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Nadia’s eyes, a tad solemn, settle briefly on Adam before she blesses me with her beautiful amber eyes. She raises her tea to take a large gulp. There she goes again. I think it’s interesting that even after three days, I can figure out what she will do.
“Did that burn?” I tease.
“He’s an observer.” Ms. Vitale stares at me in admiration.
“Nadia always takes big gulps when her anxiety or nerves or whatever you young people call it these days get to her.”
Nadia shrugs. “At times, I think of having a family but —”
“Life hasn’t presented you with the right person. Yada. Yada. I know what you’re going to say.” Ms. Vitale interrupts.
I feel a tender burn in my chest. Peppermint sometimes does that to me.
Nadia stares out the big beautiful windows to her right, visibly asking for this conversation to end. I’d also like it to end. I’d rather relive the sensational experience Nadia and I shared last night. She may not want something serious, but she knows how to drive a man crazy as if she does. She may not have found someone yet, but she gave it to me last night as if she did.
I hush my thoughts as Ms. Vitale, with her gaudy rings and styled silver bob asks me questions.
“And how long has your family been in Evergreen?”
“For all I’ve known.”
“What’s your family name, Joaquin?”
“Dad’s side is Griffin, and my mother’s side is Lanso.”
Ms. Vitale gives me a partial smile as she gathers her thoughts. She stirs the little spoon in her porcelain tea cup.
“I know of a few Griffins. Saul Griffin, Theodore Griffin, and Jasper…Jasper Griffin.”
“Jasper Griffin was my grandfather.”
She removes the spoon from her cup and places it quietly on her side.
“He would be about my age, right?”
“His eighty-seventh birthday would be this June.”
She beams, “Yes. He used to play water sports?”
I nod, and smirk at the oddity of hearing this famous actress remember my grandfather.
“Yes. He had Olympic goals at one point.”
She smiles as if she recalls, but something tells me she’s just being a good host.
“And you own a coffee shop off the expressway?”
“Yes.Side of the Road Abodeis its name.”
“We should visit before Nadia leaves me at the end of summer.” Ms. Vitale nods to her granddaughter.
“I don’t want Nadia to leave.” Adam pouts.
I give him a pair of ‘serious’ eyes. I don’t need him making this more complicated than it already is, so I refuse to look at Nadia.
“We will definitely stay in contact, Adam. I love writing letters, and you will make one great pen pal.” Nadia stresses.
This was an expert tactic, and honestly, I believe her. Nadia has proven to represent how she feels on her sleeve, and I can rest in gratitude when it comes to that.
