to the area and needed help getting acclimated.”
“You’ve come to the right place, Dr. Northrup,” Nona says. “We can teach you everything you need to know about the Miami area.”
“That’s very kind of you, ma’am. Carmen is doing an excellent job of showing me around.”
“Is she now?” Abuela’s laser-beam gaze delves inside me to root around for the real story.
I put up my mental block and give her nothing. “We should get going.” I hope I’ll be able to extricate him from their clutches.
Before we can make a move, my cousin Maria comes in, wearing pink scrubs with cartoon babies all over them. She has my build, height and coloring, but her hair is longer and curlier than mine. People often mistake us for sisters. She smoothly navigates the grandmothers to kiss my cheek. “Heard you were here.”
“How is that possible?” Jason asks under his breath.
“It’s better not to ask. Dr. Jason Northrup, my cousin Maria Giordino. Maria, Dr. Northrup.”
“Jason,” he says.
My grandmothers begrudgingly step aside so Jason and Maria can shake hands.
“Good to meet you.” Maria gives me a side-eyed glance that conveys an entire conversation that would go something like this if we were alone: Her: Are you for real right now? This guy is freaking hot. Me: Is he? I hadn’t noticed. Her: Whatever. My ass you didn’t notice. “I hear you might be looking for a volunteer gig.”
“You heard correctly, and it’s nice to meet you, too.”
“I come bearing good news. The clinic would love to have your services tomorrow if you’re available.”
He glances at me.
“He’s available on one condition.”
“What’s that?”
“We can take photographs of him at work.”
“No patient faces online without signed releases.”
“Done.”
Maria smiles at Jason. “You’re hired.”
“That’s great. Thank you so much.”
“We’re very happy to have you.”
“I thought you said you’re a neurosurgeon,” Abuela says. “What’re you doing working in Maria’s free clinic?”
“Community outreach,” I quickly reply for him. “The hospital requires it.”
“That’s a wonderful gesture,” Nona says.
He’s won her over forever by giving his time to the needy. My dad gripes about how much food she donates to the numerous causes she’s involved with, but even he respects how much of themselves she and Abuela give to others.
“You want lunch, sweetheart?” Dad asks Maria.
“A house salad with chicken to go would be great, Uncle V.”
“Coming right up.”
“What time and where tomorrow?” Jason asks Maria.
“Is nine okay?”
“Works for me.”
“I’ll bring you so I can take photos,” I tell him.
“Sounds good. Thanks to both of you.”
“Thank you. My boss couldn’t say yes fast enough when I told her about your offer. I would’ve had an answer for you sooner, but she was in meetings all morning with the finance people, which usually puts her in a foul mood.”
“Does the clinic need money again, honey?” Nona asks.
“I’m not sure what’s going on, but I’ll let you know.”
“We can do another spaghetti dinner,” Nona says. “Just say the word.”
“Thank you.” Maria kisses Nona’s cheek and then Abuela’s. She’s like a third grandmother to Maria. That’s one thing to adore about my grandmothers’ unique relationship. They love each other’s grandchildren like their own.
My dad has packed up all the leftovers for Jason, and judging by the size of the bag he presents, I assume he’s added enough for a few additional meals, too.
“Thank you, Daddy.”
“Anything for you, love.”
Jason reaches for his wallet.
“You’ll insult us if you try to pay.” Dad affects a comically stern tone. “It’s our pleasure to welcome our daughter’s colleague to Miami and our humble establishment.”
Jason leans across the bar to shake my father’s hand. “Thank you so much for your hospitality, Vincent. It’s been such a pleasure to meet you all.”
“Likewise,” Abuela says. “I hope we’ll see you back here very soon. In fact, you should come for Sunday brunch.” The calculating look she gives me lets me know she’s trying to help me, whether I want her help or not.
“I’d love to.”
“Wonderful. Carmen will give you the details, and we’ll see you Sunday.” She crooks her finger to get him to come down to her so she can kiss his cheek.
Then Nona hugs and kisses him while my mother waits for her turn.
I nudge him to get him moving for the door before they think of something else they need to tell him or ask him.
“Call me later, Carmen,” Mami calls to me as the door closes behind us.
“So. That’s my family.”
“I have so many questions.”
As we walk toward his car, I laugh as hard as I’ve laughed in years.
JASON
She has no idea