It's You

One

"Diego, come on man!"

Diego waved him off and headed over to the bar with the ice bucket.

"Gracias, D." Shawn said as he continued making the cocktails for table five.

As Diego dumped the fresh ice into the bin under the bar, the girls at table five were loudly cheering about something.

Shawn smirked at Diego and shook his head.

Just then Juan, one of the servers, approached the bar and slammed his tray on the bar to get Shawn's attention. "Those chicas are crazy, man."

Diego chuckled. "Get the digits, ese."

Juan smirked. "Might be easier with Mendes here."

Shawn shook his head. "I'm working, bro. They are all yours."

Juan rolled his eyes. "After work, man come on. They keep asking about you."

Diego squeezed Shawn's cheek. "Who? This Papi Chulo over here?" He said then playfully patted his cheek.

Shawn blushed a bit as he glanced over at the girls at table five.

"Get back to work Juanito man. He ain't your wing man." Diego said as he headed back towards the kitchen.

Juan glanced back at the ladies and winked at them. When he turned back to Shawn, he was placing the last cocktail on Juan's tray.

"Come on."

"Sorry, bro." Shawn said then grabbed the wet rag to wipe down the bar.

As he wiped down the counter, the house band began to play 'Amor Verdadero'. Shawn began to slow down the pace at which he was wiping and seem to get lost in the song.

His mind wandered back to the bus ride that led him to this small town on the outskirts of Miami.

~~~13 years ago~~~

"Last stop." The bus driver called out. He smiled at the two older women exiting the bus. "Adios."

There was a young boy sleeping towards the back row. He waited a few moments for the young boy to wake up before calling , "Last stop!" once again.

The bus driver then stood up and headed over to wake the boy up. He remembered picking him up earlier in the morning. He remembered because he thought it was odd that he didn't have any baggage with him for traveling so far south with no adult supervision. He told himself it was none of his business.

"Aye, muchacho." The driver said. "Chico, wake up."

Shawn's eyes fluttered open and he sat up quickly when he saw the driver. "I'm sorry, sir."

The driver chuckled. "Last stop, kid."

Shawn nodded then stood up as he wiped his eyes. "I'm so sorry, sir."

As he walked past, the driver grabbed his arm. "You okay, chico?"

Shawn gave the man a small smile. "I am fine, sir."

"The name's Raphie." He said then let his arm go.

Shawn smiled again. "Thank you, Raphie."

"You got a place to stay, kid?"

"Of course. Good night, Raphie." He said then headed for the door.

Once he was outside, he started walking down the street and turned down the first street he approached. He wanted to appear as if he had a destination, which he did not.

All he knew was, he needed to find a place to sleep and he'd figure it out in the morning. He was also hungry.

A few blocks later, he smelled the aroma of what smelled like grilled food. His stomach rumbled as the smells became stronger.

There they were. Food trucks lined up near a parking lot. Spanish music playing over the speakers of some trucks.

Shawn hid in a nearby alley as he watched people in the street head over to the various food trucks. There were people coming out of some of the bars looking to grab snack.

Perhaps he could grab a few scraps or food that was to be thrown away. The last thing he wanted to do was draw attention to himself.

His attention was drawn to a young girl, looked about his age, exiting one of the food trucks with a garbage bag. The song that was playing was one that he would never forget. 'Amor Verdadero, which he would later learn meant...True Love.

His eyes widened as she placed the bag into a nearby can. This could be his chance. He casually tried to walk closer to where she was, but hidden from view.

"Si, Papa!" The girl responded to her father.

Shawn waited for her to head back to the truck before heading over to the garbage can. As he began loosening the knot, she said, "Hi."

Shawn appeared startled.

"I didn't mean to scare you."

Shawn began glancing around for an escape.

"My name is Camila. What's yours?"

"I'm... sorry." He said then turned to leave.

"Wait. Don't go. Are you hungry?"

"Camila!"

"Be right there, Papa!" She shouted back to him.

She then waved him over and jogged towards the truck.

Shawn followed her tentatively. He hid in the shadow of the alleyway.

In the truck, Camila was discretely, sneaking some meat onto a plate with rice.

"What are you doing Mila?" her older sister Rosa asked.

Camila tried to act casual. "Nothing, I..."

"Papa! Camila is taking food again."

Camila stuck her tongue out at her sister.

"Camila, sweetie, we can't afford to waste food." Her father said as he continued to cook.

"Sorry, Papa." She said then waited for her sister to be distracted before sneaking the plate out to the boy.

"I don't want to get you in trouble."

She smiled. It was a warm smile. She seemed genuine and kind. "I can handle my bratty sister."

He chuckled.

"I don't have any money to give you."

Camila waved him off.

"I can work. Do you need some help? I can take out the garbage or help cook."

Camila was skeptical of this. "You know how to cook Cuban food?"

He looked down. "Well, no." He said sadly, but then lifted his head back up. "But I can learn."

"Well, there is...one thing you can do."

"Name it."

She smiled. "You can tell me your name."

He smiled back. "It's Shawn."