Mustard and Love 20

A little white dog in someone’s fenced yard barked furiously at Fernando as he walked by. He came back to the present and sighed. Considering her pride, it would be difficult to convince Isabella that Brett was dangerous. But he had to try.

He turned the familiar corner into Aspen Street, went up her driveway and knocked on her door.

Isabella opened the door with a smile on her face, as if she’d expected someone else. A pang when through Fernando. She used to smile like that when she opened the door for him.

Her pleased look melted from her face and ice replaced it. “What do you want? I told you I don’t want to see you again.”

Fernando held out his hand. “Please, Isabella. I don’t want to bother you. But you’re in danger, and I really need to talk to you.”

She hesitated.

“Please?”

“Oh well. Come in. I don’t understand any of this, but maybe…” her voice trailed off.

Fernando heard a wistfulness, a yearning in her voice, and his heart almost broke. But his love for her had to wait. He needed to convince her that Brett was dangerous. That was the most important thing right now.

“Come in in.”

He followed her into the kitchen.

Tony sat on a booster chair at the kitchen, forking cut-up bits of meat into his mouth.

Whatever she was cooking, it smelled heavenly.

Tony saw Fernando, stopped chewing and stared at him with big eyes.

Fernando bent to eye level. “Hello Tony. My name is Fernando.”

“Hi,” Tony said with a small voice and focused back on his food.

Isabella watched him, frowning. “You look starved. I have quite a bit left of the rosemary pork I took home from work. Sit down. You can eat with us.”

She put two plates onto the table, heaped with pork in sauce, mashed potatoes and green beans. “You can sit there.” She pointed to the chair in front of the larger portion.

He pulled out the chair and sat. “Actually, I am very hungry. Thank you so much.”

She said grace and they ate in silence.