“Thanks to my almost-husband’s investment, I promise my next party will be delicious Cuban food from the best Cuban restaurant in New Jersey: La Mariposa!”
The whole table begins clapping and cheering. My face is flushed with embarrassment. I look over at Silvana, who is staring daggers at me. A crease forms at the corners of her mouth, creating an unsettling smile. I turn back to my steak, focusing on cutting it and enjoying every bite I can. Who knows when I’ll eat another steak that costs more than my rent?
I take a small cut of the filet mignon and bring it to my lips. The tender, juicy meat melts in my mouth, bursting with rich flavors. The perfectly cooked steak has a charred exterior that gives way to a pink center. I close my eyes and savor the flavors. The accompanying roasted vegetables are equally delicious, adding a hint of sweetness to the savory flavors of the steak. I take another bite, enjoying the mashed potatoes’ smooth buttery texture. Every element of the dish is cooked to perfection, and it’s clear that Valentina has put a lot of care into every aspect of the meal. It might not have the Cuban flavors I crave, but she is a gifted chef. I can’t help but smile, remembering all the moments I shared with Valentina over the week. A warmth spreads through my belly as I think of telling her about the new clue I found, or even just admitting how much I miss her already.
But then, I stop myself. Valentina left the door open, yet I’m the one who locked it shut. If I reach out to her now, it’ll be like stepping back into something that might hurt us both all over again. So, instead, I keep silent, unsure if I’m protecting her or just myself.
“Valentina, you outdid yourself,” Rosita says as she wipes her mouth with her napkin.
Valentina gives a modest shrug. “Thank you, but I wasn’t the one who originally planned to be here. The team has been incredible, picking up all the details on such short notice.”
“Still. It came from your brain, verdad? That’s what makes it so special. It’s what makesyouso special.”
Rosita stands up, holding her wine glass.
“I want to give a toast. The wedding is tomorrow, which means you all have spent several days with us. Ready to leave yet?”
A few chuckles break out in the crowd.
“I just want to thank you all for taking time off to watch my amazing, gorgeous, talented, and incredible daughter get married. Some of you I have known my entire life. Some of you I just met this week,” she says, nodding at Luciano’s parents.
“Regardless, you are all so special to me. Each of you has been placed in my life for a reason. Whether it was to heal from the past or see how bright my future could be. Some of you have been with me through the hardest moments of my life, and now you’re here, supporting and celebrating with me in the best one so far—”
As Rosita continues her speech, I notice a white glow from a distance. It’s moving up and down in a rhythmic bopping motion. It’s getting brighter and brighter. Soon, other people start to notice it as well.
“—Love is so easy to find but so difficult to keep, and I’m just so happy my daughter, Sofia, has found it—”
A yellow taxi cab pulls into the campsite in front of the front desk. At this point, we’ve all completely stopped listening to Rosita’s speech.
“Who is that?” Silvana asks.
Rosita stops and turns to look.
“Is there someone on the guest list that didn’t show up, Sofia?” Rosita asks.
Sofia shakes her head as she leans forward, trying to catch a glimpse of who it could be.
We all stare in silence, watching a shadowy figure inside the car shuffling around. Then, finally, the door opens. Two feet step outside. Then the rest of the body. They close the door and begin heading toward us, but we still can’t tell who it is.
Daniel gasps. “Oh my God, is this a wedding crasher? How dare they?”
The closer they get to the dinner, the more nervous I get. Until…
“Holy shit,” I whisper.
“No fucking way,” Maria whispers back.
“Is that—”
“Mami!” I exclaim as I stand up abruptly.
Murmurs are heard across the table. Silvana’s snickers can be heard a mile away. Rosita looks as if she’s looking directly at a ghost. Maritza won’t even look up from her wine glass. Sofia opens her mouth in complete shock.
“Thanks for the invite, putas,” my mother seethes.
She’s wearing a long black gown with black heels. On her arm is the Prada bag I bought her. Her hair is done professionally, I have no doubt. There’s no way she could have gotten those curls on her own. Even her makeup looks like a celebrity artist did it. My mother would do anything to impress, especially this crowd.
“Well, if it isn’t the infamous Mariposa,” Rosita finally says, shaking out of shock. “So glad you’re here. Someone get her a chair.”
