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Chapter 23 Miguel

They trudged along the boardwalk, the sound of laughter and screams from the rides dimming as they drew closer to Daddy Shamus's bar. Miguel felt a wave of confusion wash over him as he wrestled with the dilemma of choosing his own desire by staying with Shamus over his mother's happiness. They walked through the bar, the dim lights casting a soft glow on the patrons. Daddy Shamus stopped to talk to Finn and a man who bore a striking resemblance to both Finn and Daddy Shamus. All three had the same ginger hair. The three of them looked so much alike, they could easily be mistaken for brothers.

There were two empty stools at the bar, so Daddy Shamus pointed to one for Miguel and he sat beside him.

"You've met my cousin Finn. This is his brother Jimmy," he said to Miguel.

Their introductions were accompanied by firm handshakes and genuine smiles, creating an atmosphere of acceptance.

"What can I get you guys?" Finn asked.

"Black coffee." He turned to Miguel. "What do you want?"

"Coke."

"We'll go upstairs in a minute and take our drinks with us," Daddy Shamus said.

"Thanks. Lots of people are here drinking early," Miguel said.

"We tried opening earlier this week to see if it was worth it." Daddy Shamus looked around and nodded. "It looks like it works out to open at eleven in the morning."

"Sure does," Miguel responded.

"Take as much time as you need, Shamus. I need the hours." Jimmy said.

"Thanks, because I need the time off."

"Mom and Pop are coming next weekend," Finn told Shamus.

"That's great. I can't wait to see them. We'll all have to go out to dinner when they come and you can meet them, Miguel."

"I'd like that."

"They raised me when my father threw me out of the house."

"I didn't know that."

"Shamus is more of a brother than a cousin to us," Finn said.

"We did everything together," Jimmy said.

"We sure did," Shamus agreed.

In the morning's stillness, people were scattered around the seating area, leisurely sipping their drinks. Miguel couldn't comprehend how there were so many people here at this early hour, but then he remembered they were all on vacation. The cozy atmosphere of this bar made Miguel, and clearly many others, feel right at home.

Drinks in hand, they made their way upstairs to the living room.

"Sit down, love. We'll figure things out together. What do you want to do now?"

"Call Maria."

"That's a good idea. We could take her and your cousin out to lunch. Whatever you need to do."

"Okay."

"I want to show you something first." Shamus pulled out his phone and showed him the unknown caller's message. "I got this right after your phone call."

The air crackled with tension as Miguel read the message. In the charged silence, Shamus knew this was a turning point. His future with Miguel hung in the balance.

Miguel looked up at Shamus. "I gave my uncle your number in case of an emerency."

Daddy Shamus looked at him skeptically and asked, "Do you believe what it says is true?"

"Well, I saw Bently give money to my mother many times, and he promised her the world."

"How do you feel about that?"

"I feel sick that my mother would sell me to Bently. That's what it is. I'm staying with you because I want to be with you. I've never felt this happy and secure before in my life. You're always at my side."

The phone rang twice before Maria answered, her voice laced with concern. "Miguel? Everything alright?"

Miguel sank into the worn cushions, his body heavy with despair; the weight of the conversation with their mother pressing down on him. Miguel took a deep breath. "Hey, Maria. It's Mom again."

"Oh no," Maria sighed. Miguel could practically hear her rolling her eyes. "What did she say this time?"

"She wants me to marry Bently." The words tasted bitter..

"Marry Bently?!" Maria's voice shot up an octave. "Are you kidding me?"

"Nope." Miguel slumped further into the couch. "Apparently, Bently promised to move you guys to New Jersey and help her financially."

"Ugh, classic Mom. But Miguel, you know how she worries about money. And well, Bently is a walking ATM." Maria's voice was tinged with disgust.

"That's so true. He really is, but that doesn't mean I want his money. And Mom should know not to sell her own son," Miguel said, releasing his anger.

"But Mom…well, you know Mom. She's already picturing a white picket fence and grandkids."

An oppressive silence settled in the room, suffocating Miguel's hopes and dreams. He knew Maria understood the weight of his unspoken fear—the fear of disappointing his mother, of being ostracized for not following her plans. After their papi died, she selflessly gave up her own life for them. Miguel and Maria would forever cherish the memories of their mother's unforgettable love and sacrifice.

"Did you tell her about Shamus?" Maria's voice softened.

"She met him."

"And?"

"She told him to leave and for me to talk to Bently."

"Did you?"

Miguel's shoulders sagged, and a deep, weary sigh escaped his lips. "No, Shamus got me out of there. But, Maria, I can't marry someone I don't love. I'm with Shamus in his apartment. It's above the Seaside Sips bar…" His voice trailed off, a pang of longing echoing in his chest.

"No, you can't marry him, so Mom can stop working," Maria cut in gently. "Look, why don't you call Uncle Javier? Maybe he can talk some sense into Mom. You know how much she respects him."

Hope flickered in Miguel's chest. Uncle Javier was their only sane relative, always seeing beyond their immediate problems. "You think he'd help?"

"He has to try," Maria replied in a determined tone.

"Where are you guys now?"

"At the beach on Sumner Avenue."

"Shamus and I would like to take you out to lunch."

"We have plans. Some friends from school are down here."

"Call me if you need anything. I'm going to call Uncle Javier."

"Don't worry. Love you," Maria said.

Miguel replied, "Love you, too." He felt a warmth spread through him. Maybe with Maria here and Uncle Javier's help, he could make his mother understand. He couldn't lose Daddy Shamus, and he wouldn't let his mother force him to choose financial security over love.

Daddy Shamus set a few chocolate chip cookies on a plate in front of him.

"Take a little break before you call your uncle. How do you feel?" Daddy Shamus asked.

"I'm disappointed with my mother for accepting Bently's money and promises." With a heavy heart, Miguel lowered his head and shut his eyes, trying to find some emotional balance.

"You can't blame her for wanting to get out of the city. It's tough."

"Yes, she cleans houses with Maria. It's hard work, but they make good money. She doesn't need Bently's money, and my uncle gives her money, too."

"Does your sister want to go to lunch with us later?"

"No, she and my cousin Sara met some school friends here."

Out of nowhere, a powerful gust of wind swept through, promising a torrential downpour. The upstairs windows rattled.

Dark clouds rolled in from the ocean, a deep navy blue, almost black, swallowing the horizon. The air was electric, charged with anticipation as the first distant rumbles of thunder echoed through the wooden planks.

People scattered, seeking shelter in arcades and under awnings, their footsteps hurried, their voices a blend of excitement and apprehension. The wind picked up, carrying the scent of rain and the tang of salt, whipping flags and loose signs into a frenzied dance.

Daddy Shamus and Miguel rushed to the open window; their eyes fixed on the raging wind banging the screen. Then, the sky opened. Rain lashed down in heavy sheets, turning the boardwalk into a blur of wet, gleaming surfaces. Thunder cracked sharply, immediate and powerful, shaking the very air as lightning forked jaggedly over the sea.

The boardwalk during a thunderstorm was a perfect example of nature's drama unfolding. Lifeguards blew their whistles for the swimmers to come ashore. A bellowing voice on a loudspeaker cleared the beach. Miguel called his sister back.

"Are you okay?"

"Yes. We're inside a restaurant having ice cream. Don't worry about us."

"Okay, just checking." He ended the call.

The sound of rain pounding against the closed windows filled the room.

"What should we do now?" Miguel asked.

"Why don't you ask your uncle to visit so we can all talk to your mother and Bently?"

"Okay, I will."

"Since it's raining, why don't we go to the sex toy shop in Toms River?"

"I'd love to. Are we going to get some toys?"

"Yes, I want you to pick them out." One thing about Daddy Shamus, he always knew what he needed.

"I want you to know I don't regret choosing you. The thing with my mother is she will come around because she loves me even if she doesn't approve of my decisions. And today is not her best day either. She was nine months pregnant with Maria when my papi was gunned down on my birthday. I'll just have to wait it out."

"I'm positive she'll come around, too. I'm lucky you chose to be with me, though I feel sorry for Bently."

"I feel sorry he was so sick, and he never told me. I'm not in love with him anymore. I—"

"You what?"

"I think I love you, Daddy Shamus. I know it's soon."

"I know I love you," Shamus whispered, his voice filled with affection. He embraced Miguel tightly, feeling the warmth of his body against his own.

Miguel kissed Daddy Shamus, delighted with their closeness.

"We'll get through this together. I'll always be on your side, no matter what."

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