Chapter 14 #2
“Very ok, I’m just not used to this,” she whispers back, wrapping her free arm around my waist for a quick squeeze.
“Your family is wonderful.” I have no words for what that means to me, so I just squeeze her more tightly as we take our seats next to each other.
Dani and Luce are on the same side as us, while Rosa, Anita, Lyra and Taran are across from us, with my parents at each end.
Everyone starts talking over each other, squabbling good-naturedly over drinks and who gets to start passing the platters and toppings around.
Soon it’s a more quiet din as everyone starts to top their pupusas and eat.
Drinks are poured, napkins are rustling as they wipe salsa roja off of greasy fingers.
Pupusas are best eaten by hand, and it’s wonderfully messy.
I can’t resist taking a peek at Tania, and chuckling when I see a little sauce in the corner of her mouth.
I gently wipe it away with my thumb before I even know what I’m doing, and I watch her pupils dilate at the touch.
We quickly turn back to our food, but my family is definitely all amused as they watch us.
No one says anything, thank goodness. It’s not like Dani and Luce or Lyra and Taran don’t get almost nausea inducing sometimes, so no one has room to talk.
Everyone piles seconds on their plates and the chatter flows easily about what’s going on in everyone’s lives. I tense a little as the conversation turns to me and how work has been, but Tania takes some of the attention as well.
“How do you two like working together?” my mom asks.
“We only get to see each other at the hub in the morning, and maybe when we’re done for the day if we get done around the same time,” Tania tells her.
“Usually we are pretty focused on getting ready for the day too, so it doesn’t give us much time to talk before we have to get on our routes,” I add.
“Which is maybe a good thing since we’re living together too, I don’t want him to get sick of me,” she jokes.
“That would never happen,” I say under my breath, for only her to hear.
She tries not to react too much but her lips twitch as she steals a glance at me.
It hits me full force when those chocolate eyes meet mine how much I’m living for having her here with me, and getting along with my family.
Tania fits in like a missing puzzle piece, and it makes my heart expand enough to nearly crack my chest open.
“It must be tough, driving all over and lifting all day,” my dad says. I whip my head toward him to see if he’s back to being a dick about my job, but he’s being completely sincere. Tania’s lips part in a small show of surprise, but nods.
“It’s no joke, getting a class B license and driving that truck, along with all of the heavy lifting. I’ve always loved driving, though. The best part of my day is seeing the dogs, they sure enjoy it when I give them some love while I’m on my route.
“I miss giving the pups on my old route treats so much,” Taran says with a smile.
“You give Brody and Lilly more than enough treats to make up for it,” Lyra teases him.
“They deserve them all,” he declares, kissing her temple.
“Wait, did you drive for FedEx too before I got there? Carlo mentioned you’re a CNA,” Tania asks.
“I drove for UPS, Carlo and I had all of the jokes that we worked for rival companies,” Taran informs her with a laugh. “I became a CNA last year and I really love the work. My patients are so fun.”
“That’s fantastic. I’m apprenticing to be a tattoo artist, art has always been my huge passion. Maybe I’ll be able to do it full time at some point.”
“I know where I’m getting my next ink from then!” Taran seems so genuinely excited about getting a new tattoo from her, and this is why he’s my brother from another mother.
“We’ve been thinking about getting matching pieces, something small but meaningful,” Lyra adds.
“I’d love to once I practice more. I’ve only just started tattooing actual skin this week, but I’m getting more and more comfortable with it.”
“She inspired me to apply to art schools, it would be really cool to study it,” I tell everyone.
There’s a chorus of approving sounds and looks, and Tania steals a glance at me like it’s a surprise she inspired me to go to art school.
Or maybe she’s never felt like she’s had an impact on anyone before, but she sure has on me.
This woman has absolutely no concept of the many, many thoughts she inspires in me, some so much dirtier than others.
The evening goes on like this, with everyone catching up and getting to know Tania, while she gets to know the people I love most in this world.
I get peppered with more questions about studying art, and what the application process was like.
My parents and sisters look so happy for me, and I don’t feel like quite as much of a black sheep anymore.
They’re looking at me with pride instead of their usual amusement.
I’m sitting here at family dinner for the first time feeling content and settled, and that’s because of the woman sitting next to me.
Eventually my parents slip off to relax in front of the TV while we set up poker at the table after everything is cleared off.
It’s low stakes, even though Lyra and Daniella act like it’s the final table at the world series of poker.
I’m internally laughing that I’ve finally found something Tania is not incredible at, she has zero poker face whatsoever and is the first one out.
When we begin our goodbyes, my sisters and Lyra make promises with Tania to get together for girls’ nights while exchanging huge hugs.
I clasp her hand as we walk to my car, and when we get in and start toward home, I see just the barest sheen in her eyes.
She gives them a hasty wipe before glancing back at me.
“Sorry, I’m not normally such an emotional person. It was just a lot tonight in the best possible way,” she says.
“No matter what happens between us, you’ll always be a part of the family, you realize that, right? Everyone adored you, they’ll all probably disown me if I mess this up.” She huffs a laugh.
“Not to get all weepy and weird, but that’s the first time since I was 5 that I’ve been hugged like that, and felt so at home.
You have an incredible family, Carlo. Thank you for bringing me tonight.
” My heart squeezes uncontrollably, and I reach for her hand across the gear shift, threading our fingers before bringing it to my mouth to kiss it.
“It’s not weird at all, mi sueno. You have no idea how happy it makes me that my family made you feel so welcome. They’re also very overwhelming in their wonderful way, so I get it.” She just nods, and picks up my hand to kiss it back.