Dejame Vivir

“That was merely a little blimp in your record. Everyone has to have at least one,” Zara winked. “Babe, I was not talking romance. Purely the carnal pleasures which you excel at but I would be no help in the romance department. Must find another friend to do that for you,” she teased. “I know or a fact that I would look good in only diamonds. I’d pull a Kim Kardashian but instead of being draped in peals it would be diamonds. Maybe the occasional Tanzanite and Garnet to represent my birthday. Look at you, already learning some French,” she teased. “Of course it gets the job done, babe. There are two things I know how to do and they are making the perfect cup of tea and making a wonderful drink. I would do so well in an office setting where I have to make and remember how everyone likes their tea- but I would get so bored and I’d be fired when I disappear on some little holiday. I shall be there to nurse you back to health unless I am out of the country so warn me before you plan to injure yourself, babe.” Zara quipped, grinning at him as he winked at her. “It is something. Glad to see my brother but sadly since it was his party he could not spend the entire time entertaining me. Meant I could get into trouble and deal with my mother’s judgement. Now that is a women no one wants to meet,” she complained. “That sounds absolutely amazing, babe. But I think the town is gong to be grateful about seeing me in a bathing suit. I wish it was a topless beach so I wouldn’t have lines but the suit I have is barely even there so it does the job,” she winked. “Oh a speedo? Just for me? I feel so lucky and I’ll make sure we get us first class tickets or I can see if I can borrow someone’s jet. Give you the true South Beach experience. You deserve it,” she laughed. “You do treat me like the queen I am,” Zara grinned after he had spun her around. “The other day I had a massive hangover that lasted all day. Truly dreadful but the night before was worth dealing with it. Got up to a lot of trouble.”

“And did you?” He said with a raised eyebrow. “Get in trouble and feel your mother’s judgement, I mean. I mean I’m sure you did but it’s still polite to ask,” he said with a laugh. “A speedo just for you,” he confirmed with a nod. “I’ll even get Zara airbrushed the back of it. Borrow someone’s jet? I knew I kept you around for a reason after all these years,” he teased. He led her to his car, popping open the trunk to put the groceries away as he listened to her. “You would think by now you would have learn to fight off hangovers and yet here we are.” He smirked before laughing. “A lot of trouble is so vague,” he pointed out, closing the trunk once he was done and putting the cart away. Once they were in the car, he rolled down the windows the way she liked and turned on the radio. “Alright let’s see, I have my Zara mix here somewhere,” he said more to himself as he opened the center console and pulled out a few mix CD’s picking the one that had a pink cover before sliding it into the cd player. He smiled wide as Rihanna started playing through the speakers. He turned up the volume and grabbed his sunglasses from the dashboard, singing along as he quickly pulled out of the parking lot and sped off down the road. “So I’m playing at this bar tonight. Lowkey show but they invited me to this after party. You wanna be my plus one?” He smiled over at her as he stopped at a light. “I’ll even wear that brown hat and that blue shirt you love so much. And the one I love for you to take off me,” he said with a smile as he looked back at the road once the light turned green. “It’ll be nice, might play some new songs even.”

“i mean if that’s what has to happen.” she shrugs a little, before arching a brow as he continued, amused expression forming over tanned features, she couldn’t help but let out a laugh of her own. “you know, just from the way you depicted me in that headline it almost makes me wanna do it. if only so everyone can know what a ‘badass esteemed photographer’ i am.” small snort erupts from her throat, shaking her head a little. “oh yeah, the very definition, just like me being as tame as they come.” she added to the joke, chuckle falling soon after just at how ridiculous it sounded considering. “uh oh, are we gonna have to get you one of those thick ass old man glasses soon ? or a guide dog whichever you’d prefer.” humming at the suggestion, brown orbs glance down to her basket once again, which hadn’t been too full at the moment. “um, sure why not, i’m all for treating ourselves, especially to food that won’t send me to the hospital. lead the way.” 

“that’s the spirit!” he smiled wide as he led her out of the grocery store, pulling out his sunglasses to slide them on his face. “it’s good to see you by the way, you know i’m not on social media so i dont really keep up with people on there but have you been traveling?” the glanced at her as they got to his car, unlocking the door and sliding inside. when he turned it on, he immediately reached for the radio, loading up one of his mixtapes before pulling out of the parking lot. “you know, i never had a car before i came to live here,” he said as he signaled to turn left. “never needed one in new york, i mean we had a family one when i was growing up. that’s why i got my license but when i came to live out here i realized i wouldn't be able to get fucking anywhere without a car. you have to drive everywhere, you know these kids they get their fucking license at like 14/15. meanwhile back in new york kids are like 25 and still dont have a license,” he said with a laugh as he got on the highway. “driving here is beautiful though. i mean mostly highways but still beautiful, especially around here. down where my brother lives in port st. lucie fucking developments and constructions everywhere. that entire place is like a mall and then the mets spring training facility. it’s bananas, but you can’t beat this weather,” he said as he started to put the windows down and turned up the radio as one of his favorite songs came on. “you know this? it’s a fucking classic, mamita, listen, listen,” he said as he smile at the words, singing along as the song continued, his hands drumming against he steering wheel. 

Nodding, Vince goes to grab a bottle of wine, pouring a glass for each of them.”Yeah…what’s happening, as the cool kids say.” He jokes, handing a glass over to his friend with a smile. “How does one inadvertently adopt a cat?” Brows raising, Vince laughs softly, pausing to sip from his ow glass. “Only a little tired? I must look okay then. Life with three kids is busy.” 

Joaquin thanked him for the wine and let out a soft laugh. “Well the cat has been wandering around for a while. Doesn’t seem to have an owner so I put out something for it to drink and some food. I borrowed some cat food from a neighbor and now it’s started to stick around. So we’ll see what happens. I gotta make sure it’s clean and all of that so if I decide to be noble and take ‘em in then I’ll take it to the vet,” he said with a shrug, smiling softly at Vince’s words as he sipped his wine. “As if you could ever look anything but handsome,” he said softly as he came around the counter and stood next to him. “You know my offer to help you relax is still on the table,” he said with a smirk and reached up to brush his fingers along the front of his hair, meeting his eyes as he did so. “Someone’s gotta take care of you too,” he added with a wink before pulling away, sipping his wine as he looked around the kitchen. “You should come dancing with me this Friday. I think you’d enjoy it.”

“Oh, I dunno. I don’t wanna drag you down or anything.” Parker replies, a quiet sigh leaving their lips. “You’re sweet to offer though, I appreciate it.” 

“I wouldn’t have asked if I wasn’t willing to get dragged down,” he said with a soft smile. “I know a lot of people say you can talk to them but don’t really mean it, yanno they react weirdly when you start unloading. I’m not one of those people. Like I said, not forcing it but you’re not doing me any favors but keeping it all pent up inside. Not doing yourself any favors either.”

king was just trying to get some cereal. he had an earbud in one ear blaring logic’s new album, when he heard someone next to him. he was going to ignore them but he couldn’t ignore them when his face and low laughter gave himself away. “if you can’t afford two dollars for a can of name brand beans then buy some store band, dude. or like, don’t eat beans.” he was amused by this whole ‘conversation’ king knew he was well off where he didn’t have to complain about the price of beans, but there was always another solution. his gut reaction when the man put the cilantro up was to knock it away. “yeah, i fucking mind.” he snapped. “i’m not smelling that. get it away from me. fucking weird.”

"or don’t eat beans,” he repeated with a roll of his eyes as the younger man spoke. “it’s fucking stupid is what it is. no one should have to pay that much for a can of beans. and store brand? carajo, papito, don’t fucking insult me. store brand, que store brand. what the fuck do I look like?” he looked over at king and scoffed. when the clinatro was knocked out of his hand he jumped a bit and let out a laugh. “what? you think i’m gonna fucking attack you with the cilantro? i asked you to smell it, it’s fucking cilantro, it’s not like i asked you to smell my finger. calmate, dios mio. i’m not smelling that, get it away from me,” he mocked as he moved back to his cart and threw the cilantro back inside it. “you know, next time you go out in public, try not to come outside dressed and acting like a dick, it’s a horrible look for you.”

“I feel that. I practically live at Joey’s.” Zane replies, a quiet laugh leaving his lips. “It’ not a bad thing. It keeps me busy. I like  keeping busy, but it also doesn’t leave much time for anything else.” He shrugs at that, lips pursing slightly. “I love it though, so I can’t really complain.”

“Yes, yes, exactly, I like the way you think,” he said and pointed at him with a smile. “What’s that saying? Idle hands are the devil’s play things? And I’ve fallen into the devils trap one too many times,” he said with a laugh and shook his head as he thought about it. He pushed his cart out of the aisle and glanced at Zane as they walked. “How long have you been at Joey’s altogether?”

naturally, emilia was very good with numbers. given her career path and just overall skills, it was something that always came easily to her. especially when it came down to business. however, when it was about her own needs and expenses, she wasn’t always as sensible when spending her (or her father’s) money. being exactly that kind of person who’d buy the can of beans joaquin was talking about without thinking twice about it. “i’m sure they think you’re very smart, which is probably why you’re not they’re target audience.” not that she’d consider herself dumb, but she just truly didn’t give a crap about paying one extra buck for beans. eyebrow quirks at the odd petition, he was the chef, how was she supposed to know if the cilantro was good? though she sniffs it anyway. “i dunno man it smells like common cilantro to me, i think we’re good.”

“it’s fucking robbery. i mean when you look at your grocery bills, this shit adds up, they dont even have a coupon,” he said and flipped through the sale flyer he had picked up upon entering the store. “thank god i dont have kids to feed,” he joked and reached for two cans of black beans, groaning slightly as he placed them in the cart. “it does?” he sniffed it and shrugged. “eh, it’ll work,’ he said and placed it back in his cart. “what are you getting? are you gonna cook?” he smirked as he looked at her and leaned on his cart a bit. “i’m still waiting for the day you’re gonna throw down with me in the kitchen. i still stand by me being able to teach you a few things.”

“A can of what what now?” Maddox met his companion’s eyes, confusion marring his features as he leaned in closer to look at the shelf, reading the title of the beans for himself. He wasn’t one to branch out much and experiment when it came to the meals he ate, very much sticking to same things he knew he enjoyed each time he ordered out. Diverting his attention back to the other when he held up the cilantro, Maddox wrinkled his nose, a chuckle escaping him as he did as asked anyway—ever gullible—and sniffed at the plant. “It actually does smell a little iffy, dude… what you gonna cook anyway, and can I try it because I want some of those beans things.”

“Beans, beans!” He said and pointed at the blue cans before looking over at him. “It’s like they’re robbing us. I mean there’s no reason for them to be that much.” He shook his head, taking a breath so he was calm and not completely freaking out in the grocery store. “A little iffy,” he said and smelled it himself before cringing. “Jesus, that’s rank, you’re right,” he said and threw it back in his cart so he could discard it properly later. “I’m using it for a few things but if you’re interested in a good meal with beans then I’m your guy,” he said with a smile, clearly excited at the idea of cooking for someone. “Do you have any dietary restrictions? I like to know beforehand.”

“ That would be much appreciated. “ - Augustin replied with a gentle smirk. “ Oh? In on a few recipes? Well color me interested. I do fancy learning more. “ When he saw, and heard the other man’s reply, he thought it pertinent to point out,” I’ve only ever had maduros caramelized, so they’re very sweet. Is.. it normally served that way? I’d never imagined something so sweet, served with beans and rice.. “ - he was so under informed. Of the time he spent in Spain, it simply was not enough to learn everything he could about his mothers culture. Let alone, how all types of food were served. All he knew, was that a woman who had known his mother, said she had a very special place in her heart for ‘Platanos Maduros Fritos’ - which she then served to him, as a sweet, caramelized plantain dish, pan fried. He’d found it far too sweet to eat on his own, so the idea had come to him to try and make it with icecream and nutella, to counter balance all of that.  “ I would love to try them the way you’re talking about.. Though I usually..prefer tostones with my black beans and rice. “ there was an air of bashfulness with his words, as learning everything about your culture, was usually a gift your parents bestowed upon you, or you grew up with, around you.. But his father had purposely made sure, not to tell him anything about his mother, so he wouldn’t be tempted to go down her path.. Boy had that been a mistake.. It would be too weird to ask this man, whom he didn’t even know, to help him out in that sense. Not that they were even the same ethnicity. Not that he knew either way.

“Caramelized? I mean I guess that way it makes sense but wow, that’s way sweet,” he said and shivered a bit as he thought about it. “Maduros the way I know it are served with rice and beans, they compliment the meal. Not as well as tostones in my opinion but I’ll always indulge in a good plate of maduros.” He shrugged as he glanced at his cart before looking back at Augustin. “I tell you what. You come by hooked later tonight and I’ll make you the best damn plate of rice and beans and maduros you’ve ever had. Guaranteed,” he said and pointed at him with a wink. “What do you say?”

“if you smash the can a little, they’ll give you some sort of discount. my dad use to do it all of the time, he was embarrassing. but it worked, i guess.” she told him, a soft shrug of her shoulders to follow. she leaned to check the cilantro before it was pulled away, eyes narrowing at the boy before she let out a soft chuckle. “you’re horrible.” she stated before it was offered back to her. she was cautious this time, making sure it wouldn’t be snatached back once again. after taking in the aroma, she chook her head before turning back to the bundles in front of them. “that one smells old. not rotten, but not fresh. try…” her words trailed off before she picked up and sniffed a few bunches, finding a better one eventually. “this one. smells a lot better. a lot fresher.” she told him before turned to face him. “what’re you making, anyway?”

he raised an eyebrow at her suggestion, turning over the can in his hand that he had reached for. “your dad is a smart man,” he said with a soft laugh. “but i think i’m gonna suck it up this time,” he said before “accidentally” knocking the can against the shelf to give a little dent, “oops,” he said softly. he smiled at her before grabbing a few more cans and putting them in his cart. “old? yeah, yeah that’s it, i was wondering what i was smelling.” he watched her pick out more cilantro with a smile on his face, finding her help useful and enjoyable. he liked a person who knew their cilantro. “i’m using it for a few things. there’s this cilantro lime rice that i make that’s pretty great. and for some guac. it has so many uses, really,” he said with a smile, thanking her for the new bunch as he smelled it. “you’re good at this.”