Grapes Upside Down

48. Anis

~Madisen~

"Mamá, te presento a Ignacio." I beam as my fiancé presses a light kiss, natural and genuine, onto my host mom's cheek. 

Graciela sizes him up, then winks at me with a glowing expression. 

"¡Es guapo!" she whispers to me as Ignacio turns his back to remove his coat and scarf, hanging them on one of the dining room chairs. 

I'm flooded with relief and elation over the approval emanating from my host mother's face. I know she is in Noah's corner and feels badly for him that things didn't work out between us. And I'm also aware of how much she frets over the amount of time I spend out with Ignacio. I've yet to tell her of our engagement, and I doubt I will. I hide the ring in my jewelry box, only slipping it on before my dates. 

Noah has probably told her, though she hasn't brought it up yet.

"Your house is beautiful!" Ignacio exclaims, personable as always. "Thank you for inviting me over."

When I found out Noah was going out for the night, I asked Graciela if Ignacio could come for tea, promising we would stay in the living room and watch a movie. 

"Oh, of course, dear."

"We're exhausted and permanently frozen from our past sixty nights wandering the city," he adds, eliciting a light chuckle from Graciela.

My stomach is jittery, lighting with silver twinkly lights at Ignacio's charm. I love how his statement makes it clear that we aren't at his house all the time. I don't think my host mom would approve of that very much.

Ignacio makes small talk, causing Graciela to laugh often, and I'm reminded of the way he lights up everyone around him with his humor and carefree nature. I set the table as Graciela assembles a royal spread--anis tea, pan amasado still warm from the bakery, strawberry jam, barquillos, alfajores and a variety of fresh fruits. 

Halfway through lonche, Graciela receives a phone call and retreats to her bedroom. I hear her voice rising and falling in melodic singsong as Ignacio takes my hand from across the table, grinning. 

"Your host mom is sweet."

"She's the best. I can tell she likes you." I beam at him.

Noah and Clara have made me feel so insecure about my relationship with Ignacio at times; it's a huge relief to have Graciela, my closest form of family here, meet him in person and witness us together.

"Madisen, I have to go out for a bit," Graciela calls, emerging from her bedroom with a fresh layer of lipstick, her purse and a long button-down wool coat. "I have to pick up my niece from dance class. My sister got stuck at a work event and doesn't want her taking the bus home alone."

My chest flutters, excited for a bit of alone time to make out with Ignacio. I just hope Noah doesn't come home any time soon.

Graciela rummages through her purse, then grabs her cell phone from the kitchen counter. Though clearly in a rush, she pauses next to the dining room table where Ignacio and I are still sipping tea, squinting at us with a dubious expression. 

"I don't leave my gringas alone with boys in the house," she states plainly. "Do you know what time Noah was coming home?"

I blush at her question, due to all the awkwardness between the three parties involved here. I'm also nervous that the mention of Noah will send Ignacio into a negative spiral.

"I'm not sure."

Graciela tuts, sniffing in a breath while tapping her fingers against the back of her phone.