Deciphering the Bloom Ch. 03

"Well dinner should be ready soon. How about come in and wash up in a half an hour, that way Nico won't be mad at his old man for working you too hard?"

"Okay and I really like working in the garden."

"I know, you're a natural son," he said as he brushed off his knees.

David sat alone and contemplated the last two days. He had been labeled good at two things while here. There was little mystery as to why Nicolao was the man he was. He heard the door open, Mr. Evangelista had gone in only ten minutes before, so he thought he had more time to be alone with his thoughts.

"You even got to play in the dirt with pop."

Davey turned to face the speaker, it was Nerina.

"Look you; I only have a few minutes to say my peace." She walked closer to where David was kneeling.

The hostility she radiated was unmistakable. His only thought was, here it is.

"You may have everyone else fooled but not me. This family is finally coming into some financial success and vermin like you show up. Ma's already trying to buy you a ticket and that Nieves is one conversation away from getting pop to give you some car. "

David was confused, "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Oh sure you don't. Don't try it with me, just because the rest are gullible doesn't mean we all are. I got a call about you from Jeremy." Nerina had stolen Jeremy's number from Nicolao's phone when he announced he was moving away to be with him. The conversation hadn't gone well, but apparently he had kept her number.

"He says that Nico pulled you out of the gutter and is carrying you," she paused for a denial, and snorted when none came. "I know he looks fine, but it took years to get him back. What makes you think he needs to nurse you?"

"Oh, the perfect Evangelistas in there won't talk about the fact that they worked so much we had to take care of ourselves growing up. But Nico took up taking care of everyone. Even when he was cracking from the pressure of it, he was still our strength. When that August died, it took all of us to hold Nico together. I don't know if any of us are strong enough to do that again. The last thing he needs is someone to look after. He needs Jeremy, someone who can look after him." Nerina looked at the door, her voice dropped as she shot her last venom, "He has some information for Nico, from a private detective. If you don't want Nicolao to find out, I suggest you find a way to disappear."

Davey watched her back as she went into the house. The tight coil in his belly felt as if it had unwound. The anticipation was always worse than the real thing. Davey sighed, removed his gloves, dusted his legs, and went inside to wash up before dinner.

Dinner was consumed. Hilaria used her new stemware. They bid Nicolao's siblings and nephews good-bye with a promise to return soon. Joshua gave Uncle David his old night light. Davey and Nicolao helped with the dishes. They went to the room, but when Nic got out of the shower David looked to be asleep. They got up and packed their new car with the suitcases. Natanaele went over the insurance information with Nicolao before they could leave. Davey readily hugged Nic's parent's calling them ma and pop while thanking them for their hospitality. They drove home. They laughed as they recounted their trip. Davey committed every word spoken to memory. As they drove into Hope's Cove the joy of being back at he and David's home filled Nic. They brought the bags in. Davey went to the bedroom and emerged with his back pack.

Dreaded innate knowing made Nicolao speech slow and deliberate, "What are you doing with that David?"

"I'm leaving Nicolao, I don't belong here, I'm going back to my uncle's."

... next chapter soon

Spanish and Flower translations (sorry should have added earlier)

mi joya que avergüenza el sol: my jewel that shames the sun

mi lirio de los valles: Lily-of-the-Valley

Lily-of-the-Valley: You've made my life complete

Marigolds: Grief, despair

Thistles: Nobility

Eglantine Rose: A wound to heal