Page 18 of Ghostlighted
“News?” Liam’s voice carried a hint of… something. Maybe suspicion? I couldn’t tell. It was always easier for me to figure out the nuances of people’s voices once I’d actually met them in person and seen how their words interacted with their body language.
“Yes, it is so wonderful. Wait until you hear.”
“Have you finally decided to sell the house, then?”
My eyebrows shot up. Sell the house? What?
But Sofia laughed, almost gaily. “Of course not. Why would I do that?”
“It’s a big place, Sofia. Maybe too big for you to handle on your own. Wouldn’t a smaller place be easier for you to manage now?”
“I have no trouble with my house. Not with Enrique and the rest of the family to help.”
“They have other obligations, Sofia. Their own lives. You can’t expect them to drop everything for you.”
“Oh.” Sofia glanced at her garden and then at me, clearly about to apologize for imposing on us, but Ricky stepped in.
“Don’t worry about us, Liam. We’re fine. Tia’s fine. The house is fine. Everything is fine. Now maybe listen to her instead of jumping to conclusions.”
“Listen, Ricky, you?—”
“Boys, boys. There is no need to fight. Guillermo, I am coming to see you!”
“It’s Lia— What?”
“I am coming for your graduation. To see you receive your diploma.”
Liam cleared his throat. “Now, Sofia. We’ve talked about this before. The travel would be too much for you. With your heart?—”
“My heart is doing much better. My new medicine takes care of it.”
“I’m glad to hear that. You’re sure? The last one seemed to work at first too, but it didn’t last.”
“It is fine.” Sofia was starting to sound uncertain.
“You should think about this seriously, Sofia. Between the ceremony itself, moving to new lodgings, and starting the internship, I won’t have a minute to spare. You’ll be alone in a strange city. Why go to the trouble, stress, and expense of traveling all the way across the country just to sit in a hotel by yourself?”
“I know you will be busy, and I do not expect you to babysit me. But you should have someone from your family there to see you graduate. You’ve worked so hard for this.”
“That’s true, but?—”
“It is so like you to worry about me, but you needn’t. I won’t be alone. Felicia will be with me.”
“Felicia?” Liam’s tone sharpened. “You’re paying Felicia’s airfare? Can you afford it? I know my tuition makes it tough for you, and I promise I’ll make it all up to you once I’m practicing law, but?—”
“I am not paying for anything. This is a gift from my wonderful neighbor.” She winked at me, chuckling. “Although I think it is more in honor of Enrique and the good care he took of the house for all these years.”
“Sofia.” I couldn’t mistake the rebuke in Liam’s tone. “You can’t impose on a stranger like that.”
Ricky looked as though the top of his head was about to blow off as the joy in Sofia’s face was replaced by uncertainty, and I’d had enough.
“Hey, Liam. I’m Maz Amani, your abuela’s new neighbor, and I can assure you it’s my pleasure and privilege to gift Sofiawith the trip. She’s very proud of you, you know. Talks about you all the time.”
“I… see. Well, I appreciate you stepping in when the rest of the family couldn’t.”
“Look, Liam.” Yep, no doubt about it. Ricky was about to combust. “If you?—”
“I’m sure the rest of the family would have stepped up, no problem, but I got there first, and I insisted. Sofia and Felicia will be arriving a few days before the ceremony so they can sightsee for a bit. Do you think you might be able to carve out a little time to have lunch or dinner with them? Despite how busy you’ll be, you’ll still need to eat.”
