It’s becoming torture, because now knowing what she’s been through, I have no idea how to pursue more without making her skittish or pushing her boundaries. I’m very much on board with the idea that we could try dating for real, but she has a lot on her plate that she’s trying to accomplish, and dating is probably the furthest thing from her mind. Then there’s the fear that if things do go badly if we try, what happens to our arrangement? What happens tothe amazing friendship we’ve built? Would the risk be worth it?
The birds are loving our situation at least, since now it’s not just me at home talking with them, playing with them, and giving them affection.
The new little flock mate we rescued is a girl, and we decided to name her Tinkerbell, since her green coloring reminds us of her dress. Her personality is just as sassy, too. She gets along really well with Daisy and Hermes after slowly doing introductions, but she also has no problem letting them know if they annoy her. We both love her so much already.
Celeste and I have bonded over taking in a pet together. She will swear up and down that Tink is mine, that I took her to the vet and made the decision to bring her home. I call her on that bullshit, though. She was the one who immediately called me because she wanted to help the little cutie. She fusses over making sure Tink is happy and healthy just as much as I do, and even does the same for her step-birds. She’s not a step-bird mom, she’s the bird mom who stepped up.
In the grand tradition of married couples, we’ve also bickered over the fact that we didn’t do a prenup.
“How could we overlook that? Don’t think I forgot about needing to talk about this just because you called me a cute Spanish endearment, I looked up what mi vida means. Are you fluent, by the way?” Celeste had all but howled when I got home from work late the day we rescued Tink.
“We had a lot going on, and I’m not worried about it. I trust that you wouldn’t take me to the cleaners. I’m not fluent, but I grew up speaking it a lot with my abuela,” I answered her, trying to hold back a chuckle.
“Of course I wouldn’t take you to the cleaners, but we still needed to cross all of the t’s to make sure you’re protected!”
“You’re adorable when you’re outraged on my behalf, but stop worrying,” I told her with a boop to her nose, which brought her up short. She blinked at me in pure surprise, as if she’d never been called adorable. Then she booped me back, cracked up, and ran out of my office. The saucy look she gave me over her shoulder to see if I’d give chase had my blood on fire.
“Hermes, help, your daddy is going to get me,” she’d shouted breathlessly.
“Beautiful Celeste,” he’d said back, almost anxiously.
Hearing her call me daddy made me almost fall over my feet while running after her, which I think she did on purpose. I still caught her, turning her around and wrapping her in a bear hug as we both cackled.
The memory of how she rested her forehead on my chest all out of breath still makes me grin.
Now I’m playing with the birds after seeing Celeste off to work this morning, taking a quick nap, and doing some needed stress cleaning. I have off today, so I’ll actually see her when she gets home from her longer shift. Wouldn’t she love coming home to a home cooked meal after a hard day? The idea immediately pops into my head to make my abuela’s arepas since I know Celeste loves them so much. We’ve been pretty good about splitting up the cooking, and it’s seemed to ease her mind about getting doted on. It’s my turn tonight anyway.
Once the birds are situated in their aviaries, I head to the store to get the ingredients I need. I have no delusions that I can make the arepas as well as my abuela did, because she had the magic touch that can’t be replicated, but I knowI have it close. I’ve even jumped in to help make them at the bar sometimes if our cooks are overwhelmed.
As soon as I get home I start prepping. The pork starts braising low and slow with our family’s signature spice blend, I pickle some onions and jalapeños to use as a topping, and finally make the dough. Hopefully she’ll be impressed. Maybe over the course of talking when we eat, I can find a way to bring up how I’m feeling, and figure out if she’s feeling at all the same. I know she’s affected by me, but whether she wants to act on it is a whole other story.
There is still plenty of time before she gets home, and I need to occupy my mind with something other than her, so I head into my office to get some admin work done for the bar. As my computer boots up, I text Diana to check in on how today is going, and she replies quickly that all is well. My emails are pretty under control, but there are a handful to take care of.
I have to reply to a local foodie influencer whose content is amazing, so I reached out to her to ask about doing a collab. She says she’d love to work with me, and pitches some ideas on talking about how our lemon hibiscus margarita is the drink of the summer, or since we’re now getting toward fall, possibly talking up our apple crisp margarita. She’s also interested in the history of our arepas. I love those ideas.
There’s also an email from the man who runs the local farmer’s market asking if I’d like to do a popup for their big fall festival next month, at the end of September. It’s a huge event that people flock to for pumpkins, fresh apple cider donuts, fall produce, face painting, a small petting zoo, and even some carnival games. Getting a booth there would garner a lot of attention for the bar.
I reply to both emails, and look over our numbers so farfor the month that Wayne sent me. We’re still doing well, but we need fresh ways of getting new customers. I’m hinging a lot on this collab, it’ll be the first one we’ve ever done. These are the kinds of things I want to concentrate on instead of the traditional advertising my dad likes to do, because social media is only going to become more and more powerful as a marketing tool.
This is my opportunity to show him that leaving the bar to me will mean leaving it in good hands. I want him to be at ease knowing I can take El Abrevadero to the next level, and keep up with the times. Abuela’s legacy will be secure.
I’m pulled from my office after a couple of more hours of working on paperwork and emails when I get a text from Celeste.
My Wife
Heads up that I’m on my way in case you’re walking around naked, Casanova
I snort, because she does this type of check in text almost every time she’s coming back from work or wherever she is.
Appreciate the warning. I’m getting dressed and sending my nudist friends home as I type this
Aw, don’t let me ruin the fun. I can always go to Tania’s
I make the decision to get slightly serious with her.
I have the most fun hanging out with you. Come home and have dinner with me, I have everything ready for arepas.
The floating dots appear and disappear a couple of times before her response comes through.
