Page 31 of Finding Basil
“Our favorite color is purple.”
Basil chuckled and took his hand to lead him to their table. “She’s loved that color since her dad gave her a purple unicorn when she was four. That started it, and now everything thefamily gets her for her birthday or Christmas is that color. She’s that into it, so you wearing it? Big hit for her.”
“I’m glad. I like her.”
“Me too. I’m not supposed to have favorites, but…”
“At least until your twin nieces come along, huh?”
“Oh, for sure.”
It was fortunate they shared a table with Sabrina, her husband and their abuela. “Nice to see you again, ma’am,” he said as he shook her delicate hand.
“Nice, yes, Herb. You wore purple!”
“I had no idea. I wore it because it’s my favorite too.”
Sabrina laughed. “Oh, wow, you and Carla. Well, expect blankets and scarves to be woven in that color by the dozens. Abuela, Mama, all the ladies crochet.”
“I’ll wear the scarves proudly.”
He sat between Sabrina and Basil, and it was a great seat. They had lovely conversations until the big appearance was taking place.
Basil whispered, “Okay, the lights dimming, that means Carla is about to come out in herquiceaneragown. I happen to know this cost my brother nearly a thousand dollars, but they’d been saving for this party since she turned twelve.”
The place was beautifully decorated, and the scent of the food was coming from the kitchen in the back, making his mouth water. “The pretty white gown she wore — that wasn’t it?”
She’d been wearing a simple but beautiful white gown at the church, high collared, floor length, with lace on the bottom above small ruffles.
When the spotlight shone on the stage and she stepped out at the hall, however, he saw what looked like a princess had just graced their presence.
Her hair was done up in big curls gathered on top of her head with a short veil of the same lavender tulle as the gown.
She sparkled with the long earrings of dark purple stones and necklace to match, but the gown…that was the eye-catcher of her apparel.
The off-the-shoulder tulle straps met the princess’ bodice that was embroidered in dark purple sequins. The sequins wove delicately down to her tiny waist and then appliques of the same enhanced the full princess skirt that was full, obviously made with layers upon layers of the lavender tulle.
Like some princess from a storybook, she walked to the center of the stage, smiling at the crowd of her family and friends with her eyes glistening with tears of happiness. Everyone got to their feet, applauding for her, and one tear escaped, adding to her shininess.
“My god, she’s beautiful,” Sabrina said, and she was fully crying while smiling and clapping so hard, her hands might bruise.
Basil, too, was overcome. “I’m so proud of her. She earned all of this,” he said, then bragged, “Sports, straight As, and just a joy since she was born.”
“I want my girls to be just like her,” Sabrina said.
The love for the child was thick in the air as she made her way down the steps and into her father’s arms for the first dance of the evening. The curtain on the stage opened to the band as the first chords ofMy Little Girl, a cover of the song by Tim McGraw, started to play.
The two on the dance floor were both in tears as they slowly danced across the floor, every eye on them, and not one without their own tears.
The love Juan had for his daughter was obvious, and sweet. Herb could see it, the memories that ran through his mind of his little girl playing with dolls when she was little, running into his arms when he returned home from work. Her eyes would lightup as he read her bedtime stories and sneaked her candy before dinner.
He was her hero; that was also obvious by looking at her face. She adored her father, and together, they made Herb feel the love the family all had for one another.
Basil’s hand slipped into his, and Herb knew something else by that one gesture. It was a dream of Basil’s, to one day have a daughter, or even a son, with whom he could share these sorts of memories.
It was written all over his face, and though he’d never truly thought of it before, for himself, Herb knew just to see Basil happy, he’d have a whole house filled with kids.
Though he suspected that he’d take the greatest joy from it too.
