The warm aroma of freshly brewed iced tea and the sweet anticipation of Abuela Diaz's legendary Tres Leches Cake filled the air as Eddie and Buck stepped into Abuela's cozy home. The familiar embrace of family and tradition wrapped around them, creating a sense of belonging that made their visits to Abuela's house special.
Abuela and Tia Pepa, seated at the dining table, beamed with genuine joy as they welcomed the duo. "¡Eduardito! ¡Evanito!" Abuela exclaimed, her voice filled with affection. The endearing nicknames, Edito and Evanito, reflected the immediate acceptance and love Buck had found in Abuela's heart.
"Evanito, mi hijo, come sit. Abuela's Tres Leches Cake is ready, and we've been waiting for you two," Tia Pepa added, her eyes twinkling with warmth. They motioned for Eddie and Buck to take a seat, and the two gladly complied.
As they settled around the table, Abuela poured the chilled iced tea into glasses, condensation glistening on the sides. The clink of ice cubes echoed, while the scent of Tres Leches Cake, already sliced and waiting, heightened the anticipation. Eddie and Buck exchanged a glance, the unspoken understanding between them evident. They've both always eagerly wait for their visits to Abuela and her delicious Tres Leches Cake.
The first bite of Tres Leches Cake was a symphony of flavors – the delicate sponge soaked in three milks, the velvety cream, and the sweetness that lingered on the palate. Abuela's culinary mastery was a testament to the rich tapestry of Mexican traditions woven into every dish.
Tia Pepa, her eyes twinkling with mischief, teased Buck, "Evanito, you must've made a deal with the devil to have this handsome face and still be so sweet. I'm keeping an eye on you, mijo."
Buck chuckled, feeling at ease in the presence of these wonderful women who had welcomed him into the Diaz family with open arms. "No deals with the devil, Tia Pepa, just a lot of luck and love."
Eddie, savoring the cake and the warmth of family, added, "Buck's right. We're both lucky to have each other and to be part of this amazing family."
Abuela, her eyes softening with affection, reached across the table to pat Buck's hand. "Mi Evanito, you bring so much happiness to our Eddie. You're family, siempre."
Tia Pepa nodded in agreement. "That's right. Family sticks together, no matter what."
Eddie couldn't help but bask in the happiness that radiated from the conversation. He continued to regale Abuela and Tia Pepa with tales of Buck's recent accomplishments, relishing every opportunity to showcase his partner's talents and the joy he brought to their lives.
"Abuela, you should have seen it," Eddie exclaimed with an infectious enthusiasm. "Buck's cookies were a hit at the bake sale. People couldn't get enough of them. We practically sold out in minutes. It's like he has the magic touch when it comes to baking."
Buck, though visibly pleased by the compliments, playfully rolled his eyes. "Oh, come on, Eddie. It's just cookies. I can't take credit for all that."
Eddie, however, wasn't about to let Buck downplay his achievements. "No, seriously, Abuela, these cookies were a masterpiece. Everyone wanted to know the secret ingredient. Buck's baking skills are on another level."
Abuela, her eyes twinkling with pride, nodded in agreement. "Good to know I will have someone to pass down my recipies to, Evanito. I always knew you had a special touch in the kitchen. Mi nieto, here, on the other hand, is banned from entering mi cocina."
Buck, now wearing a bashful yet pleased expression, responded, "Alright, alright, maybe I have a few tricks up my sleeve. But I can't take all the credit. It's a team effort."
As Eddie continued to share stories, the conversation seamlessly transitioned to the topic of Buck's debut at the PTA meeting. Eddie's eyes sparkled mischievously as he recounted the details, and Buck, sensing that Eddie was building up to something, couldn't help but feel a tinge of curiosity.
"And then," Eddie began, a mischievous grin playing on his lips, "Buck charmed every single mother at the PTA meeting. Even the married ones were hanging out to his every word. They practically declared him the 'heartthrob of the PTA.'"
Buck's eyes widened in surprise, and he turned to Eddie, his face flushing. "Wait, Eddie, how did you even find out about that? I thought you were working that night!"
Eddie, relishing the opportunity to tease his boyfriend, leaned in with a sly smile. "Well, mi amor, you underestimate the power of the PTA grapevine. The Smiths spilled all the details. Apparently, you left quite an impression."
Buck, a playful pout forming on his lips, nudged Eddie gently. "You're telling me that my legendary charm extends even to PTA meetings now? I'm just here to make cookies and be a good dad."
Abuela and Tia Pepa, thoroughly enjoying the banter between the two, erupted into laughter. Abuela patted Buck's cheek affectionately. "Evanito, charm is a gift, and it seems like you're sharing it with everyone around you. Eddie, you've chosen well."
Tia Pepa, still chuckling, added, "Indeed, Eddie, you've got yourself a gem. A man who can bake cookies, attend PTA meetings, and win hearts – what more could you ask for?"
As the laughter subsided, the warmth in the room lingered, a testament to the joy found in shared moments and the unwavering support of family. Eddie, looking at Buck with a fondness that spoke volumes, said, "Well, I couldn't ask for more. Buck makes every day brighter, and Chris and I are lucky to have him."
Buck, feeling the embrace of their shared happiness, smiled appreciatively. "I'm the lucky one. I never thought I'd find a family like this. You both make me feel like I've belonged here forever."
Abuela, her eyes reflecting a deep understanding, spoke with heartfelt sincerity, "Mi Evanito, you were always meant to be part of this familia. Love finds its way, and it found you here."
As the conversation continued, the room filled with laughter, affection, and the sweet aroma of Tres Leches Cake. The bond between Eddie, Buck, Abuela, and Tia Pepa strengthened, each shared moment deepening the roots of their unique and loving family.
However, Eddie's joyous expression shifted to concern as the familiar ringtone of his phone cut through the room's cheerful atmosphere. He reached into his pocket, retrieving the device, and glanced at the caller ID. The school's name displayed on the screen heightened his worry. Abuela and Tia Pepa exchanged concerned glances, realizing that something was amiss.
With a deep breath, Eddie answered the call, trying to steady his voice. "Hello?"
The voice on the other end of the line belonged to the school receptionist. She spoke with a measured tone, providing the necessary details about the incident. "Mr. Diaz, I'm calling from the school. There's been a small accident. Christopher was involved in a skateboarding incident during the break. He's okay, but we'd like you to come to the school to pick him up. We've checked him, and there don't seem to be any serious injuries, just a few scrapes and bruises."
Eddie's heart skipped a beat, concern etched across his face. "Is he okay? Can I talk to him?"
The receptionist reassured him, "He's conscious and talking, Mr. Diaz. The nurse has tended to his minor injuries, but we think it would be best if you came to pick him up. It's protocol for incidents like this."
Eddie nodded, though the receptionist couldn't see it. "I'll be there right away. Thank you for letting me know."
As he hung up, the atmosphere in the room had shifted palpably. Abuela and Tia Pepa, now wearing expressions of concern, exchanged glances that conveyed understanding. Eddie, his mind racing with worry for his son, looked at Buck with a mix of urgency and reassurance.
"Chris had a skateboard accident at school. He's okay, just a few scrapes, but they want me to pick him up. I need to go."
Buck stood up, his features mirroring Eddie's concern. "Let's go. We'll be right there with you."
Eddie nodded gratefully, appreciating the unwavering support from Buck. "Thank you. Abuela, Tia Pepa, we'll be back soon. Chris just needs a bit of Dad time."
As they hurriedly made their way to the door, and into Buck's Jeep. As they drove towards the school, the mood had shifted from joyous to the urgency of parental duty. In moments like these, Eddie couldn't help but feel grateful for the support that surrounded him.
The moment they parked, they sprinted toward the school, guided swiftly to a courtyard where Carla and Ana waited. Buck halted Eddie, urging him to collect himself. "Calm down and let them explain. If Chris was seriously hurt, Carla wouldn't be smiling and talking casually. Breathe, and we'll figure out what happened, okay?"
Eddie, still on edge, forced himself to pause and take a deep breath. "You're right," he conceded, reaching for Buck's hand.
Buck reached them first. "Carla, what happened?"
"Chris had a little incident, but he's going to be just fine. He scraped his knee. Honestly, I would have said you didn't even need to come down, but I know how the two of you both get, so here we are," she shared with a nonchalant shrug.
"What exactly happened?" Buck inquired. Simultaneously, Eddie turned his gaze toward Ms. Flores. "How did he get hurt?"
"We didn't catch on that one of the kids sneaked in a skateboard, and a bunch of them started taking turns riding it, and—"
"You mean to tell me you didn't notice a whole gang of kids goofing off with a skateboard?" Buck chimed in, cutting off Eddie's building frustration. "Skateboards aren't exactly quiet, and even if it's recess, there should be folks keeping an eye on our kids. How'd a whole squad of skateboarders slip by?"
"I'm not sure if you've got kids, Mr. Buckley, but kids can get pretty crafty when they want to. We were short one lunch monitor today, and the kids were in a spot that's a bit tricky to keep an eye on. With all the noise from playing kids, no one picked up on it," she explained.
"So what I'm getting is there's a blind spot in your playground, and you didn't have enough staff to keep things in check. And here's a wild guess – the monitors you did have were probably huddled up and chatting instead of actually watching the students," Buck observed, irritation creeping into his tone. While this incident might be small, the potential for more serious consequences was staring them in the face.
"I—" Whatever defense she planned to present dwindled as Chris entered the room.
Both men squatted down in front of him. "Christopher, are you okay?"
"I'm sorry about my clothes," he apologized.
"Hey, that doesn't matter, alright?" Buck reassured him, drawing on memories of his own mother's less-than-stellar reactions to torn or bloody clothes. He then assessed the situation, or, in this case, Chris's knee. "Buddy, how did you mess up your knee?"
"I fell because I lost control of the board," Chris admitted, careful in what he wasn't saying, but Buck caught the unspoken details.
"It does not matter, buddy. I'm just glad you are ok." Eddie leaned in. "But you are grounded for a week."
"Aww, Dad," Chris groaned.
"A week?" Ana asked, her voice more than a little tight.
"Chris knows the rules. Safety is important. He can wait a week and think about all the ways that could have gone worse." Eddie turned back to Chris. "I'm sure by then, Buck will have you all geared up so we can try again together, right, mijo?"
Chris, who had been looking down, grinned. "Yes!" Only to sober up a little at the stern looks he was getting from both men and even the brow raises from Carla. "Uh, I mean, safety is very important." He said, throwing out a pair of wide, innocent eyes Eddie would swear on a stack of bibles that came from Buck, while Buck was certain the kid never looked more like his dad.
"Mr. Diaz, Edmundo, I don't reckon the problem lies with the safety gear." She dropped her voice, edging closer to Eddie. "Sometimes, our limitations, the times we stumble or fall, they can signal when to put on the brakes, or they might guide us toward the next opportunity. It could be that skateboarding isn't the right fit for Chris—"
Buck, still tending to Chris's knee, looked up to find his eyes widening and filling with tears. Rage surged within him. He rose, sparing a quick glance at Carla, whose narrowing eyes hinted at the anger he had already surpassed. Stepping beside Eddie, who regarded Ana Flores like she was some bewildering new species of bug, Buck cut her off mid-sentence.
"Have you ever heard of Jim Abbott, Ms. Flores?" Buck asked, deceptively calmly.
She looked a little flustered at being interrupted but was quick to focus on Buck and his question. "No, I can't say that I have."
"He was a baseball player," Buck informed her conceitedly. "And in the '90s, he pitched a no-hitter, which is pretty crazy by itself, but do you know what makes it even crazier? Well, see, Jim Abbott was born with only one hand. He practiced relentlessly until he could switch his glove and be able to field after a pitch. He learned what he needed to accommodate his needs, so he could be a major league pitcher, and a damned good one at that. If a person wants to achieve something badly enough, they will find a way."
"I only meant that—" she tried again.
"I get exactly what you 'meant,'" Buck interjected, interrupting her once more. "Chris, just like Jim Abbott, will be the best darned Christopher Diaz he can be, and he doesn't need anyone's limits or expectations dragging him down like an anchor." Buck's words carried a hiss of frustration directed at her.
"And I reckon we're finished here for now. Ms. Flores, kids face plenty of challenges; I'd rethink the stance you just attempted. Buck is spot-on; kids don't need those sorts of limitations," Carla suggested.
Buck, meanwhile, had dismissed the woman entirely and turned to escort Chris out.
While Buck and Carla took Chris to Buck's Jeep, Eddie stayed behind to address Miss Ana Flores. His fury was palpable, and he made sure she felt the weight of his anger. He began by condemning her unprofessional behavior, emphasizing that her flirtation was inappropriate, especially considering he was already in a committed relationship. Eddie spared no words in expressing his disgust at her attempts to seduce the father of one of her students.
Eddie's frustration bubbled to the surface, and his words poured out in a heated torrent. "What do you think you're doing, Ms. Flores?" he began, his voice sharp with anger. "Your behavior is completely unprofessional. Flirting with a parent, especially one who's already in a committed relationship, is not only inappropriate but downright shameful."
His eyes narrowed, and he pressed on, each word dripping with disdain. "You're trying to seduce the father of your student? Have you no decency? No respect for the boundaries that should exist between educators and parents?"
Eddie's tone shifted from incredulity to stern reprimand. "And another thing, it's Eddie, not Edmundo. How many times do I have to tell you? Ignoring my simple request is not just rude; it's a blatant disregard for basic politeness."
His frustration deepened as he confronted her ableism. "Your attitude, your ableism, makes me sick to my stomach. You're in a position of influence, supposed to be fostering a positive and inclusive environment for your students. Instead, you're perpetuating harmful stereotypes and biases."
Eddie's tirade reached its climax with a warning that cut through the air like a blade. "I'll be calling Principal Summers to explain exactly why Chris won't be taking your English class anymore. If you persist in bothering my family, I won't hesitate to involve the authorities. This ends here, Ms. Flores. Do you understand?"
Having unleashed his torrent of frustration, Eddie turned away, his steps purposeful as he caught up with Buck and Chris. As Eddie walked away, leaving Ana Flores standing alone, a storm of conflicting emotions raged within her. The tears that welled up in her eyes were not just from the verbal lashing she had received but from the profound shame that had gripped her heart. She felt exposed, vulnerable, and utterly foolish.
His harsh words echoed in her mind, each one a cutting reminder of her lapse in judgment. The weight of the shame settled heavily on her chest, leaving her breathless. She had never expected such a severe reprimand, and it stung deeper than she could have imagined. The cold, dark glare he had fixed upon her played over and over in her mind. It was a look of disappointment, of condemnation, and it left her feeling weak and exposed. The realization that her actions could cost her not just her dignity but also her job was a bitter pill to swallow.
With a heavy heart and tear-stained cheeks, Ana made a silent vow to herself. She decided, at that moment, to steer clear of the Diaz family. The foolish crush that had clouded her judgment had brought her nothing but shame and regret. She understood the gravity of her actions and the potential consequences, and with a broken heart, she turned away from the courtyard.
The school doors swung open, and Ana re-entered the building. The once-confident teacher walked with a new heaviness in her step, the weight of her mistakes settling upon her shoulders. The echoes of Edmundo's words lingered, a stark reminder that boundaries existed for a reason, and crossing them came at a cost. The chapter of her foolish crush was closed, left behind in the shadows of her misguided desires.