Page 34 of Finding Basil
Basil’s head moved slowly as he met Herb’s eyes, just knowing he’d see the proof Herb was teasing him, but his face was dead serious. He was shocked when he knew he shouldn’t be. Herb read him well, and he didn’t exactly hide the fact that he wanted children.
His dream was to live on a farm and raise a ton of kids, playing in the dirt and eating cherry popsicles, leaving stains on their cheeks.
So, instead of expressing his surprise, he instead teased, “hey, I need to see how you are in bed before I commit to a lifetime of your company.”
“Right. Like I said, I’ll bring my A-game.”
“Yeah, I’d suggest that.”
When the cake was served, Herb seemed to be over the moon. The lavender tiers were ombre, the lightest lavender on the top, the darkest two colors on the bottom layer. The top layer supported the numbers one and five alongside a cascade of the same flowers that were found on the centerpieces. A similar, but larger cascade was on the bottom tier, and the middle tier had her name set in lovely lettering,Carla.
All giggles as she cut the first piece, Carla posed cheekily for the pictures. Real cameras flashed along with every phone in the place being held up to grab pictures and videos. Basil clapped and then they went to get a piece of the beautiful cake. “It’s got big wedding vibes.”
“It does. I think maybe it’s because it’s a coming of age, and a woman now with her next big day traditionally will be her wedding day. We know it’s more likely graduations from school and college, but this is an old tradition. Back when this started becoming a tradition, women didn’t care about school. They wanted the husband, the kids, the house, all that. Or at least society wanted that for them.
“Funniest thing about that is, Carla doesn’t want any of those. Not even the house. She wants to travel, living out of a suitcase.”
“That kind of life has its moments, but the family and kids do too. She may want both, but traveling first, while she has the time and youth for it.”
“I never wanted that life. Traveling, never having roots, missing family…”
“You are hearth and home. I like that, and it’s what I want now, sure, but when I was young, I wouldn’t have considered it.”
“I’m glad I met you now.”
“Me too,” he said, then started to dance a little slower. “If your whole family wasn’t watching, I’d make out with you right here on this dance floor.”
“Yeah, and I’d let you. Only married people can do that.”
That thought ran through his mind, a gathering much like the quinceanea, but a wedding. Their cake tiered, their suits beautiful, Basil’s family around them, happily cheering them on as they danced and kissed.
“You look awfully dreamy right now,” Herb pointed out as his hand tenderly caressed his cheek.
“Hard not to, being around you.”
“Sweet talker. I feel the same, though, just so you know. I love being with you. I just feel so good, even with all the crap happening to my house. None of its bothering me. It’s like…nothing compared to how much I enjoy being around you.”
A blush and shy smile came to Basil’s face; he was sure with the way his face heated and Herb’s eyes moved all over his face, staring at it. “You look good with your face all pink.”
“Stop. I hate that I blush so easily.”
“I don’t. I like it.”
“Probably because it’s as easy as reading my mind.”
Basil saw his sister wink at him, and he blushed more, needing to get out of the hall or suffer getting his best suit sweaty. “Let’s go outside and get some air.”
“Sounds good.”
They got a drink on the way out, the best fruit punch in the world, as it was made by one of his aunts. She used only real fruit in a base of homemade apple cider and lemon juice. Sweet lemons from Sicily. Taking great pride in it, she was more than happy to make it for all the big celebrations.
Chapter Nine
Thebackofthehall wasn’t exactly scenic. It faced an alley and the back of a store on Main Street. But there were benches, and Herb and Basil took one while Basil’s father came to sit across from them on the other bench.
“Dad, were you sneaking cigars out here?”
“None of your business, Basil.”
