Chapter 37
Max
The rich scent of coffee drifts through the house.
I reach the bottom of the stairs and make my way to the kitchen, where Dad stands pouring his morning brew while Daisy waits faithfully beside him.
She has been attached to my dad since she met him.
He stirs in creamer and sugar, then glances at me.
“Buenos días.” My dad’s voice is chirpy. He’s always been a morning person, while my mom was not. Kind of like Sol and me.
“Morning, Pops.”
He reaches for an empty cup in the pantry. “Coffee?”
“Yes, please.”
He fills the cup, leaving room for cream. Steam weaves around it.
“Thank you. How did you sleep?” I ask, stirring the creamer and milk in.
“Good, considering she takes up half the space.” He looks down at Daisy, who’s watching him like a hawk.
“She has become your bodyguard.”
“I’m afraid so.” He laughs. “I was about to work on the gazebo. I know you have been busy. If that’s okay.”
“I woke a little early to work on it. I could use your help.”
Sol is still sound asleep, and Leo woke up early to get orders out at the office. “It should be fast since I already built the foundation and the decking.” I hand Dad the gazebo assembly instructions.
He stares at it, then nods. “This should be fun. It will look nice when all is done.”
“I wanted to propose to Sol here.”
I planned to pop the question to her long ago.
I always knew. Carlos got in the way. It was always in the cards.
Even back then, I knew I’d get her back.
From the beginning, the day I saw her at the cabin, I knew we’d be each other’s downfall, but I also knew I’d make her my forever, no matter the cost. I knew we’d get it right at some time, and now is that time.
What’s life without a little struggle? It only makes you stronger and appreciate life more.
“I have Mom’s wedding ring. I took it to a jewelry store to polish it up and add more stones to give to Sol when I propose to her.”
My dad’s cheerful smile has me grinning. “Your mom would have loved her, Max. Sol is a wonderful woman. It makes me happy that she gives you solace in your heart. It takes a special woman to put up with us Canos.”
A chuckle vibrates in my chest. “I guess so, huh?”
“Congratulations, hijo.”
“I haven’t popped the question yet, and hell, she might say no.”
“I highly doubt that. I’m sure she’s waiting for you to ask her.”
“When your mom’s ring went missing, I knew you took it. I also knew you had plans for it.”
The strange thing is, my mom had so many rings, but I picked the wedding ring up and took it with me.
I didn’t know if I’d ever see Sol again.
The day I pawned it to buy her dinner, I knew.
That ring was always hers, and I had to get it back.
“At first, I didn’t know I was carrying the ring to one day ask the girl I pinky promised decades ago to marry me.
Damn, Pops, the day I saw her for the first time in seven years at the grocery store…
It was like I was seeing a ghost. I didn’t know how to react.
I thought my mind was playing tricks on me.
I dreamt of her for so long. For so long, I lived with a knot in my chest, wondering if she was okay.
When I found out she was my neighbor next to my cabin, I knew I wanted her.
I also knew I would have to let her go without ever telling her why.
That’s what broke me deep down to my soul.
If she didn’t remember me, I would have to let her spread her wings and fly in hopes she would fly back to me.
” This is the most I’ve said to my dad or anyone, really, beside Sol.
“Love is not always easy. It takes work to build an empire. I don’t mean money but a family.
Now you have the girl and kids on the way, but marriage is where the work begins.
It takes love, devotion, loyalty, and happiness to make a marriage work.
Once the little ones arrive, life will get busy.
Men tend to lose themselves in providing for their families.
” He unfolded the ladder and then continued.
“When you were about six or seven months old, I came home from work. And your mom was overwhelmed with sleepless nights, caring for you, cooking, and cleaning, so she neglected herself. And I neglected her needs. She burst out in tears. We talked it out. Once or twice a month, we would ask your tía, Lilly, from your mom’s side, to watch you so I could take her out on a date.
Then she joined a yoga class while you stayed with me.
I didn’t realize I needed that as well. Your mom always said, ‘Communication is the key, Hector.’ She was right. ”
He gestures to the oak beam on the floor. “Pass it to me.”
I climb the aluminum ladder, which wobbles beneath my weight, and position myself across from him. Gripping the beam with both hands, I lift it carefully, aligning its notched end with the waiting joint.
“Thanks for the advice. I’ll keep it in mind. I don’t remember who tía Lilly was, but what happened to her?”
He shrugs. “Hell if I should know. That woman was a bitch.”
We continue working and talking about his family, then my mom’s. For the first time, I feel as though we are slowly repairing our relationships. I feel content and complete. I’ll always be grateful for Sol pushing Dad to recovery. It’s like a weight has been lifted off me.
“I need to find a new trainer ASAP,” I blurt out. It’s been on my mind all morning. I know a couple, but I’m not sure they can take me on this soon.
“I can train you…if you’d like…”
I stop drilling.
“Until you find someone,” he offers.
I’m surprised. I wasn’t expecting that.
“It’s okay…if you don’t.”
Drilling in the last beam, I glance up at him. “Sure. You think you still got it, Pops?”
He cracks a laugh. “I’m always up for a challenge, Max. I’ve been working out. I’d say I got it for a fifty-two-year-old man.”
“Good. We’ll start tomorrow.”
He nods, climbing down the ladder. “I’m excited, Max. It’s been a while. Especially because I get to do it with my son.”
The proud smile on his face does something to my scarred heart.
We spend twenty minutes on the cleanup. The gazebo stands finished now, better than we’d imagined. “When are you going to pop the question?”
“Next weekend. I’m going to hire someone to come decorate.”
“Sounds good. I’ll stay at my house that weekend. I need to start cleaning up and packing anyway to get ready to sell it. It’s time I find my own place. You two need your privacy.”
“Leo can stay with you and help you, and you don’t need to move out.” He must see the worry on my face.
Dad stands on the gazebo stairs. “Max, I don’t want you to worry about me. I don’t have the need to drink. For the first time in years, I’m clear-headed. I’m happy, and I like the feeling of having you in my life. I’m excited to have grandkids and a daughter-in-law. I’m not going to screw this up.”
I believe him. I just think it’s too soon. The real reason is I don’t want to lose him again now that I’m getting used to having him around. The sober side of him. “Maybe you should stay a little longer until your therapist thinks you’re ready and you complete all your AA meetings.”
“Okay, Max, whatever you think. Let me know if I’m intruding.”
“We don’t mind.” I know for a fact that Sol loves having my dad around.
She’s close to him. She always asks if I like him living here and if I resent him.
I know she’s worried whether she did the right thing or if she’s forcing it on me.
She’s not. She just knew me well enough without telling her I needed my dad sober.
He was wearing me down. Now the man standing before me is an entirely different man, whom I’m now getting used to.
“Thank you, Max, I appreciate everything you’re doing for me. I’m proud of you, son.” He swallows, and I do too. “I’d better get to work, can’t have my boss fire me.” He laughs, patting my back. “I love working with Xander and Leo. They keep me on my toes.”
My laugh rumbles in my chest. “They do. They’re characters. Xander is always trying to teach Leo manners and respect, while Leo gives zero fucks.”
We saunter back inside the cool AC, fanning the sweat gathered around my neck.
“They sure are. Xander has a good head on his shoulders. He’s just broody, and Leo is full of smiles.
You know, he asked me if I would like to adopt him.
At first, I thought he was joking, but clearly, he wasn’t.
He has you, Xander, and Sol, but deep in that aching heart of his, he needs to be fulfilled, and if I can do that for him, I will. ”
“You would?”
“Yes, Max. Of course,” he says so nonchalantly, as if he didn’t see him turn into a… “I know it’s hard to believe, Max, because you’ve only seen me as a beast. I engraved that in you. Damn, do I wish I could go back in time to make things better and give you a normal life.”
I don’t harbor resentment or bitterness toward him.
Just like I have repeated numerous times to Sol and my dad.
When I say to her I would do it all again in a heartbeat, she says, “We could have met elsewhere. Maybe at a party, store, or school.” She’ll never understand, or maybe she does and hides it, but who would have been there to save her?
Jason would have damaged her, hurt her, raped her.
Those words and thoughts wrap around my neck like a noose, making it unbearable to breathe.
“You should. I love Leo like a little brother. He has problems from his past. He lost his mom. I know he’s yearning for a family. ” I know what it’s like… We all do.
“I’ll look into it,” he says proudly.
He’s out the door. I check my emails and then start breakfast for Sol and me. She’s probably still sound asleep. If all the hammering and drilling didn’t wake her up, then I did my job right last night. Now I need to fuel up with food before the driving lessons. I’m definitely going to need it.
Sol