The drive to the cinema was a quiet one as Maritza and Olivia whispered into each other ears. Maritza’s mother just smiled into the back mirror. The cars made their way into the open cinema and there was George in a nice bright blue suit and the fake blond, Britney was no were to be found. Maritza felt her heart jump. George greeted Mrs. And Mr. Montenegro with a kiss in each cheek like in the Italian custom and spoke to them in perfect Italian. Her parents smiling responded and her father hugged George. Maritza thought it was well played and smiled.
Maritza’s father and George went to grab the popcorns and root beers. Well, it was more of George asking Mr. Montenegro if he would not come with him. Maritza felt nervous at once, but when they took a long time to return she began to worry. Olivia told her to calm down and that they were probably were having a manly talk, and that she knew how man liked to talk about business away from women even if they are the ones that are being negotiated. Cavemen Olivia joked. Maritza could not help but smile. After George and her father returned they seemed a little tipsy as they held two half-empty jugs of beer. They were laughing and joking in Italian. It was something strange Maritza thought seeing her father so happy and everything around her felt as if the world was slowing down… people turning off their car lights and putting the little speaker next to their windows. Silence rolled in as the count down for the movie began. There were no questions or answers as the black and white canvas began the movie with the fake car chase that it was just a stationary car and some gangsters were pointing their guns from side to side. Of course, they were Italian Americans with fake Italian accent played by white folks twisted their lips as if they have had a stroke or something. Maritza did not laugh, and instead, she felt her insides turn at the silence of her father and George.
The movie ended with the muscled cop rescuing the fake blond with the curly hair and too revealing dress. The lights returned and the sound of the car engines staring signaled the end to the human silence. George and her father exchanged a few other words in Italian and George said he would see them at the restaurant. Soon everyone was sitting in a fancy Italian restaurant that had some live music and a big fountain in the middle with a pair of naked angels. The white-gloved waiters took their orders as they waited for George that was running late somehow even if he had been behind in his black convertible. A few minutes later the champagne and red wines arrived. George appeared soon after in a new black suit with a white silver scar around his neck and Britney by the side of his arms. She was dressed in a long green nightdress and a pearl necklace drew sights to her generous breasts. Everyone stood and Maritza was filled with rage. This stupid fake blond had to make a scene of course she had, even if it was supposed to be Maritza’s night. A night to discuss her possible future and in Maritza’s mind, George had just lost the ground he had gained with her parents. But, to her surprise, Mr. Montenegro began chatting up with Britney in really friendly terms. He with his heavily accented English and she responded with her slow and loud English to make seem she was understanding him and trying to make it easier for him but it just caused confusion and soon the conversation died as the food arrived.
Maritza felt the tension between her mother and Britney. It was said that Italian women were vengeful and this Britney did not begin to comprehend the grave she was digging. Of course, the fight two weeks later came as no surprise for anyone. Dinner came and it was delicious then when it was over the restaurant lights dimmed and Britney was gone from the table. At first, Maritza thought she had probably had just gone to the lady's room, but soon Olivia elbowed her and pointed to the stage. There Britney half-naked covered in feathers appeared with a band of black fellows that played the drums and the trumpets. Britney began to sing loud and clear as she made her way down the beautifully illuminated stairs. She moved her hips from side to side with her tall heels balancing her perfectly. George and her father applauded and so did most of the men in the restaurant with such enthusiasm that it just echoed the turmoil inside Maritza’s heart. This was the worse night of her life she thought and the performance continued. With another song this time with more half-naked girls that danced across the stage lifting Britney into the air as if she was a goddess or something. A tall black man appeared on the stage with a wooden guitar and knelt before Britney that was shaking her behind and she moved more and more sensually as the music accelerated. Maritza did not think it was possible but it was Britney’s feet seemed to disappear from the floor, and the audience went wild with her half her feather fell off and just an almost naked Britney was left in the stage smiling as the lights faded off and the drums stopped. Applause and cheers erupted and asked for more but an elder gentlemen with a silver microphone began to sing another song and the audience calmed down. George proposed a toast for Britney as she appeared back in the table with her long dress once again and Maritza could feel burning, something beyond rage. Probably something in her Italian blood was kicking in. But before it could scale George invited them to a private room.
