On the walk back to my car, our hands intertwined, I have to ignore the way he pretty much ruined my panties with that statement. We promise to text that we got homeok and chat soon. As soon as I walk in the door I pull up the group chat I have with my sister and Gina.
I am in so much fucking trouble with this man
GINA
Oh sweetie, I know and I love it. Now tell us everything about tonight
JEANIE
Seconded. Full details. Now.
So.freaking.bossy. Both of you (and aggressive with those periods, Jeanie)
JEANIE
Your stubborn ass needs equally strong, bossy women. Now out with the details.
Still being aggressive with those periods
GINA
She's aggressive because she can't be there in person, cut her some slack and start talking
Babes you're supposed to be on my side in all things!
Chapter 12
Taran
The next day, I'm at Carlo's parent's house for dinner with my mom and his family. It's been a while since we've all been together with my mom's recovery and everything, but she and I are making good on her plan to get out more and see friends again. My mom and Carlo's mom Alejandra have always been close, so it's great to see them cooking together and chatting animatedly while they work on making traditional Salvadoran pupusas. They're like pancakes, made out of masa and stuffed with different fillings. Alejandra always makes hers with slowly roasted pork, refried beans, and cotija cheese. I live for them, they’re one of my absolute favorite things to eat. I’m chopping up the vegetables for the slaw topping called curtido, trying my best to back up my big talk about making it so well. Carlo and I are ribbing each other relentlessly while he makes the red sauce. In the dining room his sisters and sister-in-law are getting the table set up, dancing around to the music playing on blast, and chatting in rapid Spanish.
Carlo's dad, Hector, is manning the flat top grill to cookthe pupusas as my mom and Alejandra make them. He's a big, gregarious man, and I've never once heard an unkind word leave his mouth. His glasses slide down his nose, his floppy, textured black hair falls into his eyes as he works, and I can't help but smile at the familiarity. I keep one eye on my mom to make sure she isn't getting tired or having trouble with her hands as she forms them. She seems to be doing great, pinching the dough around the filling and flattening it out perfectly. The house is loud, chaotic, and I'm loving it. The incredible smell of flavorful pork and refried beans fills the air, and my stomach rumbles in anticipation. This is exactly what me and my mom needed. We’re all snatching bites to eat from the snacks laid out on the back counter, because how can we cook without eating?
I finish putting the curtido together and stick it in the refrigerator to develop some flavor. It basically has to pickle for a little while. Then I head over to my mom and Alejandra, coming up between them and slinging my arms around them.
“How are these looking, you two?”
“They're beautiful, and they'll look even better if you stay out of the way,” my mom says, lightly hip checking me out of the way. Alejandra laughs.
“Want to make some, Mijo?” She has always been incredibly gentle, sweet, soft spoken, and I love her to death. Never cross her or tell her what to do, though. Ever since high school she's treated me like another son. I give her a big kiss on the cheek.
“I’ll go and see if the ladies need anything, you both look like you've got it under control.” I give my mom a kiss on the cheek too, before I head over to the dining room.
“What about me? You're not going to help me??” Carlo calls after me.
“Nope!” I call back on a laugh, and I can actually hear him giving me the finger.
In the dining room, Carlo's oldest sister Lucia and her wife Daniella are putting out plates while his youngest sister Anita counts out silverware. His sister closest in age to him, Rosa, is in the window seat quietly reading her e-reader, which is very much on brand for her. The three sisters look so much like Alejandra, with her same thick, wavy black hair, big brown eyes, and bright smiles. They all have her slight build too, I tower over the three of them. Their styles are so distinct, though. Lucia wears her hair long with red streaks in it, and has distressed jeans with a long sleeved concert tee on. Rosa keeps her hair in a short bob, has glasses like her dad, and likes to be in her standard uniform of comfy leggings and oversized sweater. Anita is the most into fashion, with red skinny pants and a silky looking button down tucked into them. She always has a perfect blowout and makeup. Never have I met three such different sisters. Lucia sees me walk in first.
“Taran, sit and chat with us if you're done with the curtido. Everything else is under control, so it's time to tell us about this woman Carlo has gone on about without Mami listening. It's been too long since we've all been together.”
I obviously didn't have a sister growing up, but in high school these three happily filled in, and now Daniella too. Lucia, as the oldest, is the most direct and doesn't take anything from anyone. She's used to keeping her siblings in line and always knowing their business, and that includes me. Daniella is wonderful because she lightens Lucia up and gets her to have some fun.
“Luce, he's a grown ass man, don't do your inquisition routine,” Daniella chides her while giving her a slap on herbutt. I see Rosa roll her eyes, bored with their constant antics, while Anita giggles. I want to preempt the third degree, and Daniella gave me the out I needed.
“Thank you, Dani. Here, let's dance instead.” I go up and twirl her as she laughs, and we start a big dance party in the dining room to the music pulsing through the house like a heartbeat. Music and dancing have always been the heartbeat that makes this house a home. Rosa puts down her book and takes a turn with me, while Luce and Dani dance together. Anita grooves along while she watches with a huge smile. Rosa can fool people. She's quiet and bookish, but the woman can move better than either of her sisters. Anita demands a turn with me next while Rocio ends up in a circle with Luce and Dani. Finally, after a few more songs, Anita and Rosa start dancing with Dani, and Luce comes over for a turn with me. After I give her a spin and a playful dip, she pinches me on my arm.
“You think you're so clever and charming, hermano,” she says with a low laugh. Then she grows more serious. “Carlo says you really like her, we're all just very excited and also worried. She sounds great. You need to bring her around here so that we can meet her. Mami will be crying to see you with a serious girlfriend.”
