Just a Taste

Chapter 2-1

Chapter 2

Of all the people to see her, really see her, no way had Carmen expected it to be Liam O’Leary. She had called him out of respect for her father, but she hadn’t thought he’d come. Maybe to the funeral home, but certainly not to the house. She’d escaped to the kitchen because she needed to get away from the looks and comments, the rubs against her hand meant to reassure her that things would be okay.

So many people filled her small house. The air became oppressive and she couldn’t breathe. When Liam caught her in the kitchen, she felt her nerves unraveling and he’d seen it.

“Who’s the white boy pouring coffee? Tia Rosalie wants to know,” Rosa said.

So much for a minute of peace. Carmen turned to face her cousin. “It’s Liam O’Leary. He stopped by to pay his respects and offered to get the coffee for me.”

Carmen pushed away from the table. If Rosa was in the kitchen, others would surely follow. Especially if Liam drew attention. And how could he not? He didn’t exactly blend with her family. Once on her feet, she swayed.

“Hey now. Are you all right?” Rosa caught her arm.

She nodded weakly. “I’m fine. A little worn out. It’s a lot to take in at once, you know?”

Liam returned with the coffeepot, still half full, which was a good sign. Maybe people were planning to leave soon. She took the pot from him. “Thank you.”

“What else can I do? Want me to wrap up the food?”

She glanced at Rosa. If she mentioned throwing it all away, Rosa would get nosy. “Why don’t you make yourself a plate to take with you? I’ll never be able to eat all of this.”

“Rosa,” someone called from the living room.

Rosa waited, looking at Carmen’s face. “Are you sure you’re okay? Mom and Dad are probably ready to go.”

“I’m good. Thanks.” She forced a smile that she hoped would pass the test for her cousin.

“Call if you need anything.” Rosa grabbed her in a hug and added in her ear, “I mean it.”

“I will,” Carmen whispered back. The brief respite she’d taken had to be enough. She followed Rosa back into the living room to say good-bye to her family and walk them out. Luckily, when Rosa’s family decided to leave, the rest of the family followed suit. It had taken another hour, but Carmen closed the door on her last cousin and sank against the door.

Blissful quiet.

Except not. Water was running in the kitchen. Who? Then she remembered Liam. She’d completely forgotten about him. She shoved away from the door and walked to the kitchen. In the doorway, she froze. The entire room was clean. Dishes stacked neatly on the drain and counter. Liam hadn’t noticed her presence and she watched him for a moment.

He was bigger now than he’d ever been. Broader. But his red hair and freckles hadn’t changed. And those blue eyes still had the ability to mesmerize her.

A flash of memory struck her: Liam, elbows-deep in the stainless sink at her father’s restaurant. Physically he’d always stood out in that kitchen, the one white guy among a bunch of Mexicans, but he fit in somehow. His love for her father’s food brought him into the fold.

“Everyone gone?” he asked without turning around.

“Yes.” She walked to him and leaned against the counter. “Thank you for cleaning up. You didn’t have to do that.”

“It didn’t look like anyone else was going to help.” He winked at her. “Besides, it was like old times.”

“I had the same thought when I saw you standing at the sink. You’re far from being a dishwasher now, though, right? My dad was always bragging about what a great chef you are.” She crossed her arms over her middle. For all the details she’d handled over the days, she’d spoken very little of her father.

“I wouldn’t be where I am today if your dad hadn’t fostered my love of cooking.” He dried his hands on the towel at the edge of the sink, then picked up a glass dish filled with food. “My to-go container. I’ll return it when I’m finished.”

“No problem. Thank you for your help. Really.”

“I know you said you were going to throw the food away, but I broke it up into meal-sized portions and put it in the fridge. If you freeze some, you probably won’t have to cook for weeks.”

She shook her head with a smile. This man, who was a virtual stranger, had helped in ways that her family couldn’t. They meant well and she couldn’t hold that against them. But Liam let her be. She briefly recalled her dad talking about Liam’s father dying. It had been while Mom was sick and Carmen had been overwhelmed. She hadn’t even really paid attention.

“I’ll see you tomorrow.” He gently touched her shoulder with his free hand and gave a little squeeze.

Tomorrow. At the funeral. She offered a weak nod, not trusting her voice. He grabbed his coat and left without a sound. Carmen locked up and stood in her living room, a room she’d grown up in, and the silence assaulted her.

She’d wanted the silence, the peace, but now she felt like it would swallow her whole. She turned the TV back on, found the telenovelas her mother loved to watch, and then she curled up on the couch.