“Chico, Mariana, it was so great to see you both. I definitely don’t see you often enough. Mariana, you must bring the girls over soon.”
Chico gave me a pat on the back. “My sister is getting married next spring. Let’s talk about you catering for her. Your food is amazing. Give me a call when you can.”
“I most certainly will. I’m so glad you enjoyed my food.”
I noticed Joel was hanging around, possibly waiting to say goodbye, so I went over.
"Did you enjoy your dinner? Your family seemed happy to have you here with them," I said, hoping to come across as friendly but professional.
"I had a great time, thank you. It has been so long since I've seen my cousins, and the stories were fantastic. It's weird to think of our parents as young people, though I wish your mom were here to tell us more stories." Joel was smiling, but his face went suddenly serious. His eyes focused on the opposite wall as though he was thinking hard about what to say next.
I savored that moment, looking at the beautiful lines of his jaw and his short scruff until he spoke again.
"David, I'm so sorry about your mom. I know how it must have been such a difficult time. My mom was so upset. I remember she fought tooth and nail to get time off work to come back to be with Sílvia. I asked her if I could come, but she wouldn't let me. I think she thought it would be too hard for me. I spent the summer with my grandmother in the Hamptons instead and got some precious time with her before her health deteriorated. I can't regret that, though, you know? Making all the memories with her." He sighed. “I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you. I really am.”
And without me asking, there it was, the olive branch, the explanation about what had happened and why Joel hadn’t come back to see me. Although it didn’t explain why he hadn’t been back since, I really appreciated his honesty.
I put a hand on Joel's shoulder. "I understand. Look, to be honest, at the time, I was angry. I was losing my only parent, and we were as close as two people can be. At that age, I was all raging hormones and anger at the world for the unfairness of seeing my mom dying slowly and painfully. It's been such a long time, and I'm done grieving. My mom will always be with me in everything I do. I have lots of people around who keep reminding me of how wonderful she was and telling me things about her I never knew. I'm okay now."
I looked over at where my uncle was standing talking to the staff and then looked down briefly, considering my next words.
"Joel, do you want to walk home with me? My uncle is closing up here since I do the early baking shift and have to be up before the sun, so I'm heading home."
"Sure, I'd love that." Joel’s smile reached his eyes, making them shine so bright it made my breath catch.
“Great...um, I’ll be back in a minute.”
