Chapter 37: Meet the Parents

For the rest of the week, Sophie focused on the restaurant. Martin agreed to hire a junior chef to help her. She returned to her alma mater for interviews, and settled on Luna, an enthusiastic student about to graduate from the cooking program.

Told about the car, she was reassured that they would be safe driving around town. In gratitude, he received a blowjob.

The new clothes washer was delivered, set up, and the old carcass extracted. He washed and dried everything that had stacked up in the hampers.

On Saturday, Sophie couldn’t believe her eyes. Diego was so much like his son, it was uncanny. And Alondra was a sweetheart. She practically adopted Carrie on the spot. “I’m Roberto’s Mom. Did I do a good job?”

“I like him. He’s really nice. And he’s always kissing my Mama.”

“He’s a good boy. I understand, because your Mama is very pretty. Now, can you help me in the kitchen?”

When the meal was ready, they all sat together to eat. Alondra’s meal was a big hit. And when she delivered the dessert, Carrie was transported. Sopapillas are little puffed out squares of fried dough, coated with cinnamon sugar and drizzled with honey.

“Mama, these are great! Cat, can you make these?”

“I can, Carrie.”

“Cat?” rumbled Diego.

“She decided to simplify my name, because Roberto was too hard for her to write.”

“Wait a minute. She’s four, and she’s writing words?”

“A few. She’s a smart one, like her mama.”

Carrie swelled up with the praise. “Cat has been helping me read and write, a little,” she said.

“Your son is a gift to us,” added Sophie. “I just love him to pieces.”

On their way out, Alondra squashed Sophie and Carrie with massive hugs. To her son, “She’s great. Don’t let her get away.”

“I won’t, Mom. I know exactly how special she is.”