California Sunrise (3 page)

“You need help,” Meghan had told him when she’d finally given up on him.

“I’m fine,” he’d said.

“No, you’re not, but you can’t see it. You had a rotten childhood, Raúl, but stewing about it for the rest of your life isn’t going to make it any better.”

“I’m not depressed. Sometimes a little sad, but not too bad.”

She rolled her eyes, a gesture they both knew he hated “I hope you can move on from your past. Or else you’re going to die a lonely and bitter old man.”

“Once I get my license, things will get better. It’s just the pressure that’s getting me down.”

Meghan had shaken her head. “It’s more than that, and you know it, Raúl. I wish you luck.” She’d given him a quick kiss and left. Although his heart had ached every time he’d seen her across campus that was the end.

He shook off the memory, but a sense of unease remained. Would her prophecy prove true? Maybe he should reconsider and have dinner with Laura and the neighbors.

Somehow a casual gathering seemed frivolous. He needed to take some action—do something productive. His thoughts drifted back to the young woman he’d met that morning. What if he helped her develop a full plan of treatment? Even if it was too early to diagnose, it was obvious she needed help.

How could the boy’s father have left her and her son?

Some men were simply jerks. He wanted to find Luis’s father and wring his neck—or maybe some other part of his disloyal anatomy so the man would never be able to get another woman pregnant and abandon her.

Raúl glared at an imaginary deadbeat. It was easy for strutting young bucks to seduce or shame girls into having sex.

And when he finished with the young man who’d knocked up Alicia, he’d start on the men who’d deported his family when he was fourteen.

He’d end with his Uncle Santino, the man who’d made his life a living hell for the four years after that.

• • •

The bell jangled when Alicia pushed open the door to the Elizabeth’s shop and day spa. “Sorry I’m late! Couldn’t find a parking place.”

“No problem.” Elizabeth emerged from the back. “As you can see, it’s been a slow day. I’ve been reduced to straightening up the stock room.”

In spite of doing physical work moving merchandise, Elizabeth looked like she’d come out of a meeting at a high-end advertising firm. A quick glance in the mirror next to the jewelry stand told Alicia she couldn’t say the same.

“All registered?” Elizabeth asked.

“Yes. I’ve got classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays starting at four.” Alicia frowned. “Is it still okay I leave early then? I mean it’s summer—the busy season. Maybe I should cancel and start in the fall.”

“Nonsense.”

“But what if you go on a trip with Marcos? Who will mind the store then?”

“My husband is firmly planted in the Santa Cruz vineyard for now, so nothing to worry about. But I think we do need to make some changes. Let’s sit and talk.” She gestured toward the Victorian couch against the back wall.

“A young woman dropped off a résumé today,” Elizabeth continued. “I’d like to hire her on part-time. Like you were, she’s still in high school and interested in cosmetology.”

Alicia’s breath shortened. “I’ll quit my classes for now. You don’t need to hire anyone.”

Elizabeth put her hand on Alicia’s. “Stop. Your job is safe. I don’t know what I would have done without you over the last few years. But I see the toll Luis is taking on you.”

“I can handle it.”

“Alicia, I’m not trying to replace you. I’m helping you. With another person, there’s more flexibility if you need to go to the doctor or study for mid-terms. Can you understand that?”

The tightness reluctantly left Alicia’s chest. Elizabeth had never lied to her and had always done what she’d said she would. Another employee would give both of them a chance to attend to other things in their lives.

Replacing the income wouldn’t be easy, though.

“Oh, I’ve been meaning to ask," Elizabeth said. “Did the new guy—Dr. Patel’s partner—have anything helpful to say? My OB/GYN has lots of good things to say about him.”

“He says he can’t tell for sure until Luis is older, but he may have Asperger’s, which is a type of autism from what I’ve read.”

“Sounds hard.”

“It is.” More time at home would give her more chances to work with Dr. Mendez’s techniques, but less money would delay her chance to move out on her own. Of course, if she could get Luis to behave better, she’d be able to find more care for him.

Her life wasn’t going to go in a straight path. As long as she put one foot in front of the other, she’d make it. But it was so very hard to wait!

“Life can be a challenge, and you certainly have your fair share.” Elizabeth stood and began to re-shelve products. “Can you do the lipsticks?”

“Sure.”

They worked in silence for a while.

“If we hire the new girl,” Elizabeth said, “I’ll give you a small raise because you’ll be training her. And ... I’ll pay you for the time you’re in class.”

“Thank you.” A new worry surfaced. “But I’m only taking one business class.”

“I thought you were taking two.”

“I decided to take a sociology class.” Would Elizabeth think she was goofing off?

“Really?”

The happiness in Elizabeth’s voice surprised Alicia.

“That’s wonderful,” her boss added. “I know liberal arts classes are looked down on these days, but I think they’re important. They teach you about people—including yourself.” She frowned at the door. “But the people question I’d like answered right now is ‘Where are the customers?’”

“It’s a nice day.”

“Of course. People don’t shop when it’s clear. Too busy messing up their skin in the sun.”

“How do we get them inside?”

“Let’s run a sunscreen sale,” Elizabeth said, hastening toward the shelf of sun products. “That should get us some traffic. What do you think? Ten percent? Twenty?”

“How about twenty-five?”

“Okay. Twenty-five it is. Make up a sign.”

An hour later, the shop was humming with patrons, and the rest of the afternoon whizzed by. As she drove home, Alicia sang to the radio, her life radiant with sunshine even though deep fog shadowed the summer sky.

• • •

A sense of trepidation preceded Raúl down the nave of the Church of Our Lady. Ever since Graciela had told him she attended his church, he’d been leery of running into her and arrived just in time to continue his entreaty to God before Mass began.

He slunk down the left aisle and sank to his knees in a pew by the far wall. After crossing himself, he began.
Mi Dios. I ask you to bring my family home safely to America. I pray you give me the skills to treat my patients wisely and help my people as best I can. But most of all, care for my family, Dios. They are all I have.

A rustle and whiff of light citrus perfume let him know a woman had slid in beside him.

And may that not be Graciela. Amen
.

A quick glance told him he was safe—at least from Graciela. But not from the tantalizing effect of the female gender. As Alicia settled next to him, he remembered the warmth of her skin when they’d touched in his office.

The rousing strains of “Lift High the Cross” pealed from the organ pipes. “Hello, Alicia,” he whispered, nodding in what he hoped was a respectful manner.

“Hello, Dr. Mendez.” The smile she gave him was tentative, as if she was unsure how to interact with him outside of the office.

Through the rituals of the early part of the Mass, he was conscious of every move they made together—standing, sitting, kneeling—calisthenics for the faithful.

As the exchange of the peace came closer, his palms began to moisten. Would he receive the same electricity he’d experienced in the office? It probably didn’t mean anything even if he did. She was simply an attractive young woman with a difficult problem.

One he wanted to help her fix.

“The peace of the Lord be with you always,” the priest intoned.

“And also with you,” the flock obediently answered.

Raúl wiped his hands on his pants.

“Let us offer each other a sign of peace.”

After shaking hands with everyone he could reach in the pew in front of him, behind him, and to his right, he turned to the woman on his left and held out his hand.

Her touch was the same, and he held her hand a second too long.

With a smile that lightened his mood further, she said, “Peace of the Lord.”

“Lamb of God,” the priest began.

Raúl released her hand and turned his attention back to the Mass, unsure whether to be pleased or angry with God for letting the encounter happen. During the rest of the service, he forced his attention forward, failing in his attempt to chill the heat to his left.

As the final procession started down the aisle he turned to Alicia, hoping to cover his momentary lapse of good manners.

“How are you doing? How are things going with your son? Is he at home with your grandmother?” Aware he was sounding like an interrogator, he stopped talking.

Alicia gifted him with her smile.

“My mother is down from Los Banos visiting. She and
Abuela
are taking care of Luis so I could get to Mass.” Alicia leaned toward him. “They want to make sure I don’t stray off the good and righteous path again.”

They automatically bowed their heads as the golden cross passed by them. Then Raúl followed Alicia down the aisle, concentrating on her glossy hair as it brushed her shoulders, in order to avoid looking at her hips swaying as she walked. She was his patient’s mother, and, if he wanted to do the best for her, he needed to keep his relationship strictly professional.

The crush of people with their post-Eucharist smiles slowed his trip. As he scanned the crowd around him, he saw Graciela. She gave him a little wave and a big smile.

God surely had a wicked sense of humor.

He took a deep breath, gave her a quick nod, and turned his eyes straight ahead to follow his patient’s attractive mother to the rear of the church where the priests waited.

“Good to see you, Raúl,” the celebrant said.

“You, too, Father.”

Once they cleared the throng, Alicia paused. “It was nice to see you again, Dr. Mendez.”

“You, too, Alicia. Have you read any of the book I gave you?”

“I finished it last night.”

“Really? That’s wonderful!”

She lifted a finger in exception. “I didn’t say I understood it all, just that I read it.”

“We can discuss it over coffee sometime.” That would allow him to get to know her better so he could come up with a good comprehensive plan for her son’s development.

“Unfortunately, I don’t have much time for socializing.” Her eyebrows pulled together in a small frown.

Damn.
She thought he was hitting on her.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it like that.” He paused, wondering if not wanting a date was a bigger insult than wanting a date. Any discussion with a woman was a minefield. He took a breath. “Think of it as an office visit without the office. It helps me, too. The more I learn about Luis, the better I’ll be as a doctor.”

“Oh. Let me think about it.” Her forehead relaxed.

“Hi, Dr. Raúl. Wasn’t the Mass wonderful today?” Graciela’s smile was catlike.

Trying to maintain the higher ground, he introduced Alicia to his receptionist.

“Oh, yes. I know her,” Graciela said. “We both grew up in Los Banos.” The tone suggested a bug skittering across a floor was better than the woman in front of them. “Hello, Alicia.” She didn’t extend her hand.

Alicia’s eyes moved back and forth between Raúl and Graciela for a few seconds before a half smile appeared. “Nice to see you again, Graciela.” Alicia’s voice was polite but not warm. “I’ve got to be going. Thank you again for the book, Dr. Mendez.” Her heels clicked hard on the pavement as she made her exit.

Graciela stepped closer and smiled up at him with every bit of female knowledge she possessed. “My family has a large brunch every Sunday. I would be honored if you would join us.”

“I’m sorry, Graciela. I am busy.” He strode in the direction Alicia had gone.

He’d have to talk with Hadiya on Monday to find out if there was any way to get rid of the girl. He wouldn’t tolerate anyone’s disrespect toward his patients.

Alicia’s heart ached as she walked to her fourth-hand sedan.
Damn Graciela
! First she’d stolen her boyfriend, Eduardo, by filling him with lies about her sexual activity and now she was making her look bad in front of the doctor.

If only she were a child and could get away with ripping the bitch’s hair out.

When she reached the car, she yanked open the door. The hinges squealed.

Plunking herself down in the driver’s seat, she pulled the protesting door closed and rolled down the windows to let air into the stuffy vehicle.

“Alicia! Wait!” Dr. Mendez jogged toward the car. Even as angry as she was, she noted the easy way he covered ground.

The doctor placed his hands on the car door and leaned down, the piney scent of his aftershave slipping into the car, an advance scout of his intentions.

“Don’t let her get to you,” he said.

“I’m not.”

The June heat scorched the inside of the car.

Hell is for those who lie within fifteen minutes of Mass.

“I meant what I said about meeting you for coffee. I’d like to give you all the help I can with Luis.” The doctor swallowed.

“Why?”

He raked his hand through his hair. “I told you—getting to know how Luis responds to different techniques will help my other patients, too.” He hesitated, as if unsure what to say next.

“Do you do this for all your patients?”

“I do what I can for all my patients.” He looked off toward the mountains, then leaned back down, a shadow in his eyes. “One of my cousins had Asperger’s. Of course, we didn’t know what it was in those days; we just knew he was difficult. His parents had a tough go of it with him.”

Unsaid words permeated the air.
You’re a single mother.

“I’ll manage. I have my grandmother. The book’s very useful. Thanks for the loan. I’m sure I can figure it out, even if I only have a high school diploma.” Who knew what nonsense Graciela had told him.