CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
Blue—
Luisa and I have been married for two weeks now, and I’ve rented us another place. It’s two blocks from the house we rented near the Basilica in Mesilla, and she and I still walk to the square and eat at the restaurants.
Luisa even takes art classes at the gallery we stopped in so long ago.
That’s where she is now.
I check the time. She should be home soon.
There’s a stack of mail in the box, and I carry it inside. Thumbing through the envelopes, one stops me.
It’s from the city art council.
Tearing it open, I read the letter and my face lights up.
“She won! Oh, my God! My baby won!”
I continue reading. They’re giving her the prize at a ceremony on the square on the 19th.
Pausing, I glance at the calendar on the wall.
That’s in two weeks. I shove the envelope in my pocket and leave Luisa a note on the kitchen table.
My beautiful wife—
I’ll be home by 6:30pm, and I’m bringing dinner.
We have something to celebrate tonight.
—Your loving husband.
The drive to the Sanchez pecan farm gives me time to think about what I’m going to say.
When I pull into the drive, he’s sitting on the porch with his wife.
I’m barely out of my truck before he’s up and striding toward me.
“You’re not wanted here.”
“I don’t give a damn what you think of me, but you’re going to listen to what I have to say, because your daughter is important to both of us. Give me five minutes.”
His wife grabs his arm. “Let him talk.”
“Fine. Say what you came to say, then leave.”
“Your daughter is the most important thing to me. Before she was going to marry Mateo, I sent in an application for an art contest the city holds. It’s called the Trail of the Painted Ponies.
The city chooses a winner, and their artwork is displayed in the front of city hall.
What I’m trying to say is, she won. She doesn’t know yet. I just opened the letter today.
“They’re going to present her with the trophy at a ceremony in the square in front of City Hall. It’s on the nineteenth at 3pm. I’d like you to be there.”
Sanchez lifts his chin but won’t say anything.
“This means something to Luisa. I know it would mean the world to her if you came to the ceremony. She doesn’t know I’m here. And she’s too proud to ask for you to be there.” I study the man. “Can’t imagine where she gets that trait.”
When he stays silent, I shift my feet and shake my head.
“You need to be there. Get your head out of your ass. She’s happy, but I know she misses her family. You only have so many years on this earth. Is this how you want things to be between you? Well, all I can say is that I love her, and I’m going to make her happy. And I’m going to love our child.”
“Child? What child? There’s a child?” her mother stands.
Oops. Guess I spilled the beans. Did I do it on purpose? Maybe. “Yeah. She’s almost four months along.” My gaze shifts to her father. “You gonna disown your grandchild, too?”
His jaw works, and his eyes glaze a bit, but he stays stubbornly mute.
His wife breaks into tears. “A baby?”
“Yeah. Luisa’s happy, and I won’t have either of you ruining it for her. So, Sanchez, if you can’t swallow your pride and be a damn father, then you’re a bigger idiot than I thought, and maybe I’m wasting my time.”
His wife nudges him. “Don’t be petty. We will lose her forever.”
“You’ve said what you came to say. Now go,” Sanchez orders.
“Got any messages for your daughter?” I ask, but he stubbornly shakes his head.
“You’re a fucking fool. I’ve met a lot of them in my day, but you take the cake, old man. You have a fantastic, smart, beautiful, sweet daughter, and all you can think of is how she’s disappointed you. Well, you can go to hell.”
With that, I turn and stomp back to my truck, flinging the door open and throwing gravel as I tear out of there.
Perhaps it was a wasted trip to come here, but I’m glad I at least gave it a shot. I’d do anything to make my baby happy. Even coming here and begging a fool to love his own damn daughter.
I turn the truck toward our little house. But it’s more than a house; Luisa has made it a home.
I stop off and grab us Chinese food from her favorite place, and when I walk in the door, she’s standing at the sink, pouring a glass of lemonade.
“Hungry, my beautiful wife?”
“Is that Jimmy Wong’s I smell? Oh, yes.”
Laughter vibrates in my chest. My girl loves her Mandarin beef and her Kung Pao chicken.
I set the paper bags on the counter, and she digs in, taking out the little white cartons and opening them.
“Did you get egg rolls?”
“Of course.”
“Fried rice?”
“Yep.”
“Spring Rolls? Wontons?”
“Yes, and yes. And before you ask, I made sure we got extra fortune cookies. There’s enough food there for a family of four.”
“I love you.” She digs out a shrimp wonton and carries it to my mouth.
“Mmm. Good,” I say around the mouthful.
She presses against me and kisses me.
My hands land on her waist and pull her close. “Gotta keep my pregnant and very hungry wife happy, don’t I?”
“You said we had something to celebrate. What is it?”
“Oh, just the fact that the prettiest girl in town agreed to be my wife. That’s all.”
Two weeks later—
My hands cover Luisa’s eyes when I guide her into our bedroom.
She giggles. “What are you doing?”
“Got something on the bed to show you.”
“It better not be some sex toy.” She giggles again.
“No, but thanks for the idea. Maybe next time.” I pull my hands away, and when she blinks and focuses on the bed, her mouth drops open.
There, spread out over the bedspread, is the prettiest dress the shopkeeper had.
“Blue! It’s beautiful.”
“Try it on.”
“Where will I wear it? Are you taking me out on a date?”
“Yep. We’ve got reservations at 3pm for something special, and I don’t want to be late.”
“I better hurry, then.” Her eyes sweep over me. “What are you wearing?”
“I’ll look nice. Don’t you worry.”
When she goes into the bathroom to change and do her makeup, I slip into the white shirt and dark suit coat that I bought for the occasion.
Luisa stops short when she comes out. “Well, look at you all spruced up.”
My eyes sweep over her. “I knew that pale blue would look good on you.”
She twirls, the skirt flaring out. “Well, it seems blue really is my color.” There’s a teasing twinkle in her eyes.
“C’mere woman. I’ll show you just how much you like the color.”
She giggles and whirls away. “I don’t want to wrinkle my pretty dress.”
I pin her against the wall and kiss her until I know I’d better stop or we’ll miss the ceremony.
“So, will you tell me now where we’re going?”
“I was going to keep it a surprise, but…” I pull out the letter and hand it to her.
She snatches it and dips her head to read. I watch her eyes do a double take, and she slowly looks up. “I won?”
“You won! Isn’t that awesome? They’re presenting the award at City Hall.”
“I won? Really? Honest to God won?”
“Yes, and I’m so proud of you, baby.” I grab her and swing her around until she laughs and grabs my neck.
The happiness on her face is all I need to feel complete.
I don’t know how I ever lived without her.
My life before I met this woman feels like an empty shell, like I’ve just been biding my time until she came into my life.
An hour later, Luisa and I sit in folding chairs with Rio and Shelby as well as Zig, Bagger, Bandit, and Mauler. In the chairs behind us are her sister and husband, and her friends, Carmen, Ramona and Marcella.
In front of us is a podium set up and behind it a draped statue that I know is Luisa’s painted pony.
The mayor welcomes everyone, and then he begins to talk about the winning piece.
“This work of art truly depicts the beauty of the New Mexican desert and the warmth of its indigenous people. New Mexico is a place of magic, where anything is possible. And Luisa Sanchez truly has expressed that. Without further ado, may I present this trophy of excellence by the Arts Council of Las Cruces to Luisa Sanchez and invite her to say a few words.”
Luisa stands and approaches the dais, walking up the two steps to accept the trophy. She takes it and then leans to the microphone. “Thank you, Mayor Reynolds. I’m honored, and I just have to make one correction. It’s Luisa Sanchez-Hayes now.” She smiles and holds up her ring finger.
The mayor leans toward the microphone. “I stand corrected.”
Laughter rises up from the crowd gathered.
He steps back and motions to Luisa to speak.
“Thank you to the Arts Council. I’m truly honored, and so surprised to have won this. I never expected this.” She looks up at the audience, and a look of surprise fills her face.
I twist in my seat to see what she’s looking at and spot her mother and father standing at the back.
Luisa’s eyes fill, and she blinks, then continues with her speech.
“Forgive me; this is overwhelming. There is one person who I need to thank, one person who has believed in me, who has pushed me to have the courage to share my art, to believe in myself and especially for pushing me to do what I love. My husband, Carson ‘Blue’ Hayes. He’s going to hate my use of his given name.
Forgive me, my darling. I love you. More than you’ll ever know. ”
She dashes her tears, and the mayor steps up to lean to the microphone. “And now, the unveiling, if Luisa will assist me.”
They step back and together pull the cord attached to the drape and expose the painted pony.
It’s beautiful, and the crowd applauds.
Pride in my wife floods me, and I come to my feet, clapping. My brothers join me, and then so does everyone in attendance.
I glance back to see Luisa’s parents applauding their daughter as well.
Luisa returns down the steps to me and hugs me.
“My parents are here.”
“I see that.”
A moment later, they approach, and Luisa stares at her father, and I hold my breath, praying he says and does the right thing. If he doesn’t, I might just punch him in the mouth.
“My lovely daughter. You’re so talented, and you deserve that trophy.”
“Thank you, Daddy.”
“Forgive me for being a stubborn fool?”
Luisa nods and moves into his arms.
It feels good to see them hug. This is how it should be.
When the embrace ends, he looks at me. “Your husband is a wise man, Luisa.”
“I know, Daddy.”
“I’d like to take you both out for dinner, if I may? I’ll take you to your favorite restaurant, Luisa.”
“The Cactus Flower?” Luisa looks expectantly at me.
“Of course,” I reply and extend my hand to her father. “I hope we can get off on a better foot from here on out.”
He takes it, and we shake.
“I wish that as well. Congratulations on your wedding. I’m truly sorry I missed it. Forgive me. But I have no intention of missing the birth of my first grandchild.”
“Glad to hear it,” I say. “Family is important.”
“It is. Well, we’ll meet you at the restaurant.”
When they walk away, Luisa turns to me.
“You did that, didn’t you?”
“Gotta keep my baby happy, don’t I?”
“I love you, Blue. So much.”
“I’d burn down the world for you, Luisa. I don’t deserve you, but I’ll spend forever making you happy and proving you were always meant to be mine.”