That Saturday evening Rico was helping his Mom plan what foods they were going to cook for Memorial Day. They were searching for different healthy recipes his dad may not have tried but his thoughts kept straying.
He was thinking of Lace again and how when she smiled the dimple in her cheek made her softer and even more beautiful.
Or the way she laughed with a musical lilt that resonated from way down inside her like she had a secret and she was sharing it with you making you want to laugh too.
Or just the way that Rico didn't feel the need to obsess over becoming a future first generation college student or Jo.. For the first time in 5 months Rico didn't obsess about Jo.
It was like she saw through him getting that he wasn't just a socially awkward bookworm but the perceptive clever comedian that he always thought himself to be. This newfound connection he had with her was a leap from the boy who had stood back in 8th grade and admired her from afar.
The day had been uneventful ever since she had dropped him off. He had taken a shower taking extra care when he shaved to accentuate his budding moustache and beard with the clippers. He'd also decided after looking at himself in the mirror that maybe he needed a new look. He spent the remainder of the afternoon searching the internet for new trends and watching some T.V. while trying but failing to keep himself from checking his phone every 10 minutes.
Now he was mindlessly searching through supermarket circulars trying to do his due diligence as a son and alleviate some of his mothers stress as his fathers primary caretaker.
"RICARDO MIGUEL ORTIZ"! his mother shouted waving her hand in front of his face What Mami? he asked annoyed.
"Don't take that tone with me" she warned placing her pointer finger in the air.
"I'm showing you this recipe for a veggie burger but you keep smiling like you don't hear me. What's the matter?
"I'm fine". "I'm great". He said calmly turning back to the circular.
Too consumed with her planning to see that her son did not want to be bothered Lucia asked "Do you think that papi will like it"?
Rico nodded yes at his mother absently waiting for her to continue while he retreated back into his thoughts.
His mother finally realizing that Rico was not in the least interested in their activity gathered her shopping list and menu and playfully nudged him in the arm ."I'm going" she said affectionately to him as she kissed his head before leaving to shop.
"Okay ma" he said raising his head in a boyish smile at her retreating figure in gratitude. Finally alone he picked up his cell phone to see if Lace had called him. There were no notifications so he ran upstairs to check on his dad.
"Hey Pap" he said seeing his dad reclined in his easy chair by the window. "I came to see Do you need anything"
"No Rico" his father said sadly and turned back to stare at his newspaper.
Rico was going to head back downstairs but something told him not to leave.
"Papi" Rico called out and reached down placing his hands on his fathers shoulder. His father started nearly jumping out of his chair. "What are you doing" he said angrily looked anxiously behind him.
"Nothing". Rico replied a little put off by his fathers nervousness "I just wanted to talk to you". You know, see how you were doing".
Ricardo senior becoming very irritated by his sons constant interruptions replied dismissively "Well you see me now go". "I'm very busy". Then turning towards the window he placed the newspaper on top of the stack he kept by the recliner.
Rico gruffly turned around muttering under his breath in Spanish about what an asshole he was when his eyes glanced at the article his father had just finished reading.
A picture of a gold necklace, THE gold necklace, graced the cover of an old edition of the New York. Times© with the words MARNA on it as a company logo. Under it the headline read "MARNA Incorporated Making Waves in Manhattan".
His interest piqued when he saw the smaller picture in the sidebar showing two figures, male and female standing in front of an enormous freight ship. The article was written in 1983 and Rico almost choked when he focused in on the woman's face
Tess, Rico thought dumbfounded. He had so many questions. Why would Tess of all people be in the photo. Why was his Dad reading this particular publication now 30 years after it was published and why would Tess be standing there with him.
"Papi.." Rico said questioningly looking on the article and what it said.
"What Ricardo" he yelled turning back around.
Rico's first reaction was to turn and walk out backing down like he always did but this could be too important to let his fathers obsession with his own personal failures chase him away.
"I'm sure you're very busy" he said sarcastically "I just wanted to ask about that newspaper you kept over there". "You can go back to slaying windmills as soon as I'm done" he quipped glaring down at his father. His father stared at him taken aback It took him a few seconds before he could find his thoughts."What's the matter with you"? he said
"Nothing" Rico replied casually shrugging not interested in fighting with his father, not when he needed his help sorting out this clue." I'm good, but what's with that article you were reading"?.
Ricardo Miguel Ortiz senior sighed heavily looking over his shoulder one more time before beginning his tale about MARNA inc. and all the things he had learned as a former employee about their sordid history.
-
After the long talk with his father. Rico panicking ran down the stairs to grab his coat from the closet. He had to talk to Jo.
He hastily slipped one of his arms into the sleeves as he opened the door. "Pap I'm going out for a little while" he quickly called up the stairs. He rushed out the door slipping into his other sleeve when he felt himself slam into something. "Shit" he muttered thinking he had knocked over his elderly mother. He looked down and saw Jo looking back up at him.
"What's your hurry"? She said smiling, and rubbing her bottom.
Rico pleasantly surprised offered her his hand. "I was heading to see you" he said as a smile lifted the corner of his mouth.