"Well then, let's go get my man. I'm going to take the advice of my wise-beyond-his-years son and live for the hope."
He smiled and took one of the bags while I closed up the glass panels and made sure the house was secure before we left.
"I'm going to ask Joel to marry me this summer."
The way he said it, I knew it was the first time he'd said the words aloud. My heart grew in size at the realization that my son, one of them, had just had a first with me. And what a first it was.
"I'd like you to be there."
"I wouldn't miss it for the world."
As I drove us back to Lisbon, we spent the next three hours getting to know each other better and planning how I was going to win my family and the second love of my life back. The small bunch of dried flowers was in my jacket pocket.
Sebastião was right, the Gypsy woman was right, and now it was my turn to do what was right.
