AllFreeNovel
Share Us
A part-time job at the coffee shop wouldn’t give me the funds I needed to fill a pantry, much less the fridge. Something was better than nothing. At least I didn’t have to pass out in the woods again.
“Knock, knock!” It wasn’t Suzie, but the voice was similar.
Oh, goody… a house guest.
“Um, hi.” I walked toward the stranger.
I hadn’t even found my bedroom yet, and I already had more people to deal with.
“Get out! Get out, get out, get out.” The woman started swatting at me. “No perteneces aquí. ¡Dejar! ¡Ahora!”
I’ll tuck this away as reason number three thousand seventy-four that I don’t like people.
“Woah! Mom! That’s my roommate.” Rosie ran into the living room.
The woman paused. “Oh. Roommate? Since when? ¿Por qué no me lo dijiste? No traje suficiente comida.”
I wished I had taken two years of Spanish instead of Latin in high school. Maybe then I would know what was being said between Rosie and her mom. It added an extra dose of feistiness to the conversation.
“Grey, this is my mom, and namesake, Lucienda Mariella Fernandez. You can call her Lucy.”
“Or Mom,” Lucy interjected, picking up a paper bag she dropped to attack me. When she walked toward the kitchen, Rosie and I followed. “College is the most important thing I want you to focus on.”
Lucy pulled a few containers out of the bag, placing fresh fruit, muffins, and coffee on the counter. “I don’t want you worrying about food. No es que sepas cocinar de todos modos…” She glared at Rosie.
“I didn’t know you had a roommate already, or I would have brought more. Papi and I are making lasagna tomorrow. I’ll drop some off for both of you.” She placed her palm on my cheek first, then Rosie’s.
“Haste Manana.” Rosie walked Lucy to the door.
Food. Glorious, delicious aromas. I reached out to grab a muffin, then pulled my hand back. It wasn’t mine to take. My shoulders sank. I grabbed a cup from a cabinet and poured some water from the faucet. It wasn’t a sugary blueberry muffin, but at least I wouldn’t die of dehydration.
“What are you doing? Eat something!” She placed another big paper bag on the counter and started rummaging through the containers. “Chicken, pork, beef… what tacos should we have tonight?”
“All the things. Can I eat everything?”
My body began to shake. I hadn’t eaten since the pastry Suzie gave me at the coffee shop. Dang. That family had a thing for adding “y” to just about every name. The delusion of being hungry had me thinking about some strange anomalies.
“What’s your favorite?” I asked.
“Definitely the barbacoa.” She piled some rich beefy meat on a small tortilla. She sprinkled cheese on top.
“What’s that?” I had to know. She popped the top off of another plastic dish and my stomach did somersaults. Whatever it was, I wanted to taste it. Bright red, green and white vegetables married together to make the most magnificent smell in the world.
“Pico de gallo. Mom makes the best!” She handed me a spoon full.
I closed my eyes and moaned. The flavors were even more beautiful than the smells.
“Told ya! She’s the best. Grab a plate.” She didn’t have to tell me twice.
***
My tips from the coffee shop skyrocketed leading up to fall semester. No more canned chicken dinners for this girl. I tried to give Suzie some cash for my portion of the rent. She wouldn’t accept it.
Every day got a little brighter, happier.
The house wasn’t just a place for me to live; it was a safety net. I ate better. I took better care of myself. I found rest. If my waist was any sign, maybe a little too much…
“Stop being a bum. We’re going to tour the campus.” Rosie pulled me off the couch.
