Turning to her in darkness cut only by the dashboard glow, Benny smiled and asked, What is it, querida ?
She loved him calling her that. Nothing, she said, reaching across the console and touching his knee. Squeezing his knee
After their third date, he had started calling her querida . When she had asked him what it meant, hed said, Darling. Or it can also mean, you know, lover.
His eyes had lowered then, his embarrassment obvious. But she had kissed his cheek and told him she liked it. Since then, she had been querida whenever they were together.
Now, his eyes went back to watching the traffic on the rain-slicked Dixie Highway as they headed south, toward home. Traffic wasnt heavy, but they werent the only ones out late on this windy, rainy night.
Normally, their parents would have pitched fits about them being out past midnight on a school night, but tonight was special. Benny had been invited by his baseball coach to a White Sox game at U.S. Cellular Field. And Benny had convinced the coach to let him bring Addie along as his guest. (And convinced her parents, too.)
They had met the coach outside the park and gotten the tickets. They had even enjoyed the first few innings as the Sox got an early lead on the visiting Detroit Tigers, but then the rains came. The trio had waited bravely with the other diehards for the storm to blow over, but the game had finally been called just before eleven and they had been trying to get home since.
Tell me what you were laughing at, he pressed.
She shook her head, her hand covering her mouth in embarrassment. I cant tell you.
Come on, querida , he said, all honey-voiced. You know you want to. His fingertip touched her arm and she felt a surge of heat rush through her.
No! she squealed. Im not telling you.
His hand moved, finding a rib and tickling.
She slapped it away. Will you please drive ?
He grinned. Yeah, drive you crazy till you tell me what was so damn funny.
He tickled her ribs again, this time his hand brushing a breast and, even as she giggled, warmth surged through her. If they hadnt been so late, tonight would have been the night the night.
But she wanted it perfect for them both, and this eveningwhich was supposed to be Bennys big night at the ballparkshould have been just the thing. The coach seemed sure Benny would be taken early in the June amateur draft and that there would probably be some nice bonus money. Benny had worked hard for this, Addie knew, and he deserved it.
Shed been planning to top off his big night by finally giving in to him, but they were so late now, there was just no way. Another night would have to do.
Still, Addie knew one thing above all: she didnt want to wait until prom night.
Some of the other girls, who had already done the deed, told her it would hurt a little ( at least a little) and it could be messy ( would be
messy). That wasnt the experience she had in mind for prom night, not to mention her prom dress. That night needed to be extra special perfect. Better to get the thing out of the way before, and hope it was fun, at least.
There would be other nights, no doubt, but she was so primed this night.
Tell me, he said, tickling her once more.
All right! She pushed his hand away. Its just embarrassing.
He shrugged. So what? Tell me.
I was just thinking about the CD being in your moms car? Like how funny it would be if it was her music or something.
It is her music, he said.
Youre kidding!
No, he said, his voice as calm as the sky wasnt. She really digs Ozomatli.
Your mom is into multiculti hip-hop rock?
Benny nodded. Shes not a hundred years old, you know.
Part of the reason she loved Benny was she never knew for sure when he was serious and when he was just kidding her. Like now, for instance.
Which songs her fave, then? she challenged.
This one, he said, skipping to song number eight on the live albumLove and Hope.
She listened carefully. The chorus was about how love and hope never die and, no matter what, your heart and soul will survivea positive message sung over an almost traditional Mexican song with horns and hip-hop drop-ins.
Addie liked it immediately and wondered if she really was listening to one of Mrs. Mendozas CDs.
Benny gave her a sideways look. Youd believe anything I told you, wouldnt you?
She realized he had been pulling her leg the entire time. She smacked him in the shoulder. You!
Ay, querida , youre way too gullible.
Mildly annoyed hed fooled her yet again, she turned the tables. Does that mean I should never believe anything you tell me?"
"Like what?"
Like if you said youd be careful not to get me pregnant, if we ever you know.
Querida , I dont joke about serious things.
Oh? Then tell me something I can believe.
Benny, casual as could be, said, You can believe I love you.
Addie sat there for the longest moment, not knowing what to say. She adored hearing him finally say those words, but even the throwaway way hed spoken them seemed to have sucked all the air out of the car.