Page 52 of Dirty

“I want a man to love me for no other reason than he believes I’m the most unique creature on the planet,” she said, folding her arms against her chest as she spoke. “When he thinks of living life without me, I want him to get scared and confused.”

“That’s it?” I asked.

She shrugged. “That’s a good start.”

“When I was younger, I was mad at the world,” I said. “I wanted answers on why I was a half-breed, and why I didn’t have a father. I’d ride my motorcycle 550 miles to the Grand Canyon just to watch the sunset, and then ride back the next day. I went there because there was nowhere else that I knew of that was as beautiful, as magical, or as perfect. Sure the canyon held all the answers, I’d stare out at it hoping to find them, but I never found any. In the end, it didn’t matter. For me, the canyon itself was proof of something bigger than life. Something magnificent. I’d end up lasting another six or eight months, and then I’d be back, mad and needing some relief. I’d watch the sun set over the canyon, then everything would be fine for a while.”

I paused and took a breath.

She grinned. “I like that story.”

“I wasn’t finished.” I said.

“Sorry. Continue.”

“I kept going back because there wasn’t anything, anywhere, that could replace it. Nowhere was as serene or as beautiful. Believe me, I tried to find spots that were closer. Went farther, too, but nothing compared.”

I looked at her for a few seconds and then shook my head. “There are a lot of rivers and canyons on this earth, and none compare to the Grand Canyon. And, there are a lot of beautiful women on this earth, and none of them compare to you. So, if you find me staring at you, it’s because doing it saves me a 550-mile drive.”

“Stop talking,” she whispered. “And kiss me.”

FOURTEEN

Lex

The dinner was fabulous. I ate some of the pork over rice, like Maria suggested, and then had some with tortillas, like Adam insisted. Sitting at the table feeling like a swollen toad, I alternated glances between them.

“Eat,” Maria said, wagging her fork toward my empty plate. “You’re going to blow away with the Santa Ana winds.”

She was a beautiful woman that was at least a foot shorter than Adam, and eight inches shorter than me. She was far more petite than I expected, and it was difficult to believe she gave birth to someone as big as he was.

Her black shoulder-length hair was sprinkled with strands of gray. The contrast added to her natural beauty, and was the only indication I could find that was indicative of her age.

I rubbed my stomach and smiled. “I’m stuffed, really.”

She lifted a piece of pork to her mouth. “You’re so thin.”

“I’m tall,” I said. “It makes me seem skinny, but I’m not.”

“She ate as much as me, mother,” Adam said.

“You picked at your food.” She pointed her fork at him. “You don’t like my chile?”

“The chile is good, mother. I’m full.”

She lowered the utensil and glared. “Did you eat before you came?”

He let out a dramatic sigh. “We ate half the pot of chile. We’re full.”

She waved her hand toward the pot. “What am I going to do with all this chile?”

“I’ll eat it when I come in the morning.”

She looked at me, and then at Adam. “I’ll send some home with Alexandra.”

“We’re on the bike,” he complained. “She can’t take any with her.”

She scowled at him. “Put it in your little boxes.”