Back to the Sea

The Castillos

Isabel and her family had dinner at the Castillos' house on Friday evening. That included Señor and Señora Castillo, Luis, and Amara. They had gotten married almost a year ago. 

(Luis and Amara. Not Luis's parents.) 

Not Iván. He could have been there. 

But he wasn't. 

It seemed to be pretty fancy. Everybody was a little bit dressed up, even Mariano. He was just over a year old, but Isabel felt like she had known him forever. Especially with him dressed like a tiny grown-up. 

When they were going in, Isabel wished Iván could be there. To see his sister-in-law. His new house. Mariano. Iván had never met him. 

This brought Isabel back to before Mariano had been born, when they were in the boat. Iván had said he had some ideas for a name for the baby. Isabel had said, "We're not naming him after Industriales players," and Iván had stuck his tongue out at her. 

Shortly after, they had been suggesting names for the boat, and Iván had said, "It needs a cool-sounding name, like The—" 

This was when the shark had appeared. 

Afterward, Iván was so shocked he didn't even speak. 

His last words. 

Isabel was jolted back to reality when they sat down for dinner. Luis cleared his throat. 

"Amara and I have something to say. Allow me to make a speech—" 

"I told you, cut the speech!" Amara hissed. "We should just tell them right away!" 

"Is it big news?!" Señor Castillo cried. "Don't tell me you're pregnant or something!" 

"We won't yet," said Luis. "I'll make a speech first." 

Amara slapped his hand playfully. "Sit down." 

"Oh my God, you are?! You're having a baby?!" shrieked Señora Castillo. "I'm going to be a grandmother?!" 

Señor Castillo was in shock. "I'm going to be a grandfather." 

Iván would be an uncle, Isabel thought. 

"How long have you known?" Papi spoke up. 

"Three and a half months," Amara admitted. 

Isabel and her parents were thrilled. Another little baby! Mariano didn't really understand what was going on, but he would know soon that he'd have another baby, like a cousin to play with. 

Isabel assumed the baby would be born around nine months, which meant early April next year. Mariano would be almost two then. Well, not quite almost. But it was definitely closer to April than now was. 

She wished Iván would be there to meet his niece or nephew, and with just one look at Luis she could tell he was thinking the same thing. They ate the rest of their dinner in silence.