Page 125 of A Lot Like Adiós
Even if it’s a lost cause?
Michelle:
Never.
Gabe:
Well, maybe she should.
Michelle:
She wouldn’t.
Gabe:
I have to go. My dad is yelling at me about the store.
Michelle:
Just think about it, okay?
Chapter 27
That’s it,” Gabe said in awe. “It’s done.”
His mother looked up from the kitchen counter, where she was packing a box of homemade conchas—a thank-you gift for Fabian’s family, to go with the mountain of diapers, toys, and clothing she’d bought for the twins. Gabe had explained in no uncertain terms that he was never having babies, so she should enjoy shopping for his godchildren while she had the chance.
She had taken him at his word, and come back with a slew of shopping bags.
“What’s done?” she asked.
“Celestial Destiny. It’s finally complete.”
His mother just sighed. Gabe’s parents didn’t understand how finishing “el fanfeek” was going to win Michelle back, but they encouraged him to do whatever he thought would work.
“Flowers are always a good idea,” his father grumbled as he rolled the suitcases over to the apartment door. He’d consented to more treatments for his shoulder and his knee, which he hadn’t even told Norma was hurting him. Norma had been delighted to find out that Gabe could also do back and neck massages, and demanded he work on her too. The regular PTtreatments had put a spring in their steps, but maybe it was also the California sunshine and reconciling with their son. Gabe had missed the worst of the wildfire smoke from up north while he was in New York, and the skies were clear again—aside from the usual smog—by the time he’d returned.
“If this doesn’t work, flowers won’t do anything. This is Michelle we’re talking about.” Gabe saved the file and opened a new email.
To: Michelle Amato
From: Gabriel Aguilar
Subject: Celestial Destiny
The end.
Love,
Gabe
Before he could talk himself out of it, he attached the document and hitsend.A second later, the “Message Sent” notification popped up. It was truly done now.
Gabe leaned back in his desk chair, awash in satisfaction and exhaustion. Between finishing the story and spending time with his parents, he’d barely slept the last two nights. But now, something sixteen years in the making was complete.
Celestial Destinyhad always been his way of showing Michelle what she meant to him. Maybe he’d been too subtle then, but not anymore.
He just hoped he wasn’t too late.
