Chapter 5
A ndres felt as if his initial meeting with Dior was a success.
Their conversation had the flow of an interview.
Dior only answered his questions, briefly at that.
He noticed how she rocked in thought of her answers.
Other than that, and the rhythmic way she sounded out words with three syllables, they had a perfectly normal conversation.
More than anything, Andres wanted to get a feel for what Dior could express as her own wants and needs and if she would be comfortable around him.
She mentioned wanting a new friend and told him some of her hobbies—art of any kind, learning about animals and collecting toy stuffed animals, and flowers and gardening.
The flowers and gardening were because of her mother.
Layla was the one fascinated by them, and Dior learned about it as a result.
By the end of their conversation, Andres was confident that he and his team could help Dior with her socialization skills.
He took both Dior and Layla to one of their art rooms, and Dior was so overwhelmed by everything inside her rocking and breathing went into overdrive.
Instantly, Layla tried to go over to her, but Andres stopped her.
“Let her feel what she’s feeling,” he suggested.
“That’s the only way she will be able to process it and self-soothe. If she doesn’t snap out of it in one minute, then you can go to her.”
Layla’s brows knitted.
Her fists balled, and she rocked on the heels of her feet.
Andres could tell it was taking everything inside of her to not go over to Dior, but he was glad that she trusted him enough to listen to his advice.
As he said, Dior eventually shifted from choppy to long breaths.
Her rocking stopped, and she walked over to the easel that was closest to them and immediately began to paint.
Layla chuckled softly, shaking her head in disbelief.
“Wow. That’s a first.”
Andres smiled, licking his lips once it settled.
“Yeah. Sometimes we all get stuck mentally. Depending on what brain is actually stuck and on what determines the course of action needed to get unstuck. In this instance, she was overwhelmed emotionally, positively. You definitely wouldn’t want to stop that because you would trigger the brain in her heart to expect good things to rapidly come to an end. So it’s best to let her process those positive feelings of overwhelm on her own so she can better handle and express them.”
For a while, all Layla did was stare at him with her beautifully dark eyes.
Andres chuckled quietly, tearing his eyes away from her.
It was the only way her eyes wouldn’t hold him captive.
Truthfully, Andres had been thinking about Layla a lot since that day in the park.
He didn’t know why he hadn’t asked for her number.
Maybe because it seemed like she had a lot on her mind.
Whatever the case, Andres told himself that was probably for the best.
His relationship with Veronica ended just over a month ago, and he was still coming down from that.
He was living with his parents now while he decided his next move.
He’d said if he didn’t begin to work with another family by the end of the summer, that would be his sign that it was time to leave Memphis…
even if momentarily.
It seemed like fate had intervened and decided to show him his presence was needed here, though he wasn’t sure what for just yet.
“That’s a really smart way of handling that,” Layla finally replied.
“I mean, I hear about how we think with our hearts and stuff, but I’ve never really considered it that much.”
“Yeah. We have a brain in our head, heart, and gut. And we also have different layers that thoughts must past through within the brain in our head for us to process it. That’s why a lot of us are often triggered by things, or often in fight or flight. It always has to do with what layer of the brain that thought or feeling is stuck in.” Feeling himself ramble, Andres smiled and paused.
“That’s not what we’re here for though, and as you can see, I can ramble about this shit all day.”
“Oh. I don’t mind at all.” Her thick, bushy natural hair moved with fluid as her head shook.
“I love learning new things. Me and Dior.”
She was so fucking beautiful; Andres couldn’t help but stare at her.
Her tall, slim frame was covered in caramel colored skin.
This was the third time he’d seen her, and not once had she worn makeup, but her face had a natural glow to it.
And she had medium sized puffy lips that he’d been wanting to taste every time he looked at them.
And her voice…
southern and sultry…
he could listen to that shit all fucking night.
Andres nodded, taking a step in Dior’s direction.
“Well that’s good, because a lot of what I want to put together for the both of you requires you to be open to learning and trying new things. If you’re invested in the help me and my team can provide, we can draw up a personalized program right now. One that will include a structured routine for Dior, activities and tools to help with her socialization so she can snag that friend, small, individualized clubs and activities offerings here at the center, and for you…” He paused, head tilting as he looked her frame over.
There were quite a few things he wanted to do to her…
alone .
Shaking those thoughts from his head, Andres added, “Self-care, you time, and emotional and mental support for both Dior’s transition into high school and your divorce.”
“Okay,” she agreed softly.
A slight tremble rocked her body as she smiled.
“This is the first time I’ve actually felt comfortable getting help. My parents and family always offer it, but I’ve always rejected it. I guess… with Carlos not stepping up like I thought he would, I’ve wanted to shield her from rejection or someone laughing or yelling at her because she didn’t say, do, or interpret something right. But I don’t think that will be the case with you, and I really appreciate that.”
“That’s your baby,” Andres reasoned.
“Your creation.” He smiled softly.
“Your you . No one can blame you for wanting to shield and protect her. However, if you have a village that wants to help you with her… let them. That’s what they are there for. Me too.”
Layla’s mouth twisted to the side as she stepped in front of him.
Wrapping her arms around his neck, she pulled him closer for a hug.
Andres smiled as he returned her embrace.
“Thank you,” she almost whispered, and the airy gourmand scent of her perfume had him closing his eyes and holding her tighter as he inhaled an even deeper breath.