Page 6 of Sundowners
“Lola, it’s me.”
She glanced at me and grinned really big, and then she waved me over, shushing me as I came closer. “He’s no Tom Selleck, but this guy is pretty good. Give me a kiss,” she said, sticking her cheek out.
“Nice to see you, too, Lola. I only traveled for twenty-three hours to be shushed.”
“Shhh,” she said, grabbing for my hand. “We’re about to find out which one is the killer.”
“I still think it’s the other one,” Stella said.
“Hello, titas,” I said, getting the same shushing treatment. But they waved and smiled. I knew better than to interrupt their shows, even if I’d just returned from my longest trip ever away from home.
“It’s probably the quiet one,” I said, just as the big reveal happened. All three ladies shouted at me in Tagalog and then climbed off the bed, grumbling. I got kisses from Stella and Phyllis as they left.
“Remember we have our Pilates class at eight tomorrow,” Stella said as she walked out the door.
“I’ll be there,” Frances said. And then she turned her full attention on me. “Come sit down, Roman. It’s so good to see you.”
“Lola…why?” I sat down next to her and took her hands. “I would have come home to be with you.”
She waved me off before I could get any more words out.“Nonsense, you had an important job to do over there, learning about serial killers.”
“Cult leaders, Lola. And nothing is more important than you,” I told her, and I meant every word. If she hadn’t taken me in when my parents died, I don’t know what would have happened. My aunt and uncle weren’t in any position to raise a rowdy teenager like me. I probably would have ended up in jail. Or worse.
“It’s so fun here,” she said. “The staff is wonderful, the food is okay, not great, but they have so many activities. I am busy all the time and I am with my sisters. It’s been hard without them.”
It’s been hard for her since you were gone and couldn’t give her rides. She was alone at home. After all she’s done for you, you should have stayed.
“Lola, I can take care of you—”
“You can take care of yourself, now, and that’s what matters. It’s nice here. They have people who know how to clean a room.”
I barked out a laugh. Her smirk let me know she was ready to change the subject.
“I learned from the best,” I said, hugging her once more.
“You learned nothing. I’ve never seen such sad hospital corners.”
It’s good to be home.“What can I say? I was meant for academia, not hospitality.”
“You were meant to be pampered, my sweet boy. What happened to that boyfriend you met? Where is he?”
I sighed. “San Sebastián. Where he lives.”
She shook her head. “His loss. Now, I have to go to bed. We have Pilates in the morning,” she said as she led me to the door, where Rey was lurking.
“Hello, Tita.” Reynaldo gave her a kiss on her cheek and she patted his shoulder.
“You better be careful out there and make sure Roman gets enough to eat. He’s too skinny.”
“I got it, don’t worry. I’ll get him settled in and grab some groceries.”
“And I’ll see you both tomorrow night for bingo.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Reynaldo said.
“And bring me my picture albums when you come back.”
“I told you, Tita, you don’t have room for all twenty of your albums. Bernadette is scanning them and they’ll all be on your computer.”
