“Mamí, why don’t we focus on surviving this weekend before we plan any trips?” I said, trying to hustle her back to the truck. “I’ll come over there to help you and Yin with the vegetables.”
“Okay, m’ijo,” she said to me. Then she turned to Jude and fake whispered, “We’ll talk about the trip later,” before going into the truck, pulling Minerva along with her. “Don’t let those boys give you a hard time, Jude,” she said, pointing to Milo and Patrice as she walked away. “I can still whoop them if they get fresh with you. I know their mamas!”
The guys laughed as I shook my head, Jude looked a little embarrassed, but he had an amused expression on his face.
“Sorry about that. She’s impossible.”
“She’s a fucking legend is what she is.” Milo and my mom had always been thick as thieves.
Jude smiled. “I like her, and I won’t say no to DR in December.” He was already getting to work helping Milo and Patrice with the front of the house stuff. I stood there for a moment taking in all the activity around me. The tent was about twelve by twelve and positioned so we could have the truckpulled up to the back. We’d have two people cooking in the truck, three prepping food, two taking orders, and two bagging and processing payments. With that plan we’d be able to handle all the customers I was hoping we’d pull in over the weekend.
The festival grounds were epic, too. Between two of the largest wineries on Seneca Lake, right on the shore. The sky was totally clear today and we could see the mountains on the other side of the lake. The blue of the water contrasted with the green of the trees was pretty gorgeous. It wasn’t the heart-stopping view of the Manhattan skyline, but even I had to admit it had its merits.
We would work hard this weekend, but we could not have picked a more beautiful spot or better weather. I was feeling good with my people at my side this morning. I decided to put the shit with the inspector behind me and focus on making the best out of the opportunities the festival would bring.
By the time I came back from working the back with my mom, I found Milo holding court while Patrice, Juanpa, and Jude took a water break. “Yo, this isn’t the Camilo Briggs Variety Show, your brown ass is here to work.”
“Pssh, tranquilo, Nesto,” Milo said, utterly undisturbed. “Take it easy. We’re just taking a break before all the people get here.”
Patrice nodded in Jude’s direction. “Jude was telling us about his project with the library. It sounds great.” His usually serious face was open, and he genuinely sounded impressed by Jude’s book truck. “He’s planning on having a social justice section, rotating books every month. He’s starting with JamesBaldwin and W.E.B Du Bois.” And with that, I knew Jude was in with P.
Juanpa nodded. “He’s got the YA hook-up, too.” Juanpa for all hispapítoflow, was a total young adult novel fanboy. He actually went to readings and got books signed. He’d even dragged me to a few over the years. It was sort of cute that they had that in common.
I went over to Jude and hugged him from behind. I knew I was doing too much with the PDA, but I couldn’t help myself. If the way Jude leaned into me when I tightened my arms around him was any indication, he was okay with the change. After what Camilo said this morning, I felt something shift in me. He was right. Jude and I enjoyed each other.
Whycouldn’tI let myself have this? Right then and there I decided that as soon as I got a chance, I’d talk to him about how I felt.
“Did you guys figure out if you like some of the same authors?”
Jude nodded and turned around smiling at me. “We did actually, we both lovedThe Hate U Giveby Angie Thomas. I might have to come down to the city and go to a signing with Juanpa when her next book comes out.”
“You better watch yourself J,” I teased with my arms still around Jude.
“Well well, Mr. OuNYe, I see you’ve been making friends with the locals.” I let go of Jude after he stiffened at the comment, then turned around to see Easton walking toward us. As always he looked like he was stepping straight out of a Polo ad. Today he was rocking seersucker shorts with a white short-sleeve button-down shirt, and a pair of mirrored aviators.
Jude relaxed when he realized who it was. Easton was a regular at the truck now, and they’d run into each other a fewtimes. We hadn’t exactly made our thing public, but I left my hand on Jude’s shoulder as I shook Easton’s.
“Hey, man, didn’t expect to see you here today.”
“My dad’s winery is sponsoring.” He said it like everyone’s family owned a vineyard. “I promised my mom I’d make an appearance.” I noticed once again that his smile didn’t exactly reach his eyes whenever he talked about his family.
He turned to Jude. “How are you? We missed you at the last potluck, now I know why.”
Jude smiled shyly. “There were more interesting things on my social calendar this month.”
“Nesto, you better watch it. Once the word gets out, there will be a lot of single men in town wanting to ask what your secret is.” Easton’s grin was pure mischief.
I lifted an eyebrow. “The single men in town can fuck off.”
Easton beamed while Jude blushed.
I turned to Milo, Juan Pablo, and Patrice who were giving Easton the kind of look only a person who’d grown up in the Bronx could give. It said, “Who is this loud dude, and do we have to kick his ass?”
I waved my hand between them and Easton. “Easton, these are my best friends Camilo, Juan Pablo, and Patrice. They came up from the city to help me with the truck this weekend.”
“Guys, this is Easton Archer one of the ADAs with the county, and also a big fan of the Mayimbe. The man loves his Dominican rice and beans.”
Easton laughed, extending his hand to Milo. “That I do, although lately the Manno has been making me change my order.” He said, flashing us with his million-dollar smile.
