Page 23 of New Day at the Beach House

Trina smiled. “You look nice, Ma. Excited to see Ethan?”

Roxie nodded. “I am. I like him an awful lot.”

“I feel the same way about Miles,” Trina said. “We’re going to hang out tomorrow, since he’s off. We’re going to the beach and he’s going to teach me how to surf.”

“How fun,” Willie said.

The elevator reached the first floor and the doors opened again.

Trina got out first, turning around to face her mom and grandmother. “Unless you think I should stick around, in case I’m needed for something at the salon?”

Willie waved her hand as she got off. “Go and enjoy your day. Nothing’s going to happen that your mother and I can’t handle.”

“She’s right,” Roxie said. “A day off will do you good. And it’s not like you’re going to be gone all day.”

“Well, we might get dinner after.”

“Even so,” Roxie said. “It’ll be fine. Oh, I know what I forgot. I left my lip gloss on the bathroom counter. Too late now.”

Miguel was standing at the end of the driveway next to a big silver SUV. He was in tan pants and a tropical shirt. He waved at them. “Buenas noches, ladies!”

Willie grinned. Miguel had the sexiest accent. “Hiya, Miguel.” She kissed him on the cheek. “Thank you so much for getting us a car.”

“You are welcome.” He opened the door for her. “Your chariot awaits, my lady.”

“I’ll sit up front,” Trina said, already opening the front passenger door.

Willie stared up into the SUV. “Miguel, that’s a big step. I’m not sure I can get up there with my hip.”

Willie leaned in and said something to the driver, who then hopped out, opened the very back of the SUV and came around to their side.

He was holding a folding step stool. He put it down in front of Willie, then offered her his hand. “How’s that?”

Willie nodded. “Much better.” With the driver’s help, and Miguel’s, she climbed in.

Miguel used the step stool, too. Roxie came around and got in next to Willie on the other side. The driver shut their door, put the stool away, and got back behind the wheel.

As he pulled away, Willie leaned in toward Miguel. “How are you this evening?”

He grinned at her. “I am in the company of the most beautiful women in my neighborhood. I am very happy.”

Trina turned around to see them, smiling. “Thank you for providing us with transportation, Mr. Rojas.”

“Call me Miguel, please.” He took Willie’s hand. “Your abuela makes me feel young. First names are fine.”

Roxie nodded. “Yes, thank you. It’s a real treat to be taken care of like this.”

Miguel looked proud. “We will have a good evening.”

When they arrived at the seniors center, the driver came around with the step stool again and helped them out.

They all walked inside then followed Willie up to the desk that had a big sign hanging over it that read Tickets. Willie put her hands on the counter. “You’re holding some tickets for Willie Pasternak?”

The young woman working there nodded. “I’ll get those for you, Ms. Pasternak.” She went through an alphabetical file and produced them a moment later. “Here you are. Enjoy the show. There’s a concession stand just to the left, bathrooms are on both sides, and here are programs for all of you as well.”

“Thank you.” Willie walked off to one side, so they’d be out of the way, and distributed the tickets. “Here’s one for everyone. I’m sitting next to Miguel. Roxie, you and Trina can figure out which one of you wants to sit next to me.”

“I’ll sit by you, Mimi,” Trina said. “Ma’s already got a seatmate.”

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