Chapter 16 Miguel

"Are you changing your mind about seeing Bently for closure?"

"I don't know. He's got some nerve showing up."

"When you're in a relationship, sometimes you need time away to know you care about someone. It sounds to me like he left and tried to see if he could live without you. Knowing you wouldn't leave, he returned for you. I don't think that's so crazy. The wedding proposal is odd, though, after not talking to you or seeing you."

"I don't want him anymore. I want you."

"You have me. Tomorrow is your birthday, so we'll celebrate. I have some ideas for us."

"That should be fun." He liked that Daddy Shamus made him a top priority, and he'd just met him. He didn't throw money at him; he took the time to be with him in good and bad times.

"I'm going to extend our time here through the weekend. We both need that. I'll be right back." He hugged Miguel, then left.

A message was on Miguel's phone, so he read it.

Maria: Hi! Mama thinks you should go back to Bently. He helped us financially and spent tons of money and time on you. He was a fantastic boyfriend. He told Mama he wants to marry you. She's really excited about it.

There was no way Miguel would respond to that message, not now, not ever. He wondered why his family felt the need to meddle in his personal life. They believed Bently was the ideal companion for him. He remembered how Bently had made a promise to Maria, vowing to cover the costs of her education, and Miguel couldn't help but guess she had already told their mother. They loved Bently, not only for his money but also for his charm and caring. He made them feel he would help them in times of need. However, Uncle Javier didn't like him because he felt Bently wanted to take over his role in the family.

He picked up his phone, determined to get over this feeling. While Daddy Shamus was gone, Miguel made one quick call. Bently was instantly on the other end of the line, as if he had been waiting for him to call. Miguel had sat by his phone and cried for months because Bently hadn't called while he was in California. Not once.

"Miguel, how are you?"

"I'm calling to see if we can meet on the red bench facing the ocean in front of my hotel in two hours. I want to talk to you and return your rings."

"I'll be there. I have a lot to say to you. Love you." Bently ended the call. That was how he was, never waiting for Miguel to respond. When Bently was done talking, Miguel had to be as well whether or not he was.

He closed his eyes for a few minutes, then the door opened to Daddy Shamus standing there. In his hand, he held a neatly wrapped present, the colorful paper reflecting the light.

"I got you something." He handed the beautifully wrapped present to Miguel, who grasped it with a smile.

Miguel opened the gift and found a paint-by-number picture of the rides on Casino Pier. "Wow! This looks like it will be fun to paint."

"I didn't know if you liked to paint, but I knew we both enjoyed going on the rides here."

"Thank you. You know how to cheer me up. I can't wait to paint it."

"I need to go back to work for a while, then I'm going to take you on the roller coaster. I've been waiting for you to go on it. It's my favorite ride."

"Mine too. Oh, I called Bently and asked to meet me on the bench in front of my hotel in two hours, so I don't have to worry about it anymore."

"I'm so proud of you for stepping up. Let's pick up the rings at your hotel, then go to the bar together. I'll be around when you talk to Bently, but you'll never see me."

Daddy Shamus drove them to Miguel's hotel room, where they picked up the rings and Miguel trashed the wilted roses. Then he drove to the bar and pulled into the parking lot. Miguel followed Daddy Shamus out of the car, and as they walked into the bar, he could smell the faint scent of stale beer.

"You can stay in the bar or go upstairs. Whichever you want."

"I'll go upstairs and paint if that's okay."

"Of course it's okay.

"Thanks."

Daddy Shamus led him upstairs to the kitchen to paint.

"There's food and drinks in the refrigerator. Please don't drink alcohol."

"I wouldn't drink alcohol without asking you. Tomorrow is my birthday, so I can drink at midnight."

Before leaving the apartment, Daddy Shamus gave Miguel a gentle kiss on the cheek. "We're going to have some fun tonight."

Miguel sat alone in the apartment. Sounds from the bar and boardwalk filtered into the room as background to the sound of the soft bristles of his paintbrush against the canvas. Each stroke was made with the precision of a man seeking solace in the order of colors and lines. The afternoon sun cast a warm glow over the room, but the air conditioning warded off any unwanted heat.

As he painted, Miguel's thoughts drifted to Bently. Despite the peaceful act of painting, his heart was filled with worry. He feared the meeting would reopen old wounds rather than close and heal them.

Miguel hoped for the best and no drama. It was a comforting thought that Daddy Shamus would be close by during the meeting. Daddy Shamus created a safety net in the unpredictable sea of emotions that Miguel was navigating. His support was a gentle reminder that no matter the outcome, he wouldn't be facing it alone.

The apartment, filled with the scent of acrylic paint and the silent echoes of memories, was a sanctuary for Miguel. It was here, amidst the half-finished artwork and the weight of impending conversations, that he found a momentary peace, painting his feelings onto a canvas that held no judgment or expectation.