Page 10 of Never Again
“You know it is.”
He grinned with satisfaction.
“So, tell me about your family. How’s your mom?”
“She’s well. She has her own business now—a store importing Peruvian products.”
“What? How did that happen?”
“She’s always wanted to have a store, a business of her own, but money…well, you know the situation. She was a single mother raising five kids, which wasn’t easy. She did her best after my father died, but life was still hard. She had this dream to open her own store and used to tell me about it all the time, but I think she always assumed it would be out of reach. I think she doubted she could pull it off but never stopped saving. Unfortunately, something would always happen, and she’d have to use the money she saved. It was more of an emergency fund than a business fund.”
“That must have been very frustrating,” Carmen said quietly. She’d never had to save for anything. If she wanted a car, a dress, a piece of jewelry, she had the means to buy them.
Carlos nodded and finished chewing a piece of fish. “It was hard to watch, so I can’t imagine how difficult it was for her to live through.” He frowned, moving some fish around with his fork. “Anyway, she eventually got the money together and started her business. She leased a place and started importing items—ponchos, textiles, scarves, gloves, everything. A year ago, my sister helped her set up a website, and now she also fills online orders. My siblings work with her. In fact, Jesús has saved some money for when he goes off to university.”
“Wow. I’m so happy for your mom—for all of you.”
Another wry smile. “I’m glad she was able to realize her dream, and because of that, my siblings have work and my brother can afford to attend any university he wishes,” he said.
“That should be cause for celebration, but you look disheartened. Aren’t you happy for them?”
“Oh absolutely! It’s just...it all came at a cost, that’s all.”
“What cost?” Carmen asked. She’d stopped eating, completely absorbed in learning about his family and what had happened since she and he split.
He gazed into her eyes. “Personal stuff. I’ll tell you one day.”
She saw sadness in his eyes, and though she wanted to know more, she didn’t push. He’d give her the details when he was ready.
5
Carlos spooned chunks of meat, onion, and tomato next to the rice on each of their plates. Thoughlomo saltadowas usually served with French fries or potatoes, he knew Carmen preferred the dish without them, so he hadn’t prepared any.
He poured red wine in her glass, but she halted him with her hand. “That’s enough.”
“You don’t like the Bordeaux?” He thought it went well with the sirloin he’d used to make the dish.
“It’s delicious, but you know I get sleepy when I drink,” she reminded him.
“Oh, that’s right.” He’d forgotten, though he liked the idea of her getting drowsy and spending the night curled up against him like she used to.
“This is so good, though,” Carmen said.
They ate in silence for a bit as they enjoyed the meal. After a few minutes, she ran a hand down her thighs and cleared her throat. “So, it sounds like your mother’s business is thriving.”
He smiled. He could sit in silence for hours, maybe because he’d grown up in cramped spaces that he had shared with four other siblings, and peace and quiet had been a luxury. Meanwhile, she’d grown up in a large home, her bedroom suite almost as big as his family’s entire apartment, so she always needed to fill quiet moments because she’d been alone so much.
Carlos nodded. “I’ve never seen her happier. My brothers and sisters are doing well, too. Jesús graduated from high school this year.”
Her eyes widened. “Oh my goodness, little Jesús?” Her tinkling laugh filled the air.
Carlos was the second of five, and Jesús was the youngest. “Little Jesús isn’t so little anymore. He’s as tall as I am and has been lifting weights. You probably wouldn’t recognize him if you saw him. He’s big and muscular now.”
“So I take it you don’t put him in head locks anymore?” Carmen asked, amusement filling her eyes.
“No way,” Carlos said with vehemence.
They both had a good laugh, and then he caught her up on the rest of his siblings.
