Eli Loves His Parents WHO: Eli (ft Catalina and Isaac Cohen) WHEN: 12 and 13 February WHERE: Eli's dorm, Cohen Home SUMMARY: Eli still is moping. His mom ain't having it. CW: Eli comes out.
Catalina Cohen was a woman on a mission. She had argued a case earlier and had a whole lot of energy that she fully intended to toss in the direction of her son. Nothing would stop her. As she arrived on campus, she strolled right through Eli’s dorm, students getting out of the way because somehow the small statured woman appeared important. Some sort of professor or maybe admin.
Her golden brown, long, sleek hair and yet curly at the edges and bounced with almost as much purpose as her walk. Her bracelets at her wrists jingled together, providing warning for her arrival. Eli knew it well. She wore her make-up well, hiding the fact that she was well into her sixties. She certainly didn’t move like someone that old.
She knew the number of her son’s dorm room, but she knew his room immediately by the picture of the New York City Skyline. She could knock, but she didn’t. After all, she already saw half dressed young people around for a variety of reasons – showers to someone starting the walk of shame. If her son wasn’t decent, whatever. He’ll live.
Eli wore his light blue comforter over his head, leaning against the wall, holding his worn stuffed lion in his lap. It had been obvious he hadn’t shaved in days and his hair – which was getting long – looked like small animals took up residence. He had a couple take-out boxes on his desk and several empty bottles of wine on the ground. Sondheim lay next to him. He immediately perked up as Cat sauntered in.
Before Eli had a moment to take in that his mother just stomped in and turned off the TV and shoved her cellphone in his face.
“What is this mijo?” She demanded.
“Mami,” Eli muttered as he rubbed his eyes. “What are you doing here? I thought we agreed-.”
“No, answer me and what is this dog doing here – nevermind. What mistake do you see here?” she demanded.
“Mami-.”
“Elias.” Eli winced at the name, “What do you see?”
He squinted, “Um… messages you sent.”
“Okay, to who?”
“To me,” He gave her a glare. He hated when his mom tried to question him like he was on the stand.
“Do I see any responses from you?”
“Mami, I-.”
“Do I see any responses?” she repeated, her eyes narrowed but sparkled with joy. She loved this, even if it was to her son.
“No,” Eli looked at her glumly.
“Did you get those messages? Do I need to grab your phone and check?” Catalina asked as she spotted his phone and made a reach for it.
All Eli could think was about the messages about Joaco and the Dark Knight. No, he didn’t want his mother to see that because she would pry and if she didn’t believe him, off to the insane asylum he would go, “MAMI! NO! PLEASE DON’T TOUCH!” His voice even cracked.
Cat’s eyes wide. She didn’t expect that reaction. Her cheeky chiding suddenly stopped and she slipped the phone back on his nightstand.
Crossing her arms, she paced a couple times, “Your father asked your professors how you been. You skipped a few classes this week and fell asleep in another.”
Eli groaned and readjusted his blanket to hide. Catalina wasn’t having it. She picked up the corner and peeked in, “Boo. Okay, I’m not angry anymore. I just… what’s going on?”
As his mother’s tone switched from angry to more concerned, Eli briefly wanted to spill everything about everything. He’s having boy troubles. He can turn into a fire samurai. He is a prince in another realm who is very annoying to deal with. He’s filled with fire. He has a dark knight after him because he was stupid. He wanted to say all of it.
Instead, Eli didn’t say anything. Catalina waited for a few seconds, glancing at his phone again and picking up an empty wine bottle, “Is it about a girl?”
Eli’s heart jumped into his throat. He always figured his parents knew. But he hadn’t said it. He had to tell and maybe this would be a big enough secret that maybe he could keep the rest of his secrets.
“No… it is about a guy,” he muttered. Catalina gave her son a sideways glance, her light brown eyes wide. For a brief moment, Eli thought she would end up rejecting him after all. Instead, she picked up a couple bottles and threw them away, “Well, that explains it. Men are a pain in the ass even if they’re so cute sometimes.”
“Tell me about it,” Eli gave a painful smile.
“How long did you know?” Catalina asked as she continued to pick up after her son. Eli still felt his heart beat fast because his mom cleaned when stressed.
“Since I was maybe 14,” Eli pushed his blanket backward. “I like both but… right now it is a guy.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?” she asked, her voice low. “Were you afraid I would toss you on the street or something? Do you take me for someone like that?”
Eli shook his head, “No… well, I was afraid there would have been a small chance you would. Like I read the situation wrong. I also just kind of thought you and Papa knew because I was spending a lot of time with Luke,” He felt suddenly awkward. “I mean I thought you knew.”
Catalina shook her head fiercely, “No, we had no idea. We don’t stick our nose in unless you start skipping classes, got someone pregnant, or don’t answer texts.” She smirked. “Thanks for telling me. Although you should be able to feel comfortable enough to tell me all your secrets.”
“Mami,” Eli rolled his eyes.
She grinned wickedly as she jumped into bed next to him, “Okay, so tell me what happened with this guy? Who is it… wait no. Let me guess – Joaquin Santos, right?”
“You said you don’t pay attention,” Eli insisted.
Catalina laughed, “You’re a decent actor but not that good… there was something very genuine about that kiss.”
Eli groaned, “Yes… I never felt this way about anyone but we got into a fight and he hadn’t texted me back. My heart feels just ripped to shreds.”
His mother rested her arm on his shoulder and brought him close, “Like I said men are assholes.”
“Yeah.”
“You are a man, you know.”
“... um?”
“Mijo, you aren’t perfect. I’m sure you made some missteps in this fight you had. Perhaps you need to own up to your part and he can with his,” she asserted. “Besides, I know you. You wouldn’t be acting this ridiculous if you hadn’t done something wrong. You’re like me. You take forever to even admit to yourself when you’re wrong and act all dramatic in the progress to that.”
Eli groaned but let his head fall on her shoulder, “Maybe but he stopped talking to me.”
Catalina paused. “Did you have plans for Valentine’s Day?”
Eli smiled softly, “Yeah. He has so many jobs and he refuses to take days off. I went around to all his jobs and got him the day off. I was going to lead him on saying I had a job for him and just do things he wanted to do.”
“That’s very thoughtful,” Catalina kissed his forehead. “Maybe you should leave him a note saying if he wants to talk, you’ll be waiting…”
Eli looked at his mother, “Yeah. Maybe. Meet at the beach where we go walking.”
“I can help you make a lunch if you want,” Cat offered.
Eli already began to feel better. “Okay.”
“And mijo. If it doesn’t work out. Go back to class. Please,” She squeezed his shoulder hard as if to give the love but also the discipline.
Eli laughed a little, “Ow, Mami. That hurts.”
—
On Sunday, Eli and Catalina worked on Project Picnic at the Cohen home. The boat party already soothed his nerves as did the conversation he had with Faihan, his mother, and Joaco.
Having his mother reminded him that he was Eli. Not Kyo. Kyo wouldn’t be doing this with his mother. His mother didn’t support him like Catalina did with Eli. He was a different person – even if he was the same.
Isaac Cohen appeared in the kitchen and both Cat and Eli perked up at the sight of him.
“Hey Papa!” Eli exclaimed as he wiped his hands on a towel. “I’m making hamentashen with grandmother’s recipe. They came out weird.”
Isaac approached his family and looked at Eli’s attempt to fold the dough. He laughed as he ruffled his son’s hair, “It takes practice to work with the dough.” He laughed, “What are you two up to? More than just making pastries.”
“Eli is…” Catalina looked over at her son. “Making a Valentine’s Day picnic for…” she nudged Eli.
Eli’s eyes casted downward, “For a guy I’m seeing.”
“Guy?” Isaac asked, perking his eyebrows up.
Eli’s heart began to beat hard again, “Yeah. I’m bisexual, papa.”
Isaac stared at his son for a very long time, or it felt like a long time. His dark eyes began to water as he took a couple steps towards his youngest son and placed his hand on Eli’s shoulder. He studied Eli whose own eyes began to water at this reaction.
“I love you, mijo,” he said. “Please… please don’t be afraid to be your true, authentic self especially here. And please…” his eyes squinted as a method to keep the tears at bay, “Be careful, okay? The world is not as open and kind as it should be and just be careful. I have back up children but your mother doesn’t and-.”
Eli wrapped his arms around his father and gave him a hug. The words were specific to the situation but it could be applied to many different parts of his complicated life. And he needed to hear it from his father. Even with everything else, he knew his family would be there.
He could cry for his father and these tears were more than just Isaac accepting his sexuality. All the stress since September, every little thing just collapsed into tears, tampering the fire within. And with every tear, he felt lighter in the protective hug from his father. After a few moments, Catalina joined in, creating group hug.
“We love you, mijo. Forever and for always,” she said.