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Luke pushed the lawn mower across the yard of Ana Sophia and Diego López’s home. It had been the first sunny day he had off in a bit, and he couldn’t wait any longer to mow their yard since the grass was so high. He didn’t want Ana Sophia to try to cut it herself, the woman was seventy-two years old.
Seeing the screen door open and a flash of yellow, Luke turned to see Ana Sophia waving at him, her yellow dress flapping in the breeze. Turning the lawn mower off, Luke walked over to the front porch and asked, “Is something wrong, Abuela?”
“I’ve got lemonade and cookies inside. Take a break, it’s too calor for you to be out here without a siesta.”
“Sí, it is hot today. Let me finish this one row and I’ll be done and can really enjoy a rest.”
Sighing, Ana Sophia said with a smile, “Hurry up. The galletas won’t stay warm for long.”
Luke nodded before switching the lawn mower on to finish the last bit. He had been mowing the López’s yard since he was fifteen and found out through the church the married couple were having a hard time after Diego was injured when a beam fell on him in a fire and he wouldn’t be working as a firefighter anymore. Luke had offered to mow their yard and do general maintenance for free, and the sweet couple became the grandparents he never had. When his own mother died, and Marissa had run off, they stepped in to help him get through the funeral and make plans for his future. It was because of them he became a firefighter, seeing the love Diego had for the job and knowing the much needed stability it would give him, made it an easy decision.
Ten minutes later he finished and went inside the kitchen to wash up. He had spent many hours here and considered it more of a home than the many apartments he shared with his mother and sister over the years. He finished drying his hands, before sitting at the old wooden table in the sunny red kitchen across from Ana Sophia, who insisted he call her grandmother since his first day mowing her lawn.
Reaching for a cookie, he wasn’t surprised when she clucked her tongue. “Prayer first, then galletas.”
Luke chuckled, but bowed his head, No one argued with Abuela. Saying a quick prayer, because he was hungry, he was surprised to look up and see the serious look on her face. “What’s wrong? Is Diego okay? I thought he was watching a baseball game with the retired fireman group.”
Ana Sophia nodded and said, “He is, but I wanted to talk to you about something. What is wrong with you, m’ijo? You’ve been quiet the whole time you’ve been here and I’ve seen you very little this summer.”
Luke sighed, she’s always known me so well, even though I’m not really her flesh and blood. Biting into a warm cookie, he munched a moment. “It’s my nanny, Abuela. She’s a handful.”
“She isn’t good for the kids? I’ve seen Magda and Daniel at church and all they talk about is Miss Ree this and Miss Ree that. I’ve never seen them so animated and happy. I haven’t met the young woman yet, but from what I hear, she’s wonderful. Is that not true?”
Taking a sip of lemonade, Luke knew he needed to be honest with Abuela, because after the wife week dinner on Monday night when Hillary walked out, he knew he was at a pivotal moment with her. She didn’t say one word to me, even after I came home and apologized, but her eyes looked so hurt when she said she would be back late Wednesday night to take care of the kids when I’m at work.
“She’s great with the kids, wonderful for them actually. Magda will be on her grade level for the first grade and Daniel’s learning his letters and numbers quickly thanks to her.”
“So, what’s the problem?”
Looking at his clenched hands, Luke said, “She’s from a rich family.”
“And...?”
“And it means she’s out of my league.”
“Oh, you are enamorado!”
“No, I can’t be in love with her, she’s too... too rich. She wears Prada like it’s a second skin.”
“Luke you’re saying tonterías...”
“No, Abuela, it’s not nonsense. I’m not. All those years I mowed lawns to make money for my family, I saw the looks those people gave me, the scorn and sometimes pity. None of them ever asked me inside, too afraid I’d steal something. You and Diego were the only ones to show me kindness. I even had one lady accuse me of stealing a necklace, and it wasn’t until her daughter came home and admitted she borrowed it they decided not to have me arrested. They still fired me.”
Ana Sophia reached out to hold his hands, “Ay, Corazón, you can’t judge everyone by a few people’s actions.”
“I know, but it’s hard, because I still remember the way those ladies treated my mother, a kind and loving mom doing the best she could to raise two kids without my dad.”
“And Hillary has been rude and unkind, looking down at the little ones?”
“No...”
“¿Por qué?”
Luke pushed up from the table, walking over to the sink to look out the garden window, “I know the type, and she’ll expect to marry someone with money, like her parents.”
“But, she’s a school teacher, right?”
“Yes, who wears Prada.”
Ana Sophia began laughing, and Luke whirled around to see her wiping tears from her eyes, she was laughing so hard. “Abuela?”
“Luke, you always were a stubborn teenager. From what I have heard and the way Magda and Daniel have blossomed in the short time she’s been here, I think you’re trying to make something out of nothing. You’re afraid of your feelings for this woman and you’re coming up with excuses to avoid taking the chance and asking her out. Is she guapa?”
Luke whispered, “Beautiful, stunning.”
“I knew it.” Ana Sophia said, slapping the table, “You’ve fallen for her and are fighting it.”
“No, I... well... not...”
“Do you remember the story in the Bible about Rebekah?”
“What?” Confused, eyebrows raised, Luke said, “Yes, I know the story.”
“I always wondered about the young woman’s journey to meet Isaac for the first time. She came from a wealthy family, and she knew by the gifts the servant brought that she was marrying a wealthy man, but do you really think as she was making the trip to meet her soon to be husband that she was thinking about his wealth?”
Ana Sophia stared at Luke, her deep brown eyes questioning him. She waited for him to say, “No, I guess not.”
“No, I don’t think so, either. I’m sure for the first few days of the trip she wondered what he would look like, but I’m sure that gave way to the important questions. Will he love me for who I am? Will he take care of me, comfort me when I’m sad, support me when times are tough? Will he still love me as we grow old together? I’m sure she had many questions that had nothing to do with money, clothes, or shoes.”
Luke moved to sit back down, his mind going over what she said. Hillary’s nothing like the women my mother worked for. She’s kind, generous and thoughtful. She has never looked down on me or my kids. I’ve been a jerk and she never deserved any of it.
Ana Sophia stood and leaned down to kiss his head. “I see you’ve reached some important conclusions about this young woman.”
“Yes. I think I have.”
“Good. Now, you work tomorrow?”
“Yes, I work Thursday and have Friday and Saturday off.”
“Bueno. I want you to bring the kids and Hillary over for dinner Friday night. I will make my famous enchiladas.”
“Hillary loves to cook, she’ll try to get your recipe, I’m sure.”
“She cooks, too? Luke, you’ve been loco treating her badly.” Raising her eyebrow, she said, “It’s time Diego and I meet your lady, plus I want to see my great grandkids. It’s been too long. Camilla must be growing like a weed.”
Luke chuckled, “She is, I can’t believe how fast she’s growing. I’ll ask Hillary after I see her and really apologize.”
Standing, he hugged her. “I need to go get the kiddos. I left them with the chief’s daughter to babysit while I was here.” Taking the bag of cookies, he knew she packed to send home to the kids, he said, “I’ll let you know what Hillary says about dinner.”
Waving goodbye, Ana Sophia said, “You do that. Say hola to the kids and give them a lot of besitos from me.”
“Bye, Abuela. Gracias.”
“Anytime, m’ijo. Anytime.”
Luke’s heart felt much lighter as he drove to pick up his kids. Lord, please help me mend my relationship with Hillary. Help me to overcome my prejudices and fears to see Your will for our lives. Please don’t let me have ruined any chance I might have with her.