“Please tell me your mom’s going to feed me. Coach is killing me with these two-a-days and I need some fucking calories in me before my stomach decides to eat itself.”
“Come on,cabrón. Let’s see what she’s got.”
Allie follows behind but I don’t miss the curiosity on her face as I lead her through the garage and straight into the kitchen. As soon as we’re inside, we're enveloped in the heady smell of my mother’s cooking.
“Mamá,” I shout into the house, knowing she can’t be far. I check the stove, lifting the lid off a large stockpot, finding fresh warm tamales steaming inside.
“Hijo, no toques,”Don’t touch that,she admonishes just as she turns a corner. I’m about to ask her what’s wrong, because my mom only ever makes tamales for two occasions. A holiday like Thanksgiving or Christmas, or because my pops is upset about something—usually where I’m concerned—and she’s trying to smooth things over the only way she knows how. With food. But before I can ask, she spots Allie and her eyes widen in surprise.
“You brought home a girl?” Her accent is thick but her English is clear as she takes Allie in from head to toe and a wide smile spreads across her face. Fuck. I don’t think I thought this all the way through.
“Mija, let me see you.” My mother pulls Allie toward her, not bothering to introduce herself or offer any sort of hello before spinning her around and taking her in.
Allie accepts this like it’s completely normal, a hesitant smile on her face as she circles back around to face my mother. My mom is a small woman, a few inches shy of five feet making Allie, who’s tiny compared to me, look tall for once.
“You’re beautiful,” my mother tells her, leaning in to give Allie a kiss on the cheek.
Allie returns the gesture. “Thank you. I’m Alejandra.” Her voice is small but her smile is genuine.
“And how long have you been dating my son?” she asks, and I groan while Emilio chuckles.
“Mamá!”
“What? A mother should know these things.”
I shake my head. “No, she shouldn’t. Don’t scare away the first girl I’ve introduced you to.”
“Sorry, Mrs. Valdez, Allie here is mine.” Emilio tosses his arm around Allie’s shoulders.
My mother’s frown is immediate, forcing me to bite off a laugh. “Tell him you won’t feed him unless he gives her back.”
Her eyes, lined with age, spark with mischief and she smiles.
Emilio groans. “Not cool, bro. Not. Cool.”
I tug Allie from his arms. She comes willingly and I tuck her beside me, leading her to the table. I’m just as hungry as Emilio. He wasn’t kidding when he said our two-a-day practices have been killer.
When Allie’s back is to my mother, my mom’s concerned eyes meet mine and she makes a small gesture, brushing her thumb under her own jaw. I tilt my head, letting her know with that small gesture that I know why the bruise is there and that she has nothing to worry about.
She trusts me, so with a satisfied nod, Mom returns to the stove, dishing up three plates of food while we take our seats. Within a few short minutes, rice, beans, and tamales are in front of me and I don’t hesitate to dive in. Emilio eats like he’s been starved, which earns him a beaming smile and a second helping. Mom won’t eat until Pops comes home from work, so after making sure we’re all settled, she retreats to her room.
I wish I knew what was up, but our family is private and she would be embarrassed if I brought up family matters in front of guests, so I'll wait to talk to her when Allie's gone.
The first few minutes we focus on our food. Allie’s bites are small, her chewing almost methodical as if she’s savoring the flavors. I’ve noticed she doesn’t eat a lot at school but she’s eating now, so it doesn’t look like there’s reason to be concerned.
“You’re such a lucky asshole,” Emilio says, now on his third tamale and I smirk.
“Consider yourself lucky I put up with you or you’d miss out on all of this.”
Allie laughs. “It is really good.”
“Better than my albóndigas?” I ask and she blushes.
“I don’t know. That’s a hard one. I’m not sure I could choose.”
“Roman’s ma’s tamales. Hands down. She only makes them like twice a year. I would kill for these.”
I ignore him, leaning toward Allie and capturing her lips with my own in a quick kiss. When I pull back her eyes are wide and uncertain as her fingers come up to touch her mouth.
