Chapter 10
1079 Words
Ines
The way in which Vicente handled gardening was mesmerizing.
Yes, I found everything he did to be amazing but gardening in particular made him shine. He was so careful when potting plants, locating where the sun would hit best, positioning the pot in a way that would allow water to spread through the soil and roots and give the flowers room to grow.
I had merely been a helping hand by giving him tools, seeds and affirmations.
It was almost sundown when I had noticed I had spent over 3 hours at his side.
Time had flown by.
For the first hour I had been a mess. I was tripping over things, stumbling over my words and I felt my face go hot every time he looked at me. His presence was overwhelming and I couldn’t think straight.
But after that hour of flushed ridiculousness, I found myself comfortable with him.
I still caught my breath every time he looked at me, my heart quickened when he smiled and my body trembled when he was near me, but I was comfortable.
We began talking about our lives, his business, our families and then we settled on the topic of our futures as he finished watering the Spanish Bluebell seeds.
“When did you start picturing what your future would look like?” He asked.
I shrugged, knowing very well that the moment I understood what it felt to love him I pictured my entire life with him.
“I’m not really sure. But I think everyone thinks about their future, don’t you?”
“Yes, I do. I did, but it was all short term goals. They were all things I’d do soon or was already close to accomplishing.”
“You never thought of anything in the far future? Something you’d have to wait or work hard for?”
Vicente looked at the pot he was watering and shook his head slightly. “I can’t say I did, at least not before.”
My heart bloomed with false hope. “What changed?”
He looked at his shoes and then to me with a small smile, “I’m not sure. I don’t know what I see, or who.”
I couldn’t help but continue asking him questions. “So there is a who?”
Once again, Vicente shrugged. “I’m not sure.”
I was about to ask another question, hopeful that he’d see things in a new light, but my father’s cheerful greetings rang in the distance.
“Vicente! Mijo, how are you?” He said as he approached the house with arms open.
Ma walked next to him, grinning and glowing.
Her and Pa loved taking a trip to the beach; they said it reminded them of the first time they met and that they felt like they were falling in love even more.
Vicente hugged Pa and then gently hugged Ma. “Good evening Señor and Señora Díaz, I’m glad I was able to wait for you.”
“It’s nice to see you too,” Ma said smiling. “What brings you around?”
“My mother just sent me to look in on Ines and her sad attempt at growing Spanish Bluebells.”
I scowled.
Ma laughed and patted my back. “Yes, Ines did try her best. Poor things didn’t make it even a week before dying off.”
“Not even a week Ines?” Pa asked in shock. “Even I can manage to grow daisies for at least a month.”
“You didn’t inherit the talent of gardening I see,” Vicente teased.
I glared at all of them. “Thank you, for all of this. I appreciate the attention on my poor gardening skills.”
Ma and Pa laughed as they headed inside and Vicente continued to laugh with them and add small jokes.
It was so amazing watching how easily the man I loved interacted with my parents. It made me love him more.
“Vicente, would you care to join us for dinner?” Pa offered.
“We’re having fish with tomatoes, rosemary and fresh bread.” Ma added.
Vicente’s eyes lit up, “oh absolutely! Thank you!”
He grinned at all of us as he headed inside too, adding a skip to his step as he caught up to Pa.
I stood out in the garden, quiet and processing everything. It had been a dream spending the afternoon with him and at times I felt like we were connecting in a way that could change the way he saw me.
A part of me hoped and dreamed that he’d see me more than the young girl he had watched grow up. That he’d see me as a woman who he wanted; that he wanted to hold, kiss, love and build a life with.
But would he ever see me that way? Would he ever see me, Ines, the girl with curly hair and dark skin, who lived in his little port town as more than a family friend?
“Ines! Are you coming in? Your Ma wants me to make the fish but I have no idea how,” Vicente said, poking his head out the back door.
He had an apron around his waist and a bowl of tomatoes in hand. He looked so lost and excited at the same time; his honey eyes shimmered in the evening sun.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” Vicente asked, biting into a tomato.
The wind began to whirl around me and I felt strands of my hair fly all over my face and the scent of Ma’s herbs enveloped me.
And along with that, Vicente’s scent hit me and I breathed in as much as I could.
I loved this man so much.
I loved his face, his hands, smile, eyes, voice and jokes. I loved all of him, and I knew I always would.
It hurt to love him knowing it was unrealistic for him to love me back.
But how could I stop myself from dreaming of a life with him when he was ever so present in my life?
“Ines?” He asked again, eating the tomato still. “Will you please come help me?”
I smiled at him, knowing I’d dream of this afternoon with him for months, even if it hurt in the long run.
“Yes, I’m on my way.”
- Writer
