𝐀 𝐇𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐅𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐞 - 𝐏𝐨𝐩 𝐒𝐦𝐨𝐤𝐞

𝐃𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐕𝐢𝐛𝐞

"Can't we just split it?" We hear a woman behind us say making Bashar and I stop our conversation.

She was boricua. Seemed as if she spoke little english  but was trying her best to communicate with the father.

"Maria I paid last week. And I paid for her to get new shoes that your raggedy ass couldn't buy for her!" The man whispers loudly.

"Can we just not do this right now," The woman says, "It's only twenty. I'm drowning in bills."

"You got this, I'm out!" He says getting up leaving the restaurant.

I open up my purse and grab my wallet.

"I hate people like that.." I say to Bashar as he watches me go through my purse.

"Me too," He says taking out a stack from his pocket.

We both get up from our chairs and I sit down at the booth with the woman and her daughter while Bashar stood.

"Mi abuela es la dueña de este restaurante. No tienes que pagar. Está en nosotros," I say.

"Siento lo qué pasó.." She says putting her head down, "desde que nació hemos estado pasando por problemas. Es diferente. Necesito estar juntos."

"No seas mami.. aquí, esto es para lo que necesites.." I hand her my hundred dollar bill and Bashar's money.

"No.." She says, "I can't."

"Sí sí, poder."

"Please take it, I can't stand to see how men out here treating women and they kids. You got a daughter man, take this for whatever you need. Stay safe and keep your head up," Bashar explains as I look up at him.

"Dios te bendiga," She says before getting up to hug us.

"Dios te bendiga también," I say.

"She says god bless you," I mouth to Bashar seeing his confused facial expression.

"God bless you babies," She smiles before wiping her tears.

"¿Tienes una forma de llegar a casa o algo así?" I ask.

"Ahora te doy las gracias," She says, "Gracias.." She says before they get up and walk out the restaurant.

"What was she saying?" He asks as we sit back down.

"She was just like I'm sorry this happened.. we've been struggling since she was born and I need to get myself back up and everything.. but like he really ain't have to leave like that."

"Word, how you treat yo girl like nothing in front of yah daughter. Your daughter. Shit amazes me.." He sighs.

"I know.. I know.. I don't get it," I shake my head putting on my coat, "Wella we're gonna leave it's getting late," I say as she comes out the back.

"Okay..be safe driving home.. Poppa tell your parents I said Hey," She says as she hugs us both, "And look after my realeza!" She winks at me making me laugh.

"I will Mrs. Fuentes," He laughs, "See you later."

"This was our good deed of the day," He says putting his coat on.