“In vino veritasI think is the expression. In wine, there's truth.” I feathered tiny kisses behind her ear. Nudging me away with her shoulder only made my lips dive in deeper.
“Basta ya!Enough! Come to the table and let the poor woman eat. Give it a rest,Papito.”Abuela shook her head as she pointed to the empty seats at the table.
“I love that she calls a giant like you ‘papito.’” Ellie whispered in my ear as she took a seat next to me.
“Anyone is a giant next to you.” My hand drifted up her nylon-covered leg and squeezed the inside of her thigh.
Ellie jumped and smacked my arm.
“You two are adorable.” Marilyn shot us a wistful glance as she rested her head on her hands. “Aggravatingandannoying, isn’t he?” she asked in a loud whisper to Ellie.
Ellie pursed her lips at me and squinted her eyes. “He’s not so bad.”
“Nick is awesome. He knowseverything.” Jack smiled at me between mouthfuls of rice.
My sister, grandmother, and even my traitorous nephew laughed at Jack’s comment.
“Don’t listen to them, Jack. I do so know everything.”
“You know, when Nicky was about your age, he already knew he wanted to be a fireman. So, one day, he decided to practice—”
“Abuela. . . he doesn’t need to hear this story,” I growled at my grandmother who shooed me away with her hand as she continued.
“He sent our cat up into a tree, just so he could rescue him. But the cat climbed too far up, and Nicky was scared to climb past the first branch. We had to call his daddy—a real fireman—to get them both down. He wouldn’t give up, though. He said ‘Fireman Nicky could save the day.’”
“Fireman Nicky?” Ellie burst out laughing and clutched her chest. “Oh, that is so adorable. Did he get into trouble?”
“Nah, my son thought it was the funniest thing. But Fireman Nicky had to promise to get a little bit bigger before he tried to rescue anyone.” My grandmother reached over and squeezed my shoulder. “He’s good at rescuing now. Why he’s a captain.”
“Lieutenant.” I corrected her.
“That’s what I said.” She scooped morearroz con gandulesonto her plate as she shrugged.
“No, it’s not.”
Shepffted and dropped a hand to my forearm. “Whatever they call you, you’re a good fireman. Your dad would be proud. Hewasproud.”
I put my hand over hers and squeezed. “Thanks.” Her chin quivered as her eyes swam with unshed tears. It was still difficult for her to speak of Dad without getting choked up.
“I would agree.” Ellie’s hand drifted across my back as she kissed my cheek. “You’re good at rescuing.”
I leaned over to plant a kiss on the corner of her mouth. “So are you,” I whispered in her ear.
Ellie cleared the plates off the table with Marilyn after dinner. I followed her into the kitchen to help but was shoved out by my grandmother and sister. I shuddered to think of the dirt Ellie was hearing from the two other women in my life. I joined David and Jack on the couch back in the living room.
“You’re really good, David.” Jack’s eyes tracked the TV screen as my nephew kicked some avatar ass.
“How about after this game, you give Jack a turn?” David turned his head to my raised eyebrow.
“Yeah, I just need to finish this.” David’s tongue pushed into the corner of his mouth as he concentrated—same exact look of focus he’d had since he was an infant.
“Nick, did your dad die?” Jack frowned as he turned to me.
I nodded. “Yes. He was sick for a long time.”
“Mine too. I don’t remember him. Mommy and Aunt Paige always tell me I look like him.”
“I look like my dad, too. I think you look a little like your mom.” Jack’s irises were blue, but he had the same innocent and kind eyes as Ellie.
