Discovery

by Douglas E Roff

  “Maybe I’ll just leave it at ‘momma’s boy’ for now. Fragile male ego you know.”

  Misti smiled her radiant smile, lighting up Adam’s heart. “Normally, I think of most men as childish, selfish little boys who just want their own way. Haven’t decided about you though. Right now, based on what I now see, it could go either way.”

  “Is that good or bad?”

  “We’ll see,” was her deft reply.

  “I suppose you know what that really means, don’t you?”

  “Of course. I’m a woman.”

  ***

  Adam entered the first floor to an immaculate home, tastefully furnished and appointed but seemingly lacking in the warmth he had expected given that this was once the home of the Alarcon family, late of Oaxaca, Mexico. Adam suspected, based on the little he knew of the Alarcon family dynamic, that Misti had probably renovated after her Dad had departed for the condos of Blaine, Washington. Chrome and glass coupled with Scandinavian minimalist furniture with its sleek modern lines that left some people cold wouldn’t have been the style of choice for either Carlos or his now deceased wife, Misti’s mom. But Misti didn’t appear to be the traditional type in most respects, but then again, what did he know?

  Misti was silent on the way up navigating from floor to floor, pausing at intervals as if to show Adam something, then abruptly moving on. On the fourth floor, Adam saw what he might have envisioned as “pure Alarcon”, the family living space. It was warm and comforting, traditional in its essence, and filled from wall to wall with family photos and mementos from the old country, family vacations and happier times.

  One wall was covered entirely with trophies, ribbons and awards for athletic achievement. As Adam looked closer and went from trophy to trophy, he discovered these were not Carlos’ bowling trophies but Misti’s martial arts awards. He was impressed.

  “I never knew that you were into martial arts. Not this much anyway. When did you get started?” Adam asked.

  Misti had wandered off into her master bedroom but returned quickly when Adam began asking questions. Her sweater was no longer in evidence, but she most certainly was. As difficult as it had been not to be rude and simply stare at his cousin before, he was even more challenged now that they were at her home and in relax mode.

  Misti was a small woman, certainly not more than the 5’1” he had originally gauged, with a curvy frame and ample endowment that made fools out of most guys. If she weighed ninety pounds, he would have been surprised but she was obviously fit and toned and she looked like a teenage gymnast. Adam’s mind wandered as he thought about his younger cousin, that skinny, scrawny little girl, and remembered how protective he felt towards her as a child.

  As kids they had spent time together as a part of the larger family outings and occasional lunches with Carlos and Edward and the Clans of the Eight Families. Strange, as he remembered it, that Misti’s mom was seldom in attendance. But family gatherings and fun lunches had ended rather abruptly when Adam was eleven and Misti was eight years old.

  Adam had done something to a teenager who had been bothering his little eight-year old cousin at a picnic in a park one warm spring day. It had changed the kids’ lives forever, though neither ever knew why. The topic seldom came up as time went on and it was one of those things that both his Mom and Dad had simply chosen to forget. They urged him to follow suit and, for once, he did.

  “You really didn’t know that I took up ju-jitsu as a kid? You did too, didn’t you?” Adam had long been trained in ju-jitsu at his father’s insistence but not by his father. There were others who undertook his training, along with Rod and Cindy. The boys were good, but Cindy was exceptional. Cindy was as much a savant in the martial realm as Adam was in academics.

  “Sure. And so, did Cindy and Rod. Dad was the one who pushed us in that direction. I think he was bullied as a kid growing up and my grandfather thought that self defense was not forbidden in the Baptist Church. My grandmother was apparently not happy about fighting and such. I guess she was our family pacifist.”

  “Sounds like my mom and Cindy’s mom too.”

  “You know Cindy? And Julia?”

  “Of course. Cindy and I used to compete together in tournaments but not in the same weight class. Daddy and Mr. Eagan used to drag us all over the place for tournaments.”

  “Dad never mentioned that. Neither did Mom. I wonder why?” Adam did know some of this; he just thought he’d see whether the stories he had heard at home matched up with Misti’s.

  “No reason to, I guess. Your daddy put Papa and Mr. Eagan together so Cindy and I could compete together as friends, but it wasn’t all smooth sailing. You know how Papa is and Mr. Eagan is a cop, so that was always tricky. But Edward insisted that they try to get along and paid for all the travel, the training and the competitions. He said if we were that good, and we were, we should compete and grow our skills. I like Mr. Eagan a lot but I really love Cindy’s mom. I used to be jealous of Cindy that way. My mother, God rest her soul, was a little cold, usually sick and dreadfully sad. Cindy’s mom was just the opposite.”

  “Did she travel with you too?” Adam’s interest was piqued. He had no idea that the Barrows Bay Eagan’s knew the Seattle Alarcon’s. How could that be? Cindy never said a word about Misti; only that she, Cindy, was off to one tournament or another.

  “No, Aunt Julia always usually stayed home. I think she couldn’t bear the sight of her little girl fighting. Neither could Mother. But Daddy and Mr. Eagan were a different story. So was Uncle Edward.”

  “How so?” Adam’s interest was now high.

  “Your Dad was involved with Cindy and me all our lives. Special classes, training, better education and travel. A lot of travel. And not just us. It was everyone in the Eight Families. All the kids and even some of our moms. We got to do so much, see so many things and discover whole new worlds that our parents could never begin to imagine. Or afford. Edward paid for all of it and the only thing he ever asked for in return was to be allowed to be a part of our big rambunctious family. Your Dad is a superstar in Seattle, but I guess you already knew that.”

  “Actually, I’m just hearing most of this for the first time. I’m not surprised that he was so deeply involved, only that he never told me. Was my Mom involved too?”

  “Not so much in that way. She was always talking to the ladies, but she was very busy with work, a husband and two children.”

  “Three if you count my Dad.”

  “I know. But I wanted to tell you that even though you and I are just now connecting for the first time in many years, I have always been very close to your father and see him as my second papa. You may not know this, but we were very close when I was a child and he meant and still means the world to me.”

  Adam stopped looking at the trophy wall and walked back into the living room where Misti was now comfortable lounging on the couch. He sat down on the far opposite end, as if being closer was somehow wrong and forbidden.

  “You know …” Adam started to speak, then stopped. “You probably don’t know, or maybe you do, that I have and always have had a … complicated relationship with my Dad. I mean, he’s my Dad, and I love him, but he has this way, this fucked up way of getting into my head and screwing with me. We fight constantly and there are times I just want to punch him for being so secretive and obtuse. I watch him do great things in his work and wonderful things with our friends and family. Then he comes home and acts like I just robbed a bank and must be watched carefully. If it weren’t for Mom, I think we’d never speak. Without Mom, Dad would just be intolerable.”

  “I know.”

  “You know what?”

  “I know everything there is to know about you and your papa, except for a few things which are above my pay grade. But yes, I know how you are with your Dad. And I understand how you must have felt.”

  “No offense Misti,” Adam said, his irritability rising, “but I can’t imagine how you possibly cou
ld. You were never around Barrows Bay. And, besides, I thought you said you didn’t know that much about my story growing up?”

  “I know what I said but I wasn’t being totally honest. I don’t want to be the girl you come to just to learn more about your father. I want to be the new girl you want to get to know better right now. And I thought this might be a good time to do that. So, when tia called and said you needed a place to stay for a couple of days, I thought this would be a great opportunity to have you all to myself. Are you mad?”

  “No, not mad just a little confused as usual. And I’m very happy that you have invited me over for a stay; I’m glad we can have this chance to get to know each other again. It’s long overdue and maybe I can learn a few things that I’ve always wondered about.”

  “What would you like to know? Other than about your papa that is.”

  “Well, for one, why we were never allowed to see each other after I got in trouble that time in the park. When I was growing up, I didn’t think it was any big deal. But then later I thought maybe I had done something wrong, something to hurt you. I felt ashamed and thought that Mom and Dad just were too mad at me to talk about it. But whatever it was, I was sure I was responsible for it. And it seemed you never tried very hard to stay in touch either, so I just forgot about it as time went by and I left it alone.”

  “You didn’t do anything wrong, Adam. Neither did I, but there were reasons for what happened afterwards, and I can tell you about them sometime if you want. Maybe tomorrow after you’re settled.”

  “I’d like that,” he said quietly, looking her way and trying not to stare – again.

  Adam was intrigued by his brilliant and accomplished cousin. That she knew “secrets” only made her more appealing. And her beauty, as he was just beginning to apprehend, was as much on the inside as it was the outside.

  And the outside was breathtaking.

  Chapter 35

  Misti suddenly became animated and delighted, stood up and asked, “So, are you hungry, momma’s boy? Can I make you something?”

  “You’re offering to cook? I don’t recall that being on the family sourced list of your particular skill sets.” Adam was only partially kidding. Misti’s reputation as a cook ranged from “bad” to “horrible”. Among the ladies of the Eight Families, their advice to her was to marry well and hire a cook.

  Misti was indignant. “First of all, I cook. You bet I do, and well I might add. But I don’t normally cook for just any old guy who walks in off the street wanting to spend the night here in mi casa. Gives them the wrong impression about me and we can’t have that now, can we?”

  “No, we cannot. And I know if I’m very patient, you’ll probably get to the point sooner or later. So, are we ordering in?” Adam was serious but would have gladly accepted a peanut butter and jelly sandwich or dry toast from his cousin.

  “No! Of course not. I stopped off at Aunty Elena’s on the way to collect you and picked up fresh torta rolls. I’m making tortas de jamon. Con queso.”

  “Wow. Impressive. But isn’t that just a ham sandwich? With cheese?” Adam, whose aunties were exceptional in the kitchen, knew how to make excellent antojitos mexicanos, Mexican food. Misti’s culinary talents were largely confined to eating good Mexican food. Plus, Adam could cook, cook well and did so often. He learned how from his Mom and all the aunties in the Eight Families who spoiled him and loved having him in their kitchen.

  “No, it’s a torta de jamon con queso, and I’m making it for you. That’s what it is. And that’s why it’s different.”

  “All right then, thank you. I’m eager and filled with anticipation.”

  “Good. Now stop with your sarcasm and go take your shower. Dinner should be ready in an hour or so.”

  “An hour? Are you baking the tortas or still growing the wheat in the back yard?”

  “No, but I’m taking a shower too. With you. Conserves water. I’m an environmentalist.” Her comment was matter of fact and not in the form of a question. Misti wasn’t asking for permission.

  “You’re what?” Adam didn’t quite think he heard that right.

  “Don’t be such a baby. And don’t look so shocked. I won’t look, I promise. Unless you want me to, of course. Do you?”

  “Can we go back a step or two?” This wasn’t what Adam was planning for the evening. It was, however, what Misti was planning and had been for at least ten years.

  “Look, you asked what else I knew about you from the family gossip and would I please tell you some of it. So, here’s one.”

  “Which is?” Adam was expecting something evil about his father, or some dirt on Rafi, his favorite cousin.

  “OK. Is it true you did the la rubia five times in one-night last year in Hawaii? There were some miscellaneous anatomical references being discussed by the ladies too but really that ‘five times’ thing was the main item.”

  “How could anyone know that? I only told Rod; that’s it. I don’t talk about that kind of stuff. It’s gross. And exceedingly rude.”

  “I know, I know. I hesitate to even broach that subject but c’mon, five times in one night. Fact or fiction?”

  “No comment. And I mean it. No comment, no comment, no comment. Period, end of sentence. Punto. How did you …”

  “You’re a bona fide genius, I know. But totally unaware of how the real world works, I’m afraid. Did blondie teach you nothing? So, you told Rod, Rod told Cindy, who told Maria, who told Aunty Aurelia who told every girl in the Eight Families. We’re all very proud of you, actually.”

  “No, no. Not for that. For computer genius yes, for college degrees, yes. But not this! Seriously how can I ever face the family again without shame and embarrassment?”

  “Easy. You walk proud and tall knowing that we know you can handle the family business. Five days a week. Or one day a week, five times. Up to you.”

  She burst out laughing, enjoying his sweet naiveté something else she learned about him from the family pipeline. She thought his discomfort was delicious and something she would need to work to her maximum advantage and pure enjoyment. This could only happen once, so she needed it to be very special. For her, anyway. She knew what was about to happen. He only thought he did.

  He was going to enjoy his next few hours immensely she thought and as far as the torta de jamon was concerned, well, Adam was correct – it was just a ham sandwich after all.

  “Well there will be no couple’s showers tonight,” Adam said as definitively as he could. “Save that for your boyfriend. Besides, I still may have a girlfriend and I seriously doubt the family, our family, would approve. Especially your papa. Honestly, Misti, you should know better.”

  “Alright, alright if that’s what you want. But just to clarify, you don’t have a girlfriend right now even though you did a few months ago. And as far as family is concerned, I don’t see anyone here but you and me. But you’re very sweet and a true gentleman, so I’ll respect your decision.”

  She didn’t and wouldn’t, of course. If Misti Alarcon wanted to shower with Adam, odds were that was exactly what was going to happen. Adam’s protests to the contrary were adorable but ridiculous. Misti had waited a long, long time for this moment and had seen him in the buff in her shower many times in her over active imagination. But so far, only in her imagination.

  Misti had removed her sweater as soon as they arrived at the fourth-floor residence and she could see the looks and glances that Adam, always respectful and always a gentleman, was stealing when he thought she wasn’t looking. There were certain other outward indications too and she took notice of them as well. Adam may have been conflicted in his mind, which she thought was touching in a romantic sort of way, but Adam was still a young man and he had been deeply hurt. He wouldn’t, couldn’t, remain celibate forever over one gringa who had casually tossed him aside many months ago.

  Adam was simply unaware of when the period of mourning for a deceased relationship would be over. Misti w
as determined to help him discover the exact date and time.

  “So, you should shower in the Master Bedroom. There’s a manly man terrycloth robe behind the bathroom door, so feel free to relax and slip into that afterward. The shower is walk in, multiple showerheads and a tiled bench. Take your time, I installed one of those perpetual hot water heaters, so you can have an endless experience. If you’re not out in an hour, I’ll call 911.”

  She continued, “Your room is down the hall from mine, so your luggage and other stuff goes there. Come out when you’re done, and we can talk some more. I’ll behave. I promise.”

  Adam grunted assent and made a beeline for his room. He couldn’t prevent the auto response his body was experiencing but he could avoid temptation if he chose to. But his choice was lightly written in sand and his resolve in peril of full-on collapse. He could do something to forestall that, and he would, once he was in the shower and alone.

  He unpacked his stuff and had his kit ready for his post shower routine. A nice shave and a smoke and he would be right as rain.

  ***

  Adam turned on the shower and activated every shower head in the stall. The shower was huge, and as big as a sauna. As he stepped into the spray, his mind strayed into areas he had wished to avoid but the physical ramifications of what the body wants, when it wants it, cannot, sometimes, be denied.

  Adam couldn’t stop what had physically begun, though involuntary, the moment he first set eyes on Misti in that Mustang. It was chemical and biological and whole lot of other stuff he felt, maybe even knew intuitively, but couldn’t process in the short span of an hour or so.

  On the other hand, Misti was totally prepared. Adam wasn’t. It was just that simple.

  Misti had waited for this moment since she was eight and everything she had done, thought, planned and executed was in furtherance of this moment. Maybe not exactly as it turned out, but overall, it was pure Misti. From girl, to young lady, from high school through college, to the young woman who was standing but yards away from her Adam, right here and right now, God had surely intervened to make her most devout prayers come true.