Happy New Year’s! Mine was happy-ish. I shall explain:
Justin’s sister, Becca, was in town for New Year’s. She’s engaged and lives with her fiancé in Maryland, and they both work in D.C. Her fiancé had a bachelor’s party to go to on New Year’s, so Becca decided to come to New York and spend some time with her little brother.
I showed up to Justin’s apartment early to help him set up for the party (rum swizzles don’t just make themselves, you know). I was wearing my sparkly-ist, most Real Housewives of NJ party dress, and feeling pretty good.
“You look like a disco ball,” Justin said when he opened the door.
“But a sexy disco ball, right?”
“Always.” Justin pulled me to him and gave me a kiss. God, I had missed him.
Justin took the grocery bag in my hand and I followed him into the kitchen. He unloaded the contents and lined up the bottles of juice and booze on the counter so I could get started. Just as I had opened up the rum, the door to Justin’s bedroom opened. A cute girl in leather pants, a turtleneck sweater, her feet bare, walked out. I instantly felt cheesy and lame in my over-the-top dress.
“Hello, sistare,” Justin said. He had told me that they refer to themselves as “brothare” and “sistare,” a nickname they’d come up with when they were kids.
“Brothare,” Becca said. She turned to me. “Hey, I’m Becca.”
“Josie,” I said, a bit too chirpily. “Nice to meet you.”
“You too.” Becca leaned up against the kitchen counter and popped a tortilla chip in her mouth. I saw the light glint off the massive rock on her left hand. “What are you making?”
“Rum swizzles,” I said. “My dad’s famous recipe.”
“What’s in it?”
I rattled off the ingredients and Becca laughed. “Sounds like every rum swizzle I’ve ever had!”
Well, excusssseeee me!
“I have to run to the bodega to get more ice,” Justin said. I instantly felt panicked. I hate, hate, hate being left alone with people I’ve just met. The most awkward things I’ve ever said in my life have historically come out in these moments, when I’m desperately trying to fill the silence.
“Can you get me a coffee?” Becca yawned. “I’m exhausted.”
“No problem.” Justin pulled his coat on. “Be right back!”
He slipped out the door. Let the rambling begin!
“So did you get into town today?” I asked.
“Last night.” Becca hopped onto the edge of the counter and watched me make my “generic” rum swizzles. “But I stayed with a friend from college.”
“Oh nice,” I said. “Is she coming tonight?”
Becca laughed. “Absolutely not.”
“Oh,” I said in a way that let her know I was confused by her answer.
“She dated Justin for like two years, so it would be a little awkward for him.” She popped another chip in her mouth. “And for you, obviously.”
Mother. Of. Not another ex-girlfriend. Please god.
“Don’t worry,” Becca waved her hand. “They are totally over each other. But she’s one of my oldest friends from college. She also stuck with Justin while he was going through treatment, so my family has a special place in their hearts for her.”
Awesome! The door opened then, and Justin staggered in with Becca’s coffee and a few bags of ice. Becca jumped off the counter and rushed over to help him.
I barely saw Becca for the rest of the night. She seemed to know everyone at the party, and bounced from one person to the next. Which is fine, I guess I just thought we would take the time to get to know each other more. It’s not that she was mean to me, but she wasn’t exactly nice either. And that comment about Justin’s ex seemed a little unnecessary. I can understand a sister just being protective of her little brother, and hopefully she’ll warm up to me the more we get to know each other.
Have you ever received a chilly reception from a boyfriend’s family?
From Cosmopolitan.com. Visit Amazon Beauty Center here
