It was nice seeing them together. Seeing him happy. And her ... especially after all she’d been through. Because of it, it seemed Davina and I understood one another on a different level. We were sort of like the people in a grief support group who like to be present but not say much. Just nod in agreement and accept life for what it is.
Davina spotted me and waved, causing the glittery gold bangles on her wrist to sparkle under the sun. She released her fiancé’s hand to meet up with me.
“Hi, Javier. How are you?” she asked, grabbing both of my hands and squeezing them.
“I am doing good. And you?”
“I’m great. I know we’re a little early—sorry. Deke said he wanted to be the first one to give Aleesa a gift.” She rolled her eyes in thathe’s so extra but I love him for itway.
I turned my eyes to Deke as Davina released my hands. Deke simply smiled and shrugged. “What can I say? I’m her favorite person.” Our hands connected in a clap followed by a brief brotherly hug. “What’s up, Valdez?”
“Not much. I thought you had to meet Arnold today?”
“I do, but I pushed the time back. He can wait. I wasn’t missing out on my little homey’s day. Where’s the birthday girl anyway?”
“She was with my mom near the snack table.” I peered around until I spotted them near the mermaid tank, where toy fish were now scuttling inside. “Well ... now they’re by the tank again.”
When I pointed, Deke nodded and took off. He jogged across the backyard, toting the present, but as soon as he’d gotten closer to Aleesa, he set the present down to scoop her up from behind.
Caught off guard, Aleesa squealed loudly as he twirled her around in his arms.
My mother laughed, placing a hand on her hip.
When Deke set my daughter back down, he reached for the present while saying something to her. A laugh came from my right, and I glanced at Davina. She watched Deke’s interaction with Aleesa thoroughly, with soft eyes and a warm smile.
“Do you think you two will ever have kids?” I asked.
“Oh, um ...” She bobbed her head, eyes lingering on Deke a moment longer before they swiveled up to mine. “I think so. I mean, we’ve talked about wanting kids in the future. We have to get through this wedding first, though.”
“That is true. Is all of the planning stressing you out?”
“You know, it’s not so much the planning that’s stressing me. It’s trying to balance workwhileplanning a wedding. It’s hard to be fully present sometimes with the wedding planner when I’m being called to the warehouse for an emergency or someone has sent an urgent email.” She shrugged, as if it were no big deal. “But I can handle it.”
“I am sure you can. You are a strong person.”
She smiled. “Thank you, Javier.”
“Javi!” I turned to the sound of my mother’s voice. She was standing in the middle of the yard, her phone raised in the air. “It is yourabuelo! He wants to speak to you and wish Aleesa a happy birthday!”
“Be right there, Mamá.” I looked at Davina again. “Duty calls. Can I get you anything to drink?”
“I’m okay. You go take care of business.”
Davina gave me a pat on the arm before walking away to meet Octavia, who was chatting with the mermaid actress. Fortunately, Deke was making his way toward us with Aleesa on his shoulders. In her hands were two brand new baby dolls ... and a pack ofStarbursts.
“Candy?Really?” I pressed my lips as he removed Aleesa from his shoulders.
“I couldn’t help myself, man. She loves them.”
“You are lucky it is her birthday.” I lowered my eyes to my daughter, who was trying her hardest to open the sleeve of candy. “Come, Leesa. Abuelo Pedro wants to speak to you.”
An hour later, the backyard was swarming with bodies.
Children from Aleesa’s ballet class or former playgroups, as well as some of my teammates’ kids, ran across the grass, full of laughter and squeals. Most slid belly down on the waterslide, while others blew bubbles or jumped around the sprinklers.
Aleesa, now standing in a pink bathing suit with holographic mermaid scales, was decorating a mermaid craft at the activity table. I stood several feet behind her, keeping a close eye on how she handled the glue stick (she loved trying to smear it on her palms), but it was hard concentrating with some of the parents chatting me up.
This was the one thing I could not stand about parties. The socializing.
