“That’s right.Boston.Jett says he’s been sent on some sort of mission, though he wasn’t sure what it was.”
I frown, and try to read between the lines.Sent on some sort of mission?I know who would have conveniently sent him to get him out of the way.
“Something smells nice.”She sniffs the air.I tell her that my mom is cooking rice and beans, Puerto Rican style.
“Your mom is here?”
I nod.“Come.”She follows me into the kitchen and stops short when she sees my mother.
“Oh, hello,” she says softly.My mom gives her a welcoming smile.
Cari chews her lip.“I’m sorry.I should have checked that you were free, before showing up like this.”
“It’s not a problem.My mom surprised me earlier.I didn’t know she was coming.”
“Aww..that’s ...so nice.”Cari hesitates for a moment, a flicker of sadness flashing over her.It’s sadness and longing, something I recognize instantly.But she forces a smile, and my heart breaks for her.She misses her mom.
“Please, come join us for dinner,” my mom offers.
Cari hesitates for half a second.I can tell she wants to.
“Please,” I say, walking over to the cupboard to set another plate at the table.“We’d love you to join us.”
Her eyes turn shiny, and she swallows.“Thank you,” she whispers.
I’m tempted to tell her about the other unexpected visitor, but decide not to.I need to tell Zach first.
We sit around the table together, plates steaming, talking about work and the weather, involving my mom in easy conversation.
I sense that Cari came here for a reason, and she wants to talk to me, so, once we’ve finished eating, I ask mom if she wants to watch TV, or have a long soak in the bath, or do something else.She picks the long soak.I quickly run the bath for her, giving her all sorts of nice smelling bath bombs, and creams and lotions.I even light a few candles for her.She tells me I’m doing too much.I tell her I can never do enough.
“You spoil me, mi niña.”But she looks excited, like she can’t wait to get in and wash the grime of today away.I have every intention of spoiling my mom while she’s here.
I rush back to the kitchen, to find that Cari has finished loading the dishwasher.
“You didn’t have to do that,” I cry, feeling bad.
“Nonsense.I had a delicious meal.It’s the least I could do.”
“Let’s talk in here.”I lead her to the couch in the small living room.
“I know something’s wrong,” she says quietly, sitting down.“You don’t have to tell me what, but … Zach is a mess.”
I wince, because I didn’t expect that.
“He didn’t send me,” she adds immediately.“I came on my own.”
“I believe you.”Zach isn’t one to send someone else to do his spying.He’d be here if he could.
“Jett is worried.I heard him and Dex talking.They said he turned quiet after the party.He didn’t even come to the after party.”She quickly explains that the boys had a party at Jett’s place, but Zach didn’t come.Dex threatened to go looking for him and drag him to it, but she stopped him.“I knew something had happened.I saw how you were at the party and I figured it was something heavy.Jett and Dex are worried about him, especially now that his father has dispatched him to Boston, they’re certain that he’s up to something.”
“I haven’t been to work all week,” I tell her.
“It’s just as well I came to see you.You looked like you’d seen a ghost at the party.”
I’m sure they all talk among themselves, and Cari knows that I lived on the Knight Estate and that my mom worked there, but other than that, she knows nothing.I decide not to tell her, because my mom’s story, the story of our lives, is not for everyone to know.
We talk about small things.Safe things.Her shop.My mom staying a few days.Soon after, Cari leaves with a hug and tells me that she’s here whenever I need her.I thank her for caring, and promise that I’ll come by her shop one day.
