Page 38 of Third Time's the Charm
And that’s when I lost it. Not big ugly tears, but silent, manly ones. Her eyes rounded and then she hugged me hard.
“What happened?”
I stepped back and wiped the saltwater away. “Nothing.”
She frowned. “Berlin?”
I nodded.
She pulled me over to a bench and held my hand. “I’m sorry you’re hurting.”
“I can’t imagine ever loving someone as much as I loved her.” At all. I tried, but every time I pictured a different woman it felt all wrong.
And then Ma said something that hurt even more. “You won’t.” She patted my hand and shrugged. “She was your first love, your true love, and your best friend for a time. You will never have that particular love again. But you will love again. Differently.”
“I don’t know how I feel about that.” It hurt but in a weird way it also made me feel a little better.
“I don’t love Antonio the way I loved your father. Not at all. But I’m decades older. I’m a different person with different needs. Your dad was the solid, funny backbone of our family. But he’s gone and I can’t change that. The woman I am now needs a friend. Someone to cook with, and laugh with, and grow old with.”
“And you think Antonio is the guy?”
She shrugged again. “Maybe. Time will tell. I’m in no rush these days. He’s the right man for right now.”
“I’ll allow it.”
“You liked him?” She bit the corner of her lip.
It was weird to reverse roles. To see my mother nervous about what I would think. “I do. He’s different but genuine. If you like, I like him.”
She sighed with relief. “And you’re different than you were at eighteen. You’re the youngest coach in hockey. You’re an accomplished and important man with a bright future. You’re a man who has made mistakes and learned from them. One day you will fall in love again, as the man you are now.”
“You’re saying all the right things, Ma. But I don’t hurt any less.” I rubbed my chest again.
“You have a game tonight?”
“Yeah.”
“Come home after. Stay the night with me. Let me make your favorite mac and cheese and empanadas.”
Weird combo, I know, but it was still my favorite. And it was the only thing that made me feel a little less miserable. “Okay. I have to be on a plane at two.”
We stood up and hugged again. “Do you want a tram tour?”
I kinda did. “Can you get me in for free?” I teased.
“I know some people.” She took my elbow and we started the long walk back down.
Chapter 13
It’s raining iguanas
Berlin
“Pass the chocolate,” Cynthia said as she held out her hand.
We were stuck indoors for the day. The cold front finally arrived and it was a rainy mess. But it meant we got to catch up on logging our bags and doing paperwork.
“We’ve got one set left and then we’re out of here.”
