or Palm Beach would’ve been a bitch. I would’ve done it if I’d had to. We’re both thankful I don’t have to and that we can grab lunch together a couple of times a week in the hospital cafeteria, where we’re careful not to give Debby anything new to talk about.
She’s a good egg, who’s become a friend to both of us, as have Mona and many other people we work with.
Apparently, Mr. Augustino suspected that Carmen was the reason I wanted to relocate, but we had no idea until Carmen finally worked up the nerve to tell him we’re involved, and he said he’d known that for months. He congratulated her on finding new love after everything she went through in the past.
It’s going to have to be one hell of a wedding to accommodate Carmen’s massive family and all the friends we’ve made together and separately.
Yesterday afternoon, I took care of one last thing that had to be done before today. I went to see Tony’s parents. I’ve gotten to know them fairly well over the last year, as they’re very much in Carmen’s life. I wouldn’t have it any other way, and I want them to know they’ll always be important to both of us.
I thought about calling first but decided to just drop by the way Carmen does anytime we’re in the neighborhood.
When she came to the door, Josie seemed surprised to see me there alone. “Come in.” She kissed my cheek and took me by the hand to lead me into the cool comfort of her home. “This is a nice surprise.”
“Is Len home?”
“He is. Let me get him.”
She told me to have a seat in the family room, where I was hit by a flurry of nerves as I took in the handsome, smiling face of Carmen’s first husband. They have Tony’s official police photo and a shadowbox containing his awards on display on the mantel over the fireplace. I studied the man whose likeness has become so familiar to me and hoped he’d approve of me being in his parents’ home to talk about my plans to propose to his beloved wife.
“Hey, Doc,” Len said when he came in from the pool area.
I stood to shake his hand. A lot of the people in Carmen’s life call me Doc, which is fine with me. I like that they’ve given me a nickname. That means they like me. After some initial hesitation on his part, Len has come around to being happy for Carmen—and for me. At least I think he is. “Good to see you.”
“You too. How about a cold one?”
“I won’t say no to that.”
He got beers for the two of us and an ice water for his wife. “Is everything all right with Carmen?”
“She’s great. Maria and Dee have her out shopping this afternoon, so I figured I’d come by.”
“We’re so glad you did,” Josie said.
Here goes, I thought. “I want you both to know how much I appreciate how welcome you’ve made me feel since Carmen and I have been together. That means so much to me, and I know it does to her, too.”
“She means everything to us, and you make her happy,” Len said. “That’s obvious to everyone who knows her.”
“She’s the best thing to ever happen to me.” I paused before I added, “I’m painfully aware that the only reason I get to be happy with her is because of the worst thing to ever happen to you.”
“Life goes on,” Josie said softly. “Somehow the sun keeps rising and setting, and the years go by, and you keep breathing. Our Tony loved Carmen with his whole heart. The only thing he’d care about is her safety and happiness. We both think he’d like you.”
“I’m glad you think so.” I rubbed my damp palms on my shorts. “I wanted you to know that I’m going to propose to her during brunch tomorrow.”
Josie gasped, and at first I wasn’t sure if it was a happy gasp. “That’s so wonderful, Jason. I told Len after brunch last week that it was only a matter of time before you two tied the knot.”
“Congratulations,” Len said. “That’s great news.”
“Thank you for coming here to see us first,” Josie said. “It means so much to us.”
“Carmen loves you. You’ll always be part of us. I give you my word on that. Our future children will be very lucky to have you as grandparents.”