It's like Barbra Streisand in The Way We Were."
"One of my favorites!" Whitney spoke, excited.
"Me too."
I winced. "Poor girl - she came here for a date with an eleven‑year‑old and now she's going to develop a crush on a gay guy."
"Should we help?" Marissa whispered beside me.
I shook my head. "We did more than enough. I even paid for the dress…"
If it weren't for the three of them, I'd say 'wrong house' and shut the door. In Malibu, that's exactly what would happen.
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