Page 21 of Arrogant Arrival

She continues in Greek, “So you’re not serious? You bring her all the way to meet all your family with no promises? Maybe she’s not the one, then. Maybe this means you still need to meet the nice girl Maria knows.”

“No, no, no. I think Joleneisthe one.”

“We’ll see.”

My mother, who has been watching Jolene out of the corner of her eye, leans forward, “Adrouli mou xruse.”My golden boy.“It’s good to meet people. What’s meant to be will be, so what’s the harm?”

“Ah! What’s meant to be will be? So, you can leave well enough alone, then, too? Now I’d kindly ask you to only speak in English. We’re being rude to Jo.”

Ma lets out a huff and crosses her arms. Jolene remains quiet with her eyes fixed out the window. I look out to see what she’s staring at and I’d almost forgotten how beautiful the country is. The mountains to one side and the deep blue Mediterranean Sea to the other. I notice her eyes look heavy. I turn up the radio and let my favorite Greek singer, Giannis Ploutarhos, fill our silence. I won’t bother Jolene because I’m sure she’s tired. We got to sleep on the flight over, she didn’t. It’ll be good for her to get some rest. Sure enough, the next time I look in the rearview mirror, her eyes are closed. I admire her beautiful cheek bones and notice she has a strong jawline as well. Her silky midnight hair has a few loose strands. I feel a sting on my arm and yelp.

“Eyes on the road, or you’ll be looking at her in a coffin.” I flinch at my yia-yia’s harsh, yet valid, point.

“Did you pinch me?” I ask her in English.

She shrugs and goes back to looking out the window. I focus on the beauty before me. The mountains, the sea, and the vineyards as I drive the winding roads.

It’s so damn good to be back in Greece.

It’s late by the time we arrive at the condo, so we order takeout of gyros and souvlaki, and while we wait for our food to arrive, I join Jolene outside on the balcony. She’s standing with her arms wrapped around herself, listening and watching the waves crash on to the beach.

“This is incredible,” she whispers in awe.

“It is. I’d forgotten how beautiful Greece is. We used to visit almost every summer when my Pappou was still alive. He was the main one who wanted to come visit his sisters and cousins. After he died, we slowed down to every other summer. Then my father passed away from cancer.”

“I’m sorry.” She frowns. “Didn’t you say you thought it was natural causes?”

“Well, my aunts believe it was from using the microwave too much. And somehow him using it too much was Ma’s fault. So some of the family believes natural causes equals cancer and others say he was ‘given’ cancer.”

Her mouth opens and closes a few times before she finally says, “Either way, I’m sorry.”

“Thank you. Our last vacation with him was here in Greece. He wanted to see his home country one last time. It’s been three years since I’ve been back. We still have a house up in the village. It’s too small for all of us, though. That’s where Pappou always wanted to go, up in the mountains. It’s strange being back without him. I’m glad I have you here to be a distraction.” I clear my throat. I’m not ready to get into any deep conversations tonight. “Dex rented this place for all of us, but by the way he’s talking since we’ve arrived he may just buy a house in Greece.”

“Would you want a house in Greece?”

I chuckle. “I should probably get a house in America first. Right now I’m renting a cheap place because I’m never home. Even when I’m not on a flight, I’m not home.”

“Why?”

“What’s the point of sitting in an empty house? It’s boring and…”

“Lonely.” Her voice holds sadness.

I swallow and nod in agreement. “Yeah, lonely,” I whisper. I clap my hands and grin, “We won’t get lonely here, that’s for sure. We’ll probably be missing our quiet places after a couple of days of this insanity.”

As if on cue, my Ma yells out. “Jimmy mou! You and Hoelene come eat! Food’s here!”

I cringe. “Sorry.”

Jolene laughs. “It’s not the first time I’ve been called that, but it is the first time with a Greek accent, so it has sort of a distinguished air to it.”

We laugh and I take her hand. “Thank you, Jolene. I’m really glad you came.”

“You know,Dimitrios…I am, too.”

Let’s hope you still are after seven days.

Jolene

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