“Don’t worry, she’ll get over it.” Dave found himself staring at her intimately again. He liked the way her jet black hair flowed to the side, completely hiding her arm, “What are the words to the blessing?”
“May God bless and protect you as you sleep, and guide you in all the days of your life, and may He shower you with His immense love, in your times of peace and trials.” Edna used to whisper it to her when she was young. It was something Miguel’s mother used to say to him.
That was one part of her father that Maria accepted, she found it comforting in her difficult life. She hoped it would come true for Michael since it didn’t for her, “It sounds better in Spanish.” She opened her eyes to meet Dave’s. It didn’t make her uncomfortable or angry, but she wasn’t sure what it made her feel.
“I figured as much, I’ve always thought children of mixed race were more beautiful and wealthier.” He spoke quietly, sinking into her green eyes.
Maria sat up straight, shifting her eyes away from him, “What do you mean?”
Dave noticed the change in her. He cleared his voice and softened his gaze, “Wealthier because they have more than one culture and ancestry, more beautiful because they get the best out of both sides.”
“But I didn’t tell you I was half Latino?” she smiled, grateful the cooing in his voice was gone.
“Paula Michaels, and you’re beauty gave you away.” he said gentler than he had intended.
Warning bells rang in Maria’s head as her smile faded again. She felt uncomfortable with his last remark and she wished he hadn’t said it. It always started the same, the stares, the compliments, the intimate get-to-know- each other moments. Then everything would move to stage two, where the dates begin and she would grow to like him even more, and ultimately love him. Then the final stage, when they hook up and probably live together, and then finally his true colours would come out and she would end up suffering for it.
She’d read the script, played the part, and as much as she was sure Dave was nothing like Ricky, she had no intentions of finding out she was wrong.
She stood up and walked to Izzy’s pen, “It’s time for us to go.” she gently lifted her coat and replaced it with the pink blanket, “could you please ask Carol to bring Miguel back?” She gave Izzy a final kiss before she turned to face Dave.
Dave was on his feet, he hadn’t seen her reaction coming, and he was too distracted ogling her. He should have known compliments would make her uncomfortable as much as the stares did, “It’s going to be difficult telling you my theory if you keep doing that.” He spoke softly, his eyes stuck on his shoes.
“What do you mean?” Maria asked, jittery. She was afraid Dave had noticed more about her than she was comfortable with.
Dave looked at her, gauging whether or not she would be able to take his observation without running out the door, never looking back, and he didn’t want to risk it, “Jane doesn’t like you because you are the new attraction in the sand box.” he spoke, his lips curved up in a gentle smile, “I think she would be more pissed if she found out Miguel was attracting his own share of female attention. She just can’t compete with that.”
“His looks may have something to do with it, but it’s his charm and mature sensibility.” she spoke with a smile, idolizing her son, “My mom says he gets that from his grandfather.” It wasn’t unintentional, she just didn’t want Dave to suggest Michael took after his father. He was more of a man than Ricky could ever be.
Dave laughed, remembering their manly talk earlier, “Let me take a wild guess.” Dave sat on his desk, “Your dad is Latino and your mom is Caucasian?”
Maria laughed, relaxing a bit, “She’s in love with Mexican soaps.” she moved closer to Dave, “Especially their accent, godly bodies and charisma, amo mucho.” she said with an accent, “I think that’s the main reason she fell for that man.”
Dave laughed, relieved she had come out of her shell. He was glad she was getting comfortable enough with him to talk about her parents. He had anticipated he would have to work hard to get her to open up about her family, but he got the distinct feeling he had nothing to do with it. She noticeably matched her son to his grandfather and not his father.
He was sure now more than ever she was running away from Miguel’s father, but what he didn’t understand was why her father wasn’t helping her. He would have gone to Elizabeth’s rescue and would have gone as far as killing the ass hole, but he was sure there was more to it when she said grandfather and not father, and referred to him as that man, purposely separating herself from him.
“I just pray Izzy takes after my mother and not her own.” he shifted his gaze to the pen.
Maria saw the dread in his eyes and for once she felt they were at par. He always seemed like he could fix everything, no matter his emotions for the problem, but with his daughter, he looked completely lost, “Well it depends on her and you. I’m not an advocate for taking children away from their parents, but if there is more harm than good being brought by the contact, there is no other choice.”
Dave looked at her, admiring her courage for safe guarding her son’s future, although he knew it wasn’t the legal and right way. He wished he could come out and say what he knew, and offer to help, but he was sure she would only run from him and he didn’t want that.
Miguel came running into the room, Carol behind him. He ran to where Maria and Dave were and stood between them giving them both a suspicious look before his lips parted in a smile, “What were you guys talking about?”
“None of your biz wax.” Maria said, pulling him to her.
“Dave, what were you talking about?” Michael asked bluntly, the smile gone.
Dave looked down at him, still very amused by how threatening the two feet tall boy could come across when he felt the need to protect his mother, “I was just about to ask your mom if you two would like to join us on Saturday?”
“Where?” Maria asked guarded, this was what she was dreading, a date.
“Where?” Miguel repeated.
Dave kept his gaze on Miguel, he didn’t want to look up at Paula, he was sure she was retreating into her shell again, “To the zoo, it will be Izzy’s first trip.”
“Mama, can we go? I’ve never been to the zoo.” Michael asked excitedly. Maria wanted to say no, but she couldn’t, she promised herself that Michael would have a normal childhood, and the zoo was a part of a normal childhood. She was just hoping Dave didn’t have any hidden intentions with his offer. She was beginning to trust, and feel at ease with him, but not enough to let her guard down.
“Sure, why not. Go kiss Izzy goodbye.” she pushed Michael forward, “Dave, I’ll be seeing you around.” walking backwards, away from him.
Dave leaned down and hugged the boy before he looked at her, taking in his fill of her before she disappeared out the door, “Tomorrow, at lunch to be more specific. I’ll bring the kids again.”
“Thanks, don’t forget to bring Izzy.” she teased.
Dave laughed, “Make sure to hold Miguel’s hand, we don’t want him wondering off.” He teased back. Maria laughed and took Michael’s hand. She gave Dave a short wave before she disappeared through the door.
Carol looked at them both as they said their goodbyes, then stared long and hard at Dave after Paula left and smiled to herself. She saw the gleam in Dave’s eye and knew he would be going out for lunch every day. She liked Paula, she seemed sweet and her son was fantastic, speaking volumes of her. Dave did deserve a decent woman after the train wreck, Amy.
She walked up to Dave, held his arms and shook him hard, “Take it slow, she’s a keeper if you play your cards right. Don’t mess it up!”