"Can I have a minute?" Jordi asked quietly.
"Of course." Adam nodded. "I'll just wait by the car."
Adam paused a few steps away. Jordi was standing, frozen, by the grave site. Not completely frozen Adam realized as he watched silently. He could see the subtle shaking as Jordi stood quietly crying. Through the whole church service, the burial service, the line of neighbors and such paying their condolences Jordi hadn't shed a tear. But it was only a matter of time and a part of Adam was relieved that Jordi didn't keep up pretenses too long. Grief is a messy business, a resident had once told him. Whether it was parents realizing they would out live their son or the 14 year old girl facing her own mortality, the end didn't begin until the crying had begun. Crying was the most basic, most human, of reactions. The only one humans know instinctively, from the moment they're born. A totally natural reaction to being abruptly ripped from a place that was warm, snug, predictable and into a place of utter chaos. Adam remembered that lecture like it was yesterday.
"Señor." Adam looked up to see Miguel and Isabella approaching.
"Señor Leon."
"For the last time. Miguel" The older man smiled softly. "You're practically family."
"Thank you Se—Miguel, for arranging this. It was a beautiful service."
"You and Jordi will come for lunch." Isabella chimed in.
"That didn't sound like a question."
"Because it wasn't."
"Careful, Dr McAndrew. She's the Mexican Jackson."
"I'm going to take that as a compliment."
"I'm sure Jordi meant it as one." Adam couldn't help smiling. Count on Jordi to start cracking jokes already. Always the one to want everyone else to feel better.
"Did you say lunch? Cause I am a little hungry."
"Bueno. Shall we?"
The car ride was quiet. Miguel and Isabella lived in a small house at the end of a quiet road. There was a young man sitting on the front stoop drinking what appeared to be a beer.
"Hey cuz." The young man gripped Jordi in a bear hug. "Sorry about your Abuela."
"Thanks."
"I'm Ramon. You must be the doctor."
Adam shock the young man's hand. "Adam McAndrew. And I guess someone's been talking about me."
"It was all good." Ramon laughed.
"Jordi, I washed your other clothes and put them in Ramon's room. Change out of that suit before you get it dirty."
"Adam, you want a beer?"
"Sure."
"Good. I have something I want to talk to you about."
Adam followed Miguel into the house. He could hear Ramon and Jordi laughing about something in a room down the hall.
"I would wait to bring this up, being we just buried her. But I imagine you will need to return to Los Angeles soon."
"What's up?"
"I was Alma's lawyer." Miguel pulled an envelope out of his briefcase. "This is for you."
Adam pulled out the page and started reading. "Is this for real? Is it legal?"
"Yes."
"Don't mention it to Jordi. Not just yet."