Blue Waters in Your Eyes

1977 became 1978.

In the first week of January, Izabela returned to Northeastern.

January passed, with no word or sign of Arlindo. February began and she still had no word from her son. By late February, she reached the end of her tether. Lying in bed one morning, she let it all out in a rant to Levi.

"It kills me that he's doing this. At first I believed it when he said he was only going away to get his resentment under control. I tried not to take it personally. But it's been almost six months since then, and now I think he's keeping it up just to punish me. What's wrong with him, Levi? How long is he going to keep this up? A year? Two? Ten? Or will he only forgive me after I'm dead? He's your son. He learned everything from you. He's always wanted to be like you. Tell him how wrong he's being. I don't know how you're supposed to do that, but damn well do it. You used to say I should let you know when something's bothering me and you'd make it right. Well, this is bothering me, so make it right. Fix this. You're his father. Knock some sense into his thick skull and drag him home by the ear if you have to."

Sybil ranted until she was all out of steam. A peaceful silence was her answer. She calmed herself, then went down to make coffee and start her day.

That day passed. The next day passed too, a sluggish winter sunrise soon becoming night. It was February 24th; Levi's birthday. He would have turned 56 today. Sybil's plans were to have an early night alone. By dusk, she'd already showered and was selecting a book to read until she drifted off.

She was taking the book to bed with her when the doorbell rang.

Usually, nobody rang her doorbell at this odd hour.

It could mean...

Sybil threw the book on the bed and grabbed her robe. She was belting it around her body even as she raced downstairs. Her fingers were quick as lightning as she undid the bolts and opened the front door.

And there at her doorstep was her firstborn, a weary smile on his face.

Sybil could only stare at that face. Stare, and stare. It had been six months. Her heart swelled, threatening to burst from her chest. She wanted to laugh. She wanted to cry. But she only kept staring at him.

Arlindo wasn't empty-handed. His suitcases were beside him. In his hand was a bouquet of bright yellow sunflowers. He held the flowers out to her, his weary smile widening. "I was hoping that if I brought you these, you could be bribed to let me in."

Sybil ignored the flowers. Her child was what mattered. She stepped out to him. His arms opened. So did hers. They held tight, swaying.

"God, I missed you, Mom."

"I really missed you too, Honey-Bean." Sybil kissed his cheeks, then eased away to get another good look at him.

"I'm sorry," he said, "That I wasn't home at Christmas. I know it can't have been easy for you and Izabela. It wasn't a walk in the park for me either."

Sybil smiled through her tears. "You're here now. It's all that matters." She studied his face. "You look tired."

"You look radiant."

It made her laugh; one of her rare belly laughs. She cherished those when they happened. "You're bribing me with sunflowers and showering me in flattery?"

"Whatever works." Arlindo grinned back, rubbing his hand over his eyes. "I really am beat, though. I've been on the road this last day-and-a-half. I started back late yesterday morning. When I realized what day it was, I had to head out quickly because I wanted to be back in time to take you out to dinner on Papai's birthday. I didn't want you by yourself today. Christmas was bad enough."

"Coming back today wasn't your plan all along?"

"No. It was just an added reason. I felt like I almost needed an excuse, because I should have been back sooner. I didn't mean to be away this long."

"You took the time you needed to process."

"I should have processed faster. I know that. Papai wouldn't approve of my ignoring you for six months, no matter the reason. He wouldn't want his wife treated that way." Arlindo paused thoughtfully, then he gave her another tired smile. "You think you could let me in? I'm looking to crash in my old room until I buy a house this summer. If you say yes, I'll give you these flowers and shower you in compliments for the next two weeks."

Sybil folded her arms. "Make it two months, with a minimum of four lavish compliments per day."

"Deal." Arlindo pulled her in for another hug.

Over her son's shoulder, Sybil scanned the winter sky. There was nothing but silver moonlight diffused through a film of clouds. Yet someone was watching.

"Thank you," she mouthed silently. "We'll chat at bedtime."

She knew he heard. And somewhere, in that moment, a little Presbyterian church bell tolled the evening hour.

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THE END

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