Tenzin banged on the roof of the Jeep a second before she opened the door and slid inside. “It was raining up there!” She didn’t look annoyed. She looked thrilled.
“Well, it’s a rain forest.”
“I’m so curious to see your grandmother’s garden. I bet she can grow everything here.” Tenzin was constantly frustrated by the limitations of growing vegetables on their roof garden in New York. “I’m quite envious.”
“Please remember that you’re just now meeting her for the first time ever and know nothing about her at all, especially anything personal.”
Tenzin frowned. “Right. We’ll see how that goes.”
“This is going to be a disaster.”
“Disaster seems a bit dramatic.”
They drove the last five miles to the Rios family home with a light mist falling around them. The night was warm but damp. Ben wore a pair of tan linen trousers and a light blue guayabera shirt he’d picked out in Quebradillas the day before when he realized he didn’t have any dress clothes that hadn’t been left behind or destroyed.
He glanced over at Tenzin. “You’re wearing a dress.”
“You said it was a party.”
“Probably it’s a party.” Why did she have to look so damn beautiful? She’d washed her hair and it smelled like coconut. The dress fell to her knees, leaving her arms and shoulders bare. It was bright green and yellow.
“You look great,” he muttered.
“You look nice too. Did you shave?”
He rubbed a hand over his neck. “Just trimmed a little.”
“That’s good. Neck beard isn’t a good look for you.”
“Thanks.”
“You were looking like a cave creature a few days ago. Your skin is very nice and brown now.”
“I tan quickly.”
“I don’t.”
Ben couldn’t help the laugh. “Yeah, tanning’s not really a good idea for you, is it?”
“Definitely not.” She was staring at him.
“What?”
“Does it feel strange to have family you share blood with?”
Ben tried to imagine how long it had been since anyone blood-related to Tenzin had been alive. “I don’t know. They’ve always been this distant… thing. This memory in the back of my mind. Ideas more than real people. Meeting Liza—and meeting my grandmother—it makes them real.”
“But not according to them, because you’re not going to tell them you’re Benjamin Rios. You’re Ben Vecchio.”
“Exactly.”
“And who am I?
“You erased Abuela’s memory?”
“Yes.”
He smiled. “Then you’re Tenzin. You’re you.”
“And how do we know each other?”
“Uh… we’re friends. From New York.”
“Do they know we’re business partners?”
Shit. This was going to get interesting. “No. They think I’m here as a tourist, so I didn’t tell them we’re partners. I just called you my friend.”
“Okay. We’re friends.” She nodded. “Being tourists together.”
“Yes.” Shit shit shit. “And… Liza maybe thinks you’re my girlfriend. I didn’t tell her that, she just thinks it for some reason.”
Tenzin frowned. “Why would she think that?”
Because I stupidly didn’t know what to call you right after you’d bitten me and dry-humped me in the caves.
“No idea.” He cleared his throat. “Yeah, it’s weird. She probably has an active imagination. Maybe she thinks anyone traveling together has to be together, you know?”
“Okay, so she thinks I’m your girlfriend.”
“I didn’t tell her that, so—”
“Do you want me to kiss you while we’re there? Otherwise show you physical affection?”
GOD YES.
“Nope.” He shook his head. “Not… not necessary, Tiny. Just be normal.” What did that even mean with her?
She shrugged. “It’s not a problem. From what I can tell, Puerto Ricans are a culturally affectionate people. Public displays of affection would be very normal.”
Ben made the last turn and nearly considered driving right past the house.
Sadly, it was a dead-end road.
“Kill me now.”
The Rios house was set back on a hill, two stories of soft-pink stucco with a carport underneath a wide balcony above. Colorful lights were hung across the balcony, music was playing, and half a dozen cars already crowded the front of the house.
He stared at the house. “It looks like they’ve been planning a party for weeks.”
Tenzin said, “It appears they’re not social hermits like us.”
“I like being social hermits.”
“You didn’t used to be.”
That was true. Before Ben had moved to New York he went out a lot. He had lots of human friends—mostly children of day people—along with vampire friends. He’d lost touch with most of them when he moved.
There was a staircase along the side of the house, lined with bright potted plants and leading up to the second-floor balcony. Ben and Tenzin walked upstairs. The sky had cleared and stars had started to break through the clouds. Ben could see hibiscus, plumeria, and potted ferns spilling over the side of the balcony.
“It’s old, but it’s very beautiful.”
Ben could see damage from the hurricane. Parts of the stucco had broken off in the wind and the rain. Stairs were cracked and some of the trees were still a little bare. But he could also see that the house was spotless and well built.
This is where your father grew up.
He walked onto the balcony and looked around with trepidation.
This is where he played with his sister.
There were at least a dozen people milling around. Old people. Little people. Neighbors.
These are the people he knew.
The music was loud, but the guests were laughing and a couple in the corner danced. Others stood around a barbecue, drinking beer and arguing about football. A few curious glances drifted their way along with a few smiles, but no one approached them. He felt Tenzin slide her hand into his, and he squeezed it for reassurance.
Just then Liza came out of the house carrying a tray of drinks with limes squeezed on top. “Ben!” She passed the drinks off to a friend and came over to embrace him. “So great to see you.” She stuck out a hand. “You must be the mysterious friend.”
“Tenzin.” She smiled a little, keeping her teeth covered. “I’ve heard a lot about you. Thank you for inviting us.”
“You’re very welcome. Nice to finally meet you.” Liza was finally out of her uniform. She was dressed in a pair of denim shorts and a bright yellow top. Her hair was pulled up in a wild ponytail instead of bound back in a tight bun.
Her hair is curly like mine.
His cousin turned and waved at the crowd. “I hope you don’t mind. When Grandma started talking about what she wanted to cook, it sounded like enough for a small army, so I invited some neighbors.”
“It’s fine.” More people meant less attention on him. “Looks fun.”
“Everyone knows you’re visiting from New York and most of them speak English, so you’ll feel at home. Do you want a drink?”
“Please.” He’d been cutting back, but this evening definitely called for liquor. “Anything with rum is good.”
Liza laughed. “You sure you’re not Puerto Rican?”
Tenzin said, “People ask him that all the time.”
“I’m sure they do.”
Liza turned to find drinks for them, and Tenzin pulled him down to whisper in his ear. “You look scared to death. Relax. No one is here to judge you, and they have no idea who you are.”
“I know.” He looked around. “My father grew up here. I could have lived here.”
“Yes.” Her eyes locked with his. “But you didn’t. You chose something different. Are you sorry?”
Ben opened his mouth, but nothing came out.
Tenzin cocked her head.
“Maybe tonight,” he whispered, “just a little bit… yes.”
Tenzin put her hand on his cheek. “You don’t have to apologize for that.”
“I love my life.” He blinked back unexpected tears. “I do, Tenzin.”
“I believe you.” Her voice dropped to a whisper. “But maybe some days it would have been easier to be Benjamin Rios and live in this normal house on this beautiful island with this human family.”
He nodded. He couldn’t speak.
“It’s okay to feel regret.” Tenzin’s eyes took on a distant gaze. “Just don’t let it live in your heart.”
“If I were Benjamin Rios,” he said. “I wouldn’t know you. Or Giovanni. Or Beatrice.”
“No, you wouldn’t.”
He stood up straight and wrapped her in his arms. Bending down, he said, “You may drive me crazy sometimes, but I’ll never regret knowing you.”
“I’ll remind you of that when I need to,” she said. “For now, your cousin is coming and she has three other people with her. Prepare to socialize.”
27
It took nearly an hour for Ben to make his way down to the first floor where his grandmother held court in the kitchen.
“This is her throne room.” Liza laughed. “I have to ask permission if I want to light the stove. She’s going to be so excited you’re here.”
Liza led him down around the garage to the back of the house where the sunny kitchen he’d seen in photographs was located.
“Abuelita, abuelita,” Liza sang. “Ben está aquí.”
The old woman from the pictures turned toward him, and Ben felt his heart seize.
She’s going to recognize me. Even blind, she’s going to know.
“Ben!” She rose with her arms out like Ben was an old friend. “Finally! Girls, this is the giver of gifts. The one who gave Liza the birds for me.”
A chorus of older women responded.
“So sweet!”
“You’ve been wanting more birds. You mentioned it three weeks ago at church.”
“They’re perfect for you.”
“God sent them. Obviously.”
His grandmother’s English was clear, but more heavily accented than he remembered. He wanted to hear her speak Spanish—wanted to speak it with her—but he couldn’t. Not if he wanted to maintain the illusion he’d created. “It’s so nice to meet you, Mrs. Rios.” He accepted her hug and tried not to hold on too long. “I’m so glad you like the birds.”
“Sit, sit.” She waved to the table. “Luz,” she said in quick Spanish, “move your big backside and give this boy someplace to sit.”
“You’re so rude.” Luz cackled. “He’s a handsome one,” she responded in Spanish. “Is that why Liza brought him home?”
“Don’t be silly; he’s traveling with his girlfriend.” Abuela switched back to English. “Ben, you must call me Ana Lisa. And this is Luz and Rocío and Alice. They live on this street with me. We’re the old-lady gardeners.”
“Don’t call me old,” Rocío said. “You’re the only one here who admits that, Ana.”
“He needs some food,” Alice said. “Liza, get him a plate. He’s much too thin.”
Ben watched mostly in silence as they chattered and served him a giant plate of mofongo with chicken and a heaping spoonful of salad on the side. They talked about their gardens and the children upstairs. They asked about Ben’s family and what he did in New York.
“I’m in art research,” he said. “I work with my uncle. We deal in antiquities.” Ben drank it all in. His grandmother bustling around the kitchen. Mashing more mofongo as her friend cut fresh fruit and people darted in and out to grab plates and bites behind his abuela’s back.
“That sounds fascinating,” Luz said. “How did you get into that business?”
“It’s a family business,” Ben said, digging into the food. “Following in my uncle’s footsteps, I guess.” He watched Ana Lisa carefully anytime she went near the stove.
Tenzin was right. If she hadn’t told Ben his grandmother was blind, he never would have guessed it. She had a few tells, the way she reached for things and put them back carefully. The way her head would tilt to the side to take advantage of her peripheral vision.
“That’s good that you work with your uncle,” Abuela said. “Family is so important.”
“I agree.” His heart hurt looking at her.
You would have taken good care of me. You would have given me a good life.
“You know, I have a grandson in New York,” his abuela said. “He loves art too. You won’t believe me, but he knew every single placard at the Metropolitan Museum when he was only ten!”
Ben couldn’t even speak.
Alice nudged him. “She tells that story all the time. Every single sign.” Her eyes twinkled. “Can you imagine?”
“No.” Ben managed to speak. “Sounds like someone I should hire.”
“His name is Benjamin too.” Ana Lisa turned back to the stove. “Like your name. One of these days I’m going to fly up to that city and take his father over my knee until he gets me my grandson’s phone number.”
Ben could see the lines of sadness around Luz, Alice, and Rocío’s eyes. This was something they’d heard before. Ben would bet his life on it.
“Ana, you’re not mashing that mofongo enough.” Luz rose and shoved Ben’s grandmother to the side. “Show the boy where the birds are living now.”
“Fine, fine.” She waved Ben over, and they walked out to a sunroom off the kitchen where tropical plants flourished in containers and Señor Camino’s birds sang and whistled. They hopped around the cage when Ana and Ben entered the sun room.
“There are my lovies,” Ana Lisa said. “Look at them. Such sweet babies.”
Señor Camino’s birds were living in a veritable paradise now. Climbing vines surrounded their cage, and flowers bloomed everywhere.
“This is the part of the house that had the most damage after the storm,” Ana Lisa said. “But we’re lucky because it was also easy to fix it. I kept lots of extra materials from the men who built it.”
“Your house seems like it weathered everything really well.”
“Thanks to God.” She raised a hand. “The way the land is here, our hill protected us, but it was very terrible. Luckily, this is an old, old house and it was very well built. It’s seen many, many storms. Lots of neighbors stayed here too. It’s a safe place.”
“I can feel that,” Ben said. “I’m glad you have it.”
He walked over and watched the birds hop around the cage. They sang out as soon as Ana Lisa approached.
“I let them out sometimes. They like flying around all the flowers. They’re perfect to keep me company.”
“I’m so happy you were able to keep them.” Ben glanced at his grandmother, who was looking straight toward the birds, though he knew she couldn’t see a thing. “They belonged to the grandfather of a friend. He lived in an apartment in San Juan. He passed away really suddenly, but he loved them.”
“Do you know what their names were?”
“I don’t. I’m sorry.” He nodded toward the cage. “But he kept them right by the window near his balcony. So I’m sure they love the view here.”
“They do have a beautiful view up the hill with all the fruit trees and the gardens.”
“I wish I’d come by during the day.” Torches were lit in the backyard, but he couldn’t see much. “I’m sure it’s amazing.”
“You’ll just have to come back another time. Everyone is welcome here. Come anytime you’re hungry. You know, I grow almost everything we eat here. Did Liza tell you that?”
“She told me you were a great gardener.”
“I’m not great. I just know how to grow food. Do you know how to grow food?”
“I don’t. But… um, Tenzin. She does. She has a big garden on the roof of our building. She grows a lot. She’s pretty amazing.”
“That’s goo
d. Everyone should know how to feed themselves.” She picked up a handful of seeds. “Here. You can feed them. They’re sweet. You know, Rocío, she has a granddaughter who has a real farm on the island. She and her husband are teaching classes on how to grow things. It’s a good, good thing. More people need to learn.”
Ana Lisa chatted about recovery efforts in their neighborhood and the area. She sat at the bright red table in the middle of the room and told him all about her life. About Liza’s life and work. About their neighborhood and their family. Ben sat across from her and just listened.
He spotted Tenzin in the doorway between the sunroom and the kitchen. He waved her in. “Ana Lisa, this is Tenzin.”
Ana Lisa rose and walked over to Tenzin. “I saw you from the corner of my eye. Your dress is so bright and pretty.” She embraced her. “Thank you for coming.”
To Tenzin’s credit, she didn’t stiffen up with the embrace. In fact, she looked delighted. “I love your home.”
“You’re welcome anytime.”
“I very much want to see your garden.”
Ana Lisa laughed. “Ben mentioned you were a gardener too, but trying to garden in the city…” She shook her head. “It’s one of the reasons I could never live there.”
She led Tenzin back to the table and pulled out another chair. Her movements were so effortless Ben was in awe.
“It’s not easy.” Tenzin turned to Ben. “I’m going to build a glass house like this. It’s really the only option.”
“That’s fine,” he said. “Build a glass house if you want. I’m not going to argue.”
Ana Lisa asked, “So you two live together?”
“Yes, but—”
“We do.” Tenzin scooted closer to Ben and put her hand on his thigh. “I am his girlfriend.”
Ana Lisa smiled. “Liza wasn’t too sure about that.”
“I am. And we live together. And our friend Chloe lives with us too, but neither of us are sexually involved with her. It’s not that kind of arrangement.”
Kill me now. Please kill me now. Ben closed his eyes and refused to look at his grandmother’s face.
“Well…,” Ana Lisa said, “you must have a lot of space in your apartment.”
Ben cleared his throat. “It’s a loft. We have a loft. With lots of rooms. For friends.”
Blood Apprentice: An Elemental Legacy Novel Page 27