Page 98 of The Close-Up
“It’s so nice to see you too, Ms. Ellorza,” he says, handing her flowers. “These are for you. Thank you for having me.”
“Oh my, these are beautiful. Thank you! And please call me Marla. Come here.”
Even though she’s half his size, she jerks him into a one-armed hug that is shockingly powerful judging by the look on his face.
When she finally releases him, she turns around. “AdingGigi! Come here and say hi to Naomi!”
Auntie Gigi appears from the nearby hallway and grins at me. “Oh,anakko! It’s been so long!”
She hugs me tight and I’m smothered into her permed hair. I haven’t seen Auntie Gigi since I was in college more than ten years ago. I tell her how wonderful it is to see her and how amazing she looks.
She waves a hand, the gold bangles on her arm clinking together. “Oh, I don’t know about that. But you look so lovely! Such a pretty dress.”
I tug at the long sleeves of my chambray shirtdress.
“Where’s Uncle Reuben?” I ask.
Auntie Gigi’s smile wavers for a split second. “He couldn’t come. Had family stuff to deal with back home.”
“Oh.” Inside I deflate the slightest bit. I haven’t seen him in just as long and thought he’d be here too. They’re the kind of married couple who do everything together—travel, go to the store, cook, watch TV, read the newspaper. It’s weird that he’s not here.
“Is everything okay with his family?” I ask.
“Oh yes, it’s fine,” she says with a wave of her hand before turning her attention to Simon. “And who’s this?”
“This is Simon. My friend.”
From behind Mom I catch a glimpse of Harper in the kitchen, rolling her eyes and shaking her head at how I’ve chosen to introduce him.
I do my best to ignore her and keep my smile as Simon hands Auntie Gigi the other small bundle of multicolored blooms. Just like Mom, Auntie Gigi fawns over what a lovely and thoughtful surprise it is.
Mom pulls on Auntie Gigi’s arm. “Don’t you think he looks like that doctor onGrey’s Anatomy? That handsome one that was in the military who stapled his own leg?”
Auntie Gigi’s eyes go wide as she shakes her head. “Oh yes! Except you look younger.”
I shake my head and smile as they spend the next minute talking about Simon’s physical similarities to the actor. I mouth a quiet “sorry” to him, but he just grins.
Finally, I grab his arm and tug him toward the kitchen. “I’m going to show Simon where all the food is.”
“Oh yes, eat up!” Mom says. “We have so much food.”
She and auntie run to the garage to find vases for the flowers while we make our way to the kitchen, stopping to say quick hellos to relatives along the way. Dad pops in through the sliding glass door, clad in an apron that says “Kiss Me I’m A Giants Fan,” grill tongs in his hand. He runs up to give me a hug.
“Oh, honey bear!” He squeezes me tight. “So good to see you.”
I smile at his childhood nickname for me that’s stuck well into adulthood.
He pulls back and grips me by the shoulders, beaming down at me. He’s Simon’s height but has a slimmer frame because of all the distance running he used to do before his hip surgery last year.
“Let me look at you, honey bear. Yup. Still beautiful. And still got that gorgeous hair I gave you.”
He pats the top of his head, which is speckled with gray stubble. He started shaving it when he began losing his hair years ago. Simon chuckles behind me.
I turn around and gesture to Simon. “Dad, this is Simon. He’s the guy who I’m filming for work. And he helped Mom repair the vase you made for her. Simon, this is my dad, Gordon.”
Dad turns to give Simon a handshake and thanks him for helping Mom.
“Good to meet you, sir,” Simon says.
