Chapter 2 #2
He shook his head. “Maybe later.” Setting down his empty beer bottle, he grabbed another and pulled my hand.
“Come on, I want you to meet Mrs. Lopez. She was my first piano teacher. I didn’t find out till later, but when my dad died, she never charged my mom for lessons.
She’s a wonderful lady and I owe a lot to her. ”
Threading our way through the chattering crowd he pulled out a chair for me at one of the tables. Already seated was a kind-looking couple in their 60’s. The gentleman, Mr. Lopez, I assumed, stood as I was seated, then resumed his seat when Jack sat next to me.
“Jack, it’s so good to see you!” Mrs. Lopez trilled. She had a high, soft voice and her face broke into a beaming grin as she leaned over to hug him. “I have missed you, you naughty boy. But I keep track of you and know what you’re up to, even if you don’t come visit like you should.”
Jack gave a guilty shrug and said, “I’m sorry, Mrs. Lopez, Mr. Lopez. I’ve been… busy.”
“I should say so, Jack!” she responded. “All over the world you’ve been busy. I can see why you don’t have time for boring old Arizona.” Then, looking over his shoulder at me, I saw a sparkle light up her eyes. “And who is your friend, Jack? Please introduce us properly.”
Jack leaned back and laid an arm across my shoulders, giving me a little squeeze.
(Come on poker face, don’t fail me now!) “This is my girlfriend, Eve. She’s French and speaks very little English, so please excuse her for not joining in the conversation.
” Gesturing towards the seated couple he told me, “Mr. and Mrs. Lopez.”
I reached a hand across to delicately take the elder lady’s. “Enchanté, Madame Lopez, Monsieur Lopez.” She patted my hand with her own soft, plump hand. Speaking much louder than she had been, she said, “We’re so pleased to meet you, Eve.”
Rubbing a hand across his stubble, possibly to hide a smile, Jack said, “She’s French, not deaf, Mrs. Lopez.”
She rolled her eyes and waved a hand as if to brush away her mistake. “Of course she is. Anyway, she’s a lovely girl and I’m glad you could bring her, Jack.”
A corner of his mouth curved up as he looked at me and he nodded, “As am I.” It made my heart do a little pitter-patter tap dance. That smile, the one that could heat up a stadium, and he was smiling it for me!
Jack excused us and led me to the now almost empty food table line.
We filled two plates with delicious smelling food.
Even though we were the tail end of the line, there was still plenty.
It was difficult to choose between the homemade tortillas, the beans and rice, the chicken casserole oozing with cheese, shredded beef tacos, tamales, and chili rellenos.
I was also overwhelmed with the number of desserts—cakes, cookies, bread pudding, and pies.
I would have burst if I ate even a quarter of the choices, but I wanted to make sure my plate had a good representation of the offerings, so that I wouldn’t offend anyone.
Jack filled his plate and grabbed another beer.
I took a glass of lemonade. All of the seats were now taken, so we put our plates on the stage and leaned against it for support.
As we ate, Jack kept up a running commentary under his breath about the people around us.
Who he’d gone to school with. Who had been his neighbors, teachers, and coaches.
Halfway through my plate I told Jack that I needed to use the ladies’ room.
He nodded and pointed to the twin doors, located mid-court.
Once inside the restroom, I sat in a stall and tried to regroup.
It was so surreal, holding hands with Jack Garcia, being introduced as his girlfriend.
I couldn’t quite wrap my mind around it.
A boisterous group of women entered the restroom. I counted, three, no four different voices. And I was fairly certain that one of them belonged to Valentina. As I’d suspected earlier, there was no trace of grief in her voice.
One of her friends was speaking. “You sure can pick ‘em, Val. Jack is looking hot, hot, hot!”
One of the others chimed in, “Yeah he is. Hot as hell! But what about that piece of trash he dragged in with him? She’s gotta go.”
I could hear the glee in Valentina’s voice as she announced proudly, “Not to worry, chicas. I’ll have Jack back wrapped around my pinkie before you can say ‘buh bye French bitch’” Her friends exploded with laughter. “He is gonna be mine. Just watch.”
Now I was well and truly trapped. Did I hide out in the stall till they left?
And if they left before me, would they ambush Jack in his woozy, defenseless state?
I made a decision and hoisted up my French mantle, along with my trousers.
I flushed and exited the stall, heading for the sink.
Valentina and her posse stood frozen, unsure of how much I’d heard. (Uh, everything, bitches).
I turned up the wattage on my smile and said, “Excusez moi” easing between them to wash my hands. They stayed silent and unsure as I washed and dried my hands. One further peek in the mirror to check my hair, then I gave a small smile to the group and quickly exited the restroom.
I hustled over to Jack at the stage, who seemed to have snagged another beer. Bending toward him I whispered urgently in his ear, “Jack we ‘ave to go.”
He turned to me curiously, studying my face, trying to focus on me. “Why?
“Just trust me, Jack. We need to go now.”
The message seemed to get through. He gathered up the remains of our dinner and tossed it into the large garbage can against the wall.
He took my hand, and we threaded through the tables, saying good-byes as we went.
We had almost made it to the door when Valentina and her posse intercepted us, giving me the stink eye as she attempted to insinuate herself in between Jack and me.
Uh, no, not today, you grasping has-been.
I threaded my arm through Jack’s and stood my ground. She had no idea who she was dealing with. I did not like this woman one bit and Jack deserved much better.
I managed to sound a bit sorrowful as I said to Valentina, “Je suis desolée…I am so…sorry…for your…loss. I know a love like zat is just one time in a life. If you had not broken up wiz Jack, you would not have had Nick, and I would not have Jack. So, sank you for zat.” I gazed up at Jack with adoring eyes as I said the last bit.
His look at me was a bit confused, but he followed along, gamely.
“Good to see you, Val. I’m sorry about Nick. He was a good guy.” His lips tightened as he wrapped his arm around my waist and led me out into the parking lot. He seemed to take our relationship escalation in stride.
Outside he paused and took a deep breath, head tilted back, seeming to search the skies. Then he shook his head and turned toward the car, wobbling slightly.
“Jack, give me ze keys, please. I do not sink you should be driving.” He dug the keys out of his pocket and handed them over without protest. A sensible man who knew when not to argue! I was pleasantly surprised.