Jade Orchid Lovers

by Mei Silk

  “It’s good!” she said after taking a bite. It was light in taste and in ingredients. She hadn’t known that the tastes of olive, raisin, and chicken could be blended so well.

  “I’m glad you like it,” Teresa said. “It’s my favorite. Normally, I only make it during Christmas time. But I figured you might like it. It’s similar to zhongzi in China.”

  “Thank you so much. I like zhongzi but they’re harder to digest because of the sweet rice. How long did it take you to boil them?”

  “About three hours. I made them last night so they could cool off. Nobody wants to eat hot, steaming hallacas on a day like this,” Teresa said smilingly.

  “Three hours!” Sara exclaimed.

  “Yes, it’s a long time, but I did other things while waiting for them to boil.”

  Sara couldn’t remember the last time she saw her mother spending three hours making a meal in the kitchen. When Sara was little, her mom sometimes made dumplings, and handmade noodles during New Years’. Sara liked the image of her mom in an apron, but as time wore on, Mabel seldom made time-consuming meals, and relied more and more on restaurant takeout.

  “You’re lucky,” Sara said to Angela, who was stepping into the kitchen to drink water. “Having a mom chef at home.”

  “I know,” Angela gave Teresa a hug. “Although I wish she would cook less in summer. You should have been here last night. The kitchen was as hot as an oven.”

  * * *

  After she had stuffed herself, Sara played with Emily. They dressed up her Barbie doll according to Emily’s taste, with a pair of white shorts and a red tank top. Emily also picked a pair of ruby earrings for Barbie to match her tank top. And then they had a dilemma about Barbie’s hairstyle. They tried ponytails, braids, or straight fall. Emily liked each one, but couldn’t decide which one to settle on. She asked everyone’s opinion, including her mom and her grandmother, both told her braids were fine, but she didn’t want to take their advice.

  Finally Emily took Sara’s hand, “Let’s go ask Uncle Mateo.”

  “Uncle Mateo?” Sara laughed. “Why?”

  “Because he knows everything.”

  Mateo was taking care of the barbeque in the yard with Jose, and was delighted with Emily’s request.

  “Let me see,” Mateo said patiently. “She looks fine in braids.”

  And after Emily undid the braids, he said, “Um, ponytail is not bad either.”

  Scratching his head, he frowned and considered. “You know what? Emily? I think she needs a perm.”

  “A perm? How?” Sara and Emily said simultaneously.

  “Yes, a perm. But you have to figure out how.” Mateo grinned.

  Thanks to Mateo’s suggestion, Emily and Sara were busy for the next hour. They went through Teresa and Angela’s hair products, got some pins and rubber bands, and used them as make-shift rollers. Then they dampened Barbie’s hair with waving lotion.

  Emily could hardly wait to see the result. But it wasn’t after they each had some barbequed ribs, that they unrolled Barbie’s hair.

  “How pretty!” Emily exclaimed and immediately took the doll to the yard to show her uncle.

  “I told you!” Mateo said smugly.

  “Would you be my beauty consultant from now on, uncle?” Emily asked solemnly.

  “Sure. My fee is a dollar per hour.”

  “A dollar? That’s so expensive!”

  “Ah, how about a nickel per minute, then?”

  Emily nodded when she heard the word nickel, but Sara shook her head, “No, Emily, don’t say yes.”

  Mateo hit his forehead and pretended to look defeated, “Can’t fool a math professor.”

  The doll was completed just in time. Right after that, the doorbell rang constantly as a steady stream of guests started showing up. They were mostly family members on Jose’s side, Teresa and Angela’s friends, and employees of the car wash. The house was crowded in no time and jovial Latino music filled the yard.

  * * *

  Sara stayed until three in the afternoon, after Teresa had cut the birthday cake.

  “I’m sorry I have to go,” she gave Teresa a hug. “I have some work to do at home.”

  “I understand. Thank you so much for coming.” Teresa walked her to the front porch. “Come anytime you feel like it. And by the way, where is your dad’s flower shop? I’d like to go there.”

  “Oh, thank you so much. It’s on Valley between Delmar and York Boulevard, inside a plaza called Valley Square. The shop’s name is Artist Florist.”

  “I’ll call you later,” Mateo said to her and gave her a hug.

  Seeing Teresa’s smiling face, and Sara was suddenly overcome with shyness. She broke herself free before Mateo kissed her.

  * * *

  Mateo stood on the porch with Teresa, watching Sara get in her car, and waved at her until she drove away.

  “A nice gal,” Teresa gave her son a two thumps up. “Have you declared to her?”

  Mateo’s cheeks burned as he answered, “Declared what? It’s not even a relationship yet.”

  “What do you mean? Isn’t she your girlfriend?”

  “I wish. But she doesn’t see me as her boyfriend.”

  “Did she say that?”

  Mateo didn’t answer.

  “I see,” Teresa patted on Mateo’s shoulder. “Does she have another guy?”

  “No, she’s just moved here. She’s divorced.”

  “Ah.” Teresa nodded in comprehension. “She might need some time to heal.”

  “But I feel that she likes me.”

  “I can see that in her eyes, too. You’ll have to be patient.”

  “I can’t, Mom. I waited too long for her, I mean, for a woman like her to show up in my life. I want to tell her that I . . . but I don’t want to scare her away.”

  His mother’s eyes were filled with concern as she looked at him with her stern gaze.

  “What do you know about her previous marriage?”

  “Not much. She wouldn’t tell me.”

  “Oh. But you have to ask her.”

  “I don’t know how. And I don’t think I need to know.”

  “You do. You have to know what’s holding her back.”

  “Really?” Mateo frowned. “Is it wise to pry into her past? She might not like it.”

  “You have to try. It’s not prying, it’s getting to know her and letting her know that you care about her.”

  Chapter 15

  Sara couldn’t believe that she was sitting in a Y van, among a group of teenage volunteers, on her way to Camp Big Bear in the San Bernardino Mountains. The last time she was on a trip like this was over fifteen years ago, and yet, she felt that the fifteen years had been a long dream, and that she was once again a teenager upon waking.

  After more than an hour’s drive on the freeway, they had gotten into the mountain region, all the childhood memories flooded back. She had spent many unforgettable summers here. She had come with her parents the first time. The three of them had rowed the canoe, and thanks to her Dad, they won the crafts contest. The last time she was here, she had kissed a guy for the first time in her life, even though the kiss was interrupted by an annoying little boy. God knows if he hadn’t shown up, what else she would have done! She might have lost her virginity right there, and become a teen mom because of that. The little boy might have saved her. She frowned, wondering why she was thinking of that boy. She seldom thought about him like this but he had been in the back of her mind all those years. There was something in his expression that haunted her. He had blushed when he glanced at her with his shiny eyes. It was as if he wasn’t looking at her as a boy looking at an adult, but as a guy looking at a girl. It was very cute. She always wanted to laugh when she remembered that. What was his name? It started with an M. Mat, Matthew? Mario? Anyway, she couldn’t remember for sure. She only remembered how happy he was when she decided to walk him back and how reluctant he looked when she said goodbye to him in front of his bungalow. And she h
ad zero memory of what happened to the guy she had kissed afterwards.

  When the van entered the mountain area, sudden excitement rushed through Sara’s entire body. She wanted to sing aloud just like the girls sitting behind her were doing. And she wished Mateo was right next to her so that she could share her excitement with him. But he had left early morning on Friday, after failing to convince her to go with him. “Going to the camp? Uh, I don’t think so . . .” had been her answer.

  The truth was that she was surprised. The camp had been part of her childhood, but she had never thought of revisiting it. Moreover, going to the camp with Mateo would be equivalent to declaring love, wouldn’t it? So, she’d refused it bluntly, of course, with much regrets afterwards. And if not for Derek’s sudden phone call in the afternoon, she would still be regretting her decision. Derek told her that Aunt Liu had arranged another blind date for her, this time it would be some guy named William, an electrical engineer, never married and never had any children. Aunt Liu probably thought that she didn’t like Peter because he had children from a previous marriage.

  “I’m not going on another blind date, Dad. You know that I hate it,” Sara said.

  “I know,” her dad answered, “That’s why I’m asking you . . . I mean, asking whether you want to go.”

  “There is no need to ask me next time. Just refuse Aunt Liu.”

  “I can’t. She’s being kind.”

  “I know she is. Explain to her. Tell her I need some time.”

  “But it’s been three years, Sara.”

  “It sounds like you’re helping Aunt Liu.”

  “To tell you the truth, I think you should give the guy a try. Just to meet a friend. No need to commit to anything. Anyway, you don’t have any boyfriend, do you?”

  “No. I don’t,” Sara said quickly. “But I don’t want to meet any friends like that anymore. It’s old fashioned. I could meet a friend without going on a blind date.”

  “Do you mean you would meet friends online? Don’t do that. It’s unsafe. There are crazy people out there,” Derek had said in a serious voice and it had made her laugh.

  “Calm down, Dad. I’m not going to date anyone online. Besides, Even if I did that, I would make sure that it was safe. I’m an adult, you know.”

  “Okay, you can meet friends whatever way you like,” Derek said. “But this time, let’s do it the old fashioned way. If you don’t like the dim sum place we went to last time, we can think of another.”

  “Dad! I’m not going! What’s wrong with you? You’re not listening.”

  “I am. But to be honest, I really like this guy William. He’s a regular customer here.”

  “What? Does he buy flowers often?”

  “Yes, he buys flowers for his mom at least once a month. On Mother’s Day, her birthday, New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving, Secretary’s Day, and International Woman’s Day—”

  “My God,” Sara interrupted, “I don’t know any guy that does that.”

  “You see. He’s unique and he’s filial,” Derek said, “I know you’ll like him.”

  “Huh?” Sara opened her mouth and stopped. How could Derek misinterpret her reaction? Her “my God” had lacked any excitement, and her last sentence was meant to be sarcastic!

  She was going to make her attitude clear but Derek wouldn’t give her a chance. “I can’t imagine how much money he would spend on his future wife or girlfriend! It could be you, Sara!”

  “What?” Sara couldn’t believe the person on the other end of the line was her father. Derek seldom even talked like that. He seldom skipped steps in time and imagined future like that.

  “Have I convinced you? Shall I tell Aunt Liu to call William and settle on the location and time?”

  Sara sighed, “No, Dad. You have not convinced me at all. I’m still not going.”

  “Okay. Then convince me why you can’t go. Give me one compelling reason. One other than that you’re not ready.”

  “Uh,” Sara frowned. “I have work to do, grade homework, prepare lectures, and . . .”

  “Come on, dim sum only takes a couple hours. You have the rest of the weekend to do your work.”

  “Actually,” Sara grimaced as she said the following, hoping Derek would buy it. “I’m going to the Y’s camp tomorrow.”

  “Really?” Derek sounded he was laughing.

  Sara wondered why he was so happy to hear it. Couldn’t he tell that she was lying? He was always good at that. Now she had to carry on with her lie.

  “Yeah, I’ll be going tomorrow morning and staying there until Sunday afternoon.”

  “Oh,” Derek paused and said. “You should’ve told me in the beginning. I guess we’ll arrange another day with William. Maybe next weekend?”

  “Don’t!” Sara pleaded.

  “Why?”

  “I might be going to the camp again.”

  “Now, Sara, is it true that you’re going to the camp?” Derek sounded angry.

  “Of course!” Sara said in a hurry. “I was going to pack when you called.”

  “It’d better be true, then. I’m going to come over there and check on you tomorrow.”

  “Are you serious?” Sara frowned.

  “I am. Now have a great weekend in the camp.” Derek hung up.

  So that was how she’d ended up here in the van, heading towards Big Bear. That had been a bit bizarre. Was her father really that eager to get her married again? And just for how much longer could she avoid those blind dates? What if she just used Mateo as an excuse? Tell him that they were dating? What would Derek think of Mateo? He probably wouldn’t be satisfied. Mateo wouldn’t be Derek’s ideal son-in-law. For one thing, he was not hundred percent Chinese. Derek had opposed to her marriage with Bill not only because he was old, but also because he was white.

  “Being the same ethnicity provides you with an extra bond,” he had said. Then she had cruelly asked why the extra bond hadn’t held his marriage with her mother together. What if Derek liked Mateo? After all, Mateo was young, and was fifty percent Chinese. Oh, that would be a problem, wouldn’t it? She didn’t want to give Derek too much hope, since she didn’t think what she and Mateo had was a relationship. It was just a partnership. They were attracted to each other sexually. Nothing serious. That’s it. She wouldn’t tell Derek about Mateo. She would deal with Derek later. Maybe she would agree to see William just to make him happy. William might turn out to be the right guy for her, and she might be interested in him. He might turn out to be tall, good looking, and sexy, just like Mateo. Why was she comparing someone she hadn’t met with Mateo? Silly.

  She turned her attention to the scenery outside. The big flat gem-like Big Bear Lake came in to her sight. It was so beautiful that it made her want to shout. She would go boating with Mateo for sure. What would Mateo be doing? Would he be rock climbing? Swimming? Or shooting? She couldn’t wait to see his surprised face.

  * * *

  Sara’s heart sank to her toes when she saw Mateo dangling on the top of rock wall, without a rope or any gear. Although the wall looked safe with lots of holds, and there was no reason to think that Mateo would slip, the wall was as steep as a cliff, and he was at least twenty feet aboveground! He was being really foolish and irresponsible. Was he playing hero?

  “Why isn’t he wearing any safety equipment?” Sara asked another leader, whose name tag read “James.”

  James smiled, “He said he couldn’t climb with all those ropes binding and pulling him.”

  “That’s madness.”

  “Don’t worry. Mateo’s good at it. He’s been doing it for over ten years.”

  “It gives me heart attack just looking at it.”

  “Then you’d better not look.”

  But Sara couldn’t help looking. Mateo was as nimble as a cat. It was as if he was climbing up a ladder. But he stopped once in a while to check on the kids he was leading, and gave them instructions.

  One of the kids suddenly stopped in the middle, frozen as he looked do
wn at the ground.

  James shouted at him. “Come on, Fernando. Don’t look down. Look up!”

  Slowly looking up, Fernando hesitated and reached for the next hold. But it seemed like he couldn’t move up no matter how hard he tried.

  “Fernando, use your right leg, not your right hand,” Mateo said gently.

  “I can’t do it!” Fernando shouted in a shaky voice.

  Mateo came down towards the kid, and extended his arm. “Here, hold my hand.”

  Fernando grabbed hold of Mateo’s hand and with Mateo’s help, he advanced to the next hold. Mateo gave him a pat on the arm.

  But Fernando’s balance didn’t hold, he faltered as soon as Mateo left him alone. Panicked, he grabbed Mateo’s leg. Mateo’s foot slipped out of the hold and he staggered. Sara heard screaming around her and she shut her eyes. She was expecting a loud ‘thud, but heard nothing like that. Instead, she heard Mateo’s voice saying, “That was close!” And almost immediately, the kids clapped their hands and cheered.

  Sara opened her eyes gingerly and saw Mateo still standing on the wall, but now he was waving at the kids below. Feeling relieved, Sara walked away. That was too much for her. She’d had enough.

  She sat down on a bench close by with her back towards the rock wall so she wouldn’t be tempted to look.

  The mountain air was fresh. And after a moment’s rest, she was able to calm down. She began to wonder what she was going to do for the rest of the day. Was she going to follow Mateo around and watch him playing a children’s king? Maybe she could participate in some activities. She would like to canoe again.

  She was in deep meditation when suddenly her eyes were covered by a pair of big hands and her body reacted to that familiar scent.

  “I know who you are, rock-climbing star,” she said.

  Mateo sat down next to her and stamped a quick kiss on her cheek. “What changed your mind? I thought the camp was too childish for you. Did you miss me?”

  “No. I missed the camp.”

  “Good for you. Want to join us for wall climbing?”

  “No way!” Sara said quickly. “I’m afraid of heights.”