Page 54 of Something Good
After removing our coats, we made our way back to the kitchen, where Rafi’s mom, Stephanie, stood stirring what looked like soup on the stove. Rafi snagged a homemade tortillachip from the basket on the counter next to her and got his hand slapped for his efforts. “You’re going to ruin your dinner.”
“Aw, Mama. I was just gonna grab one.”
“You know better. Save it for our guests.”
“Iama guest. I haven’t lived here in three years.”
“Pssh. Go tell your dad and your brother to wash up. Dinner will be ready in five minutes.”
He kissed her on the cheek, then went to do as she asked while Jimmy and I headed out to the fridge in the garage to grab ourselves a drink. This home, this family, had been a blessing to us at one of the lowest points in our lives. I’d always be grateful for what they’d done for Jimmy and me. I wouldn’t be where I was today without them.
Moments later, we were all seated around the table, bowls filled with black bean soup in front of us, while we passed around a pan of homemade enchiladas and a basket of tortilla chips. Conversation flowed around us in a mix of Spanish and English as everyone caught up on each other’s lives. Stephanie answered questions about the baby. Rafi talked about a big sale he’d made last week at the car dealership. Freddy, Rafi’s brother, lamented his struggles with the physics course he was taking at the community college. Julio’s eyes lit up when he mentioned the car he’d just purchased at auction. It would be his new project for the next six months. Jimmy and I didn’t say much. We just smiled and ate and listened as everyone shared the happenings in their lives, teasing and laughing over their meal.
It had been a shock, getting used to such a large, boisterous family meal like this, and even now, I’d leave at the end of the night, grateful to return to the quiet of my loft. But I’d never take them for granted, these people who’d given us the means to get ourselves back on our feet. They’d made a future possible for us. For that reason, we never missed one of their monthly Sunday family dinners.
“Sammy, what’s new with you?” Julio asked from his place across the table from me.
I smiled politely, wiping my mouth before responding. “I, um, I had a meeting yesterday with the Omaha Children’s Hospital.” My face heated, and I shifted in my chair as I felt everyone’s eyes on me. I’d never been comfortable with attention. “They liked my drawings and have commissioned me to create a sculpture for the butterfly garden they’re putting in at the new cancer center in Papillion.”
The table erupted with congratulations and questions and slaps on the back. I smiled through it all and answered their questions as best I could before, finally, the attention turned to someone else. Across the table, I caught Julio’s eye. He smiled at me and nodded as if he was the proud papa and I was his son, then turned his attention back to his food. It was just a quiet moment between the two of us, but it warmed me from the inside out.
Rafi tappedthe neck of his beer bottle to mine as we sat in the corner of the living room. Dinner was finished, and though we’d offered to help with the dishes, Stephanie had shooed us out. The others were watching soccer on the TV or talking among themselves while Julio napped in his chair. “Congrats on the commission, man. That’s badass.”
“Thanks. I’m excited to get to work.” I sipped my beer, unsure what else to say, while Rafi peeled the label off his absently like something was bothering him. “Everything okay?”
“Yeah, why?”
I nodded toward the label he was currently shredding. “You seem a little distracted,” I said, my voice tinged with humor. “You nervous about the baby coming?”
He glanced at Elise, his gaze warm. “Fuck yeah, I am. I don’t know shit about being a father. I barely even know how to be an adult.”
I chuckled. “You’ll be fine. You had a good example.”
“I did,” he said, his tone more serious. “I was lucky.” We were quiet for a moment, both of us sipping our beer. “So, I talked to Jason yesterday.”
That wasn’t unusual. They both still lived in town and had been friends most of their lives. Jason was actually the reason I’d become pseudo-adopted by Rafi’s family, though we really weren’t in contact. He’d helped me out a long time ago, but he’d always been Will’s friend, and while I’d appreciated the help, I’d also understood that his loyalty would always be to Will. On the rare occasions our paths happened to cross, we were civil, but that was the extent of it. That still didn’t explain why Rafi was suddenly acting weird about having a conversation with the guy.
“Spit it out, Raf. What’s up?”
Rafi let out a sigh. “Will’s back.”
I swallowed, my jaw tight as I tried to keep my face impassive, unwilling to let him or anyone else who might be listening see how this news affected me. “Back here? In Astaire?”
“No, in Omaha. Jason says he?—”
“Stop,” I snapped. “I don’t need to hear more.”
“I’m sorry. I just…I thought you might want to know.”
I softened my tone. Rafi hadn’t meant any harm. “It’s alright. It’s just…that part of my life has been closed for a long time. I wish him the best, but I don’t need to know anything else, you know?”
“Yeah, I get it. I’m sorry.”
“You don’t have anything to be sorry about.” I stood, making eye contact with Jimmy as I did. “We probably need to head out. Jimmy’s gotta get ready for school tomorrow, and I’ve got work to do to revise my drawings.”
Jimmy’s eyes rose in question, but he nodded in agreement as he stood. We both stepped into the kitchen, thanking Stephanie for the meal, then pulled on our jackets and headed out.
The car was quiet on the way home. Clouds had rolled in, mirroring my broody mood, and Jimmy seemed to sense my need for silence. I’d meant what I’d said to Rafi. I did wish Will the best—after all, it was why I’d sent him away—but that didn’t mean I needed to hear the details. I hoped he’d made a great life for himself. I really did. But I also meant it when I said that part of my life was closed. And it was better for everyone if it stayed that way.
