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Rosie wasn’t the only one struggling with the idea of saying goodbye. I was, too. I… didn’t think I could have gone through it if I hadn’t left the way I did.
I snuck out while she was still asleep.
I was a coward.
But it was about survival.
I couldn’t give her what she deserved. I was… a man with no plan. No life. No purpose.Sin oficio ni beneficio, like Abuela would say.
And if I had stayed one more minute in that bed with her all soft and warm and wonderful against me, I would have never left her side. I would have only delayed what was to come: her finding someone else that could give her all the things she wanted and deserved. Everything we’d had,andstability. Someone that had goddamn plan, a future. Someone who had his shit together.
I didn’t want Rosie to settle for me. And I wouldn’t let myself use her, use us, to ignore reality.
Eyeing the counter again, I finally saw my destination displayed on the screen above it indicating that it was open for check-in.
“Fucking finally,” I muttered under my breath, even when I knew that this was on me for showing up at the airport hours early.
Instead of enjoying that time with Rosie.
With a sigh that wasn’t of relief, I stood up, grabbed my backpack from the floor, and called for Taco,“Vamos, chico.”Then I headed to the queue before it got too long.
Checking my phone as I stood there, I fired a text to my sister, who had arrived in Spain from Boston yesterday. With the time difference, I knew it had to be around lunchtime in Spain.
Lucas:At the airport. Will you pick us up?
Lucas:Can we stay at your place tonight?
Charo:first, I babysit your dog. Now, the two of you?
I rolled my eyes; she was just being difficult by default. I knew my big sister.
Charo:Abuela is staying here too, she planted herself here today. So we’ll go pick you up. I’ll bring sandwiches to the airport; I know flying gets you hungry. Jamón or chorizo?
Lucas:Jamón.
Charo:How about please and thank you?
Lucas:Please. Thanks.
Lucas:And why is Abuela with you?
Charo:Rude. I hope you got her a gift. Mamá, too.
Lucas:oh.
Ah mierda. I hadn’t thought of getting anything for anyone. Not even the Empire State Building key ring Mamá had asked for.
Charo:oh? That’s all you got?
Lucas:what do you mean?
Charo:first you say please and thank you without being snarky about it. Then, you don’t even try to sell me something like “I’m bringing myself, I’m the gift.” Or like being your usual… charm-man.
Lucas:I’m sorry.
Charo:… Now you’re apologizing?
Charo:are you okay?
