Page 29 of Five Goodbyes

Isaiah grins as he takes a bite of his Pan con Lechón, the tender pork and tangy garlic sauce mingling on his tongue. “This is hands down the best sandwich I've ever had. I don't know how I'm ever going back to regular sandwiches after this.”

As we enjoy our meal, we share the appetizers, the rich, smoky flavor of the croquetas de jamón perfectly complementing the crisp, salty mariquitas. Between bites, we discus everything from our favorite foods to our plans for the evening.

“This has been an eventful twenty-four hours,” Isaiah says, his eyes gleaming with gratitude. “Thank you, Hunter, for showing us the best of Miami.”

Lucas nods in agreement, a genuine smile spreading across his face. “You've outdone yourself, Hunter. It's been an incredible day, and this meal tops it off.”

I smile, feeling a sense of pride in sharing my adopted city with Jasmine's family. “It's my pleasure, guys. I'm glad you're enjoying yourselves.”

As we continue eating, the conversation flows easily. We trade stories about our hometowns, our families, and various adventures we've had through the years. The atmosphere in the restaurant is spirited, with the hum of animated chatter and laughter all around us.

At one point, Isaiah excitedly points to a menu item he didn’t notice before. “Hunter, they have guava and cheese pastelitos for dessert. Jasmine told me how much she loves these. We should definitely try them.”

Lucas, now feeling much better, nods in agreement. “That sounds like a fantastic way to end our meal.” I flag down a server and order a round of guava and cheese pastelitos, along with some cafecitos — strong, sweet Cuban espresso shots — to give us a boost of energy for the evening ahead.

When the pastelitos arrive, the flaky, golden crust gives way to a sweet, gooey filling of guava and rich cream cheese. Each bite is a delightful explosion of flavor.

“These are delicious,” Lucas says. “I can see why my daughter loves them so much. We'll have to bring some back for her and Amy to enjoy.”

As we sip our cafecitos, the strong, bold flavor of the espresso invigorates our senses. I feel I’ve made a good impression on Jasmine’s family, maybe even getting them to see me as a friend. I sure hope so, because there’s no doubt in my mind that if they don’t have respect for me, Jasmine and I can never last. Her family means too much to her.

With our stomachs full and our spirits high, we pay the bill and leave Sanguich De Miami, and walk back to my car. The vibrant energy of Little Havana envelopes us, the sights and sounds of the neighborhood only growing as we get into my car and begin our way back to Jasmine’s condo.

As the sun begins to set, painting the sky with brilliant shades of orange and pink, I’m glad I timed the day out so well. The best part of today is there hasn’t been any dull or quiet times between us. I have to admit, without even trying, I enjoy Jasmine’s family. None of this has been faked. The drive back is filled with laughter. When we arrive at the condo, Jasmine and Amy are waiting for us in the living room, their shopping bags piled high around them.

“Tell us all about your day,” Jasmine says, her eyes sparkling with excitement. I didn’t realize how much she missed her mother until seeing her so relaxed and happy. I’ve got to make sure we have regular visits whether it’s bringing them here, or flying to them. We can’t ever get too busy to be with family.

As we share our adventures, Jasmine and Amy eagerly show off their purchases, putting on an impromptu fashion show for us. The laughter and warmth that fill the room is just another testament to the incredible day we've all had.

“Oh, Hunter,” Jasmine says, twirling in a new dress. “You should’ve seen Mom and me in the shoe store. We went a little crazy.”

Amy laughs, holding up a pair of heels. “I couldn't resist. They’re just too fabulous.”

We settle in for a night of stories, light food, and laughter. It’s a day we’ll remember for years to come, a testament to the power of love and the importance of family. As I watch Jasmine, her face aglow with happiness, and once again I realize that I’m the luckiest man alive.

Isaiah asks his parents to be excused. He’s already made a few friends in town, and they’re going out on the town. Lucas and Amy give him the requisite warning of being careful and making good decisions before he leaves for the night. I then sit back, comfortable as I listen more than I speak.

I’m with the woman I love, and I’ll soon officially ask her father for her hand. This might still scare me, but I’m beginning to believe he’ll give me his blessing. I might not be on the same financial planes as the Andersons, but then again, not many are, but I have something no other man has, and that’s a deep, pure love that can’t ever be broken, for their incredible daughter. I’ll honor this love for the rest of our lives, and never take advantage of it.

Chapter Ten

My sleep is abruptly interrupted by the blaring ring of my phone. My hand blindly flails at the nightstand until I make contact with it. I squint at the screen, which is far too bright for my eyes, confused and alarmed to see the name flashing on the display. It takes another two full rings in my hand before I answer.

“Hello?” I ask, trying to shake the grogginess from my voice.

“I'm in jail, Hunter. I need your help,” Isaiah says, his words rushed and panicked.

My heart rate surges hearing Isaiah’s voice in such a panic, and then his words sink in. “Why are you in jail? What’s going on? Are you okay?” I ask in rapid fire succession.

“My friends and I were attacked at the club, the cops came, and brought all of us down here. I can explain more when you get here. I’m sorry man. Please don’t call my parents. I’ll talk to them after they wake up.”

“They booked you guys for a fight?”

“It got a little out of control, and to top that off, I lost my wallet in the melee. I would’ve paid the club for the damages right there if I could’ve found my wallet, but it’s gone. I’ll explain more once you’re here.”

The stress in his voice is undeniable, and I know it won’t help trying to dig for info knowing that other people are watching and listening to him right now.

If I had any frustration at being woken up at three-thirty in the morning, it’s gone now. That small frustration has been replaced by a bunch of other thoughts and emotions, which I suppress while on the call with Isaiah.

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