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Pollo… cebolla… chiles… ajo… cilantro…
Y el comino?
That was weird. At this point Evancito (or, well, Buck) had been very well trained in the arts of Mexican cuisine, by both her and her nephew. He had everything necessary to make some fajitas de pollo for dinner.
Except cumin.
Pepa kept rummaging through the many cupboards of what used to be the Diaz kitchen. In a way, she had a feeling it still was, even if the person cooking in it now wasn’t really a Diaz. Not officially at least.
In her eyes Buck was, in all the ways that actually mattered, a Diaz.
He was a Diaz more than anyone in Eddie’s life ever was. He had somehow fit perfectly in all the nooks and crannies of Eddie’s complicated life, making himself at home. He fixed things that needed fixing, he filled dark corners with light, he brought happiness to a place that many many times had none.
It wasn’t an easy feat, but that boy had done it.
If only Eddie saw it.
Pepa had a feeling it was only a matter of time. This night was all the evidence she needed.
The signs were all there, weren’t they? The things Eddie confided in her, the way he looked at him, the things he did… Eddie was right there, and she couldn’t wait until he put two and two together and finally realized what had been in front of him all along.
Pepa jumped in her skin the second she heard the front door. Clapping a hand over her mouth to keep herself from giggling, she hid as best as she could, trying not to ruin Eddie’s surprise.
See?
He was head over heels. She didn’t remember Eddie ever doing anything like this for anyone else, much less just to apologize for a fight.
She stayed right by the door, listening. Ramón would call her chismosa, but he would be wrong. This was way too important to miss.
She smiled to herself, hearing Buck reunite with Christopher. Her heart fluttered in her chest. Buck was so good to Christopher, ever since they met. Eddie had been right, putting him in his will. That kid would always be safe with his Buck.
It was hard, holding back the happy tears that rushed to her eyes. She needed to stay ready for her big reveal, no time to cry. She did want to, though. She had been waiting for Eddie to find something like this for way too many years.
When the moment came, she made her big telenovela entrance, holding Buck tight (after chastising him for not having cumin, of course).
And then…
Ah, there it was.
That smile on Eddie’s face. That smile that was all Buck’s.
It stayed on her nephew’s face all night long, making Pepa smile too. It was a promise of wonderful things to come. It made her feel Eddito had finally found his home.
All he needed to do was open the door.
