Page 28 of Capicú Summer

She jumps, the broom coming between us in a second. “Oh, it’s just you.” Her tone drips in sarcasm, one I match oh so well.

“Just me,” I parrot.

Her lips twitch, fighting a smile. “You always sneak up like that?”

“Only when I’m on the hunt.”

She swallows hard, her eyes quickly roaming over me and mine over her. The air between us hums, heavy with something neither of us names and actively ignores. “I have an idea for the flyers,” I say, offering back her ear bud. “I want to run it by you. Meet me tonight, our spot.”

Her gaze flicks from me to the ground, she’s nervous and not hiding it well.

“Alright,” she says quietly.

I nod, putting distance between us before I do something I shouldn’t, like holding her in my arms and smelling the scent of her shampoo. “Tonight at eight. Don’t be late.”

She smirks. “You know I never am.”

I start walking away, the sound of salsa following me across the street, and my heart beats hard inside my chest. Each pulse reminds me that some love never dies, por que la cenizas siempre queda⁠*, and she burned me.

* Dimelo, Papi - Tell me, Papi.

* Me llamó anoche - He called me last night

* Ya no es pa la gente, mijo. - It’s no longer for the people, son.

* Ay bendito, la consentida del barrio - Blessing, the neighborhood’s darling is back.

* “Y tu vas a estar tarde, por andar chismeando.” - And you’re going to be late for going around gossiping.

* por que la cenizas siempre queda - because the ashes always remain

CHAPTER 12

Adriana

Present Day

By the time I’m done cleaning, it’s midday and the sun is high in the sky. The smell of sazón fills the air, blending with the sound of the salsa playing outside. Kids run around the fire hydrants laughing and splashing water as the neighbors come together to have some fun in this hot weather. How I’ve missed this…

I lean against the counter, watching Yael charm the regulars into another domino match to kill time. It’s funny to see how much he actually enjoys it now. Before, the only part he enjoyed was screaming capicú because it ended with me naked and him inside me. Now you can see the genuine enjoyment.

The way his brows knit together when he’s locked in on the board, my heart sings at the sight. A deep sigh escapes me. There's always a heaviness that comes with reminiscing. One I’d rather avoid, so I focus on the small list sitting on the counter. Full of names and numbers. A promise written in ink, but promises don’t pay the bills.

It’s slower today than it has been since I’ve been working the bodega. Which makes me wonder if it’s due to the construction going on. I bite down on my lip, thinking of ideas to help bring attention to the tournament. The loud sound of clacking and Ruben’s voice pulls me out of my head. I move away from the counter, to head outside and listen to the playful banter.

It’s Friday, which means tomorrow the tournament officially begins, and my body hums with nervous energy and anticipation. Don Rogelio, my Abuelo’s oldest friend, looks up at me, fedora resting on his bald head, thin gold frames sitting on his nose.

“Mija, qué dichosos son los ojos que te ven,”⁠* he teases, before slamming down a tile on the small table. I smile, coyly inching closer to inspect the table. The game is almost over, there’s no tiles left in the boneyard. Whoever has a three to match the end, closes the game.

“Ven niña juega una mano aquí con estos viejos,”⁠* Don Rogelio suggests tapping the milk crate sitting beside him.

I shake my head and reply, “No puedo estoy ocupada limpiando.” ⁠*

Ruben grins and, as expected, what leaves his mouth is a common sexist comment. How nice it is to have a woman who cleans around, blah… blah… and when the others chime in, I take my cue and leave.

I’ve had my share of hearing this crap.

Growing up, they would always say a woman’s place is in the kitchen concinando⁠*, or in bed ready to please her man. God forbid you have a life that doesn’t revolve around your man or reproducing some kids. I never understood that, but I fell victim to the trap anyway. Which is why I believe it took me so long to realize that. I didn’t notice that with Lenny I was becoming the very thing I hated.