by Paula Kay
“Sure.” Maria smiled and took Jemma’s hand.
Jemma sat across from Rafael at the small dining table in their shared kitchen. She’d had a nap after her walk with Maria and woken up to a cup of tea that Rafael had made her. She eyed him carefully now, grinning because she couldn’t get over how mischievous he looked. All day he’d been busy helping out with some type of big delivery that had arrived from the city, and now when she tried to press him about what it was, he was acting all funny and secretive about it.
“Okay, Raf—be that way. I’m sure Gigi will tell me what the heck the big secret is.” She laughed.
“I’m sure she will.”
She sipped her tea, thinking about the elephant in the room. They hadn’t really seen much of one another since everything had gone down the other night and she knew that she needed to say some things to Rafael—some serious things. She felt embarrassed to bring it up, but he deserved to know how grateful she was to him.
“Rafael.”
“Yeah.”
“About the other night.” He was looking at her so intently. “I just want you to know how much I appreciate everything you did for me.” She felt a heat in her cheeks. She had a vague memory of most of the night—her being sick, but also the kiss she’d tried to get from him—a kiss that he’d not returned.
“I’m just glad that I got there in time.”
“Me too. And I’m sorry—I’m sorry if I made you uncomfortable.” She looked away for a second, unable to meet his eyes. “At the end of the night, I mean.”
“You mean with the kiss?” He didn’t look away. Jemma appreciated his boldness and she was slightly surprised by it.
She looked down again, knowing that her unwillingness to look at him gave away the fact that she was more embarrassed than he was—and rightly so. It was she that had made a spectacle of herself. “Yeah.”
“Jemma, you know that it wasn’t that I didn’t want to kiss you, right? I’ve thought about kissing you ever since you arrived here last week.”
“You have?”
“I have.”
She wondered if he would kiss her now. She wanted him to kiss her now, but he didn’t make a move to get up from the table and she wouldn’t be the first to suggest it.
“I just know that you have a lot on your mind—a lot to figure out. And—well, it certainly wasn’t right the other night. I’d never take advantage of you like that. I care about you too much.”
There was the intense look again.
“Probably too much.” His voice was quiet.
“What do you mean?” Her voice was just as quiet and her heart was beating fast in her chest as she waited for him to answer.
“I just want you to figure out what it is you need—for you, I mean. And I just—I think that it will probably mean you’ll be leaving soon.”
Jemma was nodding. He was right. She would be leaving.
“And?”
“And mostly I care about our friendship. I’d like for us to be better friends, actually. And I don’t want to do anything to ruin that. Does that make sense?”
She was nodding her head slowly, the words that Chase had spoken to her so many times playing back in her mind—about finding a guy that cherished and respected her. Heck, she hadn’t even really known what that meant—until Rafael. She’d never known a guy like Rafael. Any woman would be lucky to have him for a boyfriend. And she was just as lucky to have him for a friend. She really understood that now.
Rafael got up from the table just as Gigi entered the house, a wide grin on her face as she made her way to the kitchen. Jemma got up too, making her way around the table to give Rafael a big hug.
“Thank you.” She pulled back to look him in the eyes. “You’re a great friend, Rafael.”
“Am I interrupting something here?” Gigi said once Jemma had pulled back from Rafael.
“No, I was just heading to my room,” said Rafael.
Jemma was certain that she saw a look pass between him and Gigi, and once again she felt as though she was on the outside of a secret. She gave Gigi a big hug when she walked over to where Jemma was standing.
“Will you come with me? I want to show you something before dinner.”
“Gigi, what is it? I feel like there’s something going on around here that everyone knows about except me.”
“Oh, who’s everyone?” Gigi was teasing her and Jemma was thankful that nothing felt awkward between them.
“Oh, I dunno. Just Rafael, all the boxes and now you.” Jemma laughed. “Okay, I’m ready anytime you are.”
Gigi took her by the hand and they headed out the door.
Chapter 25
Jemma stood in the center of the room, looking around her in amazement. It was the art studio that she’d dreamed of as a child. It was the very same studio that she remembered sketching on a big piece of paper with Gigi when she’d been there the summer that she was fifteen. She’d been trying to tell Gigi that they needed it at the orphanage—a place where the kids could create. And now she was standing in the center of the most beautiful room.
Large easels were set up in a semicircle around the room and there were shelf upon shelf of every art supply one could possibly need. Light was streaming in from the big windows and her favorite rock music was playing from a stereo in the corner. Hearing the music reminded her of her mother. Jemma’s taste in rock music was more modern than what Blu called the classics but they both loved to crank it up when they were really trying to focus on something.
Jemma walked over to one of the easels, running her fingers over the large blank piece of paper.
“I talked to a woman I know in the city who runs an art supply store. She assured me that you’d have everything that you need—there’s also the better quality paper over in the cupboards—for when you’re ready for that.”
Jemma was confused as she looked around the room and then over to Gigi, who was standing there with a wide grin across her face.
“Need for what? What is all this?”
“Well…” Gigi came over to take Jemma’s hands in her own. “I was hoping that you’d agree to teach the kids art—to run a class for them here.”
“But Gi—”
“Don’t worry. I know that you’ll probably be leaving us soon and that’s fine—well, it’s not fine but I understand.” She laughed lightly. “But we’ll continue to use it and it will be here for whenever you come back. I think it will be good for the kids—to have a place where they can come to create.” She winked at Jemma. “Don’t you think so?”
Jemma reached out her arms to hug Gigi close. “Oh I love it. It’s so beautiful. And yes—I’ll be happy to work with the kids. I think that sounds fun.” She was already thinking of some first projects that she might like to do with them.
“And of course, this room is yours to use as often as you like. I haven’t seen you sketching or painting in such a long time, so I was hoping that you hadn’t lost interest.”
“You’re right. It has been a long time, but you know what?”
“What, honey?”
“I think I really miss it.” She couldn’t wait to start painting something. “Thank you.” She leaned over to kiss Gigi on the cheek.
“You’re welcome.”
“I mean for everything. You and Douglas have done so much for me, and I’ve been such a spoiled brat.”
Gigi was smiling at her and laughing. “Honey, remember what I told you in the hospital?” She winked.
Jemma did remember and laughed along with her. “That I’d just lost my mind a little bit?”
“That’s right. And I think you’re coming around now.” Gigi put her arm around her as they made their way to the door.
With a flourish Maria set the two plates of lime pie down on the table in front of Jemma and Rafael. “I had to wait until Fernanda was going to the market in town to get the limes—that’s why there was a slight delay.” She grinned.
“Well, that looks fantastic,” Jemma said as she dug her for
k into the perfect-looking dessert.
“Oh, Maria’s pie is definitely worth the wait.” Rafael winked as he had his first bite. “I’m gonna miss you so much.”
Maria put her hands on her hips and did a fake pout with her lips. “Why, because I won’t be here to make you desserts any more?”
Rafael was nodding, but then he reached out to tug on the little girl’s hair playfully. “Just kidding, Maria. Seriously, it’s gonna be very weird without you here.”
Maria looked down for a second, and Jemma saw the tears before the girl quickly wiped them away. “I know. I’m gonna be sad too—even though I’m also excited to see my new home in America.”
Jemma patted the bench beside her. “Sit down for a second. I wanna tell you something.”
Maria obliged, sliding in close to Jemma to put her head against Jemma’s arm. “Yes, my dear Jemma.”
The gesture was so like something that Kylie would do, that Jemma burst out laughing. “You’re so silly.”
“I’m a regular comedian.” Maria raised her eyebrows up and down.
“That you are. So I wanted you to the be the first to know that we’re going to be starting an art class.”
“So you’ve seen the studio? I was wondering when Mama Gi was going to show you. Isn’t it wonderful?” Maria was grinning at her.
“So you were in on the secret?” Jemma reached over to tickle her for a second. “It is great, yes. I can’t wait to start teaching in there tomorrow. Can I count on you to be one of my star pupils?”
Maria got up off the bench and did a little curtsy. “But of course. I would be honored.”
Rafael and Jemma both laughed.
“And now, my friends, I must go back to work.” Maria bent down to give Jemma a hug before she ran off to do her kitchen duties.
Jemma looked at Rafael as Maria ran off. “She really is quite funny, isn’t she? I wonder where that comes from.”
“I don’t know. She’s always been our little entertainer around here. I’m going to miss her.”
Jemma thought Rafael looked sweet when he talked about the little girl. So many of the kids that had been at the orphanage for so long were like brothers and sisters, many of them young enough when they came that they didn’t remember a life without one another.
She was going to miss Maria also, even though she didn’t think she’d be at the orphanage for much longer herself. She knew now that she wanted to come back to visit. Not having Maria there when she did would be strange, but she had to be happy for the little girl who was excited about being adopted and having a family. Jemma would enjoy the next few days that they did have with her, and try to make them special for Maria.
Chapter 26
Everything seemed perfect to Jemma—the way the paintbrush felt in her fingers, the soft music playing in the background, the light streaming in through the windows—but the thing that felt the most perfect of all was the children standing at their easels, laughing as they made their first attempts to paint their self-portraits. Jemma was having the time of her life teaching the kids about color and the various ways that they could use the paintbrush or charcoal to express themselves.
She stood behind Maria while she worked, taking careful strokes with her brush and somehow creating something beyond what Jemma would have thought possible for a beginner. She leaned down to whisper close to Maria’s ear. “You are very talented. Remember that, okay?” Maria turned around to look at her with wide eyes. Jemma nodded.
She continued to make her way around the room. The children were there by choice. Gigi had announced to the older kids that the art class was now an option for them during what would normally be a study period. So far Jemma’s class consisted of eight girls and four boys.
She also had the toddlers coming in during the day to do art projects with her and one of the other volunteers. She loved getting messy with the two- and three-year-olds as they finger-painted and made their own masterpieces to hang up in the dining hall where everyone could admire them.
She walked back over to her easel in the corner of the room to work on her own self-portrait. She bit her bottom lip as she looked at what she’d done. It was almost complete, and there was something about it that wasn’t quite right.
Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Rafael in the doorway, leaning against the frame, smiling; he seemed to be taking in the room before he made his way over to Jemma.
“That looks amazing.”
Jemma smiled at him. “Do you think so? I feel like there’s something missing.”
Rafael studied the painting for several seconds. “It’s the light…”
“What do you mean?”
“It doesn’t have the light in your eyes—they look sort of flat, unhappy.”
Jemma winked at him. “I guess I must be painting a self-portrait of me when I first arrived, then.”
Rafael gave Jemma a slight hug and looked her in the eye. “Well, I don’t think that’s who you are now.”
Jemma followed his eyes as he looked at the children around the room, all of them deep in concentration of their paintings, with big smiles on their faces. She felt the broad grin on her own face and she knew that he was right.
“You’re right. I need a few more minutes, and I think this painting will be done.”
Rafael had a funny look on his face.
“What, Raf?”
“What are you going to do with it? The self-portrait?”
“I dunno. I was thinking of giving it to Gigi.”
“Oh.”
Jemma felt a lump in her throat. “You can have it if you want it.”
“Thank you. I’d like that.”
Jemma smiled and reached over to give Rafael a quick kiss on the cheek.
Chapter 27
It had been an eventful day. The party for Maria was a fitting ending to introduce her new family to everyone at Casa de los Niños and also a great way to let the children say goodbye to someone who had been a big part of their family there.
Jemma had been nearby when the Millers had arrived and they and Maria saw one another for the first time. Maria had been shy at first, but the tears and hugs that came quickly from Mr. and Mrs. Miller seemed to relax the little girl right away.
Soon after, Maria had run off with her new siblings to show them around the orphanage, and Jemma had been able to witness the breakdown that Mrs. Miller had with her husband from afar. She’d been overcome with joy and the realization that Maria was going to be their daughter. The whole scene had brought unexpected tears to Jemma’s eyes, and she’d felt privileged to witness it.
Now, at the party, Jemma watched Gigi and Douglas from across the room. Douglas’s arm was around Gigi and she was wiping tears from her eyes as they watched Maria with her new family. Jemma crossed the room to where they stood.
“Are you two okay?” She smiled at them, her own heart tugging as she thought about Maria not being there the next day.
“Yes.” Gigi returned the smile. “It’s hard to see her go and it doesn’t happen much around here—that the kids get adopted—but Maria’s going to have a good life with the Millers. I’m sure of that.” She looked at Douglas, who was nodding his head in agreement.
“Yes, they’re good people. She’ll be happy there,” he agreed.
Jemma was thoughtful.
“What is it, honey?” Gigi put her arm around her.
“Oh, I’ve just been thinking so much lately—about families.”
“They look all sorts of different ways, don’t they?” Douglas winked at her. “Gigi and I never could have conceived that our family could grow so big, but now I can’t imagine it any other way.”
Gigi laughed. “That’s for sure.”
Jemma watched Maria, playing and laughing with her new sisters and brothers across the room—her new family that was going to take her in and love her as if she was born to belong with them. She looked at Gigi and Douglas, who would also continue to love the child from afar, and she doub
ted that Maria would forget the years of love that they’d poured into her life at the orphanage.
“I think it’s time I make a phone call—to my mother.” Jemma said as she wiped a tear from her eye. “Douglas, can I use your office?”
“Of course.” He winked at her.
Gigi grinned and gave her a big hug. “I love you, darling girl. You go do what you need to do.”
Jemma grinned back at both of them. “Thank you.”
Jemma was a little nervous as she waited for her mom to answer on the other end of the line. She’d been taking to her once in awhile, but her stubbornness had gotten in the way of any real conversation. This call—initiated by her—was going to be different.
It was time for forgiveness. Jemma knew that now. The only way that she was going to be able to move forward in her own life was going to be to forgive her mom and grandmother and let the past stay in the past, accepting the fact that they both loved her and always would.
“Hello.”
“Mom?”
“Jemma—honey, how are you?”
Jemma could imagine her mom’s wide grin and she suddenly ached with missing her.
“Mom.” And just like that she burst into tears.
“Honey. What is it? Are you okay?” Her mother waited while Jemma tried to stop crying enough to get the words out. “Jemma, you’re scaring me a little bit. Are Gigi and Douglas okay?” Her voice went quieter as she asked the question.
“Yes. Everyone’s fine.” Jemma took a deep breath. “I just—I just needed to talk to you. Is Grandma there too?”
“She is, yes. Do you want me to go get her?”
“Yes, would you—and then put your phone on speaker so that I can talk to both of you.”
She waited a few minutes—just long enough to collect her words again—for her mom to come back to the phone.
“Okay, we’re both here now.”
“Hi, Jemma. We miss you around here.” It was her grandma’s voice in her ear.