Page 133 of Born for Starlight

“We’re almost there.”

“Matthew, something’s up.”

“Too late now.”

He opened the door to the diner. Little Grandma was at the hostess stand. She was not in her normal dress. She was in church clothes. Her sister, Miss Gladiola was standing next to her, also in church clothes. What the ever-loving hell?

I looked behind her, and that was when I saw them. My parents.

“Mom? Dad!” I let go of Matthew’s hand and rushed toward them. Dad caught me mid run.

They had been here last month. Jase had called them. But I didn’t care. Anytime I saw them, it was worth running. I felt Mom’s hand on my back, as I pressed my face into my dad’s neck. Then I felt another hand on my back. I looked up. It was Grandma Maureen. I turned and hugged her.

My God. Matthew was going to propose!

He’d brought my whole family here, so he could propose.

I turned around and held out my hand and he came to me. His eyes were shining.

“You’re an idiot,” I blubbered.

“I’m your idiot,” he murmured into my hair.

“My answer is yes.”

“Good to know,” he whispered.

Everything went quiet. I heard the jingle of the diner door opening.

Matthew turned me so that I was facing the door. I blinked the tears out of my eyes. It took a moment for me to understand what I was seeing.

It was Sister Beatriz. She was in her nun’s habit. Her smile was wide.

“Senhorita Drakos!” She raised her left hand. It was when she did that, that I realized her right hand was connected to a much smaller hand.

Luzia.

Matthew grabbed my elbow. If he hadn’t, I would have fallen.

The crowd parted like the Red Sea. Matthew started to guide me, but soon I was running. But as I got closer, I saw that Luzia was now attempting to hide behind Sister Beatriz’s skirts. I stopped. I could feel Matthew behind me.

I knelt down and waited.

Sister Beatriz began talking to Luzia in Portuguese and I understood every word. It was easy. The fact that the diner was silent, helped too.

“Don’t be shy, Luzia. You know Senhorita Drakos. She’s been waiting for you. You’re not scared are you?”

Luzia shook her head.

“Do you want to tell Senhorita Drakos about your trip?”

I looked at the little girl’s big watchful eyes. She took in everything. Me. Matthew. The crowd. I saw the moment she saw Little Grandma. Her eyes widened. Of course they did.

I held out my hand.

Luzia came out from behind Sister Beatriz’s skirts. She slowly took my hand. She looked into my eyes, her expression solemn.

“Angel?”