“Absolutely.”
Isaac told me the building had once been a kindergarten, which is why it had so many rooms on the upper floors. The kitchen was spacious and fully equipped to cater for large numbers of people.
David was surrounded by the kids who were so focused on repeating what he was demonstrating that no one noticed when Isaac and I walked in. There were two chairs by the door, so we both sat down observing the class. Isaac got his phone out and took some photos.
The kids all had big smiles on their faces as David walked around and praised them all on the consistency of their custard. Their eyes looked full of possibilities, as though if they nailed these custard tarts, then everything in their lives would also work out.
As for David, he was managing to give every one of them his full attention. His comments and jokes told me he knew these kids well and they looked up to him. This was another one of the many times I could see it as clear as daylight how beautiful this man was, and I would bet everything I had that he didn’t see it that way.
Isaac put a hand on my arm to get my attention and leaned closer to me to say, “I only ever see the real David when he’s here.”
There was a small smile on his face as though he was happy to be able to offer a safe harbor for his friend but also sadness that it was restricted to this space. I smiled back in understanding, but what I really wanted to do was ask questions. Why didn’t David risk it when he had such a great example in his friend? How could he accept that his life would only ever be made of stolen moments, like these, when he could have it all?
Was I naïve to think that? Did I have such a privileged life that I could only believe in being myself no matter what? What was the other option? I didn’t even want to consider it because it was too dark a picture to accept.
I was staring at David and lost in my thoughts when he looked at where we were sitting. His face immediately lit up, his smile wide, and his eyes were looking at me with such warmth. Two things hit me at that moment. I wanted to be on the receiving end of that smile for the rest of my life, and I had no clue how to make it happen.
Once the custard tarts were in the oven, we all helped tidy up the kitchen, chef’s orders, and then sat around the big table. The center was officially closed for the day, so Tiago joined us, finally making us coffee and thus avoiding being fired again. I laughed at the ease in which everybody teased each other.
Despite everything, David had good friends here; friends who would stick by him long after I was gone. That thought took my breath away, and I nearly choked on my coffee.
“You okay?” David whispered in my ear.
“Yup, coffee went the wrong way,” I said, hoping my excuse would be enough to avoid further questions.
The kids insisted we all tried their custard tarts, and David, Isaac, Tiago, and I agreed they were delicious.
“I think you could give David a run for his money. Maybe you should open a café right opposite his and show him how it’s done,” I teased.
David was still a ball of energy on our way back home. I was driving, which gave him the freedom to talk about the kids, the center, and his class while gesticulating wildly. It was the cutest thing I'd ever seen.
When we pulled up on our street, he asked if I’d stay with him again. I was starting to think there was only ever one possible answer to that question.
