Lash leaned against the back of car, wondering what he should do next.
When the car had broken down about a mile from the house, he’d thought they were in for a long walk. Then Chuy had climbed out of the car and Naomi made her way to the front seat as if they had done it before. She’d given Lash an expectant look, and when he hadn’t moved, she’d said, “Well, don’t just sit there. Help Chuy push.”
How was he to know that they’d actually wanted to take the car with them? He’d climbed out and shaken his head as he eyed the clunker. By the looks of it, the gas in it was probably worth more than the car.
The car wasn’t heavy to him at all. Alone, he could easily have pushed it without breaking a sweat, but with Chuy and Naomi there, he couldn’t push faster without raising suspicion. They’d been moving so slow, though, he’d been tempted to throw Chuy back into the car and push it himself.
Lash looked down at Chuy and decided his best bet was to feign exhaustion.
“We didn’t push that far,” Naomi said when she got out of the car. “Chuy and I had pushed it all the way from downtown last year?”
“Why don’t … you … have it … towed?” Lash’s chest rose and fell as he faked being breathless. He was starting to feel dizzy from being over oxygenated. He’d never had to simulate physical exhaustion before.
Naomi hovered over him, hands on hips. “Are you kidding? Do you know how much towing costs? Besides, I thought you were like Mr. Fitness or something.”
Lash stiffened. He’d better reel in the acting a bit.
Chuy propped himself up on his elbows. “Cut the man some slack, Naomi. You didn’t have to push four thousand pounds of steel in the heat.”
“Come on, you big baby.” Naomi held out a hand to Chuy. “You two look like you could use something to drink.” She inhaled and smiled. “It smells like dinner is ready.”
Lash took a deep breath and smelled a delicious aroma. In thirty-five years on Earth, he’d had his share of fine cuisine—when he was able to get his hands on cash. But the wonderful aroma wafting across the front yard was something he’d never smelled before. His stomach rumbled.
Chuy slapped a hand on his back. “Ever had tamales?”
“No.”
“Seriously?” Naomi asked as she reached the steps of the house.
“Yeah. I’ve seen tamales in a can. They smelled nothing like this,” Lash said. He shuddered as he recalled the repugnant odor of the slimy goo.
“A can? You’re missing out man.” Chuy pulled the screen door open and yelled as he walked in. “Welita, we’re here! I got Naomi’s boyfriend.”
Naomi turned red and scampered after him. “He is not my boyfriend!”
Lash chuckled and followed her into a quaint house that had seen better days. The cream-colored sofa, yellow with age, was covered with a knitted blanket in bright, cheerful colors. A bedroom dresser, looking out of place in the living area, served as a stand for a small TV. He was surprised by the lack of modern electronics most households seemed to have.
Naomi and Chuy went into another room while Lash stayed in the living room looking at the family photos on the dresser. He picked up a photo of a little boy wearing a red plaid shirt and black corduroys. Large brown eyes emerged from beneath black curls. Javier.
He felt his eyes prick as he stared at the little boy. Javier didn’t even have the chance to live out his full life. He could only imagine the pain Naomi had felt losing him.
Lash heard a scratching at the door, and he put the photo down.
“Lash, would you open the door and let the dog in?” Naomi called from the other room. “Be careful though, she doesn’t like strangers.”
Lash grinned at the thought of how surprised Naomi was going to be. Over the past few weeks, he and Bear had become good friends. “Sure, no problem.”
He opened the door, and Bear scurried into the room. Seeing Lash, she ran around in circles, excited.
“Sit,” he instructed.
Bear barked and sat, her tail pulsed against the linoleum floor.
“That’s strange,” Naomi said as she stepped into the living room.
Lash squatted and scratched behind Bear’s ear. “What’s strange?”
“She usually barks non-stop at strangers until they leave, and she really doesn’t like anyone petting her, except for us.”
Naomi reached out to pet Bear.
Bear growled.
Naomi snatched her hand back. “Crazy dog. No table scraps for you.”
Lash chuckled as Bear let out a huff, turned her attention back to him, licking his fingers. “I think Bear and I are going to be great friends.”
Naomi rolled her eyes. “Come on, dinner is ready.”
“There you are,” Welita said, as Lash followed Naomi into kitchen. She wiped her hands on her apron. “You must be Naomi’s boyfriend. I’m Naomi’s grandmother, Anita, but everyone calls me Welita.”
He placed a hand into hers and shook. “Lash. Nice to meet you, Welita.”
“He’s not my boyfriend,” Naomi said.