Page 45 of Pining for You

“Same,” Izaac says, but his response still has a touch of edge to it, like he’s not quite ready to let go of the gripe he’s been holding on to—or he doesn’t know how. He’ll come around, I’m sure of it—and Audra seems to be too.

“Well, I’m glad you’re here now,” Audra says, and puts a hand over his.

“Me too.”

I see an open window now—where we can convince Audra to come back to Ripton for the holidays. I originally thought it might be to act as a buffer for Izaac, but maybe with everything all out in the open, they can talk to their parents and the family can get on the same page. Whatever it was that Izaac was hoping Audra could help with, she could be there for him. Just have to find the right moment…

“Anyway, it just means there’s a lot to catch up on,” Audra says.

Izaac’s face softens. “A lot,” he says.

“But… probably better when I’m not actively working.”

“Actually, we don’t really have a ton of time today anyway,” he starts, then looks in my direction.

“Ah, of course,” Audra says. “I’m sure future candidate Izaac Evans has an agenda. I didn’t imagine you came just for me.”

I’m afraid she’s hurt, but then she breaks into a grin, and it’s clear she’s teasing.

“So, what does bring you to the big city, then?”

“Love, actually,” Izaac answers, putting a hand on my shoulder.

“… is all around?” Audra says, throwing on a Hugh Grant accent.

“Oh, Audra, I have missed you deeply,” I say, and laugh because it’s funny, but also because it’s a release in tension we all desperately needed.

“Same, Bosley. So few people get my references, and even fewer appreciate them,” she says, laughing too.

Before Izaac can respond, a very large, very burly man approaches us. He has a towel slung over his shoulder and is wearing an oil-stained apron. He looks like Lazo from Pag’s, except a hundred pounds heftier and twenty years younger.

“Ari says your brother is here,” he booms. He reminds me of Pete as the Ghost of Christmas Future in Mickey’s Christmas Carol, complete with the five o’clock shadow. The only thing missing is a massive cigar, which I suspect might be waiting back in a heavy ashtray in his office somewhere. I brace myself in case he’s about to throw us out. But then he says, “I wanted to say hello.”

His stubbly, sweaty cheeks lift as he grins, and now I see that the lines on his face are the kind worn in from a lifetime of laughter and lightheartedness. He turns from an intimidating oversize cartoon into a giant teddy bear.

“Izaac, this is Arturo,” Audra says, brightening in a way that conveys Don’t forget this is my place of employment. “My boss.”

“Well, Audra’s the real boss around here.” He laughs. “But I’m guilty of being the owner of this illustrious establishment.”

He gestures around and as I follow his hand, it’s like the whole place gets a coat of fresh fairy dust. His pride in the bar makes it sparkle and shine in new ways, and now I suddenly see little details I hadn’t noticed before, ones that demonstrate the love he’s put into it: well-tended poinsettias in the windows, the handwritten chalkboard with notes to regulars (Welcome back, Tommy!), the mirrors behind the bar, which may be cracked but were clearly polished recently. There’s even a little wall with a cluster of Polaroids that seem to be of friends or patrons smiling and toasting together. It reminds me of my own picture wall at home.

“This is Izaac, my brother.” Audra continues the introductions.

“No kidding,” Arturo says, nodding and looking at Izaac, then back to Audra. “Spittin’ image.”

“Pleasure to meet you,” Izaac says. He stands and shakes Arturo’s hand. “Really wonderful place you have here.”

I smile at Izaac. I knew he was in there somewhere.

“Why, thank you!” Arturo says, then turns to me.

“Bennie,” I say, sticking out my hand too. “No relation.”

“Don’t play, Bennie is family,” Audra says, and throws her arm around my shoulders.

“Hey, in that case, why don’t you take the rest of the day?” he says to Audra.

“For real?” she asks.