Caballeros

Breaking the Bank

Juliana

I drive into the parking lot of Target thinking okay Jules go in and out. I look in the backseat and Trinity is clapping she loves Target; just like her mama. I stop the truck and get out and she is babbling about something or other and I can't tell what she is saying.

"What baby girl?"

"I mitas mama," she says and it finally makes sense to me.

"Oh you want palomitas, okay I will get you popcorn baby girl."

We head in and I put her in the cart and we go over by the snack area. The popcorn smell is turning my stomach but she loves it. Her eyes light up when she sees the huge popcorn machine. I get to the front of the line and begin to place my order. The young kid behind the counter named Joseph and the biggest grin on his face and for some reason he is bouncing on his toes in excitement. What the hell is this kid on I think.

"Oh my god ma'am are you Joaquin Ortega's wife?" he asks.

"Yes I am. How are you?"

"Oh my God! He is my favorite bull rider ever! I never missed a Rodeo he has ridden in! I really want to see him compete in Houston that would be something!"

"Have you met him?"

"No ma'am I have never had the courage to approach him. I know some of the riders don't like to be bothered."

"Oh no Joaquin isn't like that he takes the time to meet everyone that wants to meet him."

"Really?" he asks. I nod at him. "Oh sorry what can I get ya'll I don't mean to be a bug it's just I am super excited."

"It's not bother Joseph! It's actually super cute how excited you are. I will take a small popcorn please."

"Thanks Mrs. Ortega, would you like a drink to go with that?"

"I Shhhhhoda mama," Trinity says.

"Soda? No ma'am there will be no soda for you. Who gives you soda?" I ask her.

"Papa."

"Well let's just have lemonade." I say to her and Joseph smiles. I go to take money to pay and Joseph shakes his head no.

"This is on me ma'am. Not every day that you meet your hero's wife and daughter."

"Oh thank you Joseph you are so sweet. I will let Joaquin know how sweet you were to us."

"Thank you ma'am."

I walk away from the counter and I wave at him; I have to get Joaquin to come and pay him a visit. I walk down the aisle looking for the nighttime pull-ups. I hand Trinity a few pieces of popcorn at a time because I am afraid she'll shove too much in her mouth. She is happily munching while I do my shopping. My cart ended up almost filled to the top with odds and ends. We walk past the children's book section.

"Mama, mama, books," she screeches. She loves her new nightly book ritual with Joaquin and I. "I see mama?"

"Okay let's look at the books." I say pushing her closer to the books.

One immediately catches my eye it's called Big Sister; I need to get this one for her. I put that one in the cart and let her pick one out. She picks one called Little Critter she loves those books; she already has three of them. We head over to the check out and as I placing my things on conveyer belt my phone rings. My sexy hubby on facetime.

"Hi Darlin." He smiles. Oh that smile is so damn sexy. "Is our bank account at zero now?" He belly laughs.

"Not yet," I say biting my lip. "Almost though."