One month. 30 days. 720 hours. That's how long he had been home. That's how long I had been avoiding him. If you could really call it avoiding. For all I knew he didn't even want to see me. He probably thought I was long gone. That was always my plan wasn't it. Get out of Santo Padre the minute I graduated college and start fresh. Why was I so obsessed with that back then? Did I secretly know this town was destined to chew us up and spit us out. Or was it simply the fascination of finding out if the grass was intact greener on the other side.
The shop door chimed and Sophia came running towards me. She had the biggest grin on her face as she jumped into my arms and began to tell me all about what her and grandma Leena had done that day. Everything to my little girl was an adventure. A trip to the grocery store. Sitting in the backyard looking at clouds. Or simply watching tv. It was all a grand adventure. I admire that about her. If I'm being honest I'm almost envious of her outlook on life, because I to was once like that. "And and she said we could go visit uncle Bish but only if you came!" Sophia stared at me with hopeful eyes sticking out her bottom lip for added effect. I turned to my step mother who had her hands up to say she surrendered and waited for her explanation.
"He called and heard Soph in the background. They both practically begged to see one another. You know how hard it is to say no to that face," she pointed at Sophia who was wiggling out of my arms.
"Okay. As soon as I'm done we can go for a quick visit. And I do mean quick." I gave in. "Maybe he won't even be there." I was trying to amp myself up, but I knew he would be. He was probably do grunt work as we stood here talking. When Angel first told me EZ was prospecting I was caught off guard. It made everything all the more complicated. The president of there charter was Leena's older brother. This meant I was around there quite a bit they adopted us in as if we were there own always checking in on me and Sophia. Sophia loved it. The men spoiled her rotten and were more then willing to babysit when they could. It was a strange life we had got ourselves into but it was ours. "I'm going to have to give your brother a talking to." I joked going back to my cashout. "Had dad called recently?"
"He called quickly this morning. He's in Cali a few more days by the sounds of it some big deal is about to go through." Leena explained. "He misses you both sends his love." I nodded not wanting to ask to much more. I could tell this was hard on her. Dad's job had always been a bit of a problem. He worked long hours and was always on the road. Leena seemed to adapt to that life rather quickly but I knew deep down she would have loved to have him home more.
"Okay I'm all done here. Just need to lock up. I'll meet you at the car?" Leena nodded grabbing Sophia's hand and leading her out. I felt so nervous as we drive to the chop shop. The closer we got the sweatier my hands became. When Leena put the car into park it felt like my legs couldn't move. Maybe I could just stay in the car and disappear into my seat. Avoid what I knew was waiting for me in there.
"Mamá! Come on!" Sophia was pulling at my arm her big brown eyes sparkling with excitement as I slowly undid me seatbelt. I pushed my sunglasses onto the top of my head and followed behind her. "I'll go in first!" Sophia declared running even faster into the building. I couldn't help but smile. I hoped this world would be kind to her, she deserved kindness.
"Damn Mamá looking good as always!" Coco called as Angel whistled. I flipped them the bird and walked over seeing Bishop scoop up Soph. I knew she was safe with him. "You get hotter?" Coco flirted.
"Always." I winked. "How are things here? You two staying out of trouble?"
"Us?" Angel gasped. "Course we are." He grinned noticing how fidgety I was. "We have him cleaning the bathrooms. You should be safe for a while."
"I wasn't."
"Don't lie you were." Angel kissed the top my head. "It'll be okay."
"Mamá Mamá! Uncle Bishop says I can go for a ride!" Sophia yelled. I marched over to my daughter and Bishop who was averting his gaze.
"Did he now?" I stared at the older man who was grinning down at my daughter mischievously. "Sidecar? Helmet? Under the speed limit?"
"Yes. Yes. And yes."
"Okay fine but don't be long and please be careful with my baby." I lifted Sophia up and kissed her cheek. "You be good."
"Promise." She cheered.
I followed Leena into the bar and started to chat up the boys. I had almost forgotten why I was so nervous to be here until I saw EZ across the room. I felt like I was looking at a ghost. My first instinct was to run. Was to pick up my purse and move as fast as I could no looking back but I was frozen in place by his gaze. He looked like a man now instead of the teenager I remembered.
"Genevieve?" His husky voice floated through my ears.
"The one and only." I walked over to him taking in his new appearance. He was much more built the the last time I saw him. His usually clean shaven face was decorated in a moustache and goatee. I liked the new look I suited him. "Welcome home."
"You look good," a smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. "I didn't think you would still hang around here."
"I do. Family comes first you know that." I purse my lips looking over at my shoulder to find everyone staring at us. Most of them knew Sophia was his and had been threatened to keep the secret but I was still on edge of it slipping before I was ready.
"Mamá! I had the best time!" My toddlers voice causing the room to go silent as she runs up to me and stares at EZ almost instantly she hides herself behind my legs peeking at the man she's never met. "Who are you?"
"My names EZ," he grins. "I'm an old friend of your moms." He crouched down giving her his hand to shake. She stares at him for a moment before excepting the gesture then walking around him. Examining him.
"My Mamá is not old. Do you know my dad?" EZ looks at me to answer the question and I can't help but debate blurting out that he is her dad.
"He does yes." I scooped her up. "Good seeing you EZ. Try to stay out of trouble yeah?" I walked away without another word my heart beating a mile a minute. Did he realize she was his. Or did he think I moved on, because seeing him now reminded me that I still hadn't.
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