The Burning Side(85)

In East Texas, Rachel lies on a trampoline beneath the shade of a cypress tree, sorting babysitting wages and college brochures. She has two scholarship offers, so she decides to flip a coin. It lands on heads: OSU. Her path is charted by chance, by fate, by George Washington’s stern profile. She paints her toenails orange.

In Boston, Josie takes her seat among a gaggle of Emerson friends who are catching a show at the Colonial. She gets the familiar rush of a program in hand, an orchestra in the pit. It’s such an enduring infatuation that it might be a lifelong love. Her mother will protest, but the lady doth protest too much.

In Argyle, Jonathan Gutierrez sprays his last house of the day. This treatment is for wood-eating insects, not just the general pest. He clomps around the house while sentences and characters swarm his mind like termites.

In Waco, Ricardo Torres sees a Help Wanted sign on the door of Jed’s Hardware. He opens it to a little chime, and he inquires within. A new city, a new start.

West of Odessa, Nacho sticks taquitos in the microwave and asks Izzy if she wants one.

In some other place, a man touches a woman.

Another place, a fire sparks.

In some other time, April floats inside her mother during a City Hall union.

Another time, Deb sits with her father, giggling at Sunday comics.

Another time, Billy’s mother plays a nocturne as he plays Jacks beside the piano.

Another time, Leo submits his résumé to Argyle High School, his fingers crossed.

Another time, Rico takes Ana to a Selena concert, where she sings her heart out.

It is 1988 or 2013 or 2031, and they are members of a family, flowers on a vine.

One particular evening in 2013, Leonardo Torres is carefully setting a table—two bowls, two spoons, and a pair of white taper candles. He has made pozole, seasoning it just so. Between the candles rests a book with a simple engagement ring tucked between its pages. Leo is wearing cologne. April will be here any minute, and so he scans the room.

Music, he remembers, so he clicks on a speaker.

Warmth, he remembers, so he hurries to the hearth.

Eager, Leo kneels down and sets a log on the grate. In one swift motion, he strikes a match, the fire blazing to life. Behind him, there’s a gentle knocking.

He stands and wipes his palms on his pants.

He goes to the door.

And he opens it wide.





Acknowledgments


THANK YOU TO:

Jane Dystel, for helping this novel find a home.

Carina Guiterman, for your thoughtfulness both in and outside the margins.

Hannah Bishop and Danielle Prielipp, for connecting my stories with readers.

Anna Hauser, Rachael DeShano, and Stacey Sakal, for your attention to detail in the final stages of this project.

Simon Van Booy, Sheiliann Chilli Pe?a, Anna Carol DuBose, Ben Larzabal, Emily Larzabal, Jeanne Damoff, Sarah Smith, and Andrew Werley, for your invaluable contributions to the early stages of this work.

Naomi, Eliot, and Haven, for letting me explore motherhood and childhood with you.

Lucas, for being my home.

Papa Jim and Mama Patsy, who welcomed me (and many others) into your family, and who are sorely missed.

The God of the Bible, my flame and my grace.

The caretakers. You are not alone.

And the readers. Thank you.