Page 58 of Wishing for La Luna
“Because the first one with Palomo was so good.” I sprint down the stairs.
“You saw it?”
“Have you met Raquel? She’s a straight-upnovelaaficionado. It’s how she would bond with my grandma after work. When she goes out with Darren, she records them. I remember being little and the three of us piling up on myGuela’sbed to watch.Toque de queda,they used to call it. Because it was exactly like a curfew. Everything stopped.”
“Yeah,Mamiand me used to watch the nine p.m. one together over the phone if I was touring, or she would wait for me if I was performing that night. When I couldn’t record it, she would fill me in. It was our quality time.”
There’s something so sad in the way he says the words.He misses her.
“Which one was her favorite?”
“Sortilegio. Listen Luna, you should go?—”
While he talks, I cross the street and knock on the driver’s window. Rio turns to me with wide eyes.
“What are you doing down here?” He’s a little flushed, like he can’t believe it.
I point back at my window. “I could see the car. Come upstairs for a bit.”
He shakes his head. “You and your mom are spending time together.”
“Sir, we live together. Come on, open this door.”
He unlocks the door and steps out. I hug him, and his arms wrap and tighten around me, squeezing me. Tito is already coming around.
“I’ll call you,” Rio says to Tito, who leans to kiss my cheek and gets into the driver’s seat.
I take Rio’s hand in mine and lead the way back to the building. I walk fast. He’s silent up the steps and through the door. My mom walks back to her room in her big blue robe over her night shirt, holding a glass of water.
“Hi, Rio.”
He steps forward and offers his hand. “Disculpe la interrupción y la hora.I’ll leave soon.”
She kisses his cheek and smiles. “You’re okay. It’s normal for my daughter’snovioto come calling.”
My mouth goes slack, and I give her a pointed look. The respectful version of what-the-fuck.
Her smile only brightens. “I’ll see you later.” As she closes her bedroom door, she yells over her shoulder, “No funny business.”
Rio flushes. “Yo…Yo no le faltaría el respeto.”
She laughs. “I’m teasing you.”
I want to die. “She’s in a weird, funny mood.”
He stands there, as if he doesn’t know what to do.
“¿Qué te pasa?” I ask.
He says nothing.
I close the distance between us and take his hand again. “I know something’s wrong.”
He squeezes my hand. “It’s tomorrow.”
I frown at him. “What about it? You’re ready. Rehearsals are perfect.” The videos he’s been sending have been amazing.
“I know…” He breathes out. “It’s her… I’m ready to talk about her.”
