Page 55 of Seeds of Sorrow

Peyton smiled and took Hadina’s hand. “Then show me around.”

They linked their fingers as they walked, and Hadina felt herself settle. Making their way around to the front of the large stone building, she heard Peyton gasp at her side as she took in the colorfulpapel picadoshanging outside.

“Just wait until you see inside,” Hadina whispered into Peyton’s ear, pulling her through the open doorway.

Stepping into the courtyard was like taking a step back in time to when Hadina was just a kid, holding onto hermama’s hand as she discovered her culture, one stall at a time. Everywhere she looked was a familiar explosion of color, from fabric bunting to the fairy lights strung up in rows from wall to wall. Since the courtyard was designed without an overhead roof, sunlight beamed down to illuminate the intricate designs and patterns that lined the little pathways.

“This place isbeautiful,” Peyton said wistfully, spinning around on the spot as she looked up. Hadina could feel a real smile break free on her face at the sight.

“Welcome to the Mexican Market,tentadora. My mom would bring me here once a month and we’d spend hours walking from stall to stall, before spending an insane amount of money in the stores. She wanted to show me authentic parts of Mexican culture that I could find here, things that reminded her of home.”

Her mom had always been so happy whenever they came, her smile larger than life as she spoke Spanish to all the stallholders. She’d explain to Hadina anything she didn’t understand, but had always waited a moment to see what her daughter hadn’t picked up. It was important for the Adis matriarch to know that her children could speak at least some Spanish, something that would connect them to their family.

“Come,” Hadina said, dragging Peyton forward. She stopped at one of the first stalls, recognizing the lady cooking. “Hola, Maritza! ¿Cómo estás?”

“Ay, Hadina, it is so good to see you!Soy buena, y tu?” she responded in a thick accent, beaming at the woman in front of her.

“Yo tambien soy buena, gracias!” Hadina gestured to Peyton. “Esta esmi novia, Peyton.”

“Ella es hermosa. Se ve amable!”

“Sí, sí, ella es.” Hadina looked at Peyton, squeezing her hand. “Maritza says you’re beautiful and look kind.”

Peyton blushed and it made Hadina’s heart beat a little faster.

“Gracias, Maritza. This smells delicious!”

Maritza looked at Hadina and nodded approvingly. Any girl who could sayanythingin Spanish with that natural accent, without speaking the language, was deserving of the approval.

“Could we get some of your infamousmenudofor Peyton to taste,por favor?”

Maritza smiled knowingly and spooned some of the rich soup into a bowl, taking a lemon slice and squeezing the juice in before handing the dish to Peyton with a napkin and spoon. “I hope you enjoy,cariña.”

Passing some bills to Maritza, Hadina watched carefully as Peyton took her first spoonful. She couldn’t help feeling giddy, seeing her temptress try something hermamahad made for her so many times before. Hadina’s mother had always said that Maritza’smenudowas the only one that could rival her own.

Peyton groaned, closing her eyes as she ate. “This is the best thing I’ve ever tasted!”

Maritza laughed, clapping her hands together. Hadina thanked the woman and guided Peyton on, walking her through other stalls while she ate. She pointed out some of the other food on display, assuring Peyton that they would get somepico de galloon the way back round.

“You need to teach me how to make this,” Peyton said as she finished her last mouthful, wiping the sides of her mouth with her napkin.

Hadina laughed, raising a brow at her. “Are you sure you want the recipe?”

Peyton narrowed her eyes, pursing her lips. “Yes…”

“Absolutely sure?”

“Yes.”

“Well, first, you start with the cow’s stomach—”

Peyton stopped walking, spinning around to face Hadina. “You start with the WHAT?”

“You heard me,tentadora,” she said, tears welling in her eyes from laughing so much.

“Oh, you absolute bitch. You could have told me beforehand!”

Hadina rolled her eyes and threw an arm around Peyton’s shoulders, pressing a kiss to her temple. “But then you’d have been stubborn and not tried it. It’s a delicacy and I knew you’d love it. You really going to tell me that you wouldn’t eat it again now?”

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