“Sit,” she commands, motioning toward the two empty chairs next to her.The wrinkles around her eyes deepen.“Make an old woman happy.”
Vinnie pulls out the chair closest to Abuela, and I sit down.His hands are on my shoulders as he leans forward and whispers, “I’ll get us some drinks while you get yourself together.”
I nod as I stare straight ahead, like I’m in some post-orgasmic trance.He’s not even a few feet away when my abuela takes my hand in hers, giving it a little squeeze.
“It’s scary at first when it happens, sweetheart.Don’t let your head get in the way of what’s meant to be.”
“When what happens?”
She laughs softly.“When you start to fall.”
“I’m not,” I begin to argue, but she shushes me.
“I see the way that man looks at you and how you stare at him.I may be old and my eyes may be failing me, but some things, even the blindest person can see.”She pats my hand.“Don’t let fear stop you from happiness.Broken hearts just propel us down our destined path until our souls find where they’re meant to be.”
