Page 23 of Harvest of Love
“Okay,” she says, then pauses. “So… I’m getting ready to head to my parents’ place, and I was wondering if you wanted to join us once your shift is over?”
My chest fills as I picture meeting Daisy’s parents. Every time they come up in conversation, her face lights up. She’s the only girl and the middle child. The way she talks about her parents—with love and admiration—reminds me of my own.
They seem to be a tight family, just like the one I grew up in. I remember sharing stories about life back home—how the palm trees danced to the rhythm of the drums and the trumpet, how we spent summers in Puerto Rico with Papi’s family.
She told me that while there weren’t trumpets blaring in her house, her parents waltzed around the kitchen on big holidays; that she spent long, humid summer days hiding from the sun under tall trees and dipping her toes in the cold creek water. Her brothers always ganged up on her, but if anyone at school even looked at her wrong, they were there in a heartbeat.
Their sibling banter reminds me of my younger sister, Aurora, and me. A flutter of nostalgia invades me as I realize how long it’s been since I last checked in with her. She moved to London about five years ago, and Ihaven’t made the effort to visit. I make a mental note to plan a trip next year with Tommy to see Rory.
“Yes, absolutely. I’d love that.”
“Phew, yay.” Relief fills her voice. “I just wasn’t sure since I thought you were going to the MacAllisters’.”
“I’m sure they’ll understand,” I tell her, instead of admitting how much shit the guys will give me. Her family is important to her, and now that I’m part of her life, I want to know them too.
“Yeah, okay. I’ll text you their address, then.”
“Okay, baby. I’ll see you in a bit,” I say before hanging up and firing a quick text to the group chat.
Manny: Happy Thanksgiving, friends.
Miles: How’s it going? *eyes emoji*
Xander: Yeah, any new developments?
Manny: I’m going to Daisy’s parents for Thanksgiving today.
Miles: Ohhhh meeting the parents. Nice! I guess it’s a done deal then.
Manny: Yes, we’re officially together.
Gio: Congratulations, man. Happy for you both.
River: Nice job, Manny. Now they’ll all go back to focusing on me.
Xander: We can focus on your sibling, Riv. He also needs to get it together.
Xander: And Manny, that’s great news! Daisy is a great girl. I’m glad you didn’t fuck it up.
Miles: Congrats, Manny!
Miles: And no, no one needs to focus on me. It’d be a waste of time.
Gio: I’ll see you all later. I gotta go help Ruin with whatevershe’s cooking.
Xander: Ruin is cooking? Rain has been up since an ungodly hour doing the same. You’d think the chef in the family would get to rest on a day like today. *shaking head emoji*
Miles: Sorry, bro, but Rain’s food is delicious. How could we pass up her cooking today?
Xander: *middle finger emoji* Starting next year I’ll just cater the food again. My woman deserves a day off.
Gio: Sounds like a plan. I agree she shouldn’t be cooking today.
River: I’m fine with whatever, so long there’s food on the table.
Miles: You all are no fun. See you later.
Manny: Say hi to everyone for me. I’ll have to stop by soon with Daisy to tell Granny.
