Page 9 of Rekindle

“Gareth, please don’t.” I trusted my brother, but all of Gareth’s watches were insured and mostly rare, or even bought at auction. I didn’t want my brother responsible if anything happened to the watch.

“You’re liable if it gets lost,” hetold James with a smirk.

“Don’t worry, my sister will pay for it.” He took off to show off “his” watch. Then Gareth scanned me up and down I felt a tingle between my thighs.

“You sure will.” He said under his breath.

Meanwhile, Dad signaled for me to sit beside him and across from Gareth, but Mom insisted I satnext to Gareth.

Everyone at the table held hands, and Dad said grace. Gareth kept his eyes open throughout. He was never much of a believer.

The line of food presented to us was made with love. I had missed the white rice and red kidney beans piping hot from the bowl. Fried plantains, potato salad, then the fried turkey andpernilwas laid in the middle. My favoritepastel en hojalaid on the plate ready to be devoured. Don’t get me started on thepernilmy mouth was ready to bless this food.

“I was outside in the cold all day waiting for this bird to fry,” Dad said as he carved the bird.

“I had to make you do something,” Mom reminded. She looked a bit lively and smiled a little now that the whole family was together at the table.

“I wouldn’t let you lift a finger,mi reina.”He blew her a kiss and winked at her.

Mom was first to be served. I hope she would eat something. The doctorrecommended that she eat to withstand the effects of chemotherapy.

“It smells so good, but I have an iron taste in my mouth.”

“Try just a bit, Mom.” She nodded, but I knew she wasn’t going to eat much.

My family focused on Gareth as he gently placed the napkin on his lap, cut the pieces of turkey on the plate, and put them in his mouth. His table manners were perfect, like conducting a symphony with a fork and knife.

“Nina, I think I forgot.” Mom turned everyone’s attention to me. “How did you guys meet? I think we would appreciate hearing about the beginning of your relationship.”

Everyone hummed in agreement, nodding their heads. “Chica you never told us nothing.” Aunt Clementine’s voice was easily noticeable.

Gareth quietly enjoyed his food, leaving me alone in this. There was a chuckle as he chewed his food.

I watched Tina roll her eyes. But the rest of the family was obviously curious about my relationship.

I peeked at Gareth to see again if he could help with the answer, but he was carefully cutting a slice of turkey and gracefully putting it in his mouth. I had rehearsed everything before I came home, and I suddenly struggled to utter a word.

“Well. Er…we…” I reached for a glass of water to give me time to formulate an answer.

Then Gareth placed his hand on top of mine. “Why are you nervous, babe? Excuse her, she is just being modest. We talked about it on the flight here.”

“About what?” Dad asked.

“Well, the way we met. It’s not exactly how a parent would want their child to meet someone.”

“Okay?” Mom said, confused.

I began, “We—” when I was suddenly interrupted by Gareth.

“In a club.”

I took a drink of water and swallowed in one gulp. Then I struggled to clear my throat. Aunt Clementina hit my back hard, followed by gentle strokes. “Easy there. Relax. Nina see that wasn’t so hard…wait…what? In a club?” she turned to Dad. “Ricardo? Are you hearing this?”

The attention now turned to Tina. “Please tell us the story,” Tina insisted with sarcasm. “She just told me you guys met at a coffee shop.” She tilted her head reminding me what I really said.

“Well, she wasn’t going to say in a club. Again, not the place a parent would want their child to find a significant other,” Gareth replied. “We met at the club, she was shy. Just so happens her roommate was in a relationship with my brother, Colin. Nina here was hard to get.” He reached for the glass of wine next to plate.

Tina stood from the chair, and I watched as her fingertip touched his hand. Strange. Gareth pulled his hand away.

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