Page 86 of A Dish Best Served Hot

His pause was brief, but Lola noticed the shadow of worry that passed over his face. “Is it a work thing?”

She shook her head. “We’re finalizing the plan for the protest.”

It had been no surprise to her when the incident at the tent city two and a half weeks ago had almost gotten buried. She’d been a part of enough causes to know that the first instinct of a community is always to brush something under the rug. It took the rug getting ripped out of the house, into the air, and beat until the dirt fell out for most people to even admit that it was dirty. Lola was more than willing to be the one standing there holding the stick. She’d thought Saint understood that about her, but lately she wasn’t sure.

For the last few days he’d been making these comments about how fast things had moved, how well the organizations worked together after years of collaboration, implying she was sticking her nose where it didn’t belong.

Case in point, he averted his eyes now and said, “Yara has always been so good at organizing these things. She really knows how to do it right.”

She’d been brushing his comments off, knowing how much of a worrier he was, but she was annoyed. “I get it, Saint. You think my involvement is unnecessary.”

He looked at her then. “What?”

“It’s fairly obvious you don’t want me to be a part of this. You aren’t very subtle.”

“That’s not it.”

“Then what is it, Saint, because I’m sick of these little leading comments you keep making. I’m not Hansel or Gretel to be following breadcrumbs through the woods, so just tell me.”

“I know this is important and I want to support you in the cause, you know I do. I just don’t know why you have to be out on the front lines.”

“Why wouldn’t I be?”

“Because it’s dangerous.”

“Saint, do you remember what you told me when we used to argue about you enlisting?” He didn’t answer, probably because they’d argued about it so much that he couldn’t pinpoint a specific thing. Lola could. It was what he told her when she realized that she was never going to change his mind. “You told me, ‘I believe in this fight. I believe that this needs to be done. If I could be there making it happen but I don’t, I wouldn’t respect myself anymore.’ Do you remember now?”

He nodded.

“That’s how I feel. I believe in this, and I know that I need to be there regardless of what may happen. Unless you can tell me why it’s okay for you to put yourself on the front lines for a cause you believe in but not me, I don’t think there is any more to say about it.”

“Papi!” Rosie called from the bathroom for the second time.

He gave Lola a look but didn’t say another word. He went to get his daughter ready for the day.

When he came back, Rosie in tow, they ate breakfast together and talked about other things. She could’ve almost forgotten about the conversation if he hadn’t stepped in it again right after they finished eating.

“Rosie and I want to take you to the movies for your birthday. The one she suggested starts in an hour.”

“Sadly, I can’t. I have to go pick up Benny. We’re going to see Iván today.”

“What?”

She didn’t like his tone, as if she’d blindsided him. “I told you he finally put me on his approved contacts list.”

“You did. I guess I just didn’t think you’d be going there. I thought you’d do a virtual visit.”

“I haven’t seen him for almost two decades. Of course, I want to see him in person.”

Saint sent Rosie to play in her room. As soon as the little girl was gone he leaned forward and murmured, “It’s prison, Lola.”

“And?”

“What if something happens?”

“Like what?”

“I don’t know. A fight or something.”

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