Tú Eres Mi Sol

LXXIII

It's amazing that there are people in our lives who love us unconditionally. Remember to love those people who love you when you are invisible and at your weakest.

I've put my heart into this story and maybe that's why it's so hard for me to even think of letting it go. This particular chapter is extra poignant for me, go on read and I'll wait in the comments section.

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He didn't tell anyone but Richard took a two day trip to Monaco to visit his maternal grandparents. It was an in-between trip on his way to back to the States after attending Tuns' wedding.

His maternal grandparents, Spanish-Filipino Jose Franco Reyes and French Adrienne Deneuve fell in love with the pleasant weather in Monaco and decided to move there for good.

"Richard, Mi Cielito. What brings you here?"

"Abuelo. I wanted to visit you and Mamie."

"Does your mother know you are here?"

Richard shakes his head

"Ah, Mi amour. You know that your mother will find out eventually. That child of mine just knows things."

"I know, Abuelo. Where's Mamie?"

"In the garden, tending to her flowers. Go, she'd be surprised to see you."

Richard leaves his things in the living room, walks to the back of the house and shouts,"MAMIE, MAMIE!!!!"

A mature woman, still beautiful walks towards Richard. She squints and squints. "Richard, mon amour, you are here!"

Richard runs to her, almost tripping. The woman saw it. "Ah, I can't be mistaken, It is you, Richard!" and laughs. She stops at giving him a hug as he knows how much of a neat freak her youngest grandson is.

"Mamie!!! I'm here!!!"

"I know, Mon Amour. Did you see your abuelo?"

"Yes, Mamie."

"Go take a shower so that we can hug you. We know that you don't like touching anyone after plane rides"

***

It was in time for lunch, the lady of the house prepared Soupe à L'oignon (Onion Soup), Moules Marinières (Sailor-style mussels), Magret de Canard (Seared Duck Breast with Honey, Orange and Thyme) and Gratin Duphois (Potatoes in crème fraîche)

"Mamie, this is a banquet! I'm salivating!" Richard said

"Richard, open the Merlot bottle there while I finish the chocolate mousse so I can chill it while we eat."

"Mamie, there's chocolate mousse, is this the one I love?"

"Mon Amour. Oui. Only the best for you."

***

"Mi Cielito, you didn't get to join Rob and Lia when they visited us."

"Abuelo, I know. I feel so guilty about it."

"Mon Amour, what have you been doing lately?"

"I work in Silicon Valley at the moment, Abuelo, Mamie."

"Nieto, Your mother told us about it, Isn't that where all the computer whiz people work?"

"Yes, Abuelo."