17. Michael #4
Vivian blushes under the praise that needs no translation.
“Thank you, Mrs. Stromberg. It’s a pleasure to meet you.
” Her response is genuine and tender as she takes in the woman who raised me and who shares the same chronic illness as her.
I wonder what she’s thinking. We haven’t talked much about Vivian’s fibro besides that first date, and I didn’t think to mention that my mom has to use a walker or a wheelchair at times.
Does Vivian worry that might be in her future too?
I hope not, but if it comes to that, it won’t make a difference.
I will always love and cherish her regardless of if we’re walking together or I’m wheeling her in a chair.
Just as long as I can continue to have her in my life, be in her presence, loving her and feeling her love in return.
Apparently I’ve zoned out again, because it takes my mom repeating my name to bring me back to the present. “Miguel!” she says sharply. “We’ll talk more later. Go feed your woman,” she reprimands, but there’s no heat behind her words, only teasing.
“ Si, mama, lo se ,” I tell her as I lead Vivian back to her chair.
I don’t sit down, but instead grab my mom’s plate to fill it with all the delicious items on the table so she doesn’t have to wait.
My dad’s got his own taken care of and won’t be much fun to talk to until his stomach’s full, so I don’t bother with that introduction til later.
The room quickly fills with loud voices and laughter, and when I turn to look at Vivian, her eyes and mouth are both smiling, sparking a smile on my face in return.
My heart and belly are satisfied as we both enjoy the good food and good conversation.
Later that evening, after everything has been put away, Paquita scolding and pushing anyone who dares try to help out of her kitchen (Vivian included), we all settle into the living room to catch up some more.
Dad and Vivian find common ground talking about unreasonable customers in the service industry and trading stories back and forth, so I leave her to it, seizing a chance to talk to Connor one-on-one.
“So how’s it going with you? Like, really? ” I ask him.
Connor is one of five brothers, and there’s always drama going on at his house, but the good kind.
Like me, he has loving, if sometimes—overbearing—parents, and siblings that are trying to find their way in the world.
“Same ole, same ole,” he tells me, leaning back against the stone fireplace.
“The two youngest are constantly pushing boundaries and getting into trouble, and the two oldest are trying to make sure those boys don’t get anyone arrested or pregnant. ”
“Okay, that’s them, but what about you , really? I miss ya, man.”
“I’m… all right, I guess,” he says after a pause.
“Work is fine, everything’s fine on the surface.
But I’m ready for my one, you know?” I wait for him to continue.
“Like Sebastian and Amanda. They’ve been a done deal since the get-go.
And I never really expected you to find someone in Charlotte.
You outgrew this place a long time ago. And stupid people hold grudges, and I know that was holding you back.
” I nod, appreciating that he’s not going into how my history of fighting and fucking people up royally screwed me over when it came to jobs and dating.
“I knew Atlanta was for more than just work. And it looks like you’ve found her.
” He tilts his head in Vivian’s direction.
She’s seated on the couch with my mother and sister on either side, my dad having wandered off.
All are fascinated by something on Vivian’s lap, but now is not the time to figure out what it is just yet.
She seems content so I’ll enjoy my time with my best friend.
“You’re right, man. I have.” As if Vivian can feel the same pull that tethers us together, she looks up just then. Her eyes radiate warmth and love as she meets my gaze. I want to drown in them forever.
This is what real, true love feels like.
Not just electrifying lust—as good as that can be—but solid, certain.
It’s a richness and depth that can’t be described, only felt; it’s been carved into my body and soul.
There is nothing I wouldn’t do for this woman.
She’s my person, my other half, the one I’ve been looking for.
The one I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with.
Her slow smile pours over me like warm honey, lighting me up inside.
It’s a wonder my heart doesn’t burst out of my chest right here and now.
“See? That’s what I’m talking about.” Connor nudges my shoulder as I come back down to earth.
“That’s what I’m missing in my life. I want what you and Seb have.
The love of a woman that I can see myself settling down with.
I’m ready, you know? I have been for a while now.
” It’s the quiet yearning in his voice that gets to me.
He’s one of the best men I know, and he deserves the love of a good woman. He’s been more than patient.
“It’ll happen, man, I promise. It’ll come at you right when you least expect it.” I clap him on his shoulder. “I never would have thought just a couple weeks ago that Vivian would walk into my life—”
“It’s only been a couple of weeks?” he asks, his eyes wide.
“Yeah, I met her just before my birthday,” I confide.
“Damn,” he whistles softly. “Looking at you two together, you’d think you’ve been dating for months.”
“When I saw her… well, it felt like I was looking into forever,” I muse, then shrug. “When you know, you know.”
He punches me lightly. “Well, brother, I’m happy for you. I really am. You needed to leave Charlotte and all the bullshit behind. You deserve all the best.” I might not need his blessing, but it’s all the more welcome coming from Connor.
“Thanks, man. Best damn present I ever got.” We bump fists.
“And that’s what Miguel looks like when he’s naked,” I hear in the periphery, followed by trills of laughter.
My eyes fly to the women tittering on the couch, Vivian’s hand pressed to her mouth as she laughs alongside them.
Blushing ever so slightly, she catches my eye and winks at me.
“Better go see what they’re getting into,” I tell Connor as I rise up from my spot by the fireside hearth.
As I approach, I see my mom try to grab something out of Vivian’s lap. “Shh, don’t let him see it!” my mom says in a stage whisper and as I come closer I see why. And groan.
“Mami, tell me you didn’t.” I groan exaggeratedly.
“I had nothing to do with this, I swear!” Isabella throws her hands up dramatically, and I raise an eyebrow at her.
“What? Can’t I see my boyfriend’s cute baby pictures?” Vivian asks me in a saccharine tone, but her playful expression is more devilish than sweet.
“For you, mi amor, anything.” I stand behind the couch and tilt her face up to me, dropping a kiss to her forehead.
“But I’m not sticking around for any of the embarrassing stories.
” Amidst protests and more laughter from my mom and sister, I walk out to the back porch where I know I’ll find my grandpa with a cigar.
Sure enough, as soon as the patio door opens, the warm spicy scent hits me. “ Sal y siéntate un rato ,” he says, patting the glider bench he’s sitting on. He hands me a cigar and clips the end off for me. “So you’ve found yourself a woman, I see,” he says as he lights it.
“ Si, abuelo .” I take a few puffs, relishing the rich taste. Say what you will, the man knows how to pick ’em.
“Tell me about her.”
“Well, you already heard her talk about the restaurant she works at—”
“No, Miguel. Tell me about her . Who she is, how she makes you feel… how she fits into your life. That’s what I want to hear.”
“She’s everything to me, abuelo. She makes me feel alive. Invincible. Like anything is possible as long as I have her by my side. It’s not just her beauty.”
“She is indeed very beautiful,” he agrees.
“She’s phenomenal. She has a best friend that she cares about more than anything in the world. And her life hasn’t been easy, even though she appears so carefree. She has her own troubles, but she doesn’t let them get her down. Did I tell you she has fibromyalgia too?”
He shakes his head. “Are you sure? She looks like she feels fine.”
“Yeah, I’m sure. I’ve seen her on her bad days. It gets just as bad as Mama’s.”
He curses under his breath. “ Maldito sea . I never would have guessed. Your woman, she has good energy, a lightness to her.”
“ Si . I’ve never met anyone like Vivian before. She’s one of the smartest people I’ve ever met; she’s funny, determined, driven. I can’t get enough of her, abuelo. I’m always thinking about her. When I’m with her, I feel… complete.” I sigh. “She’s my home now.”
“You sound like how I feel about your grandma,” he says, patting my knee. We sit there for a few minutes, blowing smoke rings into the air and thinking about our women. “So, did I call it right?”
“What do you mean?” Although I’m pretty sure I know what he’s going to say.
“Are you going to get married soon?”
“Planning on it. Haven’t said the exact words yet, I’m waiting for the right time. And she looked a little wigged out when you dropped that bomb during the prayer,” I say with a wry grin.
“You might be surprised, mi nieto ,” he tells me, eyes twinkling. “I didn’t say that lightly. I felt a nudge on my heart when I saw you two together.”
“? Qué? ’
“ No le busques tres pies al gato. ”
“Three legs on a cat? Abuelo, what the hell are you talking about?” His years must be catching up with him.
“You don’t know that one?” At the shake of my head he continues, “It means don’t over complicate things, mi nieto .
If Vivian is the one for you, don’t worry about how long you have or haven’t been together.
Your grandma and I knew each other for two months before we got married.
Two months! People would be so shocked nowadays.
Now, you young folk are all like blah blah blah, we need two years together and a year to plan a wedding.
Esto es ridículo! Don’t listen to them. Two months I knew your grandmother and the moment I met her, I knew.
And look at us now, sixty years strong.”
“Make that a hundred.” Paquita pokes her head out of the porch door. “Feels like it anyway,” she says as she joins us on the glider.
“Cállate, mujer. Sabes que te encanta.” He scoffs, but there’s nothing harsh in his words, only the love of decades.
“ Si, si ,” she agrees. “But you know better than to be smoking these things.” She takes my grandpa’s cigar and looks ready to stamp it out, but instead takes a puff herself.
Coughing, she hands it back to him. “Nasty things,” she scolds as I revel at their quick exchange in Spanish.
Damn, how I’ve missed this banter, the easygoing nature of my family.
But right now, I’m missing my woman more.
“I’m heading back in,” I tell the two of them. “Paquita, do you want the rest of this?” I hold my barely touched cigar out to her.
“ Jamás! ” she says, her face a mask of offense. “Just set it on the ashtray there, and I’ll take care of it.”
“ Gracias, abuela .” I wink, knowing damn well that she’s going to smoke my cigar the minute I leave. It’s always like this; she comes out and fusses about him smoking, but they enjoy them in private together.
As I pull the door open to go back inside, I watch as my grandpa wraps his arm around my grandma, pulling her in close.
The two of them are so in love with each other even after all these years.
They’ve been through so much, having left Cuba before Castro came to power, starting a new life all over again here in the States, raising children and grandchildren.
It’s been far from easy, but they’ve made it through all the hardships with their relationship intact and stronger than ever.
Seeing the two of them rock back and forth on the glider enjoying the sunset and each other’s company, I want that with Vivian forty, fifty, sixty years from now.
Time to go find my lady.