Santi’s mom offered Jaime something to drink but he declined. After a few minutes, the light tapping of heels on the tile alerted them to Leti’s arrival. Dressed in a long pink ball gown that was adorned with sequins, she had a big smile on her face when she saw Jaime.
“I didn’t think you would come.”
“I wouldn’t miss it. You look beautiful, Leti.”
She twirled around in her dress. “I feel like a princess. This is better than my quince.”
Jaime placed the corsage on her wrist. “Hope you like it. I’ve actually never bought one of these.”
She lifted the flowers to her nose and inhaled the scent. “It’s so pretty and smells so good. I love it. Thank you.”
Jaime glanced at Santi’s mom, who was dabbing her eyes.
Santi put his arm around his sister. “I wish Dad was here. You are so pretty.”
They hugged. He may not have been close with his family, but at least they were alive.
Maybe Jaime needed to do more. Maybe he needed to try harder with them.
Santi escorted everyone out the door. “Have a good time.” He lowered his voice. “Thank you.”
“Don’t mention it.”
A flash went off, and then more. Santi was snapping photos like he was a paparazzo. Jaime grabbed the camera from him and took some family photos.
Leti’s best friend, Tanía, showed up with her date, John. Santi would be hosting her. Santi took some more pictures of the girls dressed up together.
The limo took the group to a restaurant in Mill Valley. The prom was held in the banquet area, and it had been transformed into an under-the-sea theme. Lights twinkled on the ceiling like stars in the sky and the floor was lit in an aquamarine tone and had holograms of fish swimming projected over it. Absolutely spectacular.
What had his prom been like? His date had been so angry at him for wanting to go to Mexico that she went to the prom without him. It had been downtown in some fancy hotel. Looking back, he regretted not going.
Jaime didn’t mind hosting Leti at all, but he did feel a little bit awkward being surrounded by so many high school kids.
A dance song blared through the speakers.
Ben and John had wandered off.
“Do you want to dance?” Jaime asked.
Leti took his hand before he had a chance to take hers. “Yes.”
He took her arm and led her in a West Coast Swing. She followed wonderfully.
Those ballroom classes his mom had forced him to take had really paid off. He did a rock step and then threw her into a small dip. She laughed and threw back her hair. She didn’t miss a beat.
“Wow, Leti. You can dance.”
“Yes! My mom put me in lessons. I’m on the cheerleading team. I love dancing.” Joy graced her face.
She was having so much fun and honestly so was Jaime.
The next song was a ballad. Ben had returned and cut in. Ben and Leti swayed to the music at a close but respectful distance.
After a few more dances, Leti and her friend Tanía went outside. Jaime walked over to the refreshment bar and grabbed a cup of punch for himself.
A girl walked up to him. “Excuse me, are you Jaime Montez?”
“Yes.”
