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“Do what?”
“Get high,” he said. “It can help you manage the pain. If you don’t want to smoke, we can get you some edibles.”
He could feel her gaze on him, and each time he took a quick peek, she still stared. “Would you think less of me?”
Kent almost ran off the road with her question. “What? Hell no. Why would you think that?”
“Because . . . well, I don’t know. It’s a drug and—”
Kent cut her off. “You have an octopus growing inside of your head. No, I’m not going to think less of you for finding ways to numb your pain, Palmer. Shit, I probably should’ve brought it up sooner, but we hadn’t discussed it as part of your pain management. I’ll be honest, I’d rather you get high than drunk.”
“Okay.”
“Okay, what? You want to get some edibles?”
“Yes,” she said quietly. Kent was thankful they were almost to Raúl’s because he would be able to hook them up. As soon as cannabis became legal in New Mexico, Raúl’s sister had opened a dispensary.
Kent rested his hand on Palmer’s leg, and she locked her fingers with his. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. I’m sorry I didn’t think of it sooner. If there’s something you need, I don’t care what it is, just ask me. You can’t say anything to shock or upset me. I’m here to take care of you, to get you what you need.”
“Okay.” Palmer leaned her head on Kent’s shoulder. With the console in the way, he knew it wasn’t the most comfortable position for her to be in, but he appreciated the gesture. He rested his cheek on top of her head and held her there while he drove the rest of the way to Raúl’s.
Kent pointed to the line of people as they drove down the road. “These people are waiting for the taco stand.”
“We’ll never get in before they close,” Palmer said as she sat up.
“Nah, we have an in, remember?” He caught her expression and saw her work through her memory bank for the answer. She nodded, but Kent was certain she had a fuzzy recollection at best.
Kent pulled into the driveway next to the taco stand and drove to the end of the dirt road. He honked the horn before parking and shutting the Jeep off. The screen door opened and slammed shut, and standing on the wide porch was one of his best friends from the army.
Raúl waited until Kent had Palmer out of the Jeep before he stepped off the porch to greet Kent in a hug. For a long minute, the men were silent as they hugged each other. “It’s great to see you, man.” Raúl thumped Kent’s back with his fist.
“You too, brother.” They parted, and Kent stepped aside to introduce Palmer. She stuck her hand out to shake Raúl’s, but he went in for a hug. Kent cringed briefly, knowing Raúl’s strength, but he also knew he’d never do anything to hurt Palmer.
“It’s so nice to finally meet Wagner’s girlfriend,” Raúl said.
Palmer leaned to the side, and Kent winked. “It’s nice to meet you as well,” she said. “I hear your grandma has the best roadside tacos in all the land.”
Raúl laughed. “That she does, but don’t remind her. Her head is already big enough as is. Come on, I’ll take you over.”
“Before we go.” Kent spoke quietly to Raúl, in case any of his nieces or nephews were eavesdropping from the bushes. Raúl nodded, told them he’d be right back, and went into the house.
“Where’d he go?”
“He had to go grab something.”
Raúl was back in a flash and held his hand out to Palmer. “It’s a gummy bear. Chew it like normal.”
“Wait, is this . . . ?”
Both men nodded. Palmer studied it for a moment and then slowly put it in her mouth. She chewed and swallowed and then looked at the men. “Nothing’s happened.”
Raúl laughed and put his hands on Kent’s and Palmer’s backs to lead them to the taco stand. “Give it a minute to get into your system.” He opened the door and hollered out for his abuelita and mom, Martina.
Two women came forward and lit up as soon as they saw Kent. They hugged and kissed him, held his face between their hands, and kissed him some more. But it was when he introduced Palmer, and Raúl’s mother must have seen the love in his eyes as he spoke about her, that she welcomed the woman with open arms. All it took was one look from Kent to bring Palmer into the fold of Raúl’s family.
Raúl took them around back to where five picnic tables were lined up. There were kids running around, some on a swing set, and one sitting under a tree reading a book. Kent didn’t remember all their names, except for Raúl’s little sister Julia, the reader. Raúl called to her. Julia sauntered forward until she spotted Kent, and then she sprinted toward him.
