San Diego Reader

I tried to explain my position, but the semantics didn´t carry. ¨It´s just, you see, it´s about inertia, man. Momentum. I can´t just up and get married now. Not now! I´ve only come so far, see, and, like, there´s a whole world out there, a whole world! It´s like an avalanche, ya know? If you just decide to stop halfway down the mountain, you get pummeled! It´s a precarious slope I´m traveling, my friend! I don´t even love her. Ya know? Not like that. How would it look, marrying a girl you don´t even love? It´s criminal! Besides, we can´t communicate, and what about the kids? I wouldn't be able to communicate with my own children! Can you imagine how awful that would be for our relationship? It would tear us apart!¨

My dear friend didn´t seem to understand. He ordered more eggs.

The following morning I packed my bag and met Jose for one last hurrah at the soda. Jeimy brought us hot rice, beans and sausage. About halfway through our breakfast my friend began, ¨What will you do for your poor girl?¨ But I cut him off with what must have been a sufficiently menacing look. He didn´t mention her again. I said adios, then, and shook Old Jose´s hand. He is a good man and his brief friendship was a blessing. I gave Jeimy a hug and a customary kiss on the cheek.

¨No te preocupes,¨ I whispered softly into her ear. ¨Sea feliz.¨

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