Chapter 8 Miguel

A knock on the door ended the silence of Miguel reading in a chair. His heart hammered against his ribs as he peered through the peephole. Relief washed over him when he saw Daddy Shamus's friendly grin on the other side. He unlocked the door and yanked it open, the scent of his daddy's cologne—a clean lime blend—wafting in. Daddy Shamus was dressed to impress, a crisp gray button-down shirt highlighting his eyes, the sleeves pushed up to reveal muscular forearms. Black-wash jeans and polished black shoes completed the look. He looked like the perfect daddy.

"Hey," Daddy Shamus greeted him, holding out a brightly colored box. "Thought you might need some backup in here."

Inside, nestled in crinkled tissue paper, was a box of assorted chocolate candies. Miguel couldn't help but feel a smile tugging at his lips. "Thanks, Daddy Shamus. You didn't have to do that."

Shamus winked. "I hope you like chocolate." With a big smile, he wrapped his arms around Miguel, who savored the comforting scent of his cologne.

"I love it."

"I want to get to know all about you. What do you like and dislike?"

"I'm easy to please." He followed Daddy Shamus out of the room to the parking area.

Miguel's eyes widened as he saw Daddy Shamus's sleek black sports car admiring its glossy, pristine exterior.

"Hot car," Miguel said.

"Thanks."

The drive took longer than Miguel had expected. They crossed the Thomas A. Mathis Bridge to Toms River. The lights on the bridge were mesmerizing, casting a colorful glow across the water. A sense of awe washed over him as he took in the breathtaking beauty of South Jersey. The thought of making this place his permanent home and commuting to the city for a good job appealed to Miguel.

"So do you work at the Seaside Sip all year?" Miguel asked.

"I own it and my cousins help me run it during the summer."

"What happens during the rest of the year?"

"My cousin Finn keeps the bar going while I teach art history at Princeton. Sometimes, I come down here on the weekends."

"No way! I'll have to take one of your classes."

"Is that where you go?"

"Yes, I'm studying to be an interpreter for Spanish- and French-speaking people."

"Impressive. Do you speak three languages?"

"Pretty much. I learned Spanish growing up, and I took lots of French classes too. I'm also proficient in sign language."

"I've always wanted to learn sign language. Maybe you could teach me?"

Miguel used sign language to say he would love to. "That means I could love to."

Daddy Shamus pulled into the gravel parking lot of a quaint building. At the entrance, a weathered wrought-iron sign with faded red lettering welcomed visitors to "Nonna Rosa's." They walked side by side to the front door.

The restaurant provided a comforting atmosphere. String lights twinkled overhead, casting a soft glow on the exposed red brick walls adorned with framed photographs of Italy. The air hummed with the gentle murmur of conversation and the clinking of silverware against plates.

Daddy Shamus pulled out a chair for Miguel, the gesture sending a jolt through him. Miguel glanced around as he sat. "This place is perfect."

"Cozy, right?" Daddy Shamus slid into the seat opposite him. "Figured Italian would be a safe bet for a first date. Plus, they have some American food as well."

Miguel laughed, a nervous flutter in his stomach. "Safe? How about impressive? Nonna Rosa's sounds fancy."

"It's more family-run than fancy," Daddy Shamus assured him, a smile playing on his lips. "But the food is fantastic. So, tell me about your day today after I left."

The server approached with menus and asked if they wanted a drink.

"I'll have a beer," Daddy Shamus said.

"I need to see your ID if you want alcohol."

"I just want a Coke."

She left them alone.

"How old are you?" Daddy Shamus asked.

"I'll be twenty-one on Friday."

"Oh, we have to celebrate. Do you drink alcohol?"

"At home and at parties, but not in public yet."

"Keep Friday night open."

"I will."

"Tell me about your day."

"I walked the boardwalk, and I ran into one of my friends. Turns out he works here. He told me about it and now I have a job operating rides and working stands."

"That was fast work. I'm glad you have a friend here. Is he from Brooklyn?"

"No, he's from the Bronx, but he's at Princeton, too. Normally he works with his father during the summer, but he heard about some job openings here."

The server set their drinks on the table and asked them what they wanted. They ordered chicken Parmesan and spaghetti marinara with a salad.

"We're going to have a great summer. Do you enjoy going on the rides?"

"Yes! My favorite thing to do for fun. Do you?"

"Yes, that's one of the reasons I have a bar here. I can't wait until you're feeling better, and we can go on all the rides."

"I guess I should wait until I feel better to go on the roller coaster and some other rides. But we could go on the merry-go-round and the Ferris wheel tonight."

"We sure can. There's a new merry-go-round this year, and I still haven't gone on it." Daddy Shamus sipped his beer.

"This is going to be the best summer ever."

"You know, we don't have to end with the summer. I work where you go to school."

"That's right. Maybe I can take one of your classes in the second semester."

Daddy Shamus grinned. "Where do you want to work after you graduate?"

"Probably in the city, but I can commute. I don't want to live in New York anymore."

"That's good. Do you work during school?"

"I work on campus as a professor's assistant in the Spanish department."

After they ate dinner, Daddy Shamus paid for the meal and left a hefty tip. They returned to Seaside Heights and walked along the boardwalk. When they got to Casino Pier with all the rides, Daddy Shamus purchased Miguel a season pass.

"You didn't have to do that," Miguel said.

"I want us to use it together all summer. This way we don't have to worry about standing in line for tickets. It's an early birthday present."

"I'd hug and kiss you, but I don't want anyone targeting me."

"You can thank me later." Daddy Shamus winked.

The breeze whipped Miguel's hair into his face as he and Daddy Shamus stood in line for the Ferris wheel. The enormous red structure scraped the cotton candy clouds overhead, a stark silhouette with its blinking lights painting the midway in a kaleidoscope of colors. Miguel clutched the armrest of the metal gondola, a tremor of nervous excitement bubbling in his stomach. Beside him, Daddy Shamus laughed, the deep rumble warm and reassuring.

"Ready?" he asked, squeezing Miguel's shoulder playfully.

Miguel swallowed, forcing a nod. He wasn't sure if he was ready, exactly, but the prospect of conquering his fear with Shamus by his side felt strangely exhilarating. He hadn't been on any rides since he was fourteen. He'd always loved all of them, but he could see he would have to battle a little fear.

The ride attendant swung the gate shut, and with a groan of gears, the gondola lurched forward. As they ascended, the world shrank beneath them. The colors of the boardwalk thinned to a colorful line, the shouts and laughter morphing into a distant hum. Miguel peeked down, his breath catching in his throat. He squeezed his eyes shut, the Ferris wheel suddenly feeling precariously tall.

Daddy Shamus must have sensed his anxiety. A gentle hand closed over his. "Hey," Daddy Shamus said, his voice calm, "look at the view."

Miguel hesitantly cracked open an eye. The world had transformed into a beautiful tapestry of twinkling lights. The stands below resembled miniature gingerbread houses. In the distance, the ocean glittered with a million scattered diamonds.

A sense of wonder washed over Miguel, pushing away his fear. He couldn't help but grin, a giddy warmth spreading through him. They reached the top, the world a breathtaking panorama beneath them. Miguel felt a silent victory against his apprehension.

The descent was a blur of laughter between them. The wind whipped through Daddy Shamus's ginger-colored hair, carrying with it the salty tang of the ocean, a hint of Shamus's cologne, and the screams of their fellow riders. Miguel felt weightless, free, like he could touch the stars.

When their feet touched solid ground again, Miguel's legs wobbled slightly. But the feeling was overshadowed by the thrill of conquering his fear. He beamed at Daddy Shamus, his eyes sparkling with newfound confidence.

"Next up," Daddy Shamus announced, a playful glint in his eyes, "is the merry-go-round!"

The merry-go-round was a riot of color and melody. Miguel chose a majestic white stallion, its coat gleaming under the strings of twinkling lights. As the music swelled, the carousel started. Miguel held on tightly at first, but as the pace quickened, he let go, surrendering to the joyous rhythm.

The world became a mix of blurred colors and smiling faces. The wind whooshed past his ears, carrying the scent of popcorn and cotton candy. He laughed, a sound of unadulterated happiness, a melody woven into the symphony of the carousel.

Daddy Shamus, on a fierce red gryphon opposite him, grinned and waved. In that moment, under the canopy of twinkling lights, with the music swirling around them, Miguel couldn't believe how happy he felt. It was a feeling of belonging, of safety, and of pure joy. He knew, with a certainty that settled deep in his bones, that this was a memory with his new daddy he would treasure forever.

After the merry-go-round, they strolled along the boardwalk and stopped at the custard stand.

"Let's have a frozen custard," Daddy Shamus suggested.

Miguel nodded in favor of eating frozen custard, so they sat on a bright red bench as they ate.

"I had such a great time tonight," Miguel said.