Serendipity Down the Block

Chapter 3: Night Out

...

"Why is waiting a few more years until she is actually ready so terrible?" Irma said trying to keep calm. Both Irma and her husband were seated at the small square table in the kitchen. Irma's hand clutching the washcloth that Sierra decorated for her on mother's day when she was just 6—the faded hearts covering it.

"Or until you're ready?" Javier said, letting out a sigh, "I don't think a couple of years will make a difference in that. 18 years didn't do much for me."

Irma did not say anything. Javier adjusted in his seat hearing the clock on the wall tick. He knew that with time he could convince his wife of anything—hopefully.

"I know you want her to be something outside of this town, but this is where she belongs. She came from here," Irma argued, an edge to her voice, "She isn't ready."

"I don't want her stuck in a house taking care of some chico's 6 kids or in a dead-end job, breaking her back for whatever scraps are left. I want to give her choices, The choices she should have," Javier picked up his cup of water taking a swallow, "You and I never graduated high school, and she did. There's no way you'll make me doubt that she can't graduate college."

"High school and college are not the same, Javier! There are more predators out to prey on young girls just like my Sierra. Even here is not safe!" Irma burst out, slapping her hands on the table.

"Irma—"

"No, listen to me," Irma got up, her hip aching from the goose chase that day, and folded the towel, laying it on the counter.

"She's not going anywhere. Not as young as she is."

"Santiago is here, and he's here now. He is willing to pay Sierra's way through college. Do you really want to deny her that? Prevent her from enjoying something we can't give her. How is that the best?," Javier said. Irma gripped her towel again, "She will always be your baby, Irma," Javier said taking a drink form his cup.

Irma squeezed the countertop, fighting back the same tears that streamed down her face earlier in the day, "What does he even have to gain? Doing something like this?" Irma asked a sharper edge to her voice.

"I don't know, and it doesn't matter. If he wants to help, I'm able to put my ego aside," Javier replied, "And you should do the same."

He never cared about Santiago's intentions, but Irma knew it mattered more than anything. She never thought Santiago would come back after all these years, "Why?"

"What?" Javier asked, noticing she must have been thinking aloud, "Irma?"

"Why would he come all the way here from the Gulf of Mexico?"

"Maybe, he's from here, homesickness?" Javier said, "I don't know we mostly talked about Sierra. He believes in her, and you should too."

"Has she met him?" Irma asked, wondering if Santiago has seen Sierra.

"Not yet, but I invited him over for dinner tonight," Javier said, getting up to rinse his cup out, "You'll meet him for yourself, too."

Irma kept her mouth closed.

"Well, I better get started on dinner then," Irma said setting a pot out. She was definitely looking forward to hearing from him herself.

"Can you go and get Sierra, so she can help me out? I want to talk to her," Irma said, and by her voice, Javier felt he was getting through to her. A goofy smirk was painted on his face as he rose up from the table.