CHAPTER II

TRANSLATION AND ITS SOURCE TEXT

A. Target Text

[9.1] Colin

[9.2] “Sungguh?” teriak Evan sambil bersandar pada pagar beranda, sedangkan Colin

berjalan melewati halaman.

[9.3] “Kamu lari lagi?”

[9.4] Colin masih benapas tersengal-sengal ketika dia berbelok menuju ke beranda, yang pada

akhirnya berjalan perlahan. Dia melepaskan bajunya untuk mengusap wajahnya sebelum

kemudian melemparkannya ke temannya. “Saya belum berlari hari ini.”

[9.5] “Kamu sudah berolahraga sore ini, dan pagi ini.”

[9.6] “Itu hanya di gym.”

[9.7] “Jadi?”’

[9.8] “Itu tidaklah sama,” jawabnya, mengetahui bahwa Evan sangatlah tidak peduli tentang

hal itu atau yang lainnya. Malah dia berjalan menuju pintu depan.

[9.9] “Mengapa kamu tidak di dalam saja bersama Lily?”

[9.10] “Karena rumah saya bau.”’

[9.11] “Apa hubungannya dengan saya?”

[9.12] “Bagaimana mengenai kenyataan bahwa saya dapat mencium bau keringat dari bajumu

yang seperti katak hijau busuk itu terhembus melalui ventilasi? Daripada kamu berlari,

sebaiknya kamu mencuci bajumu. Atau lebih baik, kamu harus memulai mencucinya secara

rutin. Sebenarnya Lili berpikir bahwa ada ada tikus mati di dapur. Atau saluran airnya

tersumbat.

[9.13] Colin tersenyum. “Saya akan memperbaikinya.”

[9.14] “Segeralah. Kemudian temui saya lagi di sini. Lily ingin berbicara denganmu.”

[9.15] “Ada apa?”

[9.16] “Saya tidak tahu. Dia tidak mau memberitahuku. Tapi mungkin menurutku itu tentang

pacarmu.”

[9.17] “Saya tidak punya pacar.”

[9.18] “Entahlah. Intinya dia ingin berbicara denganmu.”

[9.19] “Mengapa?”

[9.20] “Karena dia adalah Lily,” kata Evan, terdengar gusar. “Dia mungkin ingin bertanya

apakah kamu telah menuliskan sebuah kartu ucapan untuk Maria dengan huruf yang menarik.

Atau dia akan menawarkan bantuan padamu untuk memilih kain saputangan untuk ulang

tahun Maria. Atau dia ingin memastikan bahwa kamu menggunakan sendok yang benar

untuk supmu jika kamu mengajaknya ke klab kuno. Kamu tahu bagaimana dia. Tetapi tadi

dia membawa pulang tas lebih dari satu, dan dia tidak mau mengatakan padaku apa isinya.”

[9.21] “Mengapa tidak?”

[9.22] “Berhenti menanyakan pertanyaan yang tidak bisa kujawab!” desah Evan. “Yang aku

tahu dengan pasti adalah bahwa jika setiap kali saya ingin bergerak, dia menyuruhku untuk

menunggu. Itu semua karena kamu. Dan kamu tahu, saya tidak menyukainya. Saya sangat

menantikan malam ini. Saya membutuhkan malam ini. Hari ini adalah hari yang buruk.”

[9.23] “Baiklah.”

[9.24] Evan mengerutkan dahinya mendengar jawaban Colin.

[9.25] “Mengapa hari ini sangat buruk?” tanyanya, menirukan Colin. “Astaga! Terima kasih

sudah bertanya, Colin. Saya hargai kepedulianmu dengan keadaan saya.” Dia menatap

temannya itu.

[9.26] “Pagi ini ada laporan pekerjaan yang buruk, dan pasar sangatlah penuh. Meskipun saya

tidak memiliki kontrol pada hal itu, sepanjang hari saya mendapat telepon dari klien-klien

yang kecewa. Kemudian saya pulang ke rumah dan rumah saya aromanya seperti lemari

loker, dan sekarang saya harus menunggu dia untuk berbincang denganmu sebelum malam

saya benar-benar dimulai.”

[9.27] “Biarkan saya ganti baju dulu. Saya akan ada di sini beberapa menit lagi.”

[9.28] “Saya harap tidak,” Lily berkata pada Colin, tiba-tiba muncul di sebelah Evan yang

sedang berada di beranda, dengan mengenakan terusan kuning. Dia menyelipkan tangannya

pada tunangannya dan tersenyum padanya dengan manis.

[9.29] “Kamu tidak berpikir dia akan datang tanpa mandi dahulu bukan, Evan? Pria malang

ini sudah basah kuyup. Tentu saja kita bisa menunggunya beberapa menit lagi. Hanya

sekedar memperbolehkannya untuk mengganti bajunya tidak akan cukup.”

[9.30] Ketika Evan tidak menjawab, Colin menelan ludah. “Dia benar, Evan. Itu tidak

pantas.”

[9.31] Evan terbelalak. “Baiklah. Mandi dan cucilah bajumu, kemudian datanglah kemari,”

[9.32] “Oh, jangan terlalu keras padanya,” omel Lily. “Bukan salahnya kalau kamu salah

menginvestasikan uang klienmu pada perusahaan yang tidak tepat.”

[9.33] Diam-diam dia mengedipkan matanya kepada Colin.

[9.34] “Saya tidak menginvestasikannya di perusahaan yang salah! Itu bukanlah salahku!

Semuanya berantakan hari ini.”

[9.35] “Saya hanya menggodamu, sayang,” kata Lily perlahan-lahan. “Saya tahu hari ini

buruk untukmu dan itu bukanlah salahmu. Artinya Pak Pasar tua sedang memanfaatkanmu,

bukankah begitu?”

[9.36] “Kamu tidak membantu.” Kata Evan.

[9.37] Lily mengalihkan perhatiannya pada Colin lagi.

[9.38] “Sudahkah kamu berbicara pada teman wanitamu hari ini?” tanyanya.

[9.39] “Saya berbicara dengannya sebelum berlari tadi.”

[9.40] “Apakah kamu membawakannya bunga ke kantor seperti yang saya anjurkan?”

[9.41] “Tidak.”

[9.42] “Permen?”

[9.43] “Tidak.”

[9.44] “Apa saja yang akan saya lakukan denganmu?”

[9.45] “Saya tidak tahu.”

[9.46] Lily tersenyum sebelum menarik tangan Evan. “Kami akan menemuimu dalam

beberapa menit lagi ya?”

[9.47] Colin memperhatikan mereka berjalan ke dalam sebelum masuk ke apartemennya. Dia

langsung menuju kamar mandi dan menambahkan baju-bajunya ke atas tumpukan cucian,

sadar bahwa Evan benar. Tumpukan baju-baju itu berbau tajam. Dia mulai mencuci beberapa

bajunya dan bergegas mandi.

[9.48] Beberapa saat kemudian, dia mengenakan celana jins dan kaos sebelum pergi ke

rumah Evan.

[9.49] Evan dan Lily sedang duduk bersebelahan di sofa. Diantara mereka berdua, terlihat

jelas bahwa hanya Lily yang senang Colin sudah ada di sana.

[9.50] “Colin! Saya sangat senang kamu bisa bergabung dengan kami,” kata Lily, bangkit

dari tempat duduknya, sangat jelas mengabaikan bahwa mereka baru saja berbincang-

bincang. “Mau minum apa?”

[9.51] “Air putih.”

[9.52] “Evan? Maukah kamu mengambilkan Colin segelas air putih?”

[9.53] “Mengapa?” tanya Evan, bersandar kembali, lengannya berada di atas sofa. “Dia tahu

letaknya. Dia bisa mengambilnya sendiri.”

[9.54] Lily beralih menatapnya.

[9.55] “Ini rumahmu, dan kamu tuan rumahnya.”

[9.56] “Saya tidak memintanya untuk berkunjung, kamulah yang memintanya.”

[9.57] “Evan?”

[9.58] Cara dia memanggil nama Evan membuat Evan mengerti bahwa dia tidak mempunyai

pilihan lain.

[9.59] Mengenai cara memanggil namanya dan tentu saja penampilannya. Dia adalah wanita

tercantik yang pernah dekat dengan Evan, tetapi dia juga sangat pandai menggunakan

penampilannya untuk kepentingannya.

[9.60] “Baiklah,” gerutunya, bangkit dari sofa.

[9.61] “Saya akan membawakannya segelas air.”

[9.62] Evan melesat menuju ke dapur.

[9.63] “Tolong bawakan es,” teriak Colin.

[9.64] Evan mengernyitkan dahi sebelum Colin duduk di kursi yang berhadapan dengan Lily.

[9.65] “Bagaimana keadaanmu malam ini?” tanyanya.

[9.66] “Baik.”

[9.67] “Dan Maria?”

[9.68] Tadi melalui telepon, Maria memberitahu apa yang terjadi dengan atasannya, Ken

Martenson, dan ketika dia mendengarkan, Colin menyadari bahwa rahangnya mengencang

saat mendengarnya. Walaupun dia berusaha agar suaranya tetap terdengar wajar, dia telah

membayangkan sedang berbincang dengan Ken, percakapan yang akan membuatnya berhenti

mengganggunya. Dia belum mengatakannya pada Maria, tetapi ketika dia sadar dia geram

setelah menutup teleponnya, dia melemparkan peralatan olahraganya kemudian pergi berlari.

[9.69] Sebelum dia menyelesaikan larinya dia belum merasa waras kembali.

[9.70] Tetapi itu bukanlah yang Lily tanyakan kepadanya.

[9.71] “Saya berbincang dengannya sedikit tadi.”

[9.72] “Dan apakah dia baik-baik saja?”

[9.73] Dia memikirkan tentang situasi pekerjaannya, tetapi bukan haknya untuk menceritakan

informasi tersebut. Itu adalah hidup Maria, ceritanya, bukan milik Colin.

[9.74] “Saya rasa dia senang mendengar kabar saya,” katanya dengan jujur.

[9.75] “Kamu belum menelepon dia?”

[9.76] “Saya menelponnya Minggu malam. Setelah saya berbicara denganmu dan Evan.”

[9.77] “Dan kamu tidak menelponnya pada hari Senin atau Selasa?”

[9.78] “Saya sedang bekerja.”

[9.79] “Kamu bisa saja menelponnya saat dalam perjalanan pulang dari kerja, atau di waktu

istirahatnya, atau saat perjalanan ke kelas atau gym.”

[9.80] “Ya.”

[9.81] “Tapi tidak kamu lakukan.”

[9.82] “Tidak. Tetapi kami akan pergi makan siang besok.”

[9.83] “Benarkah? Saya harap ke tempat yang spesial.”

[9.84] “Saya belum memikirkannya.”

[9.85] Lily tidak segan menyembunyikan kekecewaannya. Evan kembali masuk ke ruang

tengah dengan membawa segelas besar air es. Dia memberikannya pada Colin.

[9.86] “Terimakasih, Evan,” kata Colin. “Kamu tidak perlu melakukannya. Saya bisa

mengambilnya sendiri.”

[9.87] “Haha,” jawab Evan sambil kembali duduk. Kemudian beralih pada Lily: “Sekarang

apa yang ingin kamu katakan padanya?”

[9.88] “Kami sedang membicarakan tentang kencan makan siangnya besok. Colin telah

memberitahu saya bahwa dia dan Maria akan makan bersama.”

[9.89] “Saranku? Pastikanlah bahwa mobilmu bisa dinyalakan,” kata Evan.

[9.90] Lily melirik tidak setuju ke arah Evan.

[9.91] “Perhatianku tertuju pada kencannya akhir pekan ini, dan saya ingin

mendiskusikannya dengan dia.”

[9.92] “Mengapa?” tanya Evan.

[9.93] “Karena saat malam pertama yang sesungguhnya bersama pasangan adalah waktu

paling berpengaruh dalam suatu hubungan,” sahutnya dengan jelas.

[9.94] “Colin secara sederhana sudah mengundang Maria makan malam atau mungkin

berjalan-jalan di kota, saya tidak ada kekhawatiran sama sekali. Atau dia telah mengusulkan

kita berempat untuk pergi bersama, saya yakin perbincangan itu akan sangat bertautan

sehingga Maria akan mendapatkan malam yang indah. Ohh.. Colin akan melakukan dengan

caranya sendiri dan mengajak Maria ke kelab, walaupun saya yakin hal itu sudah

disampaikan.”

[9.95] Evan mengangkat alisnya.

[9.96] Colin tidak berkata apapun.

[9.97] Lily memusatkan perhatiannya pada Colin kembali. “Saya memintamu untuk

berkunjung kemari malam ini karena saya penasaran apakah kamu sudah memiliki

pengalaman atau sekedar familiar dengan tarian salsa.”

[9.98] “Tidak.”

[9.99] “Lalu, dengan begitupun juga, apa kamu juga tidak tahu bahwa tarian salsa adalah

tarian berpasangan.”

[9.100] “Itulah yang disebut menari,” potong Evan tanpa mempedulikan tunangannya.

[9.101] “Tarian salsa hanya dapat dinikmati apabila pasangan tersebut berlatih bersama,”

jelasnya. “Tapi karena hal itu tidak mungkin pada situasi seperti ini, kamu harus melakukan

yang terbaik yang kamu bisa, dan ada beberapa hal yang harus kamu ketahui. Misalnya

bagaimana cara kamu menggerakkan kakimu, atau berputar dengan pasanganmu, atau

menawarkan dia kesempatan untuk terpisah kemudian menampilkan beberapa tariannya

sendiri, semua itu membuat tarian tersebut menjadi bagian dari tarian yang alami dan luwes.

Apabila kamu tidak melakukan hal tersebut, akan menjadi tidak mungkin untuk membuatnya

terkesima.”

[9.102] Evan tertawa. “Kata siapa dia ingin membuatnya terkesima? Colin tidak peduli apa

yang orang lain pikirkan—“

[9.103] “Lanjutkan,” kata Colin, memotong perkataan Evan.

[9.104] Evan melihatnya dengan terkejut sedangkan Lily menegakkan posisinya.

[9.105] “Saya senang kamu mengerti dilema yang kamu hadapi. Apa yang sedang saya coba

katakan padamu adalah bahwa kamu sebaiknya belajar dasar-dasarnya.”

[9.106] Beberapa saat, baik Colin maupun Evan terdiam.

[9.107] “Dan bagaimana dia mempelajari dasar-dasar tersebut?

[9.108] Evan akhirnya berkata.

[9.109] “Kita hidup di Wilmington. Saya ragu ada instruktur salsa yang bersedia

mengosongkan jadwalnya di beberapa hari mendatang sehingga temanku ini tidak akan

mempermalukan dirinya sendiri.”

[9.110] Lily beranjak, mengambil tas kecil yang telah diletakkan di sebelah sofa dan

mengeluarkan setumpuk CD.

[9.111] “Ini adalah kumpulan kaset salsa, dan kamu harus mendengarkannya. Saya

menghubungi pelatih tari lama saya dan akan sangat sangat senang untuk mengirimkan

beberapa contoh. Tidak ada yang terbaru tetapi itu tidaklah penting. Salsa lebih tentang

kecepatan dan ritme – iramanya, biasa disebut – daripada melodinya. Dan untuk

instrukturnya, saya akan merasa sangat senang untuk membantu Colin untuk mempelajari apa

yang harus dia ketahui.”

[9.112] “Kamu tahu bagaimana menari salsa?” tanya Evan.

[9.113] “Tentu saja,” sahutnya. “Saya menari hampir dua belas tahun lamanya, dan pada

beberapa saat tertentu kami akan fokus pada tarian alternatif.”

[9.114] “Alternatif?” tanya Evan,

[9.115] “Saya tumbuh di Charleston. Semua selain tarian shag atau tarian wals tergolong

sebagai alternatif,” katanya sambil berpikir bahwa hal seperti ini masyarakat bagian selatan

pasti akan tahu.

[9.116] “Tapi sungguh, Evan. Kamu harus membiarkan Colin bertanya. Dia tidak mendapat

kesempatan untuk berkata sepatah pun.” Dia beralih pada Colin. “Apakah kamu mengijinkan

saya untuk menjadi instrukturmu beberapa hari ke depan?”

[9.117] “Berapa banyak waktu yang kita butuhkan?”

[9.118] “Saya akan menunjukkan padamu beberapa hal malam ini – langkah-langkah dan

gerakan-gerakan dasar, pergantian, dan bagaimana membawa pasanganmu berputar – jadi

kamu mengetahui apa yang akan kamu kerjakan. Setelah itu, kita akan membutuhkan tiga

jam besok malam, dan tiga jam lainnya pada hari Jumat malam. Setelah saya selesai bekerja

kemudian berganti pakaian, kita akan mulai sekitar pukul enam. Dan tentu saja, kamu harus

berlatih di waktu senggangmu sebelum kamu datang kemari.”

[9.119] “Apakah itu cukup?”

[9.120] “Waktunya tidak cukup untuk menjadi penari yang baik, atau paling tidak rata-rata.

Untuk menjadi penari yang benar-benar handal membutuhkan waktu tahunan. Tetapi apabila

kamu sungguh-sungguh dan melakukan apa yang saya katakan kepadamu, itu cukup untuk

kencanmu di hari Sabtu.”

[9.121] Colin meneguk airnya, tidak langsung menjawab.

[9.122] “Jangan katakan padaku kamu benar – benar memikirkannya“ kata Evan padanya.

[9.123] “Tentu saja dia memikirkannya dia tahu saya benar.”

[9.124] Colin mengarahkan gelasnya ke atas pangkuannya.

[9.125] “Baiklah,” katanya. “Tapi saya harus meminta seseorang untuk menggantikan

pekerjaan saya pada Jumat malam.”

[9.126] “Bagus.” Lily tersenyum.

[9.127] “Tunggu,” kata Evan, berpaling pada Lily. “saya pikir kita akan pergi berkencan hari

Jumat.”

[9.128] “Saya mohon maaf, tetapi saya baru saja akan membatalkannya. Seorang teman

membutuhkan bantuan saya, dan sejujurnya saya tidak bisa menolaknya. Dia sangat manis

saat memohon.”

[9.129] “Yang benar saja? Saya tidak mendapatkan sesuatu?”

[9.130] “Tentu saja ada,” sahut Lily. “Kamu juga akan berada di sini pada kedua malam

tersebut, seperti malam ini.”

[9.131] “Di sini?”

[9.132] “Dimana lagi?”

[9.133] “Saya tidak tahu. Studio tari, mungkin?”

[9.134] “Jangan bodoh. Kita tidak memerlukannya, tapi saya akan membutuhkan kamu untuk

memindahkan perabotan di ruang tengah. Kamu benar tentang kami membutuhkan ruang

untuk berlatih. Dan kamu juga akan bertanggung jawab untuk musiknya – memundurkan atau

memajukannya seperti yang saya suruh, memutar ulang kembali lagunya, hal-hal seperti itu.

Kami benar-benar harus memaksimalkan waktu yang ada. Kamu akan menjadi tangan kanan

saya.”

[9.135] Tangan kanan?”

[9.136] Dia tersenyum pada Colin. “Apakah saya sudah berkata bahwa tarian salsa benar-

benar dapat membuat wanita merasa... bergairah? Dan perasaan itu dapat bertahan berjam-

jam setelahnya?”

[9.137] Evan menelan ludah, menatapnya. “Saya akan membantu dengan senang hati.”

[9.138] “Kamu dibodohi seperti pakaian murahan,” kata Colin. Dia dan Evan sedang

memindahkan perabotan ke sisi lain ruangan ketika Lily pergi ke kamar untuk mengambil

sepasang sepatu, yang patut dengan hak yang tepat, dan mengganti bajunya. Lily tidak pernah

melakukan apapun dengan setengah hati.

[9.139] “Apapun itu demi menolong teman.”

[9.140] Colin tersenyum. “Baik.”

[9.141] “Dan setelah kita selesai, kamu akan membantu saya untuk mengembalikan

perabotan seperti semula.”

[9.142] “Baik.”

[9.143] “Dan kamu tidak akan meminta untuk tinggal lebih lama untuk berlatih. Kamu

pulang dari sini pukul sembilan tepat.”

[9.144] “Baik.” Kemudian mereka menyingkirkan perabotan. “Saya tidak mengerti

bagaimana cara dia berkata padaku untuk melakukan ini.”

[9.145] Colin mengangkat bahunya. “Saya pikir saya punya ide bagus.”

[9.146] Saat perabotan sudah disingkirkan dan area sudah tersedia, Lily menarik Colin ke

tengah ruangan. Evan duduk di sofa dengan wajah murung, buku-buku, lampu, dan

bermacam-macam hiasan rumah yang terletak di atas bantal ada di sebelahnya. Lily telah

berganti mengenakan celana jins putih ketat, baju merah, dan sepasang sepatu yang mungkin

saja harganya melebihi gaji Colin selama seminggu. Walaupun dia adalah tunangan Evan dan

teman Colin, Colin sadar bahwa Lily benar-benar memiliki daya tarik.

[9.147] “Jangan terlalu dekat, Colin,” teriak Evan.

[9.148] “Ssshh, diam sekarang,” Lily berkata padanya dengan sungguh-sungguh. “Kamu

mungkin sedang membayangkan kenapa saya berganti pakaian,” dia berkata pada Colin.

[9.149] “Tidak juga,” sahut Colin.

[9.150] “Saya ganti pakaian supaya kamu bisa melihat pergerakan kaki saya. Seperti apa

yang telah saya katakan, saya akan menunjukkan padamu hal yang paling mendasar, yang

merupakan dasar dari salsa. Hal yang dapat kamu jadikan sebagai landasan, apapun yang

Maria lakukan. Bisa dipahami?”

[9.151] “Ya.”

[9.152] “Sebelum kita mulai, saya mengasumsikan bahwa Maria tahu bagaimana menari

salsa.”

[9.153] “Dia berkata padaku dia dulu menari sepanjang waktu.”

[9.154] “Sempurna.” Lily berpindah ke sebelah Colin, mereka berdua menghadap ke jendela,

memperkenankan Evan melihat.

[9.155] “Hal itu berarti bahwa dia dapat mengikuti langkahmu. Apakah kamu siap?

[9.156] “Ya.”

[9.157] “Kalau begitu lihatlah kaki-kakiku dan lakukan persis seperti apa yang saya lakukan,”

katanya. “Melangkah menggunakan kaki kirimu – itu yang pertama – lalu tumpukan berat

badanmu pada jari kaki kanan mu – itu yang kedua – sekarang bawa kaki kirimu kembali

pada saat seperti posisi awal – itu ketiga – dan jeda sejenak untuk iramanya – itu keempat.”

Dia memperagakan dan Colin melakukan hal yang sama. “Sekarang melangkah ke belakang

dengan kaki kananmu – itu kelima – tumpukan berat badanmu pada jari kaki kanan – keenam

– lalu bawa kaki kananmu kedepan ke posisi awal lagi – ketujuh – dan jeda lagi untuk

iramanya. Itu yang kedelapan. Dan selesai.”

[9.158] Lagi, Colin mengikuti langkahnya.

[9.159] “Itu saja?”

[9.160] Dia mengangguk. “Ayo kita coba lakukan lagi ya?”

[9.161] Mereka melakukannya lagi dan lagi, mengulang gerakan-gerakan itu terus menerus

sambil Lily menghitung satu sampai delapan dan beberapa kali latihan lagi. Kemudian

perlahan-lahan kecepatannya dinaikkan, lalu berlanjut tanpa menghitung. Mereka beristirahat

sejenak, lalu mulai lagi dari awal secara perlahan, kemudian secara berkala menaikkan

kecepatan mereka lagi. Begitu Colin terlihat memahaminya, Lily berhenti dan

memperhatikan Colin melanjutkan latihannya.

[9.162] “Itu sempurna,” katanya sambil mengangguk. “Kamu memiliki langkah-langkahnya

sekarang, tetapi kunci yang sebenarnya adalah untuk tidak terlalu bersemangat. Sekarang

kamu masih bergerak seperti barisan orang-orang kasar yang melewati rawa. Kamu harus

lebih lembut, seperti bunga yang sedang mekar perlahan-lahan. Pertahankan ketinggian

bahumu di setiap langkah.”

[9.163] “Bagaimana saya melakukannya?”

[9.164] “Gunakanlah pinggulmu,” katanya. “Seperti ini.”

[9.165] Saat dia menunjukkan pada Colin yang dia maksudkan – lincah dalam gerakan,

pinggulnya bergemulai ke depan dan belakang, bahunya sama tinggi di seluruh bagian – Lily

benar apabila menari dapat membuat bergairah. Dari sudut matanya, Colin melihat Evan

menegakkan duduknya dan memperhatikan Lily, tanpa sepengetahuan Lily.

[9.166] “Jadi sekarang, mari kita lakukan hal yang sama lagi, kali ini dengan musik, dan

konsentrasilah untuk lebih lembut.” Dia berpaling pada Evan, “Sayang? Maukah kamu

memutarkan lagi musiknya?”

[9.167] Evan menggelengkan kepalanya seperti orang yang sedang berusaha bangun dari

mimpinya.

[9.168] “Apa? Apakah kamu mengatakan sesuatu?”

[9.169] Mereka berdansa selama kurang lebih dua jam. Sebagai tambahan dari latihan dasar,

Colin berlatih bagaimana cara berputar, dan pada saat itu, mereka mulai berdansa bersama.

Lily menunjukkan pada Colin dimana dia harus meletakkan tangan kanannya (pada bagian

atas pinggangnya, tepat di bawah lengannya, dia mengingatkan dirinya sendiri), dan Lily

menunjukkan padanya bagaimana caranya membawa Lily pada tiga perputaran yang berbeda

dengan membuat sedikit isyarat dengan tangan kirinya, yang mengharuskan dia untuk

mengambil beberapa langkah yang sedikit berbeda sebelum akhirnya kembali lagi pada

gerakan kaki dasar.

[9.170] Melalui itu semua, Lily mengingatkan Colin agar lebih luwes dan lebih menggunakan

pinggulnya, membuat kontak mata dengan pasangannya, tetap pada ritme sesuai dengan

irama, berhenti berhitung dengan keras, dan tersenyum. Berdansa membutuhkan konsentrasi

lebih dari yang ia bayangkan. Setelah itu, mereka mengembalikan perabotan kembali pada

tempatnya dan Colin berpamitan. Lily menggenggam tangan Evan ketika Colin melangkah ke

beranda.

[9.171] “Kamu melakukannya dengan baik malam ini,” kata Lily.

[9.172] “Kamu memiliki irama natural ketika menari.”

[9.173] “Hampir seperti tinju,” katanya.

[9.174] “Saya harap tidak,” katanya, hampir terdengar seperti sakit hati.

[9.175] Colin tersenyum. “Besok malam, kan?”

[9.176] “Jam enam tepat,” sahutnya. Dia memberikan sebuah CD.

[9.177] “Ini untukmu. Besok, kapanpun saat kamu memiliki waktu luang, saya minta kamu

melatih langkah-langkahmu dan cobalah untuk berputar seakan-akan kamu akan membawa

pasanganmu berputar. Konsentrasilah pada isyarat tanganmu, dan cobalah untuk meluweskan

gerakanmu. Akan menjadi sangat tidak produktif apabila kita harus mengulangnya dari

awal.”

[9.178] “Baiklah,” katanya. “Oh, Lily?”

[9.179] “Ya?”

[9.180] “Terima kasih,” jawabnya.

[9.181] “Sama-sama, Colin.”

[9.182] Lily tersenyum, “Saya pasti telah lengah, bagaimanapun, jika saya tidak mengambil

kesempatan untuk menyampaikan persoalan lain yang baru-baru saja muncul.”

[9.183] Colin menunggu dengan harapan.

[9.184] “Mengenai kencan makan siangmu besok dengan Maria, saya yakin saya tidak perlu

untuk mengingatkanmu kalau kamu harus menemuinya secara professional, yang

membutuhkan pakaian yang lebih formal. Saya juga tidak berharap untuk mengingatkanmu

walaupun kamu amat sangat mencintai mobilmu itu, tidak ada yang lebih mengundang

perhatian dari interior yang kusut, atau mesin yang tidak mau menyala. Apakah asumsi saya

benar?”

[9.185] Saya telah memperbaiki mobil saya untuk alasan selain Maria, tetapi sekarang saat

kamu mengatakannya…

[9.186] “Ya,” sahut Colin.

[9.187] “Saya senang mendengarnya,” kata Lily, sambil mengangguk. “Seorang wanita,

memiliki harapan tertentu atas keramahan. Nah, sejauh bunga bermekaran… apakah kamu

sudah memutuskan akan membawa apa? Mengetahui bahwa buket bunga yang berbeda

memiliki arti yang berbeda pula?”

[9.188] Lily terdengar bersungguh-sungguh sehingga membuat Colin sulit untuk tidak

tersenyum.

[9.189] “Apa rekomendasimu?”

[9.190] Lily mengangkat tangan lentiknya ke dagunya. “Mengingat bahwa kalian berdua

masih sedang pada tahap mengenal satu sama lain, dan besok hanyalah kencan makan siang,

sebuket mawar mungkin akan terlalu formal, dan bunga lili – yang sangat indah – lebih cocok

di musim semi. Anyelir, sangat jelas, membawa arti tidak lebih dari sebuah pilihan yang

murah, jadi tidak akan berhasil.”

[9.191] Colin mengangguk. “Saya paham.”

[9.192] “Mungkin sebuah buket bunga bernuansa musim gugur yang sederhana? Dengan

perpaduan warna mawar kuning, bunga dahlia yang kecoklatan, dan mungkin beberapa

tangkai bunga hypericum berwarna merah?” Dia mengangguk dengan penuh pertimbangan.

“Ya, itu menamparku dengan sangat jelas saat ini, bukankah begitu menurutmu?”

[9.193] “Tidak diragukan.”

[9.194] “Dan pastikanlah untuk memesannya di toko bunga Michael. Dia benar - benar

seniman yang hebat dalam merangkai bunga. Telepon dia pagi hari dan sebutkan namaku, dia

akan tahu apa yang harus dilakukannya.”

[9.195] Evan menyeringai, dengan jelas dia menikmati peristiwa ini dan mungkin

beranggapan bahwa Colin tidak akan jauh berbeda dengannya saat dia berhadapan dengan

Lily dan permintaannya. Dan karena Evan mengetahui Colin lebih dari siapapun, Colin

akhirnya mengangguk.

[9.196] “Baiklah.”

[9.197] Di pagi hari, Colin bangun lebih pagi dan dengan senang hati mengetahui bahwa

mobil Camaro tuanya dapat menyala sejak pertama kali dinyalakan. Dia berolahraga dengan

keras di gym – plyometrics dan angkat barbell, lompat tali, dan beberapa saat berlatih dengan

samsak yang berat dan kuat. Dalam perjalanan pulang ke apartemennya, dia berhenti di

sebuah tempat pencucian mobil dan membersihkan debu dari mobilnya. Di rumah, dengan

otot-ototnya yang masih hangat dan kencang, dia memperhatikan salah satu CD yang

diberikan oleh Lily dan menghabiskan satu setengah jam berlatih langkah-langkah salsanya,

terkejut bahwa dia tidak melupakan satu gerakan pun. Dia terkejut lagi saat dia dapat

berkonsentrasi penuh pada hal itu.

[9.198] Colin meneguk minuman berprotein, kemudian mandi, dan berganti pakaian

menggunakan celana kain hitam, sepasang sepatu, dan kemeja berkancing, yang dipakainya

sewaktu di persidangan. Dia melatih otot-ototnya dengan keras sejak saat itu sehingga

bajunya terlalu ketat pada bagian dada dan lengan, tetapi itu yang terbaik yang dapat dia

lakukan. Sambil berdiri di depan kaca, dia berpikir, terlepas dari bagian atas terlihat sedikit

sempit, Evan mungkin juga akan melakukan hal yang sama. Setelannya menggelikan,

terutama sejak dia berada di kampus dimana celana pendek dan sandal merupakan hal yang

sudah biasa. Walaupun dia tahu bahwa Lily tidak akan menyetujuinya, dia tetap melipat

lengannya, menunjukkan sedikit lengan bawahnya. Lebih baik. Lebih nyaman pula. Teman

sekelasnya juga tidak akan menyadari atau tidak akan peduli tentang bajunya, dan dia akan

menyimak serta mencatat seperti biasanya. [9.199] Tidak pula ada Serena, karena mereka

satu kelas di hari Senin dan Kamis. Beberapa menit kemudian, dia menelpon toko bunga dan

memesan sebuah buket bernuansa musim gugur, apapun itu. Dari sana dia berjalan dengan

susah payah menuju ke kelas manajemen, sadar bahwa dia belum berhenti bergerak sejak

alarm berbunyi, bajunya akan sobek.

[9.200] Kelas terakhirnya berakhir pada pukul dua belas kurang seperempat. Pada saat itu,

matahari sedang tinggi-tingginya, dan dengan musim panas yang menggantung itu, dia

berjalan perlahan ke mobilnya, mencoba untuk tidak berkeringat. Dia berhenti di toko bunga

dalam perjalanannya ke alamat yang dituju. Maria telah memberikan alamat itu pada Colin,

dan seperti takdir sedang bermain-main dengannya, memerlukan dua putaran kunci dan

sedikit usaha pada pedal agar mesin mobilnya mau menyala. Yang dapat ia lakukan hanyalah

menyilangkan kedua jarinya.

[9.201] Martenson, Hertzberg & Holdman menempati gedungnya sendiri, bangunan yang

cenderung modern berjarak beberapa meter dari Cape Fear River dan tepat berada di tengah-

tengah wilayah yang bernuansa kuno, dengan area parkir di kedua sisi gedung itu. Pada kedua

sisinya dan juga di seberang jalannya, gedung gedung itu menyatu, salah satu bernuansa

bebatuan terlihat padu satu sama lain, bagian depan terlihat jelek. Dia menepi pada suatu sisi

hanya beberapa petak dari mobil Maria, dan bersebelahan dengan Corvette merah mengkilap.

[9.202] Dia menggapai bunganya – teringat pada Lily dan perkataannya tentang harapan

tertentu – kemudian memikirkan tentang Ken dan permasalahan yang dia timbulkan. Dia

berpikir jika pria itu muncul di dekatnya; dia ingin menunjukkan siapa dirinya. Ketika dia

mengunci pintu mobilnya, tiba-tiba dia melihat seluruh waktunya pagi ini merupakan

hitungan mundur menuju ke waktu dimana dia dapat bertemu dengan Maria lagi. Yang lebih

mengejutkan lagi bagi dirinya sendiri, dia telah merindukan Maria.

BAB 10

[10.1] Maria

[10.2] Ketika Barney mengasingkan dirinya di kantornya, menyiapkan dirinya untuk

persidangannya, Maria mengerjakan dua pekerjaan. Dia menghabiskan sepanjang paginya

dengan beberapa klien, memberikan yang terbaik untuk memastikan setiap kliennya merasa

bahwa kasus mereka masihlah menjadi prioritasnya.

[10.3] Setiap setengah jam sekali atau lebih, pembantu pengacara mereka, Lynn, akan

memasuki ruangan dengan membawa dokumen-dokumen atau formulir yang harus diisi, dan

meskipun begitu hanya hal itulah yang dapat Maria lakukan untuk tetap terjaga, menyibukkan

diri bermanfaat baginya agar dia tidak terlalu meributkan kencan makan siangnya.

[10.4] Atau lebih tepatnya, tentang bagaimana reaksi orang tuanya ketika mereka bertemu

dengan Colin. Untuk sebuah permulaan – dan tidak seperti Luis – Colin adalah orang baru,

dan walaupun itu bukan menjadi hal yang dipermasalahkan bagi orang-orang pada generasi

Maria, orang tuanya mungkin saja akan terkejut. Dengan mengijinkan mereka bertemu Colin

berarti bahwa hubungan mereka akan berlanjut ke tahap yang lebih serius, dan mereka

mungkin akan selalu mengasumsikan bahwa Maria hanya akan serius berkencan dengan pria

Mexico. Semua orang di keluarganya – walaupun hanya saudara karena pernikahan – adalah

orang Mexico, dan nantinya akan ada perbedaan kebudayaan. Keluarganya merayakan setiap

perkumpulan keluarga dengan belanga untuk anak-anak, mendengarkan Mariachi (musik

tradisional Meksiko), tergila-gila dengan menonton telenovela (serial drama di televisi), dan

berbincang hanya menggunakan bahasa Spanyol.

[10.5] Beberapa bibi dan pamannya tidak berbicara menggunakan bahasa Inggris sama sekali.

Maria tahu bahwa hal itu tidak akan menjadi masalah untuk keluarganya, tetapi mereka akan

berpikir mengapa Maria tidak bercerita tentang masa lalu Colin. Semua pendapat setiap

anggota keluarganya tentang hal itu mungkin akan terus turun-menurun, dengan kerabat-

kerabatnya yang lebih muda mungkin akan lebih tidak menghiraukan pendapat yang ngawur

tersebut. Tetapi dia masih saja tidak meragukan bahwa hal itu akan menjadi bahan

perbincangan diantara keluarga dan kerabatnya di rumah makan, salah satu yang mungkin

akan berlanjut walaupun setelah Maria dan Colin berpamitan.

[10.6] Maria merasa masih bisa menghadapi hal itu. Hal lain yang masih dia ragukan apakah

bisa dihadapinya atau tidak adalah perbincangan tentang masa lalu Colin, yang Maria tahu

tidak dapat dihindarkan. Percakapan yang biasa pasti akan ada, tetapi apa yang akan terjadi

jika ibu atau ayahnya mulai bertanya pada Colin hari ini? Maria mengira dia dapat

menjawabnya dengan mengatakan bahwa mereka hanyalah teman dan mengarahkan

pembicaraan ke arah yang berbeda, tetapi seberapa lama dia dapat mempertahankannya?

Kecuali kalau hubungan mereka mereda setelah hari Sabtu – dan Maria mengakui bahwa dia

tidak mengharapkannya – masa lalu Colin akan segera terungkap. Dan apa yang telah Serena

katakan tentang hal itu? Saya bahkan tidak ingin berada di negara yang sama ketika kamu

menyiarkan berita itu. Bagi orangtuanya, hal itu tidak akan menjadi masalah karena dia

sudah dewasa; mereka akan merasa tidak senang, dan merasa yakin bahwa mereka telah

melakukan hal yang benar, karena hal itu sangatlah jelas bahwa Maria tidak mengerti dia

sedang terlibat dengan hal apa. Dan hal tergilanya adalah, orang tuanya mungkin saja benar.

[10.7] “Ada yang ingin menemuimu,” kata Jill.

[10.8] Maria sedang bersama dengan Gwen, si resepsionis, yang baru saja memberikan

informasi yang sama ketika Jill muncul di depan pintu, sebuah tas jinjing telah berada di

bahunya.

[10.9] “Saya baru saja mendengarnya,” sahutnya, menyadari bahwa jam sudah menunjukkan

pukul dua belas lebih seperempat. “Saya tidak tahu bagaimana pagi telah berlalu. Sepertinya

saya hanya berada di sini saja.”

[10.10] Jill tersenyum. “Menurut saya kamu dan Colin akan pergi bersama?”

[10.11] “Ya, tentang itu,” jawab Maria. “Maafkan saya karena tidak sempat bercerita padamu

sejak tadi bahwa saya sudah ada rencana, karena saya terlalu sibuk sejak pagi tadi. Saya baru

saja memiliki sedikit waktu untuk istirahat.”

[10.12] “Tidak masalah,” sahut Jill, melambaikan tangannya.

[10.13] “Saya ingat segala pekerjaan berat yang membuatmu lelah, ketika Barney sedang

mempersiapkan persidangannya. Sebenarnya, saya kesini hanya ingin memberitahumu bahwa

saya akan memberi kejutan pada Paul di kantornya dan membuat dia mengajak saya keluar.”

[10.14] “Apakah kamu yakin tidak ada masalah?”

[10.15] “Tidak tentang kencan makan siang. Tapi saya berharap kamu memberitahu saya

kalau Colin datang, dan saya akan membawa Paul kemari juga, jadi dia dapat melihat dengan

mata kepalanya sendiri bahwa menjaga pola makan dan berolahraga sangat berpengaruh bagi

seorang pria.”

[10.16] “Paul baik-baik saja.”

[10.17] “Mudah bagimu untuk mengatakannya. Lihatlah siapa yang menunggumu di ruang

tunggu. Di sisi lain, Paul sedikit berlemak dan dia tidaklah peduli. Dan saya tahu kalau dia

tidak peduli, karena saya telah memberikan sedikit isyarat padanya untuk mengembangkan

dirinya. Sebagai contoh, ‘Taruh kuenya dan lakukanlah sedikit olahraga, demi kebaikanmu.”

[10.18] “Kamu tidak benar-benar mengatakannya.”

[10.19] “Tidak, tapi saya memikirkannya. Itu sama saja.”

[10.20] Maria tertawa sambil merapikan barang-barangnya kemudian berdiri.

[10.21] “Maukah kamu turun denganku?”

[10.22] “Itulah mengapa saya masih menunggumu di sini. Saya juga ingin melihat bagaimana

wajahmu ketika kamu mengetahuinya.”

[10.23] “Mengetahui apa?”

[10.24] “Kamu akan segera tahu.”

[10.25] “Apa yang sedang kamu bicarakan?”

[10.26] “Ayolah,” sahut Jill. “Dan tolong pastikan untuk memperkenalkan kami berdua. Saya

ingin bercerita pada Paul tentang hal ini, terutama jika kekasihmu merayuku.”

[10.27] “Colin bukan tipe orang yang suka merayu.”

[10.28] “Siapa yang peduli? Yang terpenting adalah saya hanya ingin sedikit dekat

dengannya, tentu saja untuk memastikan bahwa dia pantas untukmu.”

[10.29] “Betapa baiknya dirimu.”

[10.30] “Apa fungsinya seorang teman?”

[10.31] Ketika mereka berjalan menuju ke ruang tunggu, Maria menarik napas dalam-dalam,

merasakan ketakutannya membesar dengan sendirinya. Untung saja Jill tidak menyadarinya,

pikirannya sedang fokus pada hal lain.

[10.32] “Tunggu sebentar,” kata Jill. Maria melihat Jill menggapai tas jinjingnya,

mengeluarkan lipstiknya, dia mengoleskan sedikit sebelum meletakkannya kembali ke dalam

tasnya.

[10.33] “Baiklah,” kata Jill. “Kita bisa pergi sekarang.”

[10.34] Maria menatapnya. “Sungguh?” Jill berkedip. “Apa yang harus saya katakan? Kesan

pertama itu penting.”

[10.35] Di atas, Maria melihat dua orang asisten pengacara tiba-tiba mengelilingi pojok ruang

tunggu, berbisik-bisik satu sama lain seperti sepasang siswi SMA. Jill menganggukkan

kepala pada mereka.

[10.36] “Sekarang kamu mengerti maksudku? Kamu benar-benar mengejutkanku. Dia adalah

pria yang luar biasa.”

[10.37] “Dia tidaklah seluar biasa itu.”

[10.38] “Ohh..iya, tentu saja iya. Ayo. Kamu memiliki sebuah kencan dan kamu tidak boleh

terlambat.”

[10.39] Segera setelah Maria melihat Colin di ruang tunggu, perutnya terasa sedikit

terguncang. Colin sedang menghadap ke arah yang berlawanan – dia menyadari Colin sedang

menunggunya – dan dari belakang dia bisa saja dikira sebagai pengacara muda, sekalipun

dengan pengecualian tatonya yang terlihat. Ketika Maria memandang sekilas ke arah

resepsionis, dia mengetahui bahwa Gwen sedang berusaha keras untuk tidak melihat ke arah

Colin ketika dia sedang sibuk dengan teleponnya.

[10.40] Seharusnya Colin menyadari keberadaan mereka, dan ketika dia berbalik badan,

Maria melihat bermacam-macam jenis bunga yang indah; oranye dan kuning, dengan warna

merah yang berkumpul di bagian tengah. Mulutnya sedikit ternganga.

[10.41] “Kejutan,” bisik Jill, tetapi Maria terlalu terkejut mendengarnya.

[10.42] “Oh,” dia akhirnya berkata.

[10.43] “Hai.” Saat mulai semakin dekat, dia hanya samar-samar sadar bahwa Jill masih

berada di belakangnya. Semakin dekat, wangi tubuhnya bercampur dengan aroma bunga.

[10.44] “Baju baru?”

[10.45] “Baju kebebasan.” jawabnya.

[10.46] “Mereka mungkin saja menahanku di penjara.”

[10.47] Maria tersenyum menawan. Dan segera setelah itu dia berpikir, dan saya tidaklah

percaya bahwa jawabannya tidak membuatku cemas. Tetapi dia tidak ingin memikirkannya.

Dia memandang ke arah bunganya. “Untuk saya?”

[10.48] “Ya,” sahutnya, memberikannya pada Maria.

[10.49] “Itu adalah rangkaian bunga musim gugur.”

[10.50] “Sangat cantik. Terima kasih.”

[10.51] “Kembali.”

[10.52] “Biarkan saya menaruhnya di kantor saya. Saya akan kembali kemudian kita bisa

pergi.”

[10.53] “Baiklah.”

[10.54] Di belakang Maria, dia mendengar Jill memberi isyarat lalu Maria menoleh. “Oh ya,

ini teman saya, namanya Jill. Dia adalah seorang konsultan pengacara disini.”

[10.55] Jill mendekat dan Colin menjabat tangannya. “Hai, Jill.”

[10.56] “Hai, Colin.” Dia menjabat tangannya, sikapnya ramah tetapi tetap professional.

“Senang bertemu dengan anda.”

[10.57] Sambil meninggalkan mereka yang sedang berbincang, Maria segera kembali ke

kantornya, melihat kedua asisten pengacara tadi menatapnya dengan tatapan cemburu ketika

Maria melewati mereka. Dia mencoba untuk mengingat kapan terakhir kalinya seseorang

membawakannya bunga. Selain setangkai bunga mawar yang Luis berikan di hari Valentine

setelah mereka berkencan selama satu tahun, dia tidak dapat mengingatnya lagi.

[10.58] Setelah menatanya di sebuah vas yang lalu diletakkan di tempat yang terlihat jelas,

Maria kembali ke ruang tunggu secepat mungkin untuk mendengar secuil akhir percakapan

Jill dengan Colin.

[10.59] Jill menoleh. “Saya dengar kamu adalah fotografer yang handal. Colin bercerita

bahwa kamu mengambil gambar segerombolan ikan lumba-lumba yang menakjubkan?”

[10.60] “Dia hanya terlalu melebih-lebihkan.” sahutnya.

[10.61] “Saya hanya beruntung.”

[10.62] “Saya tetap ingin melihatnya.”

[10.63] “Saya akan mengirimkannya padamu,” jawabnya.

[10.64] Lalu berpaling kepada Colin: “Sudah siap?”

[10.65] Colin mengangguk, dan setelah berpamitan dengan Jill, mereka berjalan menuju ke

area parkir.

[10.66] “Temanmu sangat baik.” kata Colin.

[10.67] “Dia luar biasa.” sahut Maria menyetujuinya. “Kalau tidak ada dia, saya akan terus

tetap makan sendirian sejak berada di sini.”

[10.68] “Sampai hari ini,” Colin berkata sambil tersenyum.

[10.69] “Bagaimana pekerjaanmu?”

[10.70] “Saya terkubur,” akunya. “Tapi saya berharap hal itu akan segera mereda. Atasan

saya akan pergi bertugas keluar kantor hari ini dan besok.”

[10.71] “Kalau itu persoalannya, saya tidak akan merekomendasikan kamu mengadakan pesta

hebat dan mengabaikan tugas kantor jika dia tidak ada. Saya telah belajar bahwa itu hanya

akan menyakiti orang-orang.”

[10.72] “Saya akan mengingatnya,” jawab Maria sedangkan Colin membukakan pintu depan

mobil untuknya.

[10.73] Dia masuk ke dalam mobil Camaro.

[10.74] Ketika Colin berada di belakang kemudinya, dia mencondongkan tubuhnya ke arah

Maria, dengan kunci di tangannya. “Saya sedang berpikir apakah kita akan pergi ke rumah

makan di kota? Mungkin kita bisa saja mendapatkan meja di luar dengan pemandangan yang

indah.”

[10.75] Oh ya, pikirnya. Tentang hal itu. Maria memainkan sabuk pengamannya, memikirkan

bagaimana cara menjelaskannya pada Colin.

[10.76] “Terdengar bagus,” dia berspekulasi, “dan seperti biasa, saya akan senang pergi ke

sana. Tetapi permasalahannya adalah, semalam ketika kamu menelepon, saya sedang berada

di rumah orang tua saya, dan saya berkata bahwa kita akan pergi makan siang, dan…” dia

menghela napasnya, memutuskan dia akan mengatakannya dengan mudahnya. “Mereka

berharap kita akan makan siang di rumah makan kami.”

[10.77] Colin mengetukkan kunci mobilnya di kursi.

[10.78] “Kamu ingin saya bertemu dengan orang tuamu?”

[10.79] Tidak juga. Belum. Tetapi… Maria mengerutkan hidungnya, tidak yakin bagaimana

dia harus menanggapinya, berharap Colin tidak marah. “Kurang lebih seperti itu.”

[10.80] Dia memasukkan kunci ke dalam mesin.

[10.81] “Baiklah,” jawabnya.

[10.82] “Sungguh? Kamu tidak masalah dengan itu? Walaupun kita baru saja bertemu?”

[10.83] “Tidak.”

[10.84] “Kalau kamu tahu, hal itu akan mengganggu bagi kebanyakan pria.”

[10.85] “Baik.”

[10.86] “Hmmm… baguslah,” kata Maria.

[10.87] Colin tidak langsung mengatakan apapun. Akhirnya dia berkata: “Kamu gugup.”

[10.88] “Mereka tidak mengetahuimu seperti saya mengetahuimu.” dia menarik napas

perlahan, berpikir, Sekaranglah bagian tersulitnya. “Nanti ketika bertemu dengannya, kamu

harus mengerti bahwa mereka itu kuno. Ayahku selalu bersikap melindungi dan ibuku

pencemas, dan saya takut ketika mereka mulai bertanya…”

[10.89] Ketika Maria terhenti, Colin menyelesaikannya untuk Maria.

[10.90] “Kamu takut apa yang akan saya katakan kepada mereka, dan bagaimana mereka

akan menanggapinya.”

[10.91] Walaupun Maria tidak menjawab, dia mengira Colin telah mengetahui apa yang

sedang dia pikirkan.

[10.92] “Saya tidak akan berbohong pada mereka,” kata Colin.

[10.93] “Saya tahu,” jawab Maria. Itulah masalahnya. “Dan saya tidak akan memintamu

untuk berbohong. Saya tidak ingin kamu berbohong, tetapi hal itu masih saja membuat saya

cemas.”

[10.94] “Karena masa lalu saya,” kata Colin.

[10.95] “Saya harap saya tidak harus mengatakan apapun kepadamu, dan saya meminta maaf.

Secara logis, saya tahu jika saya telah dewasa dan saya seharusnya boleh saja berkencan

dengan siapapun yang saya mau dan itu seharusnya tidak masalah bagi mereka. Tetapi

begitulah kenyataannya. Karena saya masih ingin mendapat restu dari mereka. Dan

percayalah padaku, saya tahu ini terdengar buruk.”

[10.96] “Itu tidak terdengar buruk, itu normal.”

[10.97] “Kamu tidak butuh restu.”

[10.98] “Evan mungkin akan mengatakan bahwa saya tidak waras.”

[10.99] Meskipun merasa tegang, dia tertawa sebelum akhirnya diam lagi. “Apakah kamu

marah padaku?”

[10.100] “Tidak,” jawab Colin.

[10.101] “Tetapi mungkin kamu sakit hati.”

[10.102] “Tidak,” jawabnya lagi.

[10.103] “Lalu apa yang kamu rasakan?”

[10.104] Colin tidak langsung menjawab.

[10.105] “Saya merasa… tersanjung,” dia akhirnya menjawab.

[10.106] Maria mengedipkan matanya. “Tersanjung? Bagaimana mungkin kamu bisa merasa

tersanjung?”

[10.107] “Itu rumit.”

[10.108] “Saya masih tetap ingin mendengarnya.”

[10.109] Dia mengangkat bahunya. “Karena kamu mengatakan pada saya bagaimana

perasaanmu, walaupun kamu beranggapan bahwa itu akan melukai perasaan saya. Dan kamu

mengatakan hal yang sesungguhnya, lagipula kamu melakukan kedua hal tersebut dari sudut

pandang yang sensitif dan khawatir, karena kamu ingin mereka menyukai saya. Itu membuat

saya merasa tersanjung.”

[10.110] Maria tersenyum, setengah dari dirinya merasa terkejut dan setengahnya berpikir

bahwa Colin benar. “Saya rasa saya akan berhenti mencoba memprediksi apapun tentang

dirimu.”

[10.111] “Baiklah.” sahut Colin. Dia memutar kunci dan mesinnya langsung menyala.

Sebelum dia memasukkan tuasnya, dia menoleh ke arah Maria. “Jadi apa yang kamu ingin

lakukan sekarang?”

[10.112] “Pergi makan siang? dan berharap yang terbaik?”

[10.113] “Terdengar seperti sebuah rencana.”

[10.114] La Cocina de La Familia terletakbeberapa blok dari Market Street di kawasan pasar

lama, tetapi area parkir di depan rumah makan itu telah penuh. Ketika mereka tiba di depan

pintu, Colin memaksa Maria untuk bersikap setenang mungkin, yang justru membuat Maria

semakin gugup. Dia menggapai tangan Maria, dan sebaliknya Maria menggenggam tangan

Colin, seperti seseorang yang sedang menggenggam erat jaket pelampung di atas kapal yang

akan tenggelam.

[10.115] “Saya lupa bertanya apakah kamu menyukai makanan Meksiko.”

[10.116] “Saya ingat saya dulu sangat menyukainya.”

[10.117] “Tetapi kamu tidak lagi memakannya karena itu tidak sehat, bukan?”

[10.118] “Saya selalu dapat menemukan sesuatu untuk dipesan.”

[10.119] Maria menggenggam tangan Colin, dia menyukai hal itu.

[10.120] “Ibuku berkata bahwa dia akan menyiapkan sesuatu yang spesial untuk kita. Yang

berarti bahwa kamu tidak akan menyangka akan mendapatkan apa. Saya mengatakan kalau

kamu menyukai makanan yang sehat.”

[10.121] “Tidak masalah,” katanya.

[10.122] “Apakah kamu pernah cemas akan suatu hal?”

[10.123] “Saya berusaha untuk tidak cemas.”

[10.124] “Kalau begitu, ketika kita selesai dengan ini, kamu akan mengajari aku bagaimana

caranya, setuju? Karena akhir-akhir ini, sepertinya yang saya lakukan hanyalah merasa

cemas.”

[10.125] Colin membuka pintu dan Maria mengajaknya masuk ke dalam.

[10.126] Pamannya, Tito, tiba-tiba muncul, sangat jelas bahwa dia sangat senang Maria ada

disana, lalu menyambutnya dengan bahasa Spanyol. Setelah memberinya kecupan ringan, dia

menjabat tangan Colin lalu mengambil buku menu sebelum mengantar mereka ke bagian

pojok ruangan. Disana hanya tersisa satu meja, yang berarti sudah disiapkan oleh orangtua

Maria.

[10.127] Ketika mereka duduk, sepupu Maria, Anna, membawakan mereka dua gelas air

putih, semangkuk keripik, dan saos salsa khas Meksiko.

[10.128] Maria berbincang dengannya secara singkat dan memperkenalkan Colin untuk

kedua kalinya. Ketika Anna pergi, Maria bersandar di meja.

[10.129] “Saya minta maaf,” katanya. “Saya tidak datang kesini sesering dulu. Mereka

mungkin sama gembiranya dengan orang tua saya.”

[10.130] “Berapa banyak saudaramu yang bekerja di sini?”

[10.131] “Saat ini?” dia mengamati sekelilingnya, lalu melihat pamannya yang lain berada di

bar dan dua bibinya berada di meja tunggu. “Mungkin sekitar 6 atau lebih. Tetapi saya akan

tanya orangtua saya untuk lebih pastinya.”

[10.132] Dia melihat sekeliling. “Disini sangat sibuk.”

[10.133] “Memang selalu seperti ini. Setelah beberapa tahun, kami telah memperluas rumah

makan ini tiga kali. Saat pertama kali dibuka, hanya ada delapan meja.”

[10.134] Saat Maria berbicara, dia melihat orangtuanya keluar dari dapur dan dia

menegapkan posisi duduknya.

[10.135] “Baiklah, mereka datang. Maksud saya, orangtua saya.”

[10.136] Ketika orangtua Maria tiba di meja mereka, Maria mencium ibunya, lalu ayahnya,

sambil berharap mereka tidak akan berperilaku aneh.

[10.137] “Ini temanku, Colin,” katanya. “Ini orangtua saya, Felix dan Carmen.”

[10.138] “Hallo,” sapa Felix dan Carmen, hampir bersamaan, keduanya memandang sekilas

pada Collin.

[10.139] “Senang bertemu Anda,” katanya.

[10.140] “Maria bilang bahwa kamu adalah seorang mahasiswa?” kata Felix langsung pada

intinya. “Dan kamu bekerja sebagai bartender?”

[10.141] “Ya,” jawab Colin.

[10.142] “Sebenarnya Serena adalah teman sekelas saya di beberapa pelajaran. Saya bekerja

di Crabby Pete, di dekat pantai.”

[10.143] Kemudian, memikirkan apa yang Maria takutkan dan tidak ingin orangtua Maria

bertanya lebih banyak tentang masa lalunya, dia mengalihkan pembicaraan seputar rumah

makan. “Rumah makan ini sangat menakjubkan. Sudah berapa lama?”

[10.144] “Tiga puluh satu tahun,” jawab Felix dengan bangganya.

[10.145] “Maria bercerita bahwa Anda telah mengembangkannya selama bertahun-tahun.

Sangat menakjubkan.”

[10.146] “Kami diberkati,” kata Felix. “Apakah kamu sudah pernah makan di sini

sebelumnya?”

[10.147] “Belum,” jawab Colin. “Tetapi Maria bilang istri Anda adalah koki yang hebat.”

[10.148] Felix berdiri sedikit lebih tegap. “Dia yang terbaik,” katanya sambil melirik pada

Carmen.

[10.149] “Tentu saja, karena hal itu, dia terkadang berpikir kalau dia adalah bosnya.”

[10.150] “Saya memang bosnya,” kata Carmen dalam bahasa Inggris yang kurang fasih.

[10.151] Colin tersenyum, dan setelah perbincangan singkat, Maria melihat ayahnya menarik

lengan ibunya. “Ayo, kita biarkan mereka berbincang-bincang.” kata Felix.

[10.152] Setelah mengucapkan salam, Maria memperhatikan kedua orangtuanya kembali ke

dapur. “Kamu tahu? Sekarang pasti mereka sedang membicarakanmu dengan Tito dan Anna,

dan semuanya. Berbeda dengan Luis, kamu adalah satu-satunya lelaki yang pernah saya bawa

ke sini.”

[10.153] “Saya tersanjung,” katanya, dan Maria tahu bahwa Colin bersungguh-sungguh.

[10.154] “Itu tadi tidak seburuk dengan apa yang saya bayangkan,” tambah Maria.

[10.155] “Mereka orang-orang yang sangat ramah.”

[10.156] “Ya, dan saya tetaplah anaknya. Dan mereka tidak menanyakan pertanyaan yang

sulit.”

[10.157] “Mungkin mereka tidak akan melakukannya.”

[10.158] “Oh, pasti mereka akan melakukannya. Kecuali kalau kita tidak akan pernah

bertemu lagi.”

[10.159] “Itukah yang kamu inginkan?”

[10.160] Maria mengerjapkan mata sejenak.

[10.161] “Tidak,” katanya. “Saya senang kita ada di sini. Dan saya bahagia kita akan

menghabiskan waktu bersama di akhir pekan ini.”

[10.162] “Yang artinya?”

[10.163] “Bahwa di hari selanjutnya saat kita bersama, anggap saja bahwa akan ada hari

lainnya, saya akan merasa lebih cemas.”

[10.164] Beberapa menit kemudian, Carmen dan dua sepupu Maria mulai menyajikan

makanan ke atas meja: sepiring taco, burrito, pasta pedas, dan enchilada: tamale, daging

panggang, makanan pedas, ikan filet khas Veracruz, dan semangkuk salad. Ketika ibunya

mulai menata makanan di atas meja, Maria melambaikan tangannya.

[10.165] Ibu – ini terlalu banyak,” protes Maria. Bahkan Colin juga terlihat terkejut saat

semua piring-piring itu tiba.

[10.166] “Makanlah apapun yang kamu mau,” jawab Carmen dalam bahasa Spanyol. “Kami

akan membawa semua itu kembali ke belakang dan membereskannya. Orang-orang akan

menghabiskannya.”

[10.167] “Tapi…”

[10.168] Carmen melirik ke arah Colin, kemudian berganti ke arah Maria. “Adikmu benar,

dia sangatlah menawan.”

[10.169] “Ibu!”

[10.170] “Ada apa? Dia tidak mengerti ucapanku.”

[10.171] “Bukan itu persoalannya!”

[10.172] “Senang melihatmu bahagia. Ayahmu dan aku mencemaskanmu. Kau terus saja

bekerja.” Carmen tersenyum sebelum pandangannya berpaling pada Colin.

[10.173] “Colin? Apakah itu nama Irlandia?”

[10.174] “Saya tidak tahu.”

[10.175] “Apakah dia beragama Katolik?”

[10.176] “Saya belum menanyakannya.”

[10.177] “Apa yang kalian bicarakan?”

[10.178] Ibu tidak akan mengerti, pikir Maria. Dan Ibu juga tidak ingin mengetahuinya. “Itu

tidak sopan berbincang seperti ini di depannya, Ibu.”

[10.179] “Tentu saja,” ibunya menjawab, meletakkan piring terakhir di antara gelas Maria

dan Colin.

[10.180] “Kamu benar.”

[10.181] Beralih ke bahasa Inggris, Carmen tersenyum pada Colin. “Selamat menikmati,”

katanya.

[10.182] “Terima kasih.

[10.183] Beberapa saat kemudian, tinggal mereka sendirian dengan banyak sekali makanan di

meja mereka.

[10.184] “Aromanya sangat lezat,” kata Colin.

[10.185] “Apakah kamu bercanda? Ini gila! Siapa di dunia ini yang dapat menghabiskan

makanan sebanyak ini?”

[10.186] “Kamu terdengar putus asa.”

[10.187] “Tentu saja saya merasa putus asa. Kita seharusnya bisa saja memesan apa yang ada

di menu, tetapi sebaliknya, ibuku melakukan kebiasaannya.”

[10.188] “Apa kebiasaannya itu?”

[10.189] “Saya masih mencari tahu. Untuk membuatmu terkesan? Atau untuk

menyambutmu?”

[10.190] “Itu adalah hal-hal yang baik.”

[10.191] “Saya tahu tapi dia cenderung berlebihan.”

[10.192] Maria melihat Colin memandang dari piring satu ke piring lainnya dan dia

menunjuk ke arah ikan filet. “Saya rasa ibuku membuatkan ini khusus untukmu. Itu adalah

ikan bakar, dengan tomat, zaitun, dan kismis. Cobalah.”

[10.193] Colin mengambil dua potong dan menambahkan sayuran ke piringnya. Maria juga

mengambil sepotong dan juga salad, tetapi juga menambahkan setengah enchilada. Sisanya

tidak tersentuh. Ketika Colin mencoba ikannya, dia mengetukkan garpunya ke piringnya.

[10.194] “Ini sulit dipercaya,” katanya. “Tidak heran Ibumu adalah bosnya.”

[10.195] “Dia handal.”

[10.196] “Bisakah kamu memasak ini?”

[10.197] Maria menggelengkan kepalanya. “Saya harap. Saya tidak sebaik Ibu saya, tetapi

saya mulai belajar dasar-dasarnya di dapur bagaimana cara membuatnya. Saya juga

menikmatinya, tetapi setelah beberapa saat, orang tua saya berpikir jika saya lebih baik

menunggui meja. Mereka berpikir jika saya diharuskan berbicara dengan orang asing itu akan

mengurangi sifat pemalu saya.”

[10.198] “Lagi-lagi soal malu?”

[10.199] “Sebenarnya, menurut pendapatmu, itu berhasil. Dan jika kamu ingin tahu, saya

adalah pelayan yang handal.”

[10.200] Colin tertawa, dan selama beberapa jam, mereka mengobrol dari topik satu ke topik

lain, seperti film kesukaan mereka, dan tempat-tempat yang ingin mereka kunjungi; Colin

bercerita pada Maria tentang keluarganya dan begitu juga sebaliknya. Setiap kali Maria

berbicara, Colin mendengarkan dengan sungguh-sungguh, pandangan matanya tidak pernah

berhenti memandang Maria.

B. Source Text

[9.1] Colin

[9.2] “Really?” Evan called out, leaning over the porch rail as Colin crossed the yard.

[9.3] “You went running again?”

[9.4] Colin was still breathing hard as he veered toward the porch, finally slowing to a walk.

He pulled up his shirt to wipe his face before peering up at his friend. “I didn’t run earlier

today.”

[9.5] “You worked out this afternoon. And this morning.”

[9.6] “That was at the gym.”

[9.7] “So?”

[9.8] “It’s not the same,” he answered, knowing that Evan really didn’t care one way or the

other. Instead, he nodded toward the front door.

[9.9] “Why aren’t you inside with Lily?”

[9.10] “Because my house smells.”

[9.11] “What does this have to do with me?”

[9.12] “How about the fact that I can smell the stench from your clothes wafting up through

the vents like a green, putrid fog? Instead of heading out to run, you should have done a load

of laundry. Or better yet, you should start burning your workout clothes on a daily basis. Lily

actually thought there was a dead mouse in the pantry. Or that the sewage had backed up.”

[9.13] Colin smiled. “I’ll get right to it.”

[9.14] “Hurry up. And then meet me back over here. Lily wants to talk to you.”

[9.15] “Why?”

[9.16] “I have no idea. She wouldn’t tell me. But if I was to guess, I’d say it’s about your

girlfriend.”

[9.17] “I don’t have a girlfriend.”

[9.18] “Whatever. The point is, she wants to talk to you.”

[9.19] “Why?

[9.20] “Because she’s Lily,” Evan said, sounding exasperated. “She probably wants to ask

whether you’ve handwritten a card to Maria with fancy calligraphy. Or she’ll offer to help

you select the perfect silk scarf for Maria’s birthday. Or she wants to make sure you use the

right spoon for your soup if you take her to the country club. You know how she is. But she

brought home an extra bag, and she won’t tell me what’s in it.”

[9.21] “Why not?”

[9.22] “Stop asking questions that I can’t answer!” Evan sighed. “All I know for sure is that

every time I tried to make my move, she told me that I had to wait. Because of you. And just

so you know? I’m not happy about it. I was really looking forward to tonight. I needed

tonight. I’ve had a crappy day.”

[9.23] “Okay.”

[9.24] Evan scowled at Colin’s answer.

[9.25] “Why was it crappy, you ask?” he said, mimicking Colin. “Gee, thanks for asking,

Colin. I appreciate your empathy. You plainly care about my well-being.” He stared down at

his friend.

[9.26] “It turns out that there was a terrible jobs report this morning, and the market tanked.

And though I have no control over those things, I was nonetheless on the phone all afternoon

with upset clients. And then, I get home and my house smells like a locker room, and now I

have to wait for her to talk to you before my night can really begin.”

[9.27] “Let me change first. I’ll be over in a couple of minutes.”

[9.28] “I surely hope not,” Lily said to Colin, suddenly appearing next to Evan on the porch,

wearing a yellow sundress. She slid her hand into her fiancé’s and smiled up at him sweetly.

[9.29] “You wouldn’t think of letting him come over without a chance to shower, would you,

Evan? The poor man is practically soaked through. We can surely wait a few more minutes.

Merely allowing him to change his clothes wouldn’t be proper.”

[9.30] When Evan didn’t answer, Colin cleared his throat. “She does have a point, Evan. It

wouldn’t be proper.”

[9.31] Evan glared. “Fine. Go shower. And start your laundry. And then come over.”

[9.32] “Oh, don’t be so hard on him,” Lily scolded. “It’s not his fault that you invested your

clients’ money in the wrong companies.”

[9.33] She secretly winked at Colin.

[9.34] “I didn’t invest in the wrong companies! It wasn’t my fault! Everything was down

today.”

[9.35] “I’m just teasing you, sugar,” she drawled. “I know you had an awful day and that it

wasn’t your fault. That mean old Mr. Market just took advantage of you, didn’t he?”

[9.36] “You’re not helping,” Evan said.

[9.37] Lily turned her attention to Colin again.

[9.38] “Have you spoken to your lady friend today?” she asked.

[9.39] “I talked to her before I went running.”

[9.40] “Did you bring flowers to her office like I recommended?”

[9.41] “No.”

[9.42] “Candy?”

[9.43] “No.”

[9.44] “Whatever am I going to do with you?”

[9.45] “I don’t know.”

[9.46] She smiled before tugging Evan’s hand. “We’ll see you in a few minutes, okay?”

[9.47] Colin watched them head back inside before entering his apartment. He stripped on his

way to the bathroom and added his clothes to the laundry pile, noting that Evan was right.

The pile reeked. He started a load of laundry and hopped in the shower.

[9.48] Afterward, he threw on a pair of jeans and a T-shirt before making his way back to

Evan’s.

[9.49] Evan and Lily were sitting beside each other on the couch. Of the two, it was clear that

Lily was the only one who was happy Colin was there.

[9.50] “Colin! I’m so pleased you could join us,” Lily said, rising from her spot, obviously

ignoring the fact that they’d just talked. “May we offer you something to drink?”

[9.51] “Water, please.”

[9.52] “Evan? Will you please get Colin some water?”

[9.53] “Why?” Evan asked, leaning back, his arm over the top of the couch. “He knows

where it is. He can get his own water.”

[9.54] Lily turned toward him.

[9.55] “It’s your home. And you’re the host.”

[9.56] “I didn’t ask him to come over. You did.”

[9.57] “Evan?”

[9.58] The way she said his name made it plain that Evan had no choice in the matter.

[9.59] That and the way she looked, of course. She was not only far and away the most

beautiful woman Evan had ever dated, but she was well versed in the ways of using her

appearance to her advantage.

[9.60] “Fine,” he grumbled, rising from the couch.

[9.61] “I’ll get him a glass of water.”

[9.62] Evan slouched off toward the kitchen.

[9.63] “With ice, please,” Colin called out.

[9.64] Evan scowled over his shoulder before Colin took a seat in the easy chair across from

Lily.

[9.65] “How are you this evening?” she asked.

[9.66] “Okay.”

[9.67] “And Maria?”

[9.68] Earlier on the phone, Maria had told him what had happened with her boss, Ken

Martenson and as he’d listened, Colin had found his jaw beginning to clench. Though he’d

kept his voice steady, he’d imagined having a little talk with Ken, the kind that made it clear

that it was in Ken’s best interest to stop bothering her. He hadn’t said that to Maria, but when

he found himself grinding his teeth after hanging up, he’d thrown on his workout gear and

gone running.

[9.69] It wasn’t until he’d nearly finished his run that he’d begun to feel normal again.

[9.70] That wasn’t, however, what Lily had asked him.

[9.71] “I spoke to her just a little while ago.”

[9.72] “And she’s doing well?”

[9.73] He thought about her job situation, but it wasn’t his place to share that information. It

was her life, her story, not his.

[9.74] “I think she was glad to hear from me,” he said truthfully.

[9.75] “You hadn’t called her?”

[9.76] “I called her Sunday night. After I talked to you and Evan.”

[9.77] “And you didn’t call her on either Monday or Tuesday?”

[9.78] “I was working.”

[9.79] “You could have called on the way to or from work. Or on your break. Or on your way

to class or the gym.”

[9.80] “Yes.”

[9.81] “But you didn’t.”

[9.82] “No. But we’re going to lunch tomorrow.”

[9.83] “Really? Some place special, I hope.”

[9.84] “I haven’t really thought about it.”

[9.85]Lily didn’t bother to hide her disappointment. Evan reentered the room with a large

glass of ice water. He thrust it out for Colin.

[9.86] “Thanks, Evan,” Colin said. “You didn’t have to do that. I could have gotten it.”

[9.87] “Ha, ha,” Evan answered as he sat back down. Then, to Lily: “Now, what did you want

to talk to him about?”

[9.88] “We were discussing his lunch date tomorrow. Colin has informed me that he and

Maria will be dining together.”

[9.89] “My advice? Make sure your car starts,” Evan said.

[9.90] Lily glanced with disapproval in his direction.

[9.91] “My primary concern has to do with his date this weekend, and I wanted to discuss the

matter with him.”

[9.92] “Why?” Evan asked.

[9.93] “Because the first true evening one spends with the other is a critical time in any

relationship,” she answered, as though it were obvious.

[9.94] “Had Colin simply invited Maria to dinner or perhaps to walk the promenade

downtown, I would have no worries at all. Or had he suggested that the four of us go out

together, I’m sure that the conversation would be so engaging that Maria would have a

wonderful time as well. Alas, Colin is going to be on his own and he’s bringing Maria to a

club, though I am certain that issue has already been addressed.”

[9.95] Evan raised his eyebrow.

[9.96] Colin said nothing.

[9.97] Lily focused her attention on Colin again. “I asked you to visit with us this evening

because I was curious if you have any experience or even familiarity with salsa dancing.”

[9.98] “No.”

[9.99] “Then, most likely, what you also don’t know is that salsa is a partner dance.”

[9.100] “That’s what dancing is, ”Evan cut in. Lily ignored her fiancé.

[9.101] “Salsa dancing can be very enjoyable if the couple practices together,” she explained.

“But since that’s not possible in this situation, you will have to do the best you can, and there

are things you have to know. Like the way to move your feet, or lead your partner in a spin,

or offer her the chance to separate and perform a few moves on her own, all the while making

it feel as though it is a natural part of the dance all along. If you don’t do those things, it will

be almost impossible to impress her.”

[9.102] Evan laughed. “Who say she wants to impress her? Colin doesn’t care what

anyone thinks —”

[9.103] “Go on,” Colin said, cutting him off.

[9.104] Evan turned toward him in surprise while Lily sat up straighter.

[9.105] “I’m pleased you understand the dilemma you’re in. What I’m trying to tell you is

that you need to learn the basics.”

[9.106] For a moment, neither Colin nor Evan said anything.

[9.107] “And just how is he supposed to learn the basics?”

[9.108] Evan finally asked.

[9.109] “We live in Wilmington. I highly doubt there are any salsa dance instructors who will

clear their schedules in the next couple of days so my friend here won’t embarrass himself.”

[9.110] Lily leaned over, reaching for the small bag that had been placed next to the couch

and pulling out an assortment of CDs.

[9.111] “These are salsa albums, and you’ll need to listen to them. I called my old dance

teacher and she was more than happy to send a few samples. Nothing is very recent, but

that’s not important. Salsa is more about speed and rhythm – the beat, so to speak – than

melody. And as for the instructor, I will be more than happy to help Colin learn what he

needs to know.”

[9.112] “You know how to salsa dance?” Evan asked.

[9.113] “Of course,” she answered. “I danced for almost twelve years, and at various times,

we focused on alternative dancing.”

[9.114] “Alternative?” Evan asked.

[9.115] “I grew up in Charleston. Anything other than the shag or the waltz is considered

alternative,” she said, as though this were the kind of thing any civilized Southerner would

know.

[9.116] “But really, Evan. You need to let Colin ask the questions. He’s barely been able to

say a single word.” She turned to Colin. “Would you allow me to be your instructor for the

next couple of days?”

[9.117] “How much time are we talking about?”

[9.118] “I’ll show you a few things tonight – the basic steps and movements, turns, and how

to lead your partner through a spin – so you know what you’ll be working on. After that,

we’ll need three hours tomorrow evening, and another three hours on Friday evening. After I

finish work and change, so beginning around six. And obviously, you should practice in your

spare time before you get here.”

[9.119] “Will that be enough?”

[9.120] “It’s not nearly time enough to be good. Or even average. To be truly proficient at

any form of dancing can take years. But if you focus and do exactly what I tell you, it just

might be enough for your date on Saturday.”

[9.121] Colin took a sip of water, not answering right away.

[9.122] “Don’t tell me you’re actually considering this, “Evan said to him.

[9.123] “Of course he’s considering it. He knows I’m right.”

[9.124]Colin lowered the glass to his lap

[9.125] “Okay,” he said. “But I’ll have to get someone to cover my shift on Friday night.”

[9.126] “Wonderful.” Lily smiled.

[9.127] “Wait,” Evan said, turning to Lily. “I thought we were going out on Friday.”

[9.128] “I’m very sorry, but I’m going to have to cancel. A friend needs my help, and I

honestly can’t decline. He’s been so sweet about asking.”

[9.129] “Seriously? Don’t I get any say in this?”

[9.130] “Of course you do,” Lily said. “You’ll be here both nights, too. As well as tonight,

obviously.”

[9.131] “Here?”

[9.132] “Where else?”

[9.133] “I don’t know. A dance studio, maybe?”

[9.134] “Don’t be silly. There’s no need for that. But I will need you to move the furniture in

the living room. You’re right about us needing space to work. And you’ll be responsible for

the music, too– skipping back or forward when I tell you, starting the song over, things like

that. We really need to maximize the use of our time. You’ll beamy little helper.”

[9.135] “Little helper?”

[9.136] She smiled at him. “Did I mention that salsa dancing can really make a woman feel…

sensual? And that the feeling can last for hours afterwards?”

[9.137] Evan swallowed, staring at her. “I’d be glad to help.”

[9.138] “You folded like a cheap suit,” Colin said. He and Evan were moving the couch to

one side of the room while Lily went to the bedroom to fetch the proper pair of shoes, with

just the right heel height, and change her clothes. Lily never did anything halfway.

[9.139] “Whatever it takes to help friend.”

[9.140] Colin smiled. “Okay.”

[9.141] “And after we’re done, you’re going to help me put the furniture back.”

[9.142] “Okay.”

[9.143] “And you’re not going to ask to stay longer to practice, either. You’re out of here by

nine o’clock.”

[9.144] “Okay.” They set the couch down. “I don’t know how she talks me into things like

this.” [9.145] Colin shrugged. “I think I have a pretty good idea.”

[9.146] Once the furniture was out of the way and the area rug rolled up, Lily pulled Colin

into the center of the room. Evan sat glumly on the couch, books and a lamp and assorted

knickknacks on the cushion beside him. Lily had changed into tight white jeans, a red silk

blouse, and apiary of shoes that probably cost more than Colin earned in a week. Though she

was Evan’s fiancée and Colin’s friend, Colin was aware that she fairly oozed sex appeal.

[9.147] “Don’t get too close, Colin,” Evan called out.

[9.148] “Hush, now,” Lily told him, all business. “You maybe wondering why I changed,”

she said to Colin.

[9.149] “Not really,” Colin answered.

[9.150] “I changed so you can watch what my feet are doing. As I mentioned, I’m going to

show you the most basic step, upon which much of salsa dancing is based. It’s one you can

always fall back on, no matter what Maria is doing. Does that make sense?”

[9.151] “Yes.”

[9.152] “Before we begin, I’m making the assumption that Maria knows how to salsa dance.”

[9.153] “She told me she used to dance all the time.”

[9.154] “Perfect.” Lily moved beside him, both of them facing the window, allowing Evan a

profile view.

[9.155] “That means she’ll be able to follow your lead. Are you ready?”

[9.156] “Yes.”

[9.157] “Then watch my feet and do exactly what I’m doing, “she said. “Step out with your

left foot – that’s a one count –then shift your weight onto the toe of your right foot –that’s

two – now bring the left foot back to its starting position – that’s three – and pause for a beat

– that’s four.” She demonstrated and Colin did the same. “Now, step back with your right

foot– that’s five – shift your weight to the toe of your left foot – six – then bring your right

foot forward again to its starting position – seven –and pause again for a beat. That is eight.

And you ‘redone.”

[9.158]Again, Colin followed her lead.

[9.159] “That’s it?”

[9.160] She nodded. “Let’s do it again, okay?”

[9.161] They did. Then did it again. And again and again, repeating the movement overhand

over as Lily counted from one to eight, and then a dozen more times, and then gradually

speeding up, and then continuing without counting. They took a break, then started slowly

from the beginning, gradually speeding up again. Once he felt he was getting the hang of it,

Lily stopped and watched as Colin continued.

[9.162] “That’s perfect, “she said, nodding. “You have the steps now, but the real key to this

is not to be so bouncy. Right now, you ‘removing like a ruffian marching through the swamp.

You want to be smoother, like a blossom slowly beginning to open. Keep your shoulders at

the same height throughout the steps.”

[9.163] “How do I do that?”

[9.164] “Use more hips,” she said. “Like this.”

[9.165] As she showed him what she meant –gliding through the movements, her hips

sashaying back and forth, her shoulders level throughout –Lily was right about the dance

being sensual. From the corner of his eye, Colin noted that Evan was sitting up straighter and

staring at Lily, though she didn’t seem to notice.

[9.166] “So now, let’s do the exact same thing again, this time with some music, and

concentrate on being smoother.” She turned toward Evan. “Sugar? Would you mind starting

the song over?”

[9.167] Evan shook his head, like man trying to wake up from dream.

[9.168] “What? Did you say something?”

[9.169] They danced for a little more than two hours. In addition to the basic step, Colin

learned how to turn, and at that point, they began to dance together. Lily showed him where

to place his right hand (on her upper back, just below her arm, he reminded himself), and she

showed him how to lead her through three different spins by making tiny signals with his left

hand, which required him to take slightly different steps before falling back into the basic

foot falls again.

[9.170] Through it all, she reminded him to glide and use his hips, maintain eye contact, keep

in rhythm with the beat, stop counting out loud, and smile. It required more concentration

than he’d imagined. Afterward, they put the furniture back in place and Colin made to leave.

Lily held Evan’s hand as Colin stepped onto the porch.

[9.171] “You did very well tonight,” Lily said.

[9.172] “You have a natural rhythm when it comes to dancing.”

[9.173] “It’s a bit like boxing,” he observed.

[9.174] “I surely hope not,” she said, sounding almost offended.

[9.175] He smiled. “Tomorrow night, right?”

[9.176] “Six o’clock sharp,” she said. She handed him a CD.

[9.177] “This is for you. Tomorrow, whenever you have extra time during the day, I insist

that you practice your steps and turns and pretend to lead your partner through a spin.

Concentrate on your hand signals, and try to be smooth. It would be most unproductive if we

had to start over.”

[9.178] “Okay,” he said. “And Lily?”

[9.179] “Yes?”

[9.180] “Thank you,” he said.

[9.181] “You’re welcome, Colin.”

[9.182] She smiled. “I’d be remiss, however, if I didn’t take the opportunity to address

another issue that has recently come to mind.”

[9.183]Colin waited expectantly.

[9.184] “Concerning your lunch on date tomorrow with Maria, I’m sure I don’t have to

remind you that you’ll be meeting her in a professional setting, which requires a more formal

manner of dress. Nor, I hope, do I have to remind you that as much as you love your car,

there is nothing less inviting than a cluttered interior, or a car that won’t start. Am I correct in

my assumptions?”

[9.185] I’ve tried to fix my car for reasons other than Maria, but now that you mention it…

[9.186] “Yes,” he answered.

[9.187] “I’m pleased,” she said, nodding. “A woman, after all, has certain expectations when

it comes to courting. Now, as far as the flowers go… have you decided what to bring?

Knowing that different bouquets might carry with them various assumptions?”

[9.188] Lily sounded so serious that it was hard for Colin not to smile.

[9.189] “What do you recommend?”

[9.190] She raised a manicured hand to her chin. “Well, considering that the two of you are

still getting to know each other, and that it’s only a lunch date, a bouquet of roses is far too

formal, and lilies –while lovely – are much more suited to the spring. Carnations, obviously,

convey nothing at all other than being an inexpensive choice, so that simply won’t do.”

[9.191]Colin nodded. “Makes sense to me.”

[9.192] “Perhaps a simple autumn bouquet, then? With a mixture of yellow spray roses,

bronze daisies, and maybe just a stem of red hypericum?” She nodded thoughtfully. “Yes,

that strikes me as perfect for this occasion. You’ll need to ask to have the flowers arranged in

a vase, obviously, so she can place it in her office, but it’s clearly the right choice for this

occasion, don’t you think?”

[9.193] “Without a doubt.”

[9.194] “And make sure to order them from Michael’s Florist. He’s really quite an artist

when it comes to arrangements. Call him first thing in the morning and mention my name.

He’ll know what to do.”

[9.195] Evan smirked, clearly enjoying this and probably suspecting that Colin would be no

different than he was when it came to Lily and her requests. And because Evan knew him

better than anyone, Colin finally nodded.

[9.196] “Okay.”

[9.197] In the morning, Colin rose early and was pleased to find that the old Camaro started

on the first turn of the key. He put in a hard workout at the gym – plyometrics and barbell

work, jumping rope, and long intervals on both theheavy and speed bags. On the way back to

his apartment he stopped by a Dumpster and cleared the clutter from his car. At home, with

his muscles still warm and loose, he popped in one of Lily’s CDs and spent half an hour

practicing his salsa steps, amazed that he hadn’t forgotten anything. He was surprised again at

how much concentration it required.

[9.198] He downed a protein smoothie and showered, then dressed in dark slacks, loafers, and

a button-down shirt, leftovers from his courtroom days. He’d put on serious muscle since

then and the shirt was too tight in the chest and arms, but it was the best he could do.

Standing in front of the mirror, he thought to himself that, aside from the top being a bit snug,

Evan might as well have dressed him. The outfit was ridiculous, especially since he’d be on a

campus where shorts and flip-flops were the norm. Though he knew that Lily wouldn’t have

approved, he rolled the cuffs, exposing a bit of his forearms. Better. More comfortable, too.

His classmates either didn’t notice or didn’t care about his dress, and he listened and took

notes as always.

[9.199] No Serena afterward, as they only had classes together on Mondays and Wednesdays.

With a few extra minutes, he called the florist and ordered an autumn bouquet, whatever the

hell that was. From there he trudged off to a classroom management class, aware that he

hadn’t stopped moving since the alarm had gone off, his regular routine in tatters.

[9.200] His final class of the day ended at a quarter to noon. By then, the sun was high, and

with Indian summer hanging on, he walked slowly to his car, trying not to sweat. He stopped

at the florist on the way to the address Maria had given him, and as if fate was toying with

him, it took two turns of the key and a bit of pedal pumping to get the engine going. All he

could do was keep his fingers crossed.

[9.201] Martenson, Hertzberg & Holdman occupied its own building, a relatively modern

structure a couple of blocks from the Cape Fear River and smack-dab in the middle of the

historic district, with parking on both sides of the building. On either side and across the

street, the buildings ran together, one shade of brick giving way to another, storefronts dotted

with awnings. He pulled into a spot only a few slots away from Maria’s car, and next to a

shiny red Corvette.

[9.202] He grabbed the vase of flowers – remembering Lily and her phrase certain

expectations – and then thought about Ken and the problems he was causing. He wondered if

the guy would be around; he wanted to put a face to a name. As he locked his car, he

suddenly saw the entire morning as account down to the time when he could finally see Maria

again. Surprising no one more than himself, he realized that he’d missed her.

CHAPTER 10

[10.1] Maria

[10.2] With Barney holed up in his office, readying himself for trial, Maria was on double

duty. She spent the morning touching base with clients, doing her best to ensure that each one

felt their case was still a priority.

[10.3] Every half hour or so, their paralegal, Lynn, would enter with even more documents or

forms to be filed, and though it was all Maria could do to keep up, staying busy had the

benefit of keeping her from fretting about her lunch date.

[10.4] Or, more accurately, how her parents were going to react when they met Colin. For

starters – and unlike Luis –

Colin was a gringo, and while it wasn’t that big of a deal for people in her generation, her

parents were probably going to be surprised. Allowing them to meet Colin meant the

relationship was getting serious, and they’d probably always assumed Maria would only

seriously date someone who was Mexican. Everyone in her family – even relatives by

marriage – was Mexican, and there were cultural differences. Her family celebrated every

family get together with a piñata for the kids, listened to mariachi music, watched telenovelas

obsessively, and spoke only Spanish among themselves.

[10.5] Some of her aunts and uncles spoke no English at all. She knew it wouldn’t necessarily

be a problem for her parents, but they’d probably wonder why Maria hadn’t mentioned

Colin’s background. The rest of her family’s opinions about it would probably fall along

generational lines, with the younger relatives more likely to shrug off the idea as in

consequential. Still, she had no doubt that it was going to be a topic of conversation among

the family at the restaurant, one that would probably continue long after Maria and Colin said

goodbye.

[10.6] Those things she could deal with. What she wasn’t sure she could handle was any

discussion concerning Colin’s past, which she knew was unavoidable. Ordinary conversation

ensured it, and what was going to happen if either her mom or her dad started asking him

questions today? She supposed she could head off the answers by stating that they were

simply friends and steering the conversation in another direction, but how long could she

keep that up? Unless their relationship petered out after Saturday – and Maria admitted that

she hoped it wouldn’t – Colin’s past was going to come up. And what had Serena said about

that? I don’t even want to be in the same state when you drop that little bombshell. To her

parents, it wouldn’t matter that she was a grown woman; they’d make their displeasure

known, assuring themselves that they were doing the right thing, since it was obvious that

Maria had no idea what she was getting herself into. And the crazy thing was, her parents

were probably right.

[10.7] “You have a visitor,” Jill said.

[10.8] Maria was hanging up with Gwen, the receptionist, who’d just shared the same

information when Jill appeared in her doorway, a hand bag already over her shoulder.

[10.9] “I just heard,” she answered, noting that it was a quarter past twelve. “I don’t know

where the morning went. It feels like I just got here.”

[10.10] Jill smiled. “I take it that you and Colin are going out?”

[10.11] “Yeah, about that,” Maria said. “I’m sorry I didn’t have a chance to tell you earlier

that I had plans, but I’ve been slammed all morning. I barely had a second to breathe.”

[10.12] “No worries,” Jill said, waving it off.

[10.13] “I remember the whole work-till-you-drop drill when Barney’s getting ready for trial.

Actually, I was coming by to tell you that I was planning to surprise Paul at his office and

make him take me out.”

[10.14] “Are you sure you don’t mind?”

[10.15] “Not about lunch. But I do wish you had warned me that Colin was coming by. I

would have had Paul come by here, too, so he could see for himself what eating right and

working out will do for a man.”

[10.16] “Paul’s fine.”

[10.17] “Easy for you to say. Look at who’s waiting for you in the lobby. Paul, on the other

hand, is getting a little soft and he doesn’t even care. And I know he doesn’t care, because

I’ve been dropping little self-improvement hints. As in, ‘Put the cookie down and hop on the

treadmill, for God’s sake.’”

[10.18] “You don’t really say that.”

[10.19] “No, but I think it. It’s the same thing.”

[10.20]Maria laughed as she gathered her things and stood.

[10.21] “Do you want to walk with me?”

[10.22] “That’s why I’m still waiting. I also want to see your face when you find out.”

[10.23] “Find out what?”

[10.24] “You’ll know soon enough.”

[10.25] “What are you talking about?”

[10.26] “Come on,” Jill said. “And make sure you introduce us. I want to tell Paul all about it,

especially if your beau flirts with me.”

[10.27] “Colin’s not really the flirting type.”

[10.28] “Who cares? The truth is, I just want to get a closer peek at him. To make sure he’s

good enough for you, of course.”

[10.29] “That’s very kind of you.”

[10.30] “What are friends for?”

[10.31] As they started down the hall way, Maria took a deep breath, feeling her worries

reassert themselves. Thankfully, Jill didn’t notice, her mind clearly elsewhere.

[10.32] “Hold up a second,” she said. Maria watched as Jill reached into her hand bag.

Pulling out her lipstick, she applied some before dropping it back into her bag.

[10.33] “Okay,” Jill said, “now we can go.”

[10.34] Maria stared at her. “Really?”Jill winked. “What can I say? First impressions matter.”

[10.35] Up ahead, Maria watched as two paralegals suddenly rounded the corner from the

lobby, whispering excitedly to each other like a couple of high schoolers. Jill nodded toward

them.

[10.36] “Now do you understand what I mean? You were definitely holding out on me. That

is one gorgeous man.”

[10.37] “He’s not that good looking.”

[10.38] “Uh… yeah. He is. Now come on. You’ve got a date and you shouldn’t be late.”

[10.39]As soon as Maria spotted Colin in the lobby, her stomach did a little flip-flop. He was

facing the opposite direction – waiting for her, she realized – and from the back he could

have passed for a young lawyer, albeit an exceptionally fit one with visible tattoos. When

Maria glanced toward the receptionist, she noted that Gwen was trying hard not to stare at

Colin while she worked the phone.

[10.40] Colin must have sensed their presence, and when he turned, Maria caught sight of a

lovely assortment of flowers; oranges and yellows, with a burst of red in the center. Her

mouth dropped open slightly.

[10.41] “Surprise,” Jill whispered, but Maria was too shocked to hear it.

[10.42] “Oh,” she finally said.

[10.43] “Hi.” Beginning to approach, she was only vaguely aware that Jill had remained

behind. Up close, his clean scent mingled with that of the flowers.

[10.44] “New clothes?”

[10.45] “Freedom clothes,” he answered.

[10.46] “They probably kept me out of prison.”

[10.47] She smiled, amused. Andin the next instant, she thought, And I can’t believe his

answer doesn’t worry me. But she didn’t want to think about that. Instead, she nodded at the

flowers. “For me?”

[10.48] “Yes,” he said, handing them over.

[10.49] “It’s an autumn bouquet.”

[10.50] “They’re beautiful. Thank you.”

[10.51] “You’re welcome.”

[10.52] “Let me put them in my office. I’ll be right back and then we can go.”

[10.53] “Okay.”

[10.54] Behind her, she heard Jill clear her throat and she turned. “Oh, this is my friend Jill.

She’s an attorney here, too.”

Jill approached and he offered his hand. “Hi, Jill.”

[10.55] “Hi, Colin.” She took his hand, her demeanor friendly yet professional.

[10.56] “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

[10.57] Leaving them to chat, Maria hurried back to her office, noticing the two paralegals

who eyed her with touch of envy as she passed them. She tried to remember the last time

someone had bought her flowers. Aside from a single rose that Luis had given her on

Valentine’s Day after they’d been dating for a year, she couldn’t remember a single instance.

[10.58] Setting the vase in a prominent place in her office, she returned to the lobby just in

time to catch the tail end of Jill and Colin’s conversation.

[10.59] Jill turned. “I hear you’re a much better photographer than you let on. Colin says you

took an amazing shot of some porpoises?”

[10.60] “He’s being overly kind,” Maria said.

[10.61] “I get lucky every now and then.”

[10.62] “I’d still like to see it.”

[10.63] “I’ll e-mail it,” she said.

[10.64] Then, to Colin: “Are you ready?”

[10.65] Colin nodded, and after saying good-bye to Jill, they headed down to the parking lot.

[10.66] “Your friend is nice,” Colin remarked.

[10.67] “She’s great,” Maria agreed. “If it wasn’t for her, I would have eaten alone at my

desk since I’ve been here.”

[10.68] “Until today,” Colin said with a smile.

[10.69] “How are things at work?”

[10.70] “I’m buried,” she admitted. “But I’m hoping things will slow down. My boss is going

to be out of the office this afternoon and tomorrow”

[10.71] “If that’s the case, I wouldn’t recommend throwing a massive party and trashing the

office in his absence. I’ve learned that it tends to irritate people.”

[10.72] “I’ll keep that in mind,” she said as he opened the car door for her.

[10.73] She slid into the Camaro.

[10.74] Once Colin was behind the wheel, he leaned toward her, keys in hand. “I was

thinking we could head over to one of the restaurants downtown? We’d probably be able to

get a table outside with a great view.”

[10.75] Oh yeah, she thought. About that. Maria fiddled with the seatbelt, wondering how

best to explain it.

[10.76] “It sounds wonderful,” she ventured, “and ordinarily, I’d love to go. But the thing is, I

was over at my parents’ house last night when you called, and I happened to mention that we

were going to lunch, and…” She exhaled, deciding to simply come out with it. “They’re

expecting us to have lunch at the restaurant.”

[10.77] Colin tapped his car key on the seat.

[10.78] “You want me to meet your parents?”

[10.79] Not really. Not yet, anyway. But… She wrinkled her nose, unsure how he would react,

hoping he wouldn’t be angry. “Kind of.”

[10.80] He slipped the keys into the ignition.

[10.81] “Okay,” he said.

[10.82] “Really? It doesn’t bother you? Even though we just met?”

[10.83] “No.”

[10.84] “Just so you know, it would bother a lot of guys.”

[10.85] “Okay.”

[10.86] “Well… good,” she said.

[10.87] He said nothing right away. Finally: “You’re nervous.”

[10.88] “They don’t know you like I do.” She inhaled slowly, thinking, Now for the hard

part. “When you meet them, you have to understand that they’re old-fashioned.

My dad has always been protective and my mom worries, and I’m afraid that if they start

asking questions…”

[10.89] When she trailed off, Colin finished for her.

[10.90] “You’re worried what I’ll say to them. And how they’ll react.”

[10.91] Though she didn’t answer, she suspected that he already knew what she was thinking.

[10.92] “I won’t lie to them,” he said.

[10.93] “I know,” she said. That’s the problem. “And I won’t ask you to lie. I don’t want you

to lie, but it still makes me nervous.”

[10.94] “Because of my past,” he said.

[10.95] “I wish I wouldn’t have had to say anything to you, and I’m sorry. Logically, I know

that I’m an adult and I should be able to date whomever I want and it shouldn’t matter what

they think. But it does. Because Instill want their approval. And believe me, I know how

awful that sounds.”

[10.96] “It doesn’t sound awful. It sounds normal.”

[10.97] “You don’t need approval.”

[10.98] “Evan would probably say that I’m not normal.”

[10.99] Despite the tension, she laughed before getting quiet again. “Are you mad at me?”

[10.100] “No,” he answered.

[10.101] “But you’re probably offended.”

[10.102] “No,” he said again.

[10.103] “What are you feeling, then?”

[10.104]He didn’t answer right away.

[10.105] “I feel… flattered,” he finally offered.

[10.106] She blinked. “Flattered? How on earth could you feel flattered?”

[10.107] “It’s complicated.”

[10.108] “I’d still like to hear it.”

[10.109] He shrugged. “Because you told me how you were feeling, even though you

suspected it might hurt my feelings. And you told the truth. And you did both those things

from a place of vulnerability and concern, because you want them to like me. Because you

care about me. That’s flattering.”

[10.110] She smiled, half from surprise and half because he was right. “I think I’m going to

give up trying to predict anything about you ever again.”

[10.111] “Okay,” he said. He twisted the key and the engine rumbled to life. Before he

slipped it into gear, he turned toward her. “So what do you want to do?”

[10.112] “Go to lunch? Hope for the best?”

[10.113] “Sounds like a plan.”

[10.114] La Cocina de la Familia was located a few blocks off Market Street in an aging strip

mall, but the parking spaces in front of the restaurant were full. As they approached the front

door, Colin struck her as being as calm as ever, which only put Maria more on edge. He

reached for her hand. She clasped his in return, like someone clutching a life preserver on a

listing ship.

[10.115] “I forgot to ask whether you even like Mexican food.”

[10.116] “I remember that I used to like it a lot.”

[10.117] “But you don’t eat it anymore? Because it’s not healthy, right?”

[10.118] “I can always find something to order.”

[10.119] She squeezed his hand, liking the way it felt in hers.

[10.120] “My mom said she’s going to make us something special. Which means you might

not get the chance. That said, I did tell her that you liked healthy food.”

[10.121] “It’ll be fine,” he said.

[10.122] “Do you ever worry about anything?”

[10.123] “I try not to.”

[10.124] “Well, when we’re done, you’re going to start giving me lessons, all right? Because

lately, that feels like the only thing I’m doing.”

[10.125] He pulled open the door and she led the way inside.

[10.126] Her uncle Tito immediately approached, obviously excited she was here, rambling

in Spanish. After greeting her with a kiss, he shook Colin’s hand and reached for the menus

before leading them to a booth in the corner. It was the only open table in the place, which

meant that her parents must have been saving it.

[10.127] Once they were seated, her cousin Anna brought glasses of water and a basket of

chips and salsa to the table.

[10.128] Maria chatted with her briefly and introduced Colin a second time. When Anna left,

Maria leaned across the table.

[10.129] “I’m sorry,” she said. “I don’t come in as much as I should. They’re probably as

excited as my parents.”

[10.130] “How many of your relatives work here?”

[10.131] “Right now?” She made a quick scan of the place, spotting another uncle at the bar

and a couple of aunts waiting on tables. “I’d guess there’s probably six or so. But I’d have to

ask my parents to be sure.”

[10.132] He surveyed the restaurant. “It’s busy in here.”

[10.133] “It always is. Over the years, we’ve had to expand the restaurant three times. When

it first started, there were only eight tables.”

[10.134] As she answered, she saw her parents emerge from the kitchen and she sat up

straighter. [10.135] “Okay, they’re coming. My parents, I mean.”

[10.136] When her parents reached the table, she kissed her mother, then her father, all the

while hoping they wouldn’t make a spectacle.

[10.137] “This is my friend Colin,” she said. “These are my parents,

Felix and Carmen.”

[10.138] “Hi,” Felix and Carmen said, almost in unison, both of them plainly giving him the

once-over.

[10.139] “It’s a pleasure to meet you both,” he said.

[10.140] “Maria says you’re a student?” Felix said, jumping right in. “And that you work as a

bartender?”

[10.141] “Yes,” Colin responded.

[10.142] “Serena’s actually in a couple of my classes. I work at Crabby Pete’s, down by the

beach.”

[10.143] Then, no doubt thinking of Maria’s worries and not wanting to get drawn into a long

conversation about his past, he motioned around the restaurant. “This is an incredible

business you’ve built. How long has it been around?”

[10.144] “Thirty-one years,” Felix answered, a trace of pride in his voice.

[10.145] “Maria said you’ve had to expand over the years. That’s impressive.”

[10.146] “We’ve been blessed,” Felix agreed. “Have you eaten here before?”

[10.147] “No,” Colin admitted. “But Maria says your wife is an amazing chef.”

[10.148] Felix stood a little straighter. “She is the best,” he said, glancing over at Carmen.

[10.149] “Of course, because of that, she sometimes believes that she is the boss.”

[10.150] “I am the boss,” Carmen said in somewhat broken English.

[10.151] Colin smiled, and after more small talk, Maria watched as her dad reached for her

mom’s arm. “Let’s go. We should let them visit,” Felix said.

[10.152] After saying good-bye, Maria watched her parents start back toward the kitchen.

“You know they’re in there talking about you right now with Tito and Anna and all the rest of

them. Aside from Luis, you’re the only guy I’ve ever brought here.”

[10.153] “I’m honored,” he said, and she had a feeling he actually meant it.

[10.154] “It wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be,” she added.

[10.155] “They’re gracious people.”

[10.156] “Yes, but I’m still their daughter. And they didn’t ask any hard questions.”

[10.157] “Maybe they won’t.”

[10.158] “Oh, they will eventually. Unless, of course, we never see each other again.”

[10.159] “Is that what you want?”

[10.160] Maria dropped her eyes for a moment.

[10.161] “No,” she said. “I’m glad we’re here. And I’m happy we’ll be spending some time

together this weekend.”

[10.162] “Which means?”

[10.163] “That the next time we’re all together – assuming there will be a next time – I’m

going to be even more nervous.”

[10.164] Minutes later, Carmen and two of Maria’s cousins began ferrying food to the table:

plates of tacos, burritos, mole poblano, and enchiladas; tamales, carne asada, chiled relleno,

tilapia Veracruz, and a bowl of salad. As her mom began placing the dishes on the table,

Maria waved her hands.

[10.165] “Mom – this is way too much,” Maria protested. Even Colin appeared to be

surprised as all the plates began to arrive.

[10.166] “Eat what you want,” Carmen answered in Spanish. “We’ll bring the rest of it to the

back and set it out. People will finish it.”

[10.167] “But…”

[10.168] Carmen glanced at Colin, then back to Maria. “Your sister was right. He’s very

handsome.”

[10.169] “Mom!”

[10.170] “What? He doesn’t understand me.”

[10.171] “That’s not the point!”

[10.172] “It’s just good to see you happy. Your dad and I have been worried. All you ever do

is work.” She smiled before her gaze returned to Colin.

[10.173] “Colin? Is that an Irish name?”

[10.174] “I have no idea.”

[10.175] “Is he Catholic?”

[10.176] “I haven’t asked him.”

[10.177] “What do you talk about?”

[10.178] You have no idea, Maria thought. And you don’t want to know. “It’s not polite to

talk in front of him like this, you know.”

[10.179] “Of course,” her mom said, squeezing the last plate between their water glasses.

[10.180] “You’re absolutely right.”

[10.181] Switching to English, she smiled at Colin. “Please…enjoy,” she offered.

[10.182] “Thank you. We will.”

[10.183] A moment later, they were alone, mountains of food spread before them.

[10.184] “It smells delicious,” Colin said.

[10.185] “Are you kidding? This is ridiculous! Who on earth could eat this much food?”

[10.186] “You sound upset.”

[10.187] “Of course I’m upset. We should have been able to order off the menu, but instead,

my mom had to do her thing.”

[10.188] “What’s her thing?”

[10.189] “I’m still trying to figure it out. To impress you? To make sure you feel welcome?”

[10.190] “Those are good things.”

[10.191] “I know, but she tends to overdo it.”

[10.192] She watched as Colin’s gaze moved from one plate to the next, and she pointed at

the tilapia. “I think my mom made this one special for you. It’s just baked fish, with

tomatoes, olives, and raisins. Go ahead and serve up.”

[10.193] He took a couple of filets and added some salad to his plate; she also took one of the

filets and salad, but added half an enchilada. The rest remained untouched. When Colin tasted

the fish, he tapped his fork against his plate.

[10.194] “This is unbelievable,” he said. “No wonder she’s the boss.”

[10.195] “She is good.”

[10.196] “Can you cook like this?”

[10.197] She shook her head. “I wish. I’m not nearly as good as my mom, but I started in the

kitchen and I learned the basics on how to make everything. I enjoyed it, too, but after a

while, my parents thought it would be better if I learned to wait tables. They thought that

being forced to talk to strangers would help me overcome my shyness.”

[10.198] “Again with the shy?”

[10.199] “Obviously, in your estimation, it worked. And if you’re curious, I’m an excellent

waitress.”

[10.200] He laughed, and for then ext hour they bounced from one subject to another – their

favorite movies and the places they one day wanted to visit; he told her a bit more about his

family and she did the same. Whenever shes poke, he listened with quiet concentration, his

eyes never leaving hers.