“I’d like to travel,” she said. “Do you know I’d never seen snow before now?”
“What else would you like to see?” he asked.
She shrugged. “Every May at the school where I worked, we celebrated the diversity of our students. There were kids from all over—immigrant families or second-generation Americans. The fourth-grade children were asked to make collages about their families and to share about their heritages. Teachers hung them around the lunchroom. At the end of the month, the children walked in a parade down the hallways dressed in native costumes or carrying banners to celebrate all the countries represented. Parents were invited, and it was a big celebration. I would watch with the other lunch ladies as the children strolled into the cafeteria. I wondered what it would be like to visit those places. I didn’t think I ever would, of course. The best I could hope for was to hear the stories from my son…if I was lucky enough to get him home.”
“But things have changed for you. Lisa and Rafael are generous,” Dominic said. “They’ll send you wherever you want to go. Isn’t that right?”
“They’ve been so good to me already. I don’t know.”
He smiled. “You’re proud. You’ve worked all your life to support yourself and your son.”
“Correct.” She smoothed the skirt of her dress, shy to meet his penetrating gaze. “What about you? Do you have a new chapter?”
“I’d like there to be, yes. I’ve been to a lot of places because of work, but there are many more I’d like to explore. I’d like to have someone by my side. A woman, for instance.”
“A woman?”
“Yes. A woman. A special someone, so to speak.” He ran his hand through his hair. “I’m going to have a scotch. Would you care for anything?”
“Some water, please?”
He rose from the couch and disappeared. As she continued to stare into the fire, she heard liquid pour into a glass, then the beverage cooler door opening and closing. He returned with their drinks and handed her a green glass bottle of the fancy water, then returned to his former position.
“When Susanna was sick, she asked me to promise her I’d try to find someone to love, to grow old with.”
“Did you promise her?” she asked.
“I did.” His eyes glittered as he brought the glass to his mouth and took a drink. “It’s the only time I ever lied to her. I told her I would because it gave her peace. She was in so much pain. I sensed she couldn’t let go until I said the words to her. Even at the end, she was thinking about me. At the time, I didn’t think I would ever fulfill that promise.”
“And now?”
“Lately, I realize she’s right. I’m young. Acting like I died with her is no way to live. She loved me enough to want my happiness above her own. I owe it to her memory to live. To love again.” He took another sip of his cocktail. “That said, finding someone isn’t just as simple as the desire to do so. I’ve gone out on a few coffee dates with women I met online, but no one’s been even close to right. What about you, Rosa? Do you date?”
She shook her head. “I’ve never had any interest in remarrying. I don’t want to be hurt like I was when my husband left. I didn’t want Rafaelhurt, either.”
“You’re young. And beautiful. Maybe it’s time to try?”
Heat flooded her cheeks. She was still capable of blushing. Who would have guessed? “I haven’t felt beautiful for a long time.”
“Maybe you haven’t been looking through the right lenses.” He tapped near his right eye. “Since my cataract surgery, my eyes see quite well. You’re beautiful.”
She laughed. “Cataract surgery? Is this what people our age talk about on…on dates?”
His repaired eyes twinkled at her. “So, thisisa date.”
“I guess so. It’s been thirty-four years since I’ve had one.”
His brown eyes turned serious. “Not one man in all these years?”
“I’m Catholic. The divorce was already sin enough.”
“I see.” He nodded, then smiled, obviously seeing another side to her. Would he like what he learned? Was she too old-fashioned for this modern world?
“You’re an amazing woman, Rosa.”
“I’m a very ordinary woman. Rosa the Lunch Lady. Mama Soto.”
“Just Rosa, to me,” he said. “Beautiful Rosa.”
