EPILOGUE
Allie stood with Mateo at the end of another concourse in another terminal, waiting for his mother’s arrival. They’d gotten the text two days ago from Jelani telling them that Mariposa’s visa had been approved and they’d scrambled to get her on a flight into Orlando and a place to stay. Allie had been able to lease another condo in the same complex, and they were moving in to be with his mother. He didn’t want her to be alone her first few months, and she’d had to agree. Casey hadn’t batted an eye, but then her friend was embroiled in a drama that made hers look like a walk in the park.
Mateo was pacing, nervous and excited, and if his mother didn’t walk toward them soon, Allie had a feeling her husband would breach all protocols and go charging toward her arrival gate.
“She has to clear customs, Mateo. It’s going to take a while.”
“You told her what to fill out on the form?”
“I did. There will be people there to translate for her if she doesn’t understand.”
“Her English isn’t as good as mine. I should have insisted you go get her.”
She’d offered but Marisol had turned it down. She said she’d handled more adversity than a simple plane ride and knew that Allie was needed where she was.
“It wasn’t your decision to make. She’s an independent woman and you insult her thinking she can’t do this alone.”
“But this country is so different. I remember the first time I walked up to a revolving door. I had no idea what to do. If she has to get on an elevator, she might never get off.”
She forgot how many things were novel for him. He was so fluent in the language, so comfortable with the customs, she’d thought his move had been easy. After many discussions, she’d learned it was only because he’d traveled internationally, lived in Brazil for months, that he was able to navigate the culture. But he also told her there were things that still stymied him.
“There are no elevators, and the only revolving door we’ll encounter will be on the way out, and we can guide her through.”
“You have filled the freezer with ice cream?”
“Of course. You know I begin to panic when we’re down to a quart.”
“She has never tasted the flavors you love. Hell, there wasn’t any at all in the years after I was born. No fruit. No…”
He finally spotted her, her head held high, her stride confident, a small bag in her hand. A smile emerged on her face as soon as she spotted them, and she picked up her pace.
He swung her around as soon as she reached them. “You’re here.”
Her accent was thicker than her son’s, but she articulated her words, so they were understandable.
“I am. I do not think I want to go on another airplane, though.”
“You didn’t like it?”
“It was noisy—how do you say it? Cramped, and hot.” She nodded her head and added, “The food was not bad, though.”
“We’ll have to take one to get home. But then you don’t have to ever board one again if you don’t want to.”
“I may have to rethink that if I want to see you play in other cities. And I would like to see this new country of mine. I will resolve to do it.”
She left the confines of Mateo’s embrace to hug Allie.
“It is good to see you again, hija. Thank you for making this possible.”
When Mariposa took her hand, she fingered the ring, brought it into the light so she could see it.
“Good. A more appropriate one than your grandfather’s, although when I saw her wearing it, I knew you loved her. You would not have parted with it otherwise.”
Allie hadn’t known the significance. Would it have made a difference in her original reticence if she had? She doubted it. Her fear had had to be wrestled with and tamed from the inside. It was finally lying peacefully at her feet.
Mariposa’s eyes were shining when she looked at her son. “You are happy. I can see it on your face.”
“I am, Mama. But we must hurry. There is a game this afternoon and I am excited for you to see it.”
They drove right to the ballpark, and after Mateo kissed Mariposa’s cheek, he took off for the locker room. Allie escorted his mother to her office, where she’d have a view of the field.
“This is what I always wanted for him. The fans were fanatical, yes, but here…here he can play with pride in his surroundings.” She turned and met Allie’s eyes. “And with a women he adores watching him.”
“I have to be honest. It took us some time. Me, anyway, but I have loved your son from the moment I saw him.”
Maybe lusted after was the honest truth but she wasn’t going to nitpick. He could still turn her legs to jelly with a look, but it had grown much deeper than just physical need. It was, as Mateo had told her, soul deep.
There was a rap on her door before her father walked in. “Hope you don’t mind me dropping by, but I wanted to meet Mateo’s mother.”
After Allie made the introductions, and after the Cuban hug Mariposa gave her father that Allie was still getting used to, Bob said, “Maybe we can all have dinner some night. I want to welcome you into the family with more than a hello. My wife and I love your son and look forward to many bambinos.”
She gave him a sour look.
“Don’t go there, Dad. We’re taking our time with that one.”
Jumping into the marriage was one thing, taking on the responsibility for another life was quite another. Besides, she wanted to enjoy her time with him. Exclusively. Her job would give her access, and she was going to take advantage of that.
“Look, they are running out to the field. There, there he is.”
The pride
