Page 60 of Baja
Before the kiddos can hurl more questions our way, Laredo struts in, balancing a towering stack of pizza boxes that practically hides his face. “All right, who’s ready to chow down?” he bellows with enthusiasm.
In an instant, pandemonium erupts. The kids with appetites not wrecked by chemotherapy swarm him like a pack of ravenous piranhas.
“Saved by the pizza, guy,” Alice whispers, leaning into me, smiling. Her expression softens. “You’re good with them, you know. This…everythingyou’re doing is nothing short of amazing.”
I shrug, uncomfortable with her praise. “Ain’t just me, babe. It takes a village to pull this off every year.” Alice is quiet for a beat, and I can sense she’s got something on her mind. “What’s on your mind, beautiful?”
“I’ve been spending time with your mom today, helping her at her booth.” She pauses, then continues, “She’s sweet, Nash. And she’s worried about you.” Alice reaches up, brushing her fingertips along my jawline. “You should talk to her. She needs to know you’re not shutting her out forever.”
I exhale sharply. “I know, babe. I’ll fix it.”
“When?” Alice searches my eyes.
“Now.”
“Good.” She stands on her toes and kisses me softly. “Find me when you’re done.”
I watch Alice leave before glancing back at the kids, now fully absorbed in their pizza and superhero antics, then head out to find my mom.
As I step outside, my eyes land on my dad, standing beside the booth where the cookie contest is being held, with his clipboard in his hand. He turns, and his gaze meets mine, and a smile breaks across his face. “Son.”
“Hey, Dad.”
“Does me good to hear you say that,” he says, his voice rich with emotion.
In that instant, the air crackles with connection, a simple exchange deepening our bond, filling me with profound love and pride.
We stay here for a beat, neither saying anything, but the silence isn’t uncomfortable. I pull him in for a hug. “Love ya, old man.”
“I love you too, son.” His voice is gruff. He pulls back and clears his throat. “Your mother needs to hear those words, too, you know.”
I nod. “I’m headin’ that way now.” I turn and start walking off, then toss over my shoulder, “Don’t eat too many cookies, or Mom and Lucy won’t let you hear the end of it.”
“I’m obligated as the cookie judge to sample every entry. And I mean to take the job seriously,” he shouts, his tone all business, and I shake my head.
I find Mom at her booth, chatting with a customer as Lucy sets out more jars of honey. She looks up at me, her expression turning somber. “Got a minute?” I ask, keeping my voice low.
“Of course.” Mom smiles and steps away from the booth.
“I’m sorry for shutting you out the past few days,” I finally say.
Mom’s eyes glisten. “Nash…”
“I was angry. Hell, truth be told, I still don’t know how to feel about Uncle Jax being my father. But that doesn’t change the fact you and Dad are my folks. You raised me. You loved me.That’s what matters.” Tears spill down her cheeks, and I pull her in for a hug.
“You are my son,” she whispers, her voice breaking. “No matter what, you will always be ours.”
I hold her tight. “I know, Ma.” We stay like this for a beat, the weight of unspoken emotions finally lifting off us.
“I love you,” Mom says.
“I love you too,” I say, noticing my brothers conversing in the nearby parking lot. I pull back. “You, okay? I need to go see the guys.”
Mom wipes her tears. “Yeah, sweety. Go.”
I walk away, feeling lighter, stroll across the parking lot, and join the others.
“So far, we’ve had no incidents. Let’s keep it that way. Stay alert and vigilant for anything out of the ordinary,” Salem reminds us. “We have roughly another hour or two before we wrap things up.” He glances at Juneau. “Conduct another perimeter check.” His gaze finds Laredo. “Join him.” Following the command, they march away together.
