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“Yeah. Stella—Dana’s mom—always did the cooking, and Dana helped out her dad in the kitchen for a bit when her mom got ill. It’s hearty food and pub grub, mostly, but Stella knew how to cook, and Jacob does a fair job following his wife’s recipes.”

“That’s nice. Keeping her legacy alive,” Ma muses as she stares off in the distance.

“I guess.”

Buck stops by the table, clapping me on the shoulder, but his eyes are on my mother.

“Who is this beautiful creature?”

He has her all but blushing, and I quickly grab his fingers, still resting on my shoulder, and give them a good firm squeeze.

Satisfied when I see him wince, I explain, “That would be my mother.”

“I see,” he grumbles, shaking out his hand.

“Theresa Rojas,” my mother introduces herself, offering her hand across the table.

With a side-eye on me, Buck takes her hand and slightly bends forward.

“Beautiful name too. Buck Wilson, at your service.”

Old coot.

“Quit harassing the lady, Buck,” Jacob barks as he walks up with Dana and faces my mother. “I apologize for my friend here. He can’t help himself.”

Buck backs away with his hands raised and a mischievous grin on his face. “Hey, can’t blame a man for trying.” Then he adds with a wink for my mother, “Enjoy your evening, ma’am,” and returns to his stool at the bar.

By the time we drop Ma off at the apartment, her face is flushed and her eyes are sparkling.

She grabs my face in both hands when we say goodbye.

“You chose well coming here, mi hijo.”

I stopped looking for my mother’s approval a long time ago, but it’s still nice to have it.

“Love you, Ma.”

“See you in the morning, Theresa!” Dana calls from behind me.

“You will, cariño.”

Dana

* * *

My head feels a little heavy this morning.

I probably shouldn’t have had that second Irish coffee, but I was going with the flow of what turned out to be an unexpectedly pleasant evening. Between Buck’s flirting and my father’s pub owner charm, Theresa seemed to enjoy herself, giving both Rick and I a chance to catch our breaths.

It was nice seeing Pops back in his element, smiling and sharing jokes, making sure everyone was having a good time. He’s always been the more social one of my parents. I suspect I’m more like my mother, and am much more comfortable staying in the background.

He mentioned the new cook was working out well, and Len started training an extra bartender a few days ago. I was grateful for the news, it alleviated some of my guilt for leaving my father to handle the pub by himself. Without me there to lean on, he’d been able to get things up and running again under his own wind. He seemed pleased when I told him I was proud of him.

The night ended with Rick and I back at the house, our bodies doing most of the talking as we headed straight for the bed, and I fell asleep with him still inside me.

I stretch my body, moaning as I feel my muscles come alive.

Rick is no longer in bed, but I can hear the shower running. For a moment I’m tempted to turn around and catch a few more winks. After all, it’s the weekend and I don’t have to head back to the hospital until Monday. But then I see the old leak stain on the ceiling in the corner of the room, reminding me of the list of projects I painstakingly put together. Perhaps I should head down and put on some coffee instead.