How Much I Feel - Marie Force Page 0,79

it over to me and kisses Carmen and then me on the cheek I lower so she can reach me. “Thank you, honey. Take it into the dining room if you would.”

“Follow me.” Carmen leads the way into the cavernous dining room on the Cuban side of the house, which I didn’t really get a good look at the last time I was here. It’s much bigger than I expected.

“How do you decide which side brunch is on?”

“We rotate each week. Abuela and Nona decide on the menu and supervise everything.”

“I love that.” Their traditions are charming and endearing and make me wish I was part of a family like theirs.

At Carmen’s direction, I put the massive platter on a table in the middle of the big room. The second the food is out, people migrate toward us. I receive kisses from Vivian and Nona. I meet Vivian’s sisters, Vincent’s brother, Navarro cousins and Giordino cousins. I meet so many people I can’t possibly remember all their names.

Vincent presses a Bloody Mary into my hand as the women buzz around Carmen and me like flies on fresh game. I suppose that’s what I am—the fresh game, a thought that makes me smile.

Carmen looks at me, raises a brow in question.

“This must be what fresh game feels like.”

She laughs at that, her hand on my back letting me know she’s right there, by my side, as we’re swarmed by her family members.

I can tell something significant is happening when the buzzing dies down and the sea of women parts to admit newcomers.

Carmen’s hand leaves my back as she goes to greet the couple with hugs and kisses. The woman says something to Carmen that has her nodding and reaching for the older woman’s hand. She leads them to me.

“Jason, these are my in-laws. Josie, Len, meet my friend Jason Northrup.”

I shake hands with both of them. Carmen told me they’re younger than her parents, but they don’t look younger. They look at least ten years older. Both are mostly gray, and their eyes—brown for her and hazel for him—carry the weight of their tragic loss. “It’s so nice to meet you both.”

Josie cradles my hand between both of hers. “Likewise.”

Unlike his wife, Len doesn’t seem all that pleased to meet me, but he’s polite for the sake of his wife and Carmen. I try to put myself in his place, meeting the man his son’s widow is now seeing, and decide he can think whatever he wants to about me. My heart goes out to him. No one should have to go through what he and his family have endured. “I’m very sorry for the loss of your son.”

“That’s very kind of you,” Josie says softly. “Thank you. We enjoyed the story on the news about you. It was nice of you to give your time to the clinic.”

“It was a pleasure. I enjoyed it very much.” Which is absolutely true. I forgot what it’s like to deal with basic, easily solved medical concerns. I’ve become accustomed to the harder cases, the ones that are never easily solved and often have less-than-ideal outcomes.

After Len and Josie wander off to talk to other people, Maria approaches me, Bloody Mary in hand. She nods toward Tony’s parents. “How’d that go?”

“Okay, I guess.”

“They’re good people. If Carmen is happy, they’re happy. Don’t worry.”

“That’s good to know.”

“All these people . . . These are her people. We love her.”

“I know.”

“You aren’t going to hurt her, are you?”

“I’m going to try like hell not to.”

She nods, seeming pleased with my response. “It’s a very big deal that she brought you to brunch. I hope you realize that.”

“I do.”

Carmen joins us, and I put my arm around her, aware of everyone in the room watching us, getting a sense of how we are together. I want them to know I care about her.

“Everything all right?” she asks, her gaze encompassing me and Maria.

I give her a reassuring smile. “It is with me.”

“Me too,” Maria says. “The board of the clinic wanted me to pass along their thanks for what you did for us this week. They said you’re welcome to come back anytime you’d like.”

“I’ve got most of another week to kill before my meeting with the Miami-Dade board on Friday. I’m all yours if you’ll have me.”

“Yes, we’ll have you,” she says, laughing. “I’ll let them know, and I’ll see you in the morning.” She starts to walk away but turns back. “For what it’s worth,

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