Jay looks at Garret with wonder as he passes the threshold without hesitation. Both Garret and Vasquez look back at Jay when they realize he is not following them in. Garret reads his friend’s apprehension and steps back outside.
“What’s wrong?”
“Seriously, boss? This is fucking stupid. Are you really going to follow the man who just tried to kill you and his daughter into this house?”
“Listen, we are here. If Vasquez wants us dead he’ll kill us if we go inside or not. If you want to stay in the car with Arturo and his sweaty-overweight-wife-beater-wearing ass, go right ahead. I am sure that would be more comfortable.”
Just then they hear a woman’s voice call from inside.
“Estan aqui? El novio? Averlo!”
A small woman with the same breath-taking features as Veronica steps out on to the porch. She smiles at them with pain in her eyes. “Which one of you is Gah-rrr-et?” His harsh English name struggles to escape the smooth sounds her tongue is use to saying. She grabs both of their hands and gently guides them inside as Garret introduces himself and Jay. Her gentle demeanor hypnotizes Jay and he gives way to his anxiety.
They enter into the small living room where Vasquez is seating on the couch and five of his men stand and sit throughout the room; dominating the small space. Sra. Nuñez shoos two men out of the Lazy-Boy chairs that straddle a small table directly across from where Vasquez is seated. The two men reluctantly vacate, surprised by her absolute indifference to whom they are.
“Sit down boys.” Jay and Garret look at Vasquez’s men as they sit down. “You want something to eat? I got some mole cooking. It is Vero’s favorite. I thought it would make me feel better but it has made me more of a nervous wreck.”
Sra. Nuñez doesn’t wait for them to answer. She takes a deep breath and heads to the kitchen. Garret’s line of vision follows Sra. Nuñez into the kitchen and then falls onto Vasquez’s stern glare.
“I read the letter you wrote to Veronica…”
Vasquez pauses like he’ll continue and the awkward silence makes Garret shift his weight in his chair. In a desperate attempt to fill the silence, Jay clears his throat. Sra. Nuñez rushes back into the room and sets up two TV trays in front of Jay and Garret.
“Sra. Nuñez, please. I don’t think I am all that hungry,” explains Garret to deaf ears.
“Don’t be silly. It is Vero’s favorite and you have had quite an adventure,” says Sra. Nuñez as she walks back into the kitchen. They hear her rattling plates as she continues to yell out from the kitchen, “And please call me Adrianna. John, quit glaring at those young men. If it wasn’t for you Vero wouldn’t be in LA. I can’t wait to see her! We’ll let the boys eat and then we’ll go.”
“Wait. Why is Vero…err…Veronica in LA?” asks Garret.
“I know specialist at Cedar Sinai and my daughter deserves the best of care. She deserves the best in all things. Don’t you think?” interrogates Vasquez.
“I couldn’t agree with you more. Do we know her condition?” Sra. Nuñez enters the room with two warm plates of mole.
“Well, she is in a coma,” she informs them, “but we have to stay positive that she’ll wake soon. Positive thoughts and prayers will see her through this.” She sets down the plates and waits for them to take a bite. “Eat!”
Jay and Garret push the food around their plates and begin taking small bites. Jay breaks the silence, “No es por nada Senora—you makes the best mole I have ever tasted!” Sra. Nuñez, satisfied that they like her cooking, leaves to back for her trip.
“Her cooking and the sound of her laughter made me fall in love with her,” laments Vasquez and he continues, “Like I mentioned, I read your letter to Veronica. I heard my younger voice in that letter. I would have done anything for Adrianna and Veronica and I made some big sacrifices. What are you welling to sacrifice Garret?”
Friday, August 28, 2009
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