Chapter 51 #2
An laugh bubbles out of Matthew. “What, you mean being called hot stuff and handsome? Who doesn’t like that?” He winks at me, and I giggle. “I like her,” he says, his tone turning serious. “She really cares about you. So does Lou.”
“My chosen family,” I say. The words feel truer than ever.
His hand gently squeezes mine, his smile widening. “They’re good people.”
A happy silence settles between us. I lean my head back, content to watch the familiar Madison streets go by as Matthew navigates the Sunday traffic downtown.
The magnificent white dome of the Wisconsin State Capitol building rises into view, an impressive sight against the clear blue sky. Turning onto the street bordering the Square, we see Sal’s bright red food truck, Mad City Burgers. A line of people snakes from its window, at least twenty deep.
Matthew lets out a low whistle. “Looks like we’re not the only ones craving Sal’s burgers.” He pulls into a parking spot and turns to me, an idea lighting up his face. “Feel like crashing a kitchen?”
A laugh bubbles out of me. “Are you serious?”
He nods, grinning. “Let’s go.”
Matthew’s grin is infectious. He rounds the car and opens my door, extending his hand.
We walk together to the Capitol grounds, bypassing the long line of hungry patrons.
The closer we get, the more the air comes alive with the rich scent of grilling meat.
A mouth-watering blend of seasoned beef and sizzling onions that makes my stomach ache with sudden hunger.
Instead of joining the queue, Matthew leads me with a confident familiarity around to the side of the truck.
He knocks on the plain metal service door.
It swings open to reveal Sal, a sheen of sweat on his brow, muttering to himself.
“Six burgers, need more fries, where did I put the—” He cuts himself off as his eyes finally land on us.
For a split second, there’s stunned silence. Then, his face transforms, stress melting away into a booming laugh of pure delight that seems to shake the whole truck.
“?Madre mía! Look what the wind blew in!” he exclaims in a joyous roar, wiping a hand on his apron and pulling Matthew into a fierce, one-armed hug.
“Matty! I was just thinking about you.” He pulls back, his eyes moving to me, his grin widening.
“And Amy, mija! To see you two here together…” He shakes his head, his happiness so genuine it’s a tangible thing. “Wonderful. A wonderful surprise.”
“We came for burgers, but it looks like half of Madison had the same idea,” Matthew says, gesturing toward the still-growing line. “Looks like you could use a couple of extra hands, old man.”
Sal lets out a weary but happy sigh. “Ay, no, no. You are my guests. I can handle this. You find a spot, I’ll bring your orders as soon as I can.”
“Come on, Sal. I run a café, remember?” I interject, stepping forward with a smile. “And this guy here grew up manning your grill. Put us to work. It’ll be fun.”
Sal looks from my determined face to Matthew’s hopeful grin.
He lets out another hearty laugh and throws his hands up in surrender.
“Alright, alright, jefa! Get in here, you two!” He swings the door wider, ushering us into the familiar heat of the truck.
“Matty, you know the drill. Amy, you’re on the window with me. ”
What follows is the most wonderfully chaotic and joyful hour of my day.
I find my rhythm instantly. Taking orders, calling them out to Matthew and Sal, handling payments with an efficiency that makes Sal beam with approval.
Beside me, Matthew moves like he was born there.
Flipping burgers. Dressing buns. An easy, unspoken dance honed by years of practice.
Several times, I catch Matthew’s eye across the tight space, and he gives me a quick, breathtaking smile.
Finally, the last customer is served. A collective, satisfied sigh passes between the three of us.
“We make a pretty good team,” Sal declares, wiping his hands on his apron and looking at us with undisguised, paternal pride.
“She’s a natural,” Matthew says. His arm wraps around my waist, pulling me against his side. He’s sweaty and smells faintly of grilled onions, and I have never found him more attractive.
Sal laughs, pointing his spatula at Matthew. “Matty, she’s better than you were when you started! I recall a certain burger patty ending up on the pavement of Capitol Square.”
Matthew groans good-naturedly, pulling me tighter against him. “You’re never letting that go, are you?”
“Never,” Sal confirms with a wide grin. He turns his warm gaze to me. “You, mija, can work in my truck anytime.”
“Thanks, Sal,” I laugh, leaning my head against Matthew’s shoulder.
“Alright, you two. Go sit.” Sal’s expression turns resolute as he turns back to his grill. “Best burgers in the house. On the house. For my favorite couple.”
We exit his truck and collapse onto a nearby picnic table.
A few minutes later, Sal joins us with three boxes of burgers and fries, along with ice-cold sodas. He sits, taking a long, appraising look at me, then at Matthew, then at our hands, which have found each other on the tabletop. A slow, profound smile spreads across his weathered face.
“I knew it.” He chuckles to himself before smiling at us. “I knew you two would work things out.”
“Thank you for your help, Sal,” I say humbly, a blush warming my cheeks. Matthew gives my hand a squeeze, his eyes full of gratitude for the older man.
Sal waves a dismissive hand, but his eyes are shining with emotion.
“We just made burgers together, mija. You two did the hard work.” He leans forward slightly, his expression turning serious.
“Pain from the past makes you build walls so high you forget what the sun feels like. Pero, the right person,” he says, his gaze softening as it moves between us, “hands you a hammer and helps you break them down. Brick by brick.”
His words land deep in my soul. A perfect, poignant truth.
“Matt brought the hammer,” I murmur. My confession makes his grip on my hand tighten.
He turns his head, his full attention settling on me. “Amy brought the sun.” His eyes are full of a staggering adoration. It makes my heart swell with a love so fierce it feels like it might spill over.
“Look at you two,” Sal says, his booming energy returning as he beams at us both. “Mi corazón, my heart, is happy to see you both like this.”
“You’re very kind, Sal,” I whisper.
Matthew places his free hand on Sal’s shoulder, giving it a firm, grateful squeeze.
Sal’s smile widens. He looks at the two of us and releases a hearty, satisfied sigh. “Alright, alright, enough of all this. My burgers are getting cold,” he declares, waving a hand to break the emotional spell. “That would be the real tragedy. Eat up! Buen provecho!”
I let out a light laugh and pick up my burger. I savor the uncomplicated flavor. It is deeply satisfying. The taste of a simple, perfect moment. Across the table, Matthew is watching me, a soft, contented smile on his face.
We eat in comfortable silence, the delicious taste of the burgers feeling like a celebration.
This, I think, watching the sunlight gleam on ‘Wisconsin’, the golden statue keeping watch over the city…
This must be what it feels like to belong.
The sun is setting by the time we get back to Matthew’s house, casting long shadows across the street. He pulls into the driveway and turns the engine off. A comfortable silence settles around us in the dimming light.
“We can leave the petitions in the car,” Matthew says. “No point bringing them in just to take them out again tomorrow morning.”
I nod, the practicalities of tomorrow feeling a world away from the peace of this moment. “Okay.”
He opens my door, his hand reaching for mine the moment I stand. We walk up the pathway hand in hand, tired in the best possible way. Full of good food and the quiet joy of a day spent just being together.
He unlocks the door, stepping back to let me enter first. I walk into the silent foyer as he closes the door behind us, dropping the keys into a small ceramic bowl on the console table.
He turns to me with the gentlest of smiles.
But standing here, in his home, a new, unshakeable resolve crystallizes within me.
A thought born not of fear, but of strength and a deep, abiding love.
To truly be his equal, I need to be whole on my own.
I take a deep breath. “I’m going to start looking at apartments this week,” I say, my voice clear and calm.
He stops, his hand hovering over the lamp he was about to turn on. He looks at me, his head tilting slightly, and I see him process my words.
The gentle smile vanishes, replaced by a wicked grin that makes my breath catch.
He closes the distance between us in two long strides. “Is that so?” he murmurs. His hands find my waist, eyes blazing with a familiar, delicious fire.
He ducks down, hooks an arm under my knees, and lifts me effortlessly over his shoulder.
“Matt!” A surprised shriek escapes me, turning into a peal of laughter. “What are you doing?!” I laugh, gripping his waist for dear life as he carries me, upside down, up the stairs.
“Making the most of my time.”
And as he carries me into his bedroom, my laughter echoing in the beautiful, quiet house, I feel nothing but pure joy.