“Make the coffee. I’ll bring it to her when it’s done so you can work,” Lucia says. “But first, open your gift.”
I slide my finger under the flap of the envelope addressed to “Mia.” Of course, the card is really for me. It’s blank inside, but on the front is a glittery red heart that reminds me of something Lucia would pick out.
She’s written a note inside wishing me a happy Thanksgiving and telling me how much she treasures having me in her life.
“Oh, Lucia,” I say, tears stinging my eyes.
“There’s more,” she says, nodding toward the little gift bag.
I pull out the tissue paper, and inside is a gold necklace, just like the one she wears. The necklace has a gold heart with some writing engraved on it. I look closer and make out the wordsbella vitaetched in a delicate font.
“What’s this?” I ask. “Why are you giving this to me?”
“Bella vitameans beautiful life,” she explains. “I’ve had such a beautiful life, and I’ve done my best to give that to my kids.” She holds up her hand as if to stop me from refusing or arguing. “I’m not getting ahead of myself, but I am counting on my son not to screw things up with you.” She smiles. “No, seriously. When you go home, I imagine it’s going to be very hard. Seeing your mom for the first time in so long. Being away from the pressures of the business. I just want you to know, sweetie, that you are loved. No matter where you go or what you do, you deserve a beautiful life.”
She looks like she wants to say more but, instead, shuffles me into the kitchen. “Let’s make my daughter some coffee, and I’ll let you get to work.”
“I’m so lucky to have met you, Lucia,” I say, wrapping my arms around her. I really mean it.
She’s been more of a mother to me than my own flesh and blood. Lucia has done everything in her power to bring me into the fold and make me feel at home in Star Falls.
Glancing around the shop as she hugs me back, I hope I can make it profitable, or else I don’t know if Star Falls can stay part of my future.
* * *
When Miaand I arrive at Franco’s, he’s in the garage working on his bike. As soon as I open the car door, Mia bolts into the garage and plasters her paws on Franco’s legs.
We’ve been working with her on basic commands, but jumping up and pawing people when she greets them is something she can’t seem to stop doing. I can’t blame her much. When I see Franco, I want to do the same thing. But with a lot fewer clothes on.
“Hey, babe,” he calls to me. “You want to let her out back to run? I need a couple more minutes here.”
“You got it, handsome.” I open the door into the house and urge Mia through the living room, and let her out into the yard through the sliding glass doors.
I check to make sure there’s nothing unusual out there for her to get hurt on, then I refill her outdoor dish with water.
“Play a little bit,” I tell her like she’s human. “I’ll be back for you in a few.”
I head back to the garage and lean against the wall, watching as Franco works. Times like this are when I feel most at peace. I love when we cook or walk the dog or hang with his family.
But when he’s lost to his tinkering, grease on his hands, a bandanna holding the hair back from his eyes, he’s so peaceful. There’s no worry, no stress.
He’s just a man whose brain is solving a problem or entertaining some interesting challenge on the bike he’s trying to restore. I appreciate his intensity and his focus. Most of the time. I watch him and then grab a lawn chair, pull up a book on my phone and read, or make notes about the store.
But tonight, knowing I’m leaving in the morning and I’ll be gone for days, I just want to be close to him. To hold him tight and smell the oil and smoke and salt of his skin.
I watch him for a few minutes until he turns and yanks the bandanna off his hair. The longish layers are flat, but he shakes his head, and they fly around his face, making me laugh. He wipes his hands on the bandanna before pressing the button to close the garage door. “You worried about going home?” he asks, giving me a quick kiss hello.
I shake my head, but in truth, I am a little apprehensive.
“What’s this?” He strokes the charm around my neck and squints to read the engraving. “Ma gave you this?” he asks.
I nod. “She’s such a sweetheart.” I’m starting to get emotional. In a couple hours, I’ll leave Mia and Franco and go back to my aunt’s apartment alone. Tomorrow night, I’ll go to sleep in my childhood bed at my mother’s home. I’ll be a world away, and yeah, I can’t help wondering. Worrying.
“Shit,” Franco grumbles. “Way to show me up, Ma. I haven’t gotten you a single present yet. Now every time you feel that necklace, you’re going to think of Lucia.”
I shake my head. “No,” is all I can say. “I’ll be thinking of you every time. I wouldn’t have you without her, remember.”
“Let’s not give her more credit than she’s due,” he says. He lifts my chin with a finger. “Can I give you a little something to remember me by?”
