Page 104 of Keepsake

Ineversawmymother so quiet. Papá, of all people, conducted all conversations during dinner, asking the kids about school and for their news since that weekend they spent together. Vienna took over, of course, telling them everything, including that she was now too seeing Dr. Maya.

The hairs on the back of my head stood at attention with the daggers Mamá’s sent at Logan.

She was from an old generation who thought therapy was something for those who had nothing else going on. Or maybe she had nothing against therapy and everything against Logan.

I had to talk to them.

The thought plagued me through dinner until dessert, as we sang feliz cumpleaños. I tapped Papá’s back, and Logan gave him an outrageously expensive bottle of Cuban rum she ordered specially for the occasion.

Papá opened the black box and took out the beautiful bottle. His eyes widened when he spotted the label.

“Logan you shouldn’t—”

“Happy birthday, Mr. Castillo,” my little minx interrupted. “Alvaro said you’d like it.”

I could hear in the pitch of her voice how nervous she was. We all felt the weight of Mamá’s disapproval even though she didn’t talk. I knew my mother hated that kind of extravagance in her house, but I told Logan it was ok if she wanted to spoil my dad.

I did too. I picked tumblers to go with the rum that were way more expensive than I usually would go for. I learned with Logan that you only got one shot at loving people. She loved fiercely, so why hold back?

“Geraldo,” he requested, blinking from the bottle to her.

Logan smiled timid, taking that small step to the right direction. Everyone relaxed, but I knew the time had come.

It was never my intention to use my father’s birthday like this, but it became apparent Logan was always going to be overlooked by my mother. And before today, I’d roll my eyes and say she was just being difficult. It didn’t feel easy to ignore anymore.

The reality of what Sofia’s life was like came crashing into my lap. So many truths I wasn’t ready to hear. I knew my parents weren’t ready for what I was about to tell them. I had to end it, though. I needed Mamá to start seeing Logan for what she really was.

Sofia’s champion. The best person to take care of the kids. No one else would do.

When the kids left, I closed the kitchen door. “I need to talk to you about something.”

I flashed a look at Logan, and she stiffened in the chair. Maybe she was afraid I’d spill my guts that we were sleeping together. Her eyes never left mine as I crossed the kitchen and sat on the chair beside her.

Papá was opening his brand-new rum, pouring it in the new tumblers as he whispered to himself how good it smelled.

“Maybe today is not the day,” Logan whispered.

“¿Que pasa?” Mamá said, leaning on the counter, a tea towel over her shoulder and a mean look in her eyes.

I breathed in, not really interested in dragging this out, especially when Logan seemed ready to bolt at any second.

“I recently found out a few things about Sofia’s relationship.”

No whispering this time. Logan flashed me a warning look. “Alvaro.”

“No. This is important even if it’s painful.”

“What are you talking about?” Papá stopped looking at his rum for the first time since he got it.

“Who told you these things?” Mamá asked, making it obvious she wanted it to be Logan so she could discredit it and call it a day.

I pinched the bridge of my nose. “Sit down, Mamá.” I chose my words carefully. “The kids are saying a couple of things.”

“They never said anything.” She shook her head but sat back at the table.

“Caridad,” Papá said softly, his hand coming to cover hers.

“Sofia and David’s relationship was worse than we initially thought,” I decided to say at once. “The kids are… scared of him.”

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