Chapter 5
Activate Hero Powers
Mateo
The house is dark as I walk in through the mudroom. I unlace my boots and throw my socks into the hamper on auto-pilot. Summers are long and hot. Today was no exception. The only bright spot, besides the sun, was talking with Holly.
I head straight for the fridge and pull out a carton of chocolate milk. I forgo pouring a glass and instead drink straight from the carton.
Perks of living on your own.
I pull out my dinner, grilled chicken, veggies and rice I prepared earlier in the week.
My sisters laugh at how I can eat the same meal five times a week.
Jokes on them, they have to cook five times a week while I only cook once, and by having food prepped I get to avoid Mami’s matchmaking every night at dinner.
It pays to have a simple palate and to like routine.
I stick the glass container in the microwave and lean against the counter.
Would I love to cook a gourmet meal with variety in it every night? Absolutely.
But ain’t nobody got time for that. Not with working on the farm, my woodworking hobby on the side, and a meddling madre. I barely have time to sleep.
My eyelids droop while the microwave hums. I’m going to sleep so well tonight. My bed is calling my name, and it’s a tempting seductress.
Food first, then you can sleep, Mateo.
The microwave beeps at the same time my phone rings in my back pocket.
I pull out my phone and glance at the screen, curious as to who’s calling me this late. It’s ten p.m., and I know Mami is already in bed.
It’s Holly.
I hit the answer button so hard it's a wonder the screen didn't shatter.
“Holly, long time no chat,” I say as I put her on speaker and set the device on the counter. I grab my plate of food out of the microwave and open my silverware drawer, grabbing one of the seven forks I own.
All I hear is heavy breathing from the phone.
I put my plate down and grab the phone, taking it off speaker phone as I lean back against the counter. “Holly? What’s up?”
She inhales and holds her breath, and I hear a door close in her house. “Mateo?”
“Yes, Holly. I’m here. What’s going on?”
Her breathing is ragged, and the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.
“Mateo, there’s someone sneaking around in my backyard. I think it’s a man. I saw a figure through my office window.”
I straighten and grip the countertop. “Where are you now?”
“I ran around the house and locked all the doors and windows. Now I’m hiding in my bathroom.”
“Did you get a good look at him?”
She pauses. “I think it’s Jorge.”
“WHAT?!” My free hand moves to my hair, tugging it as I start walking around the house, my chest heaving as I struggle to calm my breathing.
“I mean, the man has his type of build, and Jorge has been texting me nonstop since I told him we’re engaged. I don’t know for sure if it’s him, but at this point, I wouldn’t put it past him to be stalking my house. The man is insane!”
I take a deep breath to keep my voice as calm as possible. “Holly, you need to call the police.”
“Do I have to?”
I nod even though she can’t see me. “Yes. Yes, you have to. There is a stranger trespassing on your property, whether it's Jorge or another guy, he needs to get arrested and you need to file a restraining order.”
“But what if it gets out in the media? Alex is doing so well. I don’t want my life drama to reflect on him.”
I rub my eyes. How does she not understand how serious this is?
“Holly. There is a creeper in your yard. If he decides to break in, how are you going to protect yourself? Alex would rather you be safe than worry about his social presence and reputation. Your safety is a thousand times more important.”
“You say that, except his whole reputation and social media presence is my job. I could literally be messing up my job right now.”
I stop pacing next to the counter, and my words reverberate through the kitchen. “I. Don’t. Care. Holly. You are more important.”
It’s quiet for a moment before I hear Holly’s sad whisper. “Sometimes it sucks living in this house all by myself.”
My heart breaks and I know what I have to do.
“I’m moving to California.”
“What?”
“We’re going to get married the week after the Fourth of July and I’m moving to California. I’m going to live in that big house of yours with you so I can protect you.”
Her voice is hesitant and tinted with worry. “What about the farm?”
I shake my head, already imagining the hard conversation I’m going to have with my parents. “Your safety is more important. I’m going to stay there until that Bull Thistle is caught, or there are protections to guard you while I’m away.”
I hear a sniffle through the phone. I sit on the floor, my back against the cupboards, as my heart yearns to hold Holly and comfort her.
When a woman cries, I can barely handle it.
My sisters know how to manipulate me with their tears.
But Holly's different. All I want to do is wrap her up in my arms and make all the bad things go away.
Moisture collects behind my eyes and I let it leak out.
Men cry. Reina, Holly’s sister-in-law and my best friend, who has a degree in psychology, has told me a million times that it’s healthy for men to cry. So, I’ve embraced it.
Holly sniffles on the other side of the phone while I let my tears flow down my cheeks.
I feel utterly useless being so far away from her.
"Holly, you need to hang up and call the police." It takes everything in me to say it, because I want to take away her fears, but that isn't going to help her.
I can hear the hesitation in her voice. "He hasn't gotten inside, and I set the alarm system on the house. I closed my blinds, and turned off all the lights in the house. I think he'll go away."
I shake my head even though she can't see me. "I'm glad you covered all your bases, but you need to call them."
"Okay. I'll call you back when it's over."
My heart is beating double time. "You're a brave woman, Holly. I'll stay up until you call."
"Thank you."
The phone call ends and I spend the next twenty minutes furiously cleaning my kitchen. After the sink is scrubbed, stove spotless, and counters organized and disinfected, my phone rings again.
"He was gone, but my security camera caught him. I gave the police the footage, but at this point they can't do anything because he left before they got here and he hasn't physically threatened me."
My blood boils. But at the same time I know nothing I personally am going to say is going to help the situation. But I know who can.
“Holly, can I say a prayer for you?” I ask.
Her voice is raspy as she whispers, “Please.”
I bow my head and let the words spill out from my soul.
“Heavenly Father, please bless Holly to be safe, that her home might be protected, and she’ll feel your peace.
She is one of your precious daughters. Please protect her for me.
Please comfort her, and help guide us in how to handle this scary situation.
In the name of thy son, Jesus Christ, amen. ”
A quiet amen comes through the line. “Thank you, Mateo. I feel much better now. You really don’t need to uproot your life for me. I’m already taking away your singledom.”
I can’t help but smile as she references my singledom. Little does she know I’ve been praying for it to go away. “Holly, you’re my fiancée. It’s too late. You’ve already got my single card and you’ve shredded it. Let me do this for you, you stubbornly independent woman.”
Holly laughs, and the sound dries the tears in my eyes. She’ll be okay. She’ll make it through this.
Holly's voice is soft and feels like a hug. “Thank you, Mateo.”
“You’re welcome.”
“Well, I'm going to try and sleep. Thanks for answering my call.”
“Anytime, Holly. Buenas noches.”
"Night."
The call ends and I lean my head back against the cupboards and stare at the ceiling.
I am not sleeping tonight.