1Finding My Son, Finding Myself
Chapter Ten
Bobby and Maria Elena walked, hand in hand, towards the house and were met by her parents. Rosa greeted Bobby, arms up stretched and wrapped him in a hug, kissing his cheek. "Welcome back to the family, Robert."
He kissed her cheek in return, "Thank you, Mrs. Vasquez – it's good to be here."
As they approached the front steps, Bobby saw the pieces of the shattered mug and the spilled coffee dripping down the stairs. He looked at Maria, in her nightgown and bare feet. "Here," he said, as he scooped her up in his arms, "I don't want you to get hurt on the glass." He was so big and strong compared to her. She grinned as she wrapped her arms around his neck as they ascended the steps. Mr. Vasquez held open the front door, watching as Bobby carried Maria Elena over the threshold and placed her down in the living room, hugging and kissing her again.
"Robert, let me fix you something for breakfast," Rose offered, in typical motherly fashion.
Bobby held up his hand in protest, "No, thank you – I, umm, I don't think I could eat right now," he answered, as he looked around, surveying the living and dining rooms. Maria Elena noticed his eyes darting about.
"He's still sleeping," she softly said, still holding his hand.
Bobby check the time on the wall clock: 8:50.
"He sleeps late when he's off from school. It was teachers' conferences and their convention this week. He goes back on Monday. Anyway, he stays up 'til all hours of the morning, reading in his bed with a flashlight."
Bobby smiled, "I used to do that when I was a kid," he chuckled.
Rosa rejoined them in the living room, carrying a tray bearing four fresh cups of coffee and some homemade cookies. "Please, have a seat," she offered.
Bobby's eyes, once again, glanced down the hallway — the closed door at the end of the hall was, obviously, Roberto's bedroom. The three Vasquez' sensed his anxiousness as Bobby reluctantly sat on the sofa next to Maria. She was still smiling, sitting close; her left hand holding his and her right hand rubbing his back. She was still practically in shock — disbelief that Bobby was really there. She found herself incapable of not smiling and touching him.
Bobby kept eyeing the hallway, "Wha-what time does he usually get up?" he asked, trying to sound more curious than impatient.
Maria Elena and her parents exchanged a smile, realizing that the wait must be torture for Bobby. "It's been around ten o'clock all this week — I guess it depends on how late he stayed up reading," Maria answered.
Bobby unconsciously let out a sigh at the thought of waiting another hour. It would be unbearable. He looked down at his hand, still entwined with Maria Elena's and suddenly felt a twinge of guilt. He was so happy to be there with her – it still seemed unreal – and yet, it wasn't enough: he needed to see his son.
Maria could sense his anxiety and felt bad for him. "Do you want to peek in on him?" she offered.
Bobby was already rising from the sofa before he even answered. Maria Elena smiled at her parents as she led Bobby down the hallway. As they neared the door, she felt a slight tug of resistence on her hand. She stopped and turned towards Bobby. "What's wrong?" she whispered.
"M-may-maybe I shouldn't."
"Why not? Don't be silly – we're just gonna' look at him," she reasoned.
"I, I don't want to scare him – what if he wakes up an-an-and gets scared seeing a strange man standing in his room? I don't wanna' traumatize him," Bobby explained.
Maria began to laugh, but stopped when she realized how serious he was. She took a step closer and caressed his cheek, staring into his eyes, "Sweetie, he's not gonna' be scared when he sees you – he knows your face as well as I do — it's gonna' be the happiest day of his life when he sees you're here," she assured him. "C'mon," she said, tugging Bobby's hand to follow along.
She quietly turned the doorknob and slowly swung the door open. Bobby quickly scanned the room. It was neat – but boyish; decorated in blues and greens and earth tones that seemed to reflect his island home. There was a desk and computer for his school work and shelves full of books which brought a smile to Bobby's lips. As the door opened wider, he saw the night table next to the bed, his framed picture there, just as Maria Elena said. Bobby recognized the photo–it had been taken on Valentine's Day, while he was still under cover, before Maria Elena knew the truth about him. He couldn't remember himself looking so young.
Maria Elena turned and watched for the reaction on Bobby's face, as his eyes finally fell upon the bed and the curly-haired boy who laid peacefully sleeping. He even slept just like Bobby; on his right side, his right arm under the pillow, his left hand clutching the sheet under his chin. Bobby stared down at the tiny figure — tiny to him, although 'Berto was tall for his age. His curly brown hair, long eye lashes; his face– pure innocence... and one little foot poking out from under the covers. Bobby immediately thought back to the tiny footprint on his Birth Certificate and Alex's comment, 'cute little footprint'." He stood, watching in amazement. He couldn't believe he was actually seeing his little boy.
Maria stood by, just looking at Bobby's smile. He wanted, so badly, to go closer to the bed — to
pet his hair — to kiss his head; only successful in fighting the urge because he told himself he would have thousands of chances to do just that in the years to come. Maria almost wished that Bobby would wake their son up, because as anxious as Bobby was to meet his little boy, Maria was just as anxious to see the joy on Roberto's face when he finally met his Dad and discovered, first hand, the love and comfort of one of his embraces.
The happy parents smiled at each other and tiptoed from the room, walking arm in arm back towards the living room.
A worried look crossed Bobby's face. "I, I didn't bring him anything," Bobby fretted, "...a toy or something..."
"Bobby, he doesn't need anything – he's gonna' be thrilled just to see you."
"...But, but he must want something...something special, I could give him," Bobby persisted.
"There is one thing," Rosa reminded her daughter with a sly smile.
"What is it?" Bobby anxiously asked, but neither answered.
"Mother," Maria scolded the elder woman, "He doesn't need that...I told him it was too expensive."
"What?" Bobby asked impatiently, while Carlos Vasquez wisely stayed out of it.
Rosa looked at her daughter, a look of pleading on her face. "Oh, Maria, what's the harm? Robert wants to buy a present for his son — besides, it'll give him something to do for an hour until 'Berto wakes up."
Bobby's head oscillated between Rosa and Maria Elena, catching Maria's admonishing look at her mother. Rosa ignored it and continued, "Maria, look at him," she gestured towards Bobby. "He's gonna' go crazy if he has to sit around here for another hour waiting. You could be to the store and back by the time 'Berto's just waking up — Robert will have his gift for him — everybody will be happy," she smiled.
Maria held her ground. "The 'harm,' Mom, is that I don't want him to be spoiled. I already told him that an eleven year old doesn't need an expensive bicycle like that — I already told him 'no.' Besides, he has the used one he got from Ricky, up the street. That'll do."
Bobby smiled and became lost in thought; happy to finally know what the item was, but happier knowing that he would buy his son that bike. Whether or not it was going to be today remained to be seen — they might have to 'work' on Maria a little longer to make her change her mind, but she'd eventually come around. Bobby had already missed so much of 'Berto's young life; he knew there was no way that Maria would deprive them both of the bonding and fun of a Dad buying his son his first brand new bike.
Rosa's voice softened, "Maria, little 'Berto's waited for this day his whole life. He's going to remember it for the rest of his life. Why not make it the happiest it could be?"
Bobby looked at Maria, eyebrows raised in hope. Maria sighed, relinquishing her stand and smiling as she saw the smile of relief on Bobby's face.
"You know," Carlos finally interceded, "Maybe Robert and I should go to the store. If 'Berto wakes up and you're not here, he's gonna' think that's strange for a Friday morning. He knows you don't go to work 'til noon."
"Do you mind, Bobby?" Maria asked.
"No, I don't mind – that's great."
Bobby and Carlos kissed their respective women good-bye, Bobby whispering an added "thank you" to Maria Elena, and they headed for the store.
Carlos and Bobby talked for a good portion of the ride, but, in a quiet moment when the conversation lulled, Bobby realized that a little part of him inside felt bad. It certainly wasn't his intention to show up after all this time and undermine Maria Elena's authority with their boy. He knew the importance of parents showing a 'united front' – kids can sense those things and before you know it, they learn how to manipulate the parents — like a game of 'good cop, bad cop' –pitting one parent against the other, lenient versus disciplinarian. Bobby made a mental note to apologize to Maria Elena again and discuss it with her. He rationalized that today is a special day and snapped out of his thoughts at Mr. Vasquez pulled into the parking lot of the bicycle shop.
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Maria Elena almost bumped into Roberto as she exited the bathroom after her shower. "Good morning, sleepy head," she said, kissing his messy curls.
"Good morning, Mommy," he said groggily as he stumbled into the bathroom and closed the door. Maria yelled through the door, "Take your shower, Roberto, while I'm fixing your breakfast."
Maria Elena quickly dressed, throwing on her jeans and a cami, letting her wavy long hair air dry, while she applied some mascara, lip gloss and perfume. She went to the kitchen and began cooking her son his waffles and sausage. She called from the kitchen about ten minutes later, "Roberto, c'mon honey, your breakfast is ready!"
"Okay, Mom, I'm just combing my hair," he called from the bathroom.
He entered the kitchen and sat at the table, taking a drink of his orange juice as Maria Elena placed his plate in front of him.
"Thank you, ma'am."
"You're welcome — at least you look more awake now," she said, smiling.
"Where's grandma and grandpa?" he asked, looking around.
"Grandma's out back in the garden and grandpa went to the store."
"Do you have to work late tonight, Mommy?"
"Why, honey?" she answered with her own question, (knowing that she wasn't going into work today— but not wanting to ruin the surprise).
"I don't want you to come home in the dark," he said, his fork picking at his food, "that man could come back and be outside..."
"Oh, honey, you don't have to worry about that man – nothing's gonna' happen to us now," she said, petting his hair. "Eat –before it gets cold."
She tried to distract him while he ate. "So, I see you were up late again last night."
He nodded, "I was reading."
"Yes, I know. That's gonna' have to stop on school nights, 'Berto... you need your sleep."
"Yes, ma'am. But it's a really interesting book, Mom."
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Carlos and Bobby finished loading the bike into the car, tied down the trunk and headed back to the house.
"He's gonna' love it," Carlos assured Bobby. "He's was bugging Maria for that bike all summer."
"I hope he does. I just, ya' know – wanted to give him something."
"Believe me, Robert, I know how it is," he chuckled.
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Rosa entered the kitchen with an armful of freshly-cut flowers from her garden. "Good morning, Sweetie!
"Good morning, Grandma," he smiled. "What did Grandpa go to the store for?"
Rosa and Maria Elena traded a nervous glance. "Oh, just for some supplies for my gardening and the lawn, Sweetheart," she deceived him.
Satisfied by the answer, he finished the last piece of his waffle and his juice. "Mom, can you take me to the library before you go to work?"
"Oh, I don't know, 'Berto – it's after ten o'clock already and..."
"Grandpa's home," the boy's yell interrupted, as he shot up out of his seat to run to the front door.
"'Berto!" Maria Elena called, as she and her mother followed Roberto to the front door. Neither of them wanted to miss the look on his face and his reaction to seeing Bobby there. He flung open the door and ran onto the porch, followed by the two women. He froze in his tracks and his jaw dropped in amazement. There, sitting in the center of the lawn, was the brand new bike his heart had been set on. He spun around towards his mother, giving her a hug, "Mom! You bought me my bike!"
"No, honey, it wasn't Mommy."
Roberto looked at his Grandma and Grandpa, as Mr. Vasquez climbed the porch steps. He ran to Carlos, hugging him, "Thank you, Grandpa!" he exclaimed. Carlos hugged him back and answered, "I'm glad you like it, Roberto — but it's not from Grandma and Grandpa, either," he said with a smile. Robert pulled away, a look of confusion furrowing his brow as he looked at his mother and Grandmother. He hadn't yet seen Bobby, who was hidden from view by the open trunk, as he undid the tie-downs.
Bobby's heart was racing – his stomach in a knot with joyful anticipation. He slowly walked and stood in the center of the path, looking at his now complete family up on the porch. Maria Elena took Roberto by the shoulders and slowly turned him around to face the front yard. Her hands rested on him as she and her parents waited for the recognition to sink in. They heard his tiny voice whisper, "Daddy." He turned his head, only to see his mother's smiling face. In an instant, he broke free and charged down the steps towards Bobby, smiling from ear to ear and shouting "Daddy!"
Bobby crouched down to receive the boy's hug. He, too, was smiling as the tears of joy welled up in his eyes. Roberto rushed to Bobby's outstretched arms, hugging him around his neck and wrapping his legs around his waist as Bobby stood and clutched him as tightly as he thought he could, without hurting him. The boy's face was buried in Bobby's neck, as he said over and over again, "Daddy, you came for me...I love you, Daddy."
Bobby held 'Berto's head close to his cheek, kissing him — using all his senses to take in as much of the boy as he could; his long fingers entwined in his soft, curly hair, his scent, his warm breath on his neck, his little voice. He was overwhelmed, realizing he had so underestimated the joy his heart would feel at finally seeing and holding his son– his own flesh and blood.
Maria Elena and her parents had descended the steps and stood close by to Bobby and Roberto, looking on with their own eyes full of joyful tears.
"I love you, Roberto," Bobby whispered in his little boy's ear.
"Thank you, Daddy," 'Berto said, pulling his head back and looking into Bobby's eyes.
"You're welcome. You like your bike?" he asked, with a huge grin.
"I love my new bike — but that's not what I meant. I meant for finding Mommy and me and coming for us so you could marry Mommy and we could be a family," the little boy smiled and resumed his bear hug around Bobby's neck.
Bobby's eyes met Maria's. It was the happiest moment of his life. A life that he knew, from this point forward, would never be the same. He had once again found the love of his life, had found his son, had found a place where he was wanted and needed and loved — he had looked into the eyes of his child —and found himself.
He needed to call Eames.
END Chapter Ten