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FAMILY REUNION
Chapter Six
The morning tour of Mexico City had quickly turned into a full day of exploration by the time the large group had found their ways back to the hotel to freshen up and recharge. While Carmen and Theresa had been apt to err on the side of delaying their trip to mother Catalina's childhood home until tomorrow, Catalina was quick to insist it would be okay and that they had plenty of time. Meanwhile, Theresa dreaded the task of calling enough cabs to carry their little troupe across town. It was something she had not quite put into consideration as well as she felt she should have before they took this trip. But Catalina insisted that too would not be an issue. It was Carlos who helped calm his sister and remind her just how much this trip meant to their mother.
Nearly an hour later, a beautiful crimson sunset greeted them all as two yellow cabs came to a halt on a narrow pebble stone paved street somewhere on the outskirts of the city where some of the older villages remained. The road was barely wide enough for two average-sized vehicles to travel next to each other. On either side of the road lining the long row of conjoined buildings was a very narrow but elevated brick pathway marking a path parallel to the street. The buildings themselves were fairly modest structures, varying in color from one to another. And each building was shorter than the other as you traveled south down the road. Most of the homes were painted in warm shades of red, yellow, brown, orange, and some white.
"Oh, no," Theresa blurted out, tapping her little brother on the shoulder as they approached their destination.
Carlos and Kath looked at her in earnest.
"Are you okay?" Kath questioned.
"Yeah," Theresa faked a smile. "I just remembered that the cab service doesn't run here in the outside villages past eight at night."
"You're point being?" Carlos urged further.
Theresa looked him in the eyes sternly. "That means, little brother, that we might just be stuck here for the night. And we didn't bring any bags or anything. And we probably have barely enough money between us to get back home." She sighed sharply and laid her head back on the car's seat. "This has been a disaster."
Carlos tried to keep from laughing, cover his face with hand as he felt a chuckle surface in his throat.
Katheryn noticed this and slapped him on the arm. "You could have a little sympathy, Carlos!"
Carlos uncovered his face and looked to Kath as if he was begging for a bit of mercy. "You have to understand something. Carmen's mom, our other sister Rosa…"
"Is a genuine pain in the butt," Theresa explained, her arms crossed against her chest in angst.
Katheryn wanted to burst out laughing. It was hard to be very sympathetic now. "You'll have to give me a few more details here though. I can't understand how such a tight-knit family like you guys could ever have a rift with one another."
Once calmed, Theresa turned to Katheryn. "Back when Rosa and I were kids, she simply tried her best to make sure we all knew she was the oldest. She was the first one to move out before Carlos had even started walking as a baby. And she didn't even come to Hector's funeral."
"Then I don't understand," Katheryn stated, clearly confused. "Why do you think that's so funny, Carlos?"
"I don't," Carlos tried to backtrack. It wasn't funny at all, she was right. "It's just that I can't get the image of Theresa and Rosa having a food fight with each other." Carlos commenced to laughing again.
"That was over a decade ago," Theresa defended herself.
"Theresa," Carlos stated emphatically. "Jesse was a toddler and behaved more maturely than the both of you. I bet he was wondering why his mother and aunt had gone crazy." Carlos couldn't hide his next chuckle.
Theresa spouted off in Spanish at her brother before she finally resolved to get out of the cab once and for all. "Go ahead and laugh. Come on, Kath. Let's go and let my immature little brother revel in the humor of the moment."
But Carlos did not wait behind and quickly followed behind Katheryn as she scooted outside one side of the back of the cab while Theresa made her way to Jesse, Hector, Carmen, and Mama Catalina in the second cab.
After Carlos paid the first cab driver, the little vehicle left fairly quickly in route for the city where he knew more fairs could be waiting for him. Meanwhile, Kath and Carlos stood in the street in front of the second cab waiting hand-in-hand for the others to join them.
Even as the door to the cab barely opened, Katheryn and Carlos could hear the piercing cries of little Sam as Carmen tried in vain to quiet her. Emerging from the cab was the faces of pure exhaustion. Jesse seemed to be the worse for wear, sauntering over to his uncle and his girlfriend with a look of torture gracing his face.
"Boy, am I glad to be out of there," Jesse sighed sharply and pounded his forehead on Carlos' shoulder as if trying to forget the horrible ordeal as quickly as possible.
Kath looked to Carlos and whispered that she'd be right back. Coming to Carmen's rescue, Katheryn offered to take the baby from her so that she could gather her composure before she got out of the cab. Once again, her presence worked like a charm, and Sam settled down seconds later.
Walking back over to where Carlos and Jesse were, Katheryn felt Carlos lean in closer to her and whisper, "You'll make a great mom someday."
"Stop it," Kath chuckled and tried to focus on the child in her arms instead of Jesse smiling at them from the side inconspicuously.
There was little denying the fact that she had made her mark on the little family now more than ever. She just hoped the last member of the family for her to meet wouldn't drive a wedge between the bonds she had already seemed to firmly set in place.
Ranger Hunt found Detective Ochoa rather quickly as she ambled into C.D.'s Bar and rounded the corner to be immersed in a rather quiet night at the preferred haunt. Sal was occupying a barstool on the very end of the bar near the telephone, toying with a glass of whisky on the rocks that was more on the side of empty rather than full she noticed.
"What'll it be?" One of C.D.'s girls perked up with a smile as Bobbie neared the bar.
Bobbie claimed the barstool next to Sal and offered a brief smile. "Just coffee thanks."
"Coming right up." The petite girl sauntered away to grab a mug and fill it.
Ranger Hunt waited until the waitress had brought her the coffee before she finally gave in and stole a glance at Detective Ochoa. His entire focus was on the dwindling amount of liquid in the glass in front of him, his hand gently spinning the object in slow circles. It was hard for her to see Sal this way. But she didn't know why.
"Wanna talk about it?" Bobbie finally broke the silence, daring to pry through the layers of the detective's reserved nature.
Sal took a deep breath and shoved his cup aside, straightening his posture to stretch out the tension in his back. "No. I'm just thinking about my sister and nephew. They're all I have in this world, Bobbie. I couldn't live with myself if something happened to them on my watch."
"I know how you feel," Bobbie surprised herself by saying. "I almost quit the Ranger program when I thought my daughter was in jeopardy."
"You quit the Rangers?" Sal asked, his brows raised as he turned a surprised expression her way.
"Well, I wasn't a Ranger yet. It was during my testing time with Ranger Walker."
Sal smirked. "I didn't know you were picked by Ranger Walker."
"Technically the decision wasn't up to him."
"But I'm sure he influenced the decision greatly."
"Hardly!" Bobbie cracked a smile. "In fact, I think if it would have been up to him, he would have gave me the boot early on."
Sal still seemed shocked, pausing to take a sip of his whisky on that note. "Wow. I thought it was cut and dry for you."
"No," Bobbie confessed. "I had to work for it. It took me a while to have the change of heart I needed to make the cut. I was so bitter because of all the male domination that I forgot to simply chase my dreams and be a good officer. It was almost the death of my career. But thanks to Walker I got a second chance to prove myself."
"But you said you almost quit?"
"Yeah. My ex-husband threatened me and our daughter. I told Walker I was quitting the program, but he wouldn't hear of it."
Sal took a silent second to process the information. "I had no idea," he echoed. "Everyone at the precinct always had nothing but praise for you after the Matacio bust. I just assumed you had gotten an easy leg up or something."
"No," Bobbie chuckled dryly. "Far from it. I had to prove myself just like I thought I would. But not in the exact way I thought I'd have to."
"Well," Sal cleared his throat nervously, trying to sort out the jumbled thoughts in his mind. "Let me be the first to offer an apology."
"You can't be serious." Bobbie cracked a rather fake smile unsure if it was Sal or the whisky talking.
"God! You can't even take me seriously," Ochoa muttered under his breath then spoke back up, "I'm trying to say I'm sorry, Bobbie. I guess I've been a bit of a jerk lately."
Bobbie cleared her throat and looked away towards the sunset coming from the window. "I suppose that makes two of us."
"No," Sal quickly interjected. "I've been the worst." He paused to chuckle and rub his face in his hands. "Gosh, I don't even know why I'm saying all this. A day ago I was determined you were the world's worst enemy."
Bobbie turned and gave Sal a firm, emotionless glare. "And now?"
Sal fastened his eyes on hers, swallowing hard as he searched for the exact words to describe what it was he was feeling. To be completely honest, he wasn't sure just what he was feeling or thinking either way. It must be the whisky, he reminded himself.
"I think you're a good Ranger, Bobbie," Sal began, slowly and purposefully not taking his eyes off of hers. "You're a good woman too. I see that now. You worked for what you wanted and wouldn't let me or any other jerk take away your chances. A man can admire that. And I'd be a fool-headed son of a gun not to acknowledge that in you, Ranger Hunt."
Bobbie's face had remained unchanged as she listened to every word Sal spoke. And she was surprised to realize by the look in his eyes that he truly meant every word of it. At least something inside of her hoped he had meant every word. Otherwise, she would have regretted the small, almost unnoticeable smile that creeped onto her face from the corner of her mouth.
Sal smiled a little too. "Does that mean I'm forgiven?"
Bobbie's chuckle was more legitimate this time. "Let's just say you have a second chance. And don't screw it up this time. Got it, Ochoa?"
Sal nodded and finished off his drink. He then shoved the glass to the side, replacing it with several files he had brought along with him. "What do you say we get started on this case?"
"Works for me," Bobbie grinned.
After several sips of coffee, Bobbie moved a bit closer to Sal to get a good look at the files he wanted to show her. It was the oddest feeling. But Bobbie knew something had changed between them. Sal seemed different. One thing she knew for sure was that the look in his eyes this time was not because of any drink's influence whatsoever.
Darkness settled over the eerily silent street side as millions of stars twinkled overhead in a cloudless sky. A gentle wind nipped at her bare arms, barely and almost subtly causing her to forget she was still in Mexico. Each slow clod of her shoe against the brick pavement brought her further away from the organized chaos she had left behind. After walking for a moment far enough to find solace but close enough to where she could still hear commotion coming from inside, Katheryn stopped and comforted herself within her own arms' grasp as she looked up at the starry sky. She couldn't help but smile before shutting her eyes and taking a deep, cleansing breath. For a split second she wondered what was going on back home. She could suddenly picture Tommy and Trent hard at work at the dojo while Molly watched with Mrs. Malloy. In her mind's eye she watched as Sydney and Gage barreled into C.D.'s ready to devour a plate of food after a hard day on the streets. She also remembered that Walker and Alex had gone away for a little camping vacation. Kath loved the entire Sandoval family but was quickly becoming envious of Walker and Alex.
Suddenly, Kath felt two strong arms wrap around her waist, drawing her into an embrace. "I was wondering where you ran off to," the voice whispered in her ear.
"Just getting some fresh air," Kath blushed, gladly allowing the embrace to warm her chilled body. "To be honest I was thinking that Alex and Walker have it made right about now."
Carlos' brow furrowed. "What do you mean? You aren't having a good time?"
"No! I am! It's not that," she fumbled with her words and wriggled from Carlos' grasp to turn around and look him in the eyes. "I just wish we could be alone."
Carlos' mouth curled up into a mischievous grin. "We're alone right now."
"Yeah," Kath began to close the gap between their lips. "So we are."
A gentle kiss nearly deepened before Katheryn stopped them, drawing away quickly.
"What's the matter?"
"Nothing," Kath replied. "Nothing at all. I just feel like we're being watched."
Carlos turned around. There was not a soul in sight. But he understood what she meant. "Why don't we take a little walk? I'd like to show you something."
"Won't they miss us after a while?"
"No. It'll be okay. Come on!" Carlos tugged at Kath's hand.
Katheryn couldn't stop a gentle laugh from escaping her as she hurried along with Carlos pass several of the conjoined home until they came to a very narrow and rare opening between two of them. Carlos suddenly stopped and shushed her before he peered around the corner. He gave the all clear before he turned into the little alley, still lugging Katheryn along behind him.
At the end of the alley there was a wooden fence door which Carlos opened without hesitation. As they slipped through the opening, Katheryn secured the gate shut before they carried on.
Turning around, Katheryn was startled as Carlos suddenly covered her eyes with his hands, whirling her around in front of him until she was facing the opposite side of wherever they were.
"Carlos!" Katheryn laughed. "What are you doing?! What are you up to?"
"Patience," Carlos promised and instructed her to take a step forward.
Slowly, Carlos removed his hands to let Katheryn in on his little secret. A small gasp escaped her as she saw a rather large meadow in front of her. It was enclosed by a tall brick wall and had to easily be the size of an average garage if not bigger.
Carlos let her take in the sight of the flowers before he finally spoke. "Back when I was a kid and we would visit grandma and grandpa, Theresa and Hector would sneak off to here and I would follow them when they didn't know it. After a while they caught on and let me join them. And every time we'd leave, Theresa and I would get a bouquet together for mother."
"Aw that's so sweet," Kath commented. "I bet your mother loved them."
"Yeah," Carlos chuckled. "But she didn't appreciate grandma's neighbors giving her an earful about the holes we left here in her ground."
"Oh. Ouch."
Carlos then stooped low and snagged a few choice blooms, bundling them swiftly but graciously before handing them to Katheryn. She took the delicate flowers with a silent thank you on her lips before breathing them in. Suddenly, she began to regret the decision as a sneeze tempted her. But thankful it went away.
"You like them?" Carlos asked curiously.
"I love them," Kath replied, pecking a kiss on Carlos' cheek to assure him of the fact.
"What do you say we be getting back before they send the cavalry after us?"
Kath smiled. "Sure."
Carlos led the way through the short distance back to the rather tall fence and suddenly realized something wasn't quite right. The door would not budge. The latch was secured tightly, and there was no way he was going to be able to open it.
"What are we going to do now?" Katheryn sighed. "I mean I like the idea of sleeping under the stars. But this is ridiculous."
Carlos deliberated for a moment, looking over Kath's beautiful maxi dress. That eliminated his idea of climbing the fence. He looked at the brick wall with interest. Still, he knew neither of them could climb either structure without hurting themselves.
"Well," Carlos finally confessed. "Looks like we're stuck here for the night."
"What?! You can't be serious! Give me a leg up. I can climb the fence!"
"No! I won't let you. You could fall on the other side and break your neck. I won't allow it."
"Who said anything about allowing anyone to do anything?! What if I want to risk it?" Katheryn immediately started moving into place to climb over the structure.
"Kath! No!" Carlos pulled her back by her sleeve. "Don't. We'll find some other way."
Katheryn was about to argue her case further when a gunshot interrupted them. Ducking down in unison, both of their hearts began beating a little faster. Suddenly climbing a measly old fence didn't seem like that big of a deal.