Epilogue #2
Tables and chairs have been set up around the lot, we’ve got friends and family here as well as the club members. I lead Elizabeth over to the table where El Jefe is sitting with his wife.
“Hey,” I say, “Rosa, this is my girlfriend, Elizabeth. Elizabeth, this is El Jefe’s wife, Rosa.”
“Hi,” Rosa says, shaking hands with Elizabeth. “Rafael has told me all about the two of you.”
“Good things I hope,” Elizabeth says. “You, uh, you look familiar. Do I know you from somewhere? The campus maybe?”
Some color drains from Rosa’s face but she quickly replaces it with a smile.
“No, I don’t think so, maybe I just have one of those faces.”
“Yeah,” Elizabeth says, “it must be that, sorry.”
“No need. Congratulations on graduating, the other guys mentioned you’re training to be a teacher?”
“That’s the plan, although I’m not sure it was smart to sign up for more years of school.”
“I think you’ll make a great teacher,” El Jefe says.
“Damn straight she will,” I say, “anyway, we’d better go and say hi to everyone else. It was nice to see you, Rosa.”
“You too.”
We leave their table and make our way slowly towards where Donovan is sitting.
“Is El Jefe’s name really Rafael?” Elizabeth whispers, and I chuckle.
“Yes, but nobody calls him that anymore except Rosa. Do you really think you’ve seen her on campus? ”
“I dunno, I thought I’d seen her in the library… I know she said she’s got ‘one of those faces’, but she’s stunning. I don’t imagine there are many women who look like her running around Tynerston.”
“I mean, she said it wasn’t her.”
“Yeah, and it’s not our problem I suppose.”
“True,” I say, “come on. Donovan looks like he’s going to combust while he waits for us.”
He’s sitting with my mom, Miguel, Slim, and a girl with a kid I’ve never seen before.
“Hey,” I say, leaning down to kiss my mom on the cheek and shaking Miguel’s hand, before wrapping Donovan in a hug.
Elizabeth follows doing the same; I love how she’s become a part of our family so easily, although it’s not unexpected considering my mom’s been in love with her since day one.
I give Slim a slap on the shoulder and sit next to him.
“Hey,” he says, before pointing to the girl next to him. “This is my neighbor, Daisy, and her son, Jake. This is Diablo, and his girlfriend, Beth.”
“Hi, it’s nice to meet you,” Daisy says.
“Are you a biker too?” Jake asks, appearing beside me.
“Yeah,” I chuckle, “you like bikes?”
“Yeah, they’re the coolest!” he says, “Way better than cars, right Slim?”
“Um… right,” Slim says, looking at me for help, as though I’m any better with kids.
“So how did you all become friends?” I ask.
“Slim fixed our car for us when it broke down,” Jake says, before Daisy has a chance to get a word in. “Next time, he said he’ll show me how to do it too. ”
“That’s nice of him,” I say, side-eying Slim and wondering if there’s something going on with him and Daisy, but he avoids my gaze and says nothing.
“Food’s up!” Alejandro’s voice rings out across the lot.
“Come on,” Elizabeth says to Daisy and Jake. “The way these boys eat we’d better get in there quick or there’ll be nothing left.”
They head up to the grill, and I elbow Slim.
“What’s going on with your neighbor?”
“Nothing bro, her car was broken down, that’s all.”
“Uh huh, then how come they’re here?”
“You heard the kid, he likes bikes,” Slim shrugs, before walking off and heading to the grill to join them.
Donovan chuckles. “Leave him alone. You’ve become insufferable since getting with Beth, you’re seeing love everywhere.”
“I am not.”
“You totally are.” He wraps his arm around my shoulders and pulls me to him. “It’s not a bad thing; I just never knew my big brother was such a softy.”
“Oh, you’re gonna regret that,” I say, twisting out of his grip and putting him into a headlock.
“Mijos!” Mom says, as she returns to the table with a plate of food. “Why are you fighting?”
“We’re not fighting,” I say, “I’m just proving to Donovan I’m not a softy.”
“Yeah? Tell Mamá your news and then we’ll ask her if you’re a softy or not.”
“Bro!” I shout, “Why you gotta spoil the surprise?”
“What news?” Mom asks, “Oh, mijo, are you proposing to Beth? ”
“No, Mamá, calm down, this isn’t to do with Elizabeth.” I glare at Donovan, but he’s practically doubled over laughing.
“Then what?” she asks.
I reach into my cut and remove the envelope I’ve been holding onto, handing it to her.
“What is this?”
“Read it, Mamá.”
She opens the letter, and I watch as her eyes follow the words before she gasps, her hand flying to her face.
“You did this?” she asks, “You changed your name?”
I nod. “I’m no longer Angel Sharpe, I am now officially and legally, Angel Gálvez.”
“ángel!” she cries, her eyes welling up as she pulls me into a hug. “You’re taking my name?”
“Sí, Mamá.” I kiss the top of her head. “No more connection to Frank, you have your son back.”
“I never lost you, mijo. I always knew you were a good man.”
Tears form in my eyes at her words, but I hold them back with a sniff.
“See, what did I tell you?” Donovan says, “Softy!”
I let go of my mom and turn to chase him as he runs off. The guys are laughing at us but I don’t care, they can make fun of me and call me a softy all they want. I’ve got everything I’ve ever wanted.
We’re all stuffed with food, happy and relaxed as we chill and mingle; everyone’s having a good time and in good spirits.
My mom and Miguel have been getting on well with everyone, Donovan is part of the group even more than he used to be, Pretty Boy even hung a Pride flag for him over the bar.
I’ve got Elizabeth in my arms and our apartment to go home to later. It’s been a perfect day.
Out of nowhere, there’s a loud knock on the gate and I look around, wondering who it could be, we’re literally all here. Walrus makes his way over, taking a moment to chat to the person on the other side, before opening the gate fully to let them in.
A guy walks in, he’s probably about the same age as Elizabeth and Donovan, but he’s tall, has to be at least six foot two, and even I can tell that he’s ripped… handsome fucker too. He looks vaguely familiar, but I can’t remember where I’ve seen him.
“Mom, Mom, look!” Jake shouts, pointing at the man. “It’s Stephen Choi!”
“Who’s Stephen Choi?” Daisy asks, “And how many times do I have to tell you it’s rude to point.”
“He’s the new Wide Receiver for the Warriors, Mom!”
“Stephen?” Donovan asks, standing and moving towards him. “What are you doing here?”
The End.