Mom: I have ONE boyfriend
Mom: But he's VERY serious if you know what I mean ??????
I laugh out loud. Through the bond, I feel Sergio's curiosity spike from downstairs.
Me: Mom.
Mom: WHAT I'm allowed to have a vida romántica!!!
Mom: That's "romantic life" in Spanish!!!
Mom: Ricardo taught me!!!
Ricardo. The man who makes my mother text in all caps and use excessive emojis. The man who's given her something I never could—permission to start over completely.
Mom: Although I might have said "vida romántica con queso" yesterday which means "romantic life with cheese"
Mom: The waiter looked very confused
Mom: But brought me extra queso anyway so WIN WIN ??????
Me: I'm happy you're happy, Mom.
She deserves romantic life with cheese, or without it, or however she wants it.
Mom: I'M SO HAPPY JESSICA
Mom: Which brings me to the big serious thing I need to ask. The house. I want you to sell it. The whole thing, furniture and all. I don't need it anymore and I'd rather have the dinero to start fresh here. That's "money" btw
Mom: I'm getting SO good at Spanish
The house. The place where I grew up. Where Mom raised me. Where I hid during my engagement to Callum. Where the flood happened and my pack showed up to fix everything without being asked.
But it's just a house. Mom's home is in Mexico now. Mine is here, with four alphas and a business plan and a future I'm building from scratch.
Me: I can sell the house for you. Handle everything. You just enjoy Mexico.
Mom: YOU'RE THE BEST DAUGHTER EVER ??????
Mom: I'll send you all the paperwork. WHEN ARE YOU VISITING???
Mom: Bring all four of your novios!!!
Mom: That's "boyfriends"!!!
Me: I'll come visit as soon as the business is up and running. Maybe late spring? Early summer?
Mom: PERFECT
Mom: Tell your four boyfriends their future suegra says hello
Mom: That's "mother-in-law"!!!
My chest tightens. Future mother-in-law. Mom's already planning for forever, just like I am.
Me: Love you too, Mom. Have fun.
Mom: BESOS!!! ??????
