“Not really, I have a great team,” I am quick to correct him.“It’s just been a really tough day for me.”
“He said the same thing yesterday,” Sal says softly, almost to himself.
He pauses, as if making a decision.
When he looks back at me directly, his eyes are full of a knowing sympathy.“He stopped by last night, you know.”
He?
My head snaps up, heart slamming against my ribs.
“Matty,” Sal clarifies, seeing my reaction.“And he looked very much like you did when you got here.”
“Matthew was here last night,” I repeat in a daze, fingers gripping the neckline of my sweater.
He leans forward just a fraction, his voice dropping lower, full of concern.“Everything okay between you two?”
I shake my head, staring past his shoulder.“I said something I shouldn’t have.Really didn’t mean to hurt him.”My eyes well up.
Sal reaches for the square metallic dispenser and hands me a napkin.“Don’t worrycariña, that boy’s got more scars than you can see.It’ll take a lot more than words to break him.”
Sal’s words land with a quiet detonation inside me.
My hand freezes midway to dabbing my eye, the napkin hovering uselessly.My gaze snaps up to meet Sal’s, searching his serious face.
Scars.
The word echoes, suddenly clicking into place alongside the memory of Matthew’s visceral flinch, the closed-off look in his eyes, the tremor in his hand.
The realization deepens the pit in my stomach, twisting the guilt into an aching empathy.
“What kind of scars?”I ask in a raw whisper, needing to understand.
“Lo siento,” Sal presses his lips together.“That’s for him to tell you.”
I give a slow nod.“Except he’s not talking to me.”My admission scrapes past the lump in my throat.
“Amy, in all the years and all the times Matty’s been here, you’re the only girl he’s brought to this truck.”He pauses, and I can tell from his steady gaze that he’s waiting for the words to sink in.
My surprise must be plain to see, because he repeats, gently but firmly, “The only one.”He looks me straight in the eye.“I saw the way he looks at you,mija.That night you were here together.And what I saw…” He shakes his head slightly, dismissing my despair.“That wasn’t nothing.”
Even though Sal’s words contradict everything I’ve felt since Matthew’s departure yesterday, they still manage to silence the frantic loop of self-blame in my head.
Finally, I find my voice, though it’s hoarse.“Thank you for telling me this, Sal,” I say sincerely.
It doesn’t change the silence from Matthew, but hearing Sal’s perspective is a welcome consolation.A warm stone dropped into the icy pool of my anxiety.
Sliding off the stool, I gather my empty soda can and cardboard box.“Well, Sal,” I say, my voice steadier now.“I can’t thank you enough for the amazing burger and lovely company.But I’ve kept you long enough.”
Sal gets up too, taking the trash from my hands with an amiable smile.“Anytime, Amy.Anytime.You know where to find me if you need another burger, or just someone to talk to, eh?”His eyes are kind, offering open-ended support without prying.
“I can see why you mean so much to Matthew,” I tell him with a grateful smile.“I’m really glad he introduced us.”
“Likewise,mija.”Sal beams.“And don’t worry too much.Things have a way of working out.”
“I hope so,” I whisper, descending the metal steps.“Goodnight, Sal.”I turn to look up at him.
“Buenas noches.”He waves.
