Tearing Apart

INTRODUCTIONS

She took some time to shower and change the bandage on her forehead the best she could. Then she put on a black dress, slipped into her boots and lit a cigarette while standing by the door as she waited for her family to show up. Gus had jumped into his truck the minute he heard her family would be coming over. It would take them a couple hours to get there and he´d said he wanted to clean himself up real quick and grab some stuff from his place.

-It´ll make things better, princess, I promise- he´d told her while kissing her goodbye.

She heard their van entering the complex parking lot and she put out her cig butt in an empty pot near the entrance, fixing her hair and making her way to meet them.

Her mom jumped out of the van the moment it pulled up at her assigned spot and she ran to embrace her, tackling her in the process. Her hands running all over her cheeks and forehead.

-Oh! My poor baby! – she cooed- look at you honey! You look awful!

-I´m ok ma, really- she hugged her and pecked her cheek.

Meanwhile, her father and siblings were getting off the van.

- It´s not that bad, Sally – her father reasoned with her mom after taking a quick glance and squeezing the breath out of her – See? Nothing´s broken.

Ally laughed and hugged her siblings tightly

-You scared the s**t out of mom, Ally- Adam whispered in her ear

-I know, I´m sorry brat. I just didn´t want them to be rushing to the hospital like demented people last night- she whispered back.

-Ok, so, as you can all see I´m still in one piece- she announced loudly, spinning on her heels- Satisfied now?

In that moment Gus´s truck came through the complex entrance and he swiftly parked by her dad´s van. He lost no time climbing out of it effortlessly, walking up to them with a bag in his hand and a big smile on his face.

Her family stood dumbstruck a few feet away watching him approach them confidently.

-Mom, Dad- Ally hurried herself to say- this is Gus, my boyfriend- the word tangling around her lips, making them quake- Gus these are my parents, Sally and Adam.

He immediately extended his hand to her father and shook his firmly- Nice to meet you, sir- then he turned to her mom and bowed his head a little, his smile widening - Ma´am it´s such a pleasure.

-Hi! I´m Anna- her baby sister exclaimed excitedly while engulfing him in a big hug- It´s so good to finally meet you

-Hi Anna- he replied a little bewildered

-I´m Adam and this is Amy- her brother said, holding Amy by his side and patting his back. They all shook hands and Amy gave him a quick peck on the cheek.

Her father finally finding his words

-So, Gus… you´re Ally´s mysterious man, then?

He laughed with his wonderful laughter, the sound making Ally´s knees buckle- Yes, I guess I am, sir!

-Well, it´s great we´ve got to meet you at last, Gus- Her mom said grabbing his arm and giving it a little squeeze.

-Trust me ma´am, I´m the one overjoyed here to finally meet Ally´s beautiful family - Gus replied, suddenly turning to look at his truck- Ok, so… I thought we could do some impromptu grilling – he signaled the bag he was holding- I brought some cowboy steaks and the grill is on my truck… Adam, would you please help me getting it down here?- he asked turning to her brother.

The apartment was too small and there was not really a porch or a backyard they could use. So, they settled at the entrance area of the building soon after Gus got permission from the complex manager.

Ally took out some chairs and a small folding table and they all sat cozily drinking beer from Gus´s huge cooler and watching him expertly light the grill and season the most beautiful and thickest stakes Ally had ever seen.

A few hours into their little party, Jo and Saul arrived there and happily joined them too. Gus fed them all and entertained them with his amazing stories. Ally watched him mesmerized as he pocketed her entire family without a sweat. Her father and Adam eagerly chatting with him and asking for some grilling tips, and she sighed feeling utterly happy and relieved.

When the sun started going down, they were all a little tipsy and tired from laughing so much.

-Ok, I´m the only one sober here, so I´m driving- her mother announced fishing out the keys from her dad´s pants pocket – Say your goodbyes, time to go!

Her siblings all went to hug him tightly, smiling and thanking him for an awesome time. Her dad shook his hand effusively and patted his back. -Again Gus, it was so nice to meet you. I look forward to seeing you around- he´d said smiling.

Finally, her mom made her way to where Gus was standing, right beside Jo, and pulled them both into a big hug

-I was so worried about Ally, but now I know I have nothing to worry about- she whispered- you two are great for her! Thank you so much for taking such good care of my baby girl!

She kissed them both on their cheeks and then went to climb into the van. They drove away as the four of them stood by the entrance waving happily at them.

-So...- Gus whispered, smiling into her ear- Your mom name´s Sally and then, your siblings´ names… I see where Ally comes from now.

-Ha, ha! Yeah, don’t even start… they´re crazy!

He kissed her- They´re perfect, princess

-No, you are – she smiled clinging to his lips- Thank you so much Gus, this was just great! You really know how to make things better.