Part 13 (1/2)
”I'm flattered, but you know I don't like to sing in public.”
”Please, darling?”
”Jasmine....”
”Please, sweetie darling honey baby, you hunk of a man, you?”
”When you put it that way....”
”I knew you'd say yes. You're so easy.”
”You've obviously never tried to get into my pants.”
”And never will, sweetheart. How are you?”
”Good,” I said.
”And how's Noah?”
”He's great. His birthday is coming up.”
”Really?”
”We celebrate it on July the fourth. His birthday is the fifth, but we always have a party on the fourth at Mama's house. You should come.”
”I will. I came last year, remember?”
”That's right,” I said.
”You'll have to give me directions again. Scratch that. I think I've got them in my e-mail. I'll check. So you'll sing for us?”
”You know I really hate it,” I said.
”But you're good at it, Wiley. Honest to Christ! I don't think there will be more than twenty or thirty of us, like the last time. We had fun. Don't you remember?”
”We did,” I agreed.
”All right, lover boy. I'll keep you posted. Don't back out on me!”
”I'll try not to.”
”Don't give me that wishy-washy I'll try I'll try business. If I have to stop by your house and drag your a.s.s and your guitar to the protest, I will. And you know I will.” business. If I have to stop by your house and drag your a.s.s and your guitar to the protest, I will. And you know I will.”
Indeed I did.
”How's everything with you?” I asked. ”It's been a while since I talked to you.”
”And whose fault is that? We miss you at the UU. Why don't you and Noah start coming again?”
”We've been going to ma.s.s.”
”Don't get me started on that. Going to ma.s.s. Please! Sleeping with the enemy is more like it.”
”I don't take it seriously,” I said in my defense. ”We're Catholics. We go to ma.s.s. That's about it.”
”Someday you'll come back from the dark side,” she said hopefully.
Great, I thought, hanging up. One more thing to p.i.s.s off Mama and Billy, me singing at a protest and taking Noah. They had all but crucified me the last time.
23) A visit from Juan
AS WE WE sat down for dinner that evening, the doorbell rang. We have a light that flashes when the doorbell is pressed so that Noah can see when someone is at the door. sat down for dinner that evening, the doorbell rang. We have a light that flashes when the doorbell is pressed so that Noah can see when someone is at the door.
He jumped up.
Someone's here! he signed. he signed.
Go see who it is.
He went to the door, opened it. I heard nothing, but saw him signing. I got up, went to the door, and found Juan standing there, looking rather sheepish.
Come in, I signed. I signed.
He came in, regarding us both somewhat fearfully.
Are you okay? I asked. I asked.
I just wanted to see you, he said. he said. I hope I'm not bothering you. I hope I'm not bothering you.
Not at all. Are you hungry?
A little.
This is my son N-o-a-h.
We met, he said, smiling as he looked at Noah. he said, smiling as he looked at Noah.
Juan tucked into my baked chicken and veggies like he hadn't eaten for several days.
Noah looked at me, smiling mischievously.
Eat! I ordered sternly. I ordered sternly.
He grinned.
When Juan had taken the edge off his appet.i.te, I asked him where he lived.