Page 66 of Red Mountain Burning
Falling Back in Love
Once a week, Adriana taught English to her fellow Mexicans in the dining room of Épiphanie. Though it was her way of making a little extra money, it was also her way of giving back and taking some of the focus off her own life. To that end, her students weren’t required to pay, but donations were welcome.
It had been wonderful to reconnect with teaching English again, something she hadn’t done since leaving California. Helping others get a leg up in the world was so fulfilling. This class was one of the things she would miss most if she left.
If she left.
Today, nine students were looking back at her, most of them still dirty from working with the vines. She knew how much they appreciated her help, and there were few things better than teaching students who were eager to learn. These people could obtain much better paying jobs and live better lives if they learned English. Sadly, even some of the young men and women in their twenties hadn’t learned.
A man with a mustache raised his hand at the end of the long table.
Adriana pointed to him. “Yes, Jorge?”
“Cual es la diferencia—”
“No, no, no. English, please.”
He smiled nervously and tried his best. “Okay. What. Is. Div...diff?”
“Diff,” Adriana said.
“What is difference…?”
She helped him work through a question about the use ofaversusan.
As she finished her point, Brooks entered the dining room and waved. He took a seat by the fireplace. Adriana tried to concentrate as she continued with her lesson, but all she could think about was how she’d met Brooks last year while he was sitting in that same chair. He’d looked at her like she was the most beautiful woman in the world, and she remembered her heart fluttering as she returned to the kitchen that night.
He was looking at her the same way now as he had back then. It was like he’d never even noticed her scars. He was such a handsome and kind man. How was she so lucky? How hadhebeen crazy enough to stick with her through everything? Sometimes she didn’t feel worthy of being loved, but he was somehow blind to her flaws. All that, and he was an excellent role model for Zack.
Now that Michael wouldn’t be a threat any time soon, she’d considered staying on the mountain. Moving could be hard on Zack. And there were other reasons to leave. But she’d suddenly found a renewed sense of hope here on Red Mountain. With that hope came the reminder of how much she loved Brooks. She’d buried her own feelings to focus on Zack, but now that Michael wasn’t a problem, she’d realized how wonderful it was to have Brooks in their lives.
A voice cut through her thoughts. Jorge was asking another question.
“Sorry,” she said, “I was daydreaming.”
She answered his question and worked through the rest of the lesson. After class, Adriana crossed the room and said hello.
“You’re a pretty great teacher,” Brooks said. “Can I start taking your class?”
She rolled her eyes and kissed him. “Tell me something.”
“What’s that?”
“How do you put up with me?” she asked.
“Put up with you? What do you mean?”
Adriana sat in the chair next to him. “I know I’ve been awful to live with. I just want to say thanks for sticking by me.”
“Don’t you see I’m stuck on you, A? I don’t have a choice.” He reached for her hand. “You’ve had a long couple of years. Forget about it.”
“That’s no excuse. I will try harder. I promise.”
* * *
Brooks lovedthe mystery that was Adriana. Had she just insinuated that she was staying on the mountain? Even though Brooks had seen a change in her, he’d avoided bringing up this topic that meant so much to him.
Carmen had taken such a toll on his happiness lately, but feeling Adriana’s love at this moment made Carmen and her little agendas seem insignificant. This is why he’d stayed with Adriana and fought off all the doubt. Because he knew who she was as a person, and he knew how much she really loved him. Even when everyone around him, including his mother, felt like he’d be better off on his own, he was sure he just had to stay the course until she came around.
