Camilo:Where’s Libe?
Tom:With Maxwell. He felt bad for all the interruptions…
Camilo: He should. Nosy asshole.
Tom:LOL
Camilo:When will you be back?
Tom:Saturday, early evening most likely.
Camilo:Okay.
I really needed to say this.
Camilo:And thank you.
Tom:Not necessary, but you’re welcome. Will I see you when we get back?
Camilo:Maybe. I’m calling my mom now and you better not be listening to what I say to her!
Tom:You’re the boss, mi amor. I love you.
Camilo:I love you, too, you greasy bastard.
Tom
“It’s about damn time! I’ve been waiting here for hours.” My heart almost beat out of my chest when I saw Camilo waiting in the doorway of Dinorah’s apartment. It was almost 9:00 p.m. and we’d been on the road for over twelve hours. I was exhausted from all the driving I’d done in the last week. But every ache and pain evaporated when I saw him with his hands on his hips, trying his best to look pissed and failing completely.
“Milito papí, don’t yell at us, we’re tired.”
He was not mollified in the slightest by Dinorah, and just kept glaring at us.
“Of course, you’re tired, who drives to Miami and back in a week?” he said, throwing his arms up, as he came up to us. “Do you think you’re still twenty-two, Dinorah? You’re sixty years old, woman.” He grabbed her as she made it to the door and hugged her hard. Closing his eyes as he put his nose in her neck. “I missed you, Mama.”
“I missed you too, papí, but it was a very nice trip.” She looked over at me and Camilo pulled back from her to turn his attention my way, then pointed in the direction of my face.
“You look like you’re about to collapse. Leave it to your slithery ass to figure out a way to get out of me yelling at you for yet again doing some sneaky shit.” He griped, as I stood there silently reveling in Camilo’s moody litany. “Of course, you had to go and do something so fucking perfect and amazing. I now have no other choice but to take your shifty ass back.”
This last part he said softly as he grabbed my hand and dragged me into the apartment. I was still pulling Dinorah’s suitcase. He took it out of my hands and out of the way, so he could put his arms around my waist.
I looked down at his face, losing myself in those gray eyes that came into my life to light up my world.
“Are you taking pity on me then? Because, baby, I’m ready to keep groveling. I was always in for the long game with you,Camilo. From day one.” His eyes softened and his mouth fell open like he was trying to breathe through what he was feeling.
He looked over his shoulder when he heard his mom’s suitcase rolling down the hallway to the bedroom.
“Mama.” She stopped and walked back over to give us each a kiss on the cheek.
“We’ll talk tomorrow, papí,” she told Camilo then looked up at me with a fond smile on her face. “Take this poor man home, he’s exhausted. Thank you again, Tom. I can’t tell you what these last few days have meant to me.”
I looked at her, feeling so much for this woman. We’d spent hours talking while we drove and I’d learned so much about her and her strength. The things she’d lived through to come to this country, and those she’d experienced after.
The love she had for her son.
We were similar in so many ways, Dinorah and I. We’d come to this country clutching hard to our dreams, and we’d made the best of what we’d found here.
“Yo se, Dinorah. It was an honor and a pleasure.” She gave me a kiss and a tight hug, before pinching Camilo on the cheek. “Next time we’ll have to bring this one with us.”
