A Family Matter CH 8
Bo
The applause erupted throughout the arena, the National Anthem signaling the baseball game between the Cougars and Grizzly's to start, and I'm suddenly nervous. I know my food is cooked and set up ready for a rush. Back in high school, Kenzi and I used to somewhat help Trick out at the bar when it was really busy so we learned to be quick and efficient. But this is unlike a restaurant or bar.
The Taco Throwdown is easily one of the busiest nights for this baseball league. The beer is cheap and there is a different taco truck surrounding the stadium. I counted 32 food trucks but on the roster there is supposed to be 39, but it shouldn't matter. I'm ready to make a name for myself and promote my food talents.
Bo's Beer and Tacos, that is promoted along my truck, was created after too much wine and not enough food, but at least is was better than Lauren's drunken choice of Truck Norris. Kenzi got some of her 'friends' and set up a website with a full blown food truck menu and made cards for catering options, just in case tonight was successful. The 'Text 2324' number for our taco truck is promoted everywhere for tonight's competition and our prayers have been sent off. We're in it to win it!
Kenzi also surprised me with logo tees of our food truck's name. The black tight low cut shirt with red and white writing fits perfectly. Apparently she has been taking night classes and started working (yes legally) at a tee shirt printing shop for 32 hours a week. I'm glad she only does the criminal informant jobs only occasionally. My best friend wants to be a graphic designer and I couldn't be happier.
Lauren also has been working, almost too much, but that's because of my upcoming surgery. We scheduled it for a week from tonight and she plans to take a few weeks off during my recovery. I'm nervous of course, but ready to get these tumors out of my body.
Jack and Trick have seemed to become best friends since the rest of the family doesn't want much to do with them. Lauren and I have had lunch with Jack a few times but she still has no interest in trusting him. His company has gotten better and I can see some of his remorse from his past decisions, but it'll be a long way until I can forgive him. But I'm trying.
Aife and Kenzi are still living together and from what I've heard it's still going good. My mother has filed and signed the divorce papers but is still waiting for Jack to...if he ever will. She's actually been helping me with the food truck, realizing that I need more hands on deck, and is pretty amazing with figuring out my funds and helping me turn a profit. It looks like she's ready to settle and start a new life with her family.
So tonight, Kenzi and my mother are helping with serving the food and drinks, making it as efficient as possible. I narrowed it down to chicken, carne asada, and shrimp tacos that could either be flour or corn tortillas. Whether it be spicy or regular, it's up to the customers. Making a flavorable Spanish rice and boiled beans, topped off with avocado and cheese, my tacos are quantity and quality.
I take one last deep breath as the opening pitch is thrown, and go open the window of the truck. The competition has begun...
Lauren
The line at Bo's truck was immediate, so I wait until there's a small break to slip inside. "Hey babe, I know things will get busy but if you need any help, just holler at me."
Bo laughs and gives me a quick kiss. "Absolutely! I'll be stuck back here most of the game, so don't be a stranger, ok?"
She looks so nervous. "You'll do great, Isabeau. Now, go kick ass, my love."
Bo takes one of my hands as I'm walking off and reaches into the cooler behind her. "Here," she hands me two beers, "have fun."
God, I love her. "I knew I was marrying you for a reason." I tease and laugh as she pouts and shoves me away. Luckily she blows me a kiss before she disappears back into work mode.
"I hope one of those is for me!" A familiar accent comes from behind me.
I whip my head around, two tall cans of beer in each of my hands, from her place from behind Bo's Beer and Tacos. "You guys came!"
Vex and Tamsin stand in line laughing at me. "Of course we did! The baby needs nutrients such as tacos." Tamsin says as she pats her belly.
I hand the second beer to Vex and we cheers quickly. "Either way, I'm glad you guys are here. Bo is so nervous. Make sure you guys text her number for the competition." I point to the big four-digit number above her truck. "That way they can determine a winner."
"What does the winner get? Or is it just bragging rights?" Tamsin asks and tugs Vex up in line. Looks like my friend has some epic cravings.
"I guess it's forty percent of profits through every Taco sold from every truck and an open lot for every home game for the season. I just thought it'd be good with everything going on." I scratch the back of my neck then take a long drink of my beer. I honestly don't want to think about any of it tonight since the surgery is scheduled and Jack, Aife, and Trick are behaving themselves.
Tamsin agrees and waves at Kenzi when they approach the window. After ordering, they wait about a minute before a variety of tacos appear in the window. "Dear God these look amazing." Is mumbled before she pats my back. "The storm is slowly ending, Hotpants. You guys will make it and be happily married before you know it."
Instead of answering I turn to look at my fiancée. She gives me a shy smile before turning to help the next customer and I really hope Tamsin is right.
Over the next few innings, I would go back and forth between watching the baseball game and scoping out other taco trucks. They all seemed to be pretty busy, but I honestly can't tell if there is a singled out winner yet. But I could tell, even though it was sometimes chaotic, Bo was truly enjoying herself.
Another thing, that brought an unknown warmth to me was the amount of support she had. Many of my fellow colleagues and nurses that worked in my hospital were there at the game, along with their families, and were impressed by my fiancées food. Even my mother showed up, which says a lot since she despises baseball for some odd reason. She just wanted to support the love of my life...plus she's fallen in love with Bo's cooking.
Even Tamsin was surprised at the turnout of a few other detectives and officers she mentioned the Taco Throwdown to. I didn't realize this event was such a major thing and a lot of people were season holders to the Cougars. Soon enough, the line to Bo's Beer and Tacos were noticeably growing.
Without being asked, I hopped into the truck, washed my hands and offered my help. All three of them were grateful and soon the food was being prepared and served in a timely manner.
I was in awe watching Bo interact with each and every customer. She was genuine and optimistic with everyone, smiling and laughing. Even when a few drunken guys that thought they had a chance and would flirt with her, she kept it professional and politely declined and told them she was spoken for. I couldn't hold back the proud smile every time she would hold up her engagement ring, even though her glove too the glamor away from it.
I didn't even notice the time when in the food truck, until Bo stepped away from the ordering window and hugged me tight. The baseball game was over as was the Taco Throwdown.
After multiple thanks and a celebratory drink, Kenzi and Aife went home, along with them we Tamsin and Vex. Who knew our family would be so dysfunctionally functional. I wouldn't ask for a better one.
We were all exhausted and packed the extra food. We'd clean up once we drove the truck home. It was dark and late and we just wanted to get home. I figured I'd clean it up since Bo did all of the hard work anyways.
"That was incredible! Did you see all of those people eating my food, Lo?!" Bo says and we park the truck on the side of the curb and make sure all of the windows and doors were securely locked. "It's been a long time since I was in that atmosphere."
The dreamy look on her face has butterflies in my stomach. I don't know if it's the soft light from the full moon or the way she seems so relaxed, but it reminds me of that first night when we spent what felt like a lifetime outside of Kimmy's that first day we met. I feel like I'm falling in love with her all over again.
Taking her hand in mine, I pull out my keys and head towards our home. "I knew you'd do well, love. I'm just excited to see who the winner was. They said they'd call you tomorrow right?" I ask but I feel Bo stop abruptly.
Turning, I look back at her and she's frozen still, staring off into nothing. "Bo?" I try again, but nothing...
Seeing her collapse, I fall with her cradling her in my arms. "Shit, Shit!" She's seizing and I can't move her. "Hold on, baby." I whisper and reach for my phone.
"I need an ambulance! Please hurry!..." A sob escapes me and it feels like my entire world is crumbling as Bo continues to violently shake in my arms.
I frantically tell them the address and try to sooth Bo in my arms. "I got you, Bo. Don't worry sweetheart, I'm here, please stay with me. Please Bo." She seizes for almost three minutes. The ambulance came soon after.
Seeing Bo strapped down unconscious with an oxygen mask firmly on her face, I wasn't a doctor. I wasn't a surgeon. I couldn't help her.
Right now, I am just a woman praying for her fiancée to be ok.
AN: More soon! (probably tomorrow) Thanks for reading!
Twitter: Thelabcoat13