Not Always

by Ancelli

  She swallowed, and covered her mouth with her hands. Jewel rushed over to the toilet and threw up.

  “That’s fast.” José raised his brows.

  “Funny.” She wiped her mouth, and returning to the sink, brushed her teeth. “Too much wine.”

  ***

  After massaging lotion on Jewel’s radiant skin. José sat in the middle of the mattress. Jewel lay with her head in his lap.

  “Are you sure you know what you’re doing?” Her eyes were barely open.

  “This can’t be that hard.” José opened the jar of some sort of oil mixed with cream, and sniffed. It smelled like the lotion she used. He grabbed the comb. “What is this?”

  “Cocoa mixed with Shea butter,” Jewel mumbled.

  José began parting her hair.

  “Ouch!” Jewel moaned in pain, scrunching her eyes closed. “That hurt.”

  “Sorry, babe.” He dipped his finger in the cream and rubbed it on her scalp the way he’d watched Jazmine do it. He parted again, this time gentler, and repeated the steps. Before long, he could hear her soft snores.

  José bowed his head and kissed her cheek. “I think I’m falling for you.” He sighed, then smiled, continuing to do her hair. “Because I wouldn’t do this shit for no one else.”

  He finished up, combed it out, and braided her hair into four. Jewel uttered words he didn’t understand, turned, and went back to sleep. He moved her to the side of the bed, and went to the bathroom. José washed his hands and grabbed her scarf off the sink. He strolled up to the bed, got in, and lifted her head to wrap her hair with the silky material.

  “Thank you,” Jewel muttered.

  José slipped under the sheets and moved closer to Jewel. “Only for you.” He placed his head in the crock of her neck and drifted off to sleep.

  Chapter Twenty

  José was in the kitchen early, cooking breakfast for his family. Jewel was still asleep when he’d sneaked out of her room. He already missed her soft body. What spell had she placed on him? But after such a contented sleep, he was preparing a mouth-watering meal: biscuits in gravy, peppered sausage, eggs Benedict and strawberry-and-cream-cheese stuffed French toast.

  His family was leaving soon and he wanted more than three days with them, but he was grateful for the time given. His dad was getting back on the road in a few hours, and his mom, sister, Olga, and Carlitos were to leave the next day. He especially wanted to spend more time with his son.

  “Tio!” Nicolas ran in the kitchen. “Bendi”

  José chuckled. Putting down the spatula, he picked up his nephew. “Que Dios te bendiga papi.” He kissed his forehead.

  He was getting so big. Every day his resemblance to Jazmine grew. Nicolas had curly brown hair and hazel eyes with a hint of blue. He had his mother’s features, even down to her eyelashes.

  “What are you doing up so early?” José set him down.

  “Me hungry, Tio.” Nicolas strolled over to the dinette set, and climbed on the chair.

  José gazed at the feast he’d made and knew his nephew wouldn’t be impressed. “What do you want to eat?”

  “Cheerios!” He giggled.

  José chuckled, and shook his head. He retrieved a box of cereal from the pantry, and placed milk on the counter with a bowl and a spoon. “One bowl of Cheerios coming up.” José put a towel over his arm and walked over to the table, making Nicolas laugh.

  He served him. “Thank you, Tio.”

  José bowed. “Anything else, sir?”

  Nicolas giggled. “You silly!”

  “What smells so good?” His mother strolled into the kitchen.

  “Bendición, Ma.” José gave his mom a peck on her cheek.

  “Que Dios te bendiga hijo.” She kissed him back, and continued to the counter. “You cooked?”

  “Yes,” José said proudly.

  His mom picked up a fork and tried his sausage-biscuit and gravy. “Mmm, this tastes wonderful.” She relished it, taking another bite.

  “You like it?” José couldn’t keep the surprise from his voice.

  “Yes.” She took another bite. “You get your cooking abilities from me.”

  José couldn’t help it. It felt good to hear his mother compliment him, or even say he got something from her.

  “Que paso?” she asked, continuing to savor his food. “What was all that commotion last night?”

  “Sorry about that, Ma.” He looked over at Nicolas.

  “What happened?”

  “It was nothing. The ladies had too much to drink.” He cleared his throat.

  His mother stared at him. “José, I know you are a different man now, but don’t ever let anyone make you feel like you’re not deserving.”

  “Si.”

  “I was about to storm out of the bedroom when I heard what was said to you, but Papo stopped me.”

  He thanked God his dad had stopped her. His mom would’ve hurt Connie more than Jewel had. She was very overprotective of her children, no matter how old.

  “Please don’t make the same mistake again.” His mother spoke quietly.

  Just when I thought things were going good between us. “What mistake?”

  “Calmate.” His mother sat at the counter, eating. She swallowed. “On our way here, Olga mentioned she hoped you guys would connect like you used to, and then the light-skinned girl tells me you guys are dating.”

  José arched his eyebrows, confused. “I’m not dating her.”

  “That’s what she said.” His mother took a sip of the freshly squeezed orange juice. “Esa mujer no es para ti, ni Olga.”

  “I know, Ma.” José sat next to her. He was nervous being alone with his mother. He felt like anything he said wouldn’t be right. “I have a girlfriend. Someone important to me.”

  His mother choked on her orange juice and grabbed a napkin to cover her mouth. “Tienes novia?”

  “Yes.” Why couldn’t anyone believe he would actually settle down?

  “José, don’t look at me like that.” His mother wiped her mouth. “You have never used those words before.”

  Jewel made him feel things he’d never felt before. “I’ve never felt like this.” He took a sip of his juice.

  ***

  “Good morning!” Jewel entered the kitchen, smiling.

  “Good morning,” Maria said.

  Jewel kissed Nicolas on the head. “Does that taste good?”

  “Yes, Auntie Jewel.”

  “Good morning, muñeca.” José got up and pulled out the chair next to his. He couldn’t stop smiling. His mother watched them with a strange look on her face.

  Jewel sat. “Mmm…my favorite, strawberry-and-cream-cheese French toast.”

  “Oh, this is your favorite?” Maria asked with a bit of sarcasm.

  “Yes.” Jewel selected a plate, and began digging in. She couldn’t help but see the way his mom surveyed her and José. “Your cooking gets better every time I taste it.”

  “I’m glad you like it.” José placed his arm around the top of her chair.

  “Jewel, thank you for letting us stay in your home. It’s beautiful.” Maria stared at them suspiciously.

  “You’re welcome, but this is José’s home, too. His family is always welcome here.” Jewel couldn’t look Maria in the eyes, getting nervous at the odd way she peered at her.

  “José this new girlfriend of yours, is she someone I know?” His mom asked, now gazing at him.

  Jewel coughed and patted her chest.

  “Babe.” José got up, grabbed a bottle of water, opened it, and handed it to her.

  She took a long gulp.

  “I knew it.” Maria’s lips curled up at the corners into a huge grin. “Jewel, you’re my new daughter-in-law?”

  “What?” Jewel’s eyes widen watching his mother.

  “Ma!” José glared at Maria.

  “I’m pleased. I think she’s good for you.” His mom got up and placed her plate in the sink. “You know what makes a good relationship?”r />
  They both watched her, José with wide eyes, waiting for her answer.

  “Being friends first, and you’ve accomplished that.” Maria pulled at another napkin and wiped her hands. “You made my son want more. As soon as I saw the way he looked at you, I knew it.” She took short strides until she stood in front of Jewel and cupped her face. “He has been through a lot, but sweetie, his eyes never lie.” She kissed her cheek.

  Jewel was still in shock. What the hell had just happened? Had Maria heard them last night?

  “My son has feelings for you,” Maria whispered in her ear, making sure José couldn’t hear her. “Feelings he has never had for any other woman.”

  Jewel’s heart flipped. If Maria only knew. She was already José’s for the taking.

  Maria backed away, and walked up to her son. “Mi José… Yo te quiero con todo mi corazon.” She touched his cheek. “Please forgive me for turning my back on you when you needed me the most. I am so proud of the way you turned your life around.” She walked away, shaking her head. “I’ve read this type of thing in my novelas, but I never thought my sons would end up with sisters. What are the odds?” She giggled to herself.

  “Abuelita?” Nicolas asked.

  “Si, gordo,” Maria answered.

  “I love you.”

  Tears fell down Maria’s smooth cheeks. “Mi cielo, I love you more.” She took him in her arms and kissed him. “Come on, let’s go wake the rest of the family.”

  ***

  “What just happened?” Jewel glanced at him.

  “My mother knows.” José grabbed Nicolas’ bowl and her plate.

  “When did we decide to tell anyone?” She rose from her seat.

  He was pissed as he strolled over to the sink. Here we go with this shit again, another woman embarrassed by me. “I didn’t know I needed permission.” He placed the dishes in the sink.

  “José, why are you getting defensive?” Jewel arched her brow.

  “Look, Jewel, it was my mistake. I didn’t tell my mom it was you.” José turned away. Why didn’t she want anyone to find out?

  “José! Look at me.”

  He turned, knowing he must look upset. He tried to relax his clenched jaw.

  She grinned. “I’m happy.” Jewel moved closer, putting her hands around his neck. “I don’t have to hide the way I feel about you.”

  “I thought you were ashamed.” José wrapped his arms around her waist.

  “Ashamed of you?” She got on her tiptoe, kissing him. “Baby, I will never be embarrassed by you, especially after you did my hair.” He looked at her curls, and touched them. They both chuckled. “And by the way, you did great.”

  “I also told Javier.” He moved her hair out her face.

  “I got a call from Jazmine.”

  “What did she say?”

  “She wanted to know why didn’t I tell her.” She pulled away. “But most important, that she’s my sister, and she loves me no matter what. What did Javier say?”

  “If I hurt you, he’ll have to hurt me before Michael kills me.”

  Jewel chuckled. “Michael’s harmless. Just call his wife, Kanisha.”

  He stared into her loving brown eyes.

  “Daddy!” Carlitos and Lucy entered the room and his son ran in between Jewel and him. “Bendición.”

  “Que Dios te bendiga.” José ruffled his hair.

  “Good morning.” Lucy waved, sitting down and beginning to eat.

  “Good morning, Lucy,” Jewel said. “Want some juice?”

  “Yes, thank you. You have an awesome house,” his sister said. “And José, you’re a better cook than mom, and that says a lot.”

  “Don’t let your mother hear you say that.” Papo walked in and sat next to Lucy.

  Jewel placed two glasses of orange juice in front of them.

  His dad picked up a fork and knife and cut into the French toast. He chewed slowly. “Lucy, you might be right.”

  They all started laughing.

  “Son, have you thought of going back to work at a restaurant?” His dad took another big bite.

  “I tried, but no one would hire me.”

  “Maybe you should open your own business,” his dad said.

  José chuckled. “With what money?”

  Jewel touched his arm. “Is that something you want to do?”

  “Yes, it’s been a dream of his since he was in middle school. He always said he was going to own a McDonald’s,” his dad said.

  Jewel smirked. “McDonald’s, huh?”

  José glanced at his dad and Jewel. “That was a dream.” He remembered those days when he believed in dreams. Now he just lived one day at a time. “I’m over it.”

  “Dreams do come true,” Lucy sang. “Ask Alanie… She thought she would never see her mom again, but guess what? She did. Her parents got married after ten years of not seeing each other and they have another baby.”

  “Who?” José asked.

  “Forget it.” Lucy rolled her eyes at him. “Dreams do come true.”

  “Papa!” Carlitos looked up at him with puppy eyes. “Are we doing something before I leave tomorrow?”

  “As a matter of fact, yes. Jewel and I are going to take Nicolas, you, and Lucy out.”

  “I’m not going. I’m spending the day with my friend Alanie,” Lucy said. “I haven’t seen her in, like, forever.”

  “You need to spend time alone with your son. I’ll stay home with Maria.” Jewel stared at him and then at his son. “You need this.”

  “Yes! Just me and you, Daddy.”

  ***

  José took Carlitos to the park, and afterward, they stopped at his son’s favorite place for lunch, McDonald’s. After their meal, they got back into his car and drove off. José had another surprise for his son. Carlitos couldn’t stop talking. He spoke about his little girlfriend, which made José laugh.

  “I spoke to your mom and we’ve decided you’ll be spending the summer with me.”

  His son’s lips curled up into a huge grin. “Yes!”

  “Two months, and then you’ll come back to visit for Thanksgiving.”

  “Awesome!” Carlitos continued smiling. “I can’t wait.”

  “Are you having fun so far?” José asked as he drove, glancing at his son.

  “Yes!” Carlitos squealed. “Papa, that game you sent me for my birthday rocks.”

  “I’m glad you like it.”

  His son looked out the window. “Papa, I miss you.”

  “I miss you, too.” José glanced at his son for a few seconds.

  “Then move back home.”

  “Papito,” he sighed. “I moved here to try to give you a better life. What I’ve accomplished here, I can’t do back home.”

  “Why?” Carlitos stared at him.

  “Too many mistakes.”

  “Like what, Papa?”

  “It’s complicated.” He couldn’t tell his son the truth. That he’d fucked up when he was younger, and now he was paying the price. “I promise to explain when you’re older.”

  “Grownups are complicated.” Carlitos smiled. “I love you anyways.”

  “I love you more.”

  José pulled into the Lagoon Adventure parking lot. The old, white building looked plain and dull, but he knew the inside was updated with all the new gadgets from video games, trampolines, even indoor go-karts. Everything his son would like.

  Carlitos was beside himself as they stepped through the doors. There were different color lights coming from the ceiling, floors, and walls. Music blasted from four speakers on each corner. He took in the twenty arcades games on the right, the line of trampolines toward the back of the building, and to the far left, his favorite.

  His son pointed. “Go-karts!”

  José chuckled, watching his son’s eyes widen. “You ready to get your butt beat?”

  “You wish!” Carlitos ran to the back of the line. “Hurry up, Dad!”

  José followed his lead. His son’s smile made
everything he’d done so worth it. He could finally afford to take the boy to places like this.

  “Daddy,” Carlitos said from across the table as they waited for their turn.

  “Yes?”

  Carlitos gazed up at him. “You…mama.”

  “Talk to me.” José stared at him. “You can tell me anything.”

  “Do you love mama?” he blurted out.

  José wasn’t expecting that question. He hadn’t been with Olga for over a year, but he understood how his son could be confused. When she returned from school he had spent the night at her house, and of course his son had seen him.

  “Well?” Carlitos placed his palm under his chin, waiting for his answer.

  “Your mom will always be my friend.” José tried to evade the question.

  “But do you love her?” Carlitos watched him.

  “She will always have a special place in my heart, because she is your mother.”

  “So does that mean you will never marry mama?”

  What was up with all these questions? “Nope. Your mom and I are friends, nothing more.”

  “I don’t like her boyfriend.”

  “Why, did he do something to you?” José cracked his neck.

  “No, Dad, I would tell you.” He giggled. “I just don’t like him.”

  “You need a reason not to like someone.” José stood when their names were called. “Come on. Are you ready to get smoked?”

  He laughed. “No, Papa, you’ll see my smoke.”

  Carlitos got in the red kart in front of José, and then he hopped into the blue one. The young attendant reminded them of the rules and swung the flag down. His son drove off to the track, and he followed. José smiled, watching his son beam and wave at him. He didn’t even try to pass his little boy up. José kept bumping into people. After five laps, he let his son win.

  “I beat you, Papa!”

  “You sure did.” José ruffled his son’s hair.

  “I told you I would.” He grinned. “Maybe next time.”

  “Maybe.” José’s cell phone rang. He dug into his pocket, pulled it out, and smiled when he saw Jewel’s face on his screen. “Hey, beautiful.”

  “It sounds like you’re having fun.” Jewel’s sweet voice echoed in his ear.