Watching Sunsets With You (Original, English Version)

Chapter 2 - Carin Mae Sanchez

After one night spent with the neighbors, I had an unexpected conversation with my son.

"Why do you keep staring at Uncle Gabe?" My dearest son asked as soon as we got inside our unit.

"Who should I stare at?" I asked back without glancing at him. Wait, maybe that's the wrong clap-back.

"True. Uncle Cody will probably marry Aunt Cara. Uncle Gabe's the only one uninvolved. Do you like him?"

His statements made me pause. I turned and squinted at him. Since when does he ask these questions?

"What's this about?" I asked. I knew he liked Gabe but I'm not sure of the reasons. He is available to chat and play with Keith, though, unlike the other Uncles who have their own kids to take care of.

"Would you date him?" He asked with a fairly straight face. He is a kid. I almost choked on my own saliva.

"He hasn't asked." I replied without much thought.

"So, you would if he asks?" His frown made him look innocent.

"You wouldn't stare at him so much if you didn't like him." He concluded and I bit my lip as I watch him, contemplating on how to explain this properly to him.

I sighed as I sat down with him on the couch.

"Yes, your Uncle Gabe is physically attractive and he does remind me a bit..." I paused. Should I be saying this to him?

"He reminds you of my dad?" He finished for me and we just stared at each other.

"Yes. But Lee said he's only taking a long break. He's probably not staying."

"So? He can come visit."

I looked at him carefully.

"Do you like him?" It felt that way, how he's keen to get me involved with him.

Keith didn't say, but he nodded. With his pitiful eyes. He rarely shows emotion on his face. He's like an old man who's bored with the world in most times. But now...

I sighed as I pulled him into a hug.

"Are you envious of the other kids? Because they have a father?"

"A little. Dylan used to be like me, but now he has his father."

I'm not sure what to say. As I imagined finding his father for him, my mind wandered to an image of Gabe. It's been too long. I really couldn't remember every detail of his face anymore.

But I don't think it's right to get into a relationship just because my son wants a father-figure. Alright, he's attractive... but still, we haven't progressed to that stage yet. Gabe already found his own place, which got me thinking... why would he get his own place if he isn't staying longer? Is Keith correct and he does plan to visit? Wait, what am I thinking?

The next day, as soon as I get home, Keith gave me a bouquet of flowers.

"What are these?"

"Uncle Gabe said to give them to you." He was grinning as he handed them to me.

I raised an eyebrow.

"Are you playing match-maker? Keith, you shouldn't."

He looked a bit indignant. "No, I'm not. He bought it for you. I didn't mention anything to him." He's back to being an adult. He turned and went to his room with a huff.

"Tell him thank-you for me." I hollered after him, deciding to acknowledge the gift of flowers.

In the morning, Gabe was hanging out in front of the apartment. Keith still hasn't gone down and I have to get to work. I'm scheduled to visit the grocery store today. Aside from my tutoring services to several kids, I partnered with Lee in opening a grocery store. We're not hands-on, though, but we randomly visit a few days every week.

I'm not sure how to approach him but he already turned to face me. I exhaled a breath slowly, not wanting him to notice.

I'm still unsure about the flowers.

"Hi." I started and he replied with his own, smiling. That didn't take away his manliness.

"Did you... Keith said... about the flowers...?" Damn, that didn't go well.

He looked a bit uncomfortable, too, "Yeah, did you like them?" And hopeful.

I cleared my throat. "Yeah, they're wonderful. I meant to say thank you."

"It's my pleasure."

From what I gathered, he's almost ten years older than me.

"So, uh... I'm not really good with this. If you have some free time, can I ask you out?" He looked a bit adorable, rambling like it's his first time to ask a girl on a date. I might have stared weirdly. He coughed to get my attention.

"What? Uhm... I should check my calendar."

"You're free tonight, aren't you?" My dear son finally came down and was walking towards us.

"Want me to go out?" I raised an eyebrow at him.

"Sure. Please bring me dinner." He addressed it to Gabe and I am astonished.

"No... what are you saying? I'm so sorry, he didn't mean that." I pulled him away and tugged him up the stairs.

"Mom...?" He asked, but he didn't make it difficult for me to drag him. He walked quite willingly.

"What did you tell him? You asked him to get you dinner? Excuse me? Do you know how disrespectful that is? Who are you to tell him to get you dinner? Besides, I'm your mom. You want him to think I don't feed you? Excuse me?" I've never had to scold Keith seriously before, but this is on a different scale. His expression suggests he understands what I'm trying to say.

"Oh... my bad. Can you bring me dinner?" He's apologetic and annoying at the same time. I huffed.

"You're ten and I already taught you how to cook." I reminded him and he actually pouted. He never does. He loathes kids who do. I was surprised yet again.

"Keith, what's going on? You're not like this."

"Can you date him, please?" He even folded his hands together. I pursed my lips.

"Are you pressuring me into a relationship?"

"But you already like him." He shrugged and he's back to his usual demeanor of a mature child.

"Did you tell him that?" I asked, curious. Is he selling me?

"I don't need to. If I noticed you staring at him, don't you think he would notice as well?"

I was stumped by his reply.

"Behave, okay?" I already know that he normally accompanies Gabe when he has no classes and I really have nothing to say against that.

"Don't bother him too much." I had to keep reminding him.

"Got it."