Page 60 of Follow My Voice
Diego cuts off the engine, then turns his hazel eyes on me. “We can leave if you don’t want to be here.”
“No, it’s okay.”
He doesn’t question me further, and instead guides me along lines of gravestones until he finally stops in front of one.
DARIO ANDRADE(JUNE 5, 1978 – NOVEMBER 19, 2023)
BELOVED HUSBAND AND FATHER.
“DON’T LET FEAR OF DEATH STOP YOU FROM LIVING LIFE.”
P.S. IF YOU CAN’T CLOSE YOUR EYES AND ENJOY THE TASTE OF YOUR FAVORITE FOOD, YOU’RE NOT LIVING.
I feel a tightness in my chest as I remember Dario’s smile and how he changed as we got to know each other better.
We sit to one side of the grave. Diego hands me my cup of Jell-O with ice cream and uncovers his.
“Hey, Dad, I’ve brought a very special visitor today,” he says, glancing at me.
I smile. “Hello, Dario. I’ve come to share this strawberry Jell-O with you. According to Diego, it’s the best in the world—we’ll see about that.”
Diego and I each take a spoonful of Jell-O, closing our eyes to savor the taste and enjoy the texture.If you can’t close your eyes and enjoy the taste of your favorite food, you’re not living. The Jell-O is delicious. I didn’t expect it to be so good with ice cream, but it is. When I open my eyes, I see that Diego is watching me intently. He smiles, lips bright red.
“What?” I ask.
“I thought you were going to ask to leave when you saw where I’d brought you. I’m glad you didn’t.”
“How could I say no to such wonderful company”—I point to his father’s grave—“and such delicious Jell-O?”
“Hey, what about me?”
I rub my chin, as if thinking about it. “Hmmm… You’re ten percent of the reason I’m here.”
“Ten percent?”
“Keep complaining and I’ll have to drop it down to nine.”
Diego laughs. He looks so sweet that I can’t help but laugh along with him. “I can live with ten percent if I can keep hearing you laugh like that.”
I shake my head, still smiling. “You’re crazy.”
We continue joking and eating. When we finish, I look to Dario’s grave. “I think I have to agree with your son. This is some of the best strawberry Jell-O I’ve ever tasted.”
I glance at Diego, who seems lost in thought, his eyes on his father’s tombstone. The sad look on his face makes it clear that he misses him very much. I’m grateful to Diego for bringing me here;somehow, remembering Dario, a person who always encouraged me to stay strong, has lifted my spirits.
“Diego.”
He looks at me, coming back to reality. “Yes?”
“Thank you.”
He smiles sadly. “You’re welcome, Hoodie.”
I stand up and offer him my hand. “Let’s go.”
“Are we leaving already?”
“No, I want to introduce you to someone very special to me.”
