Four

MATEO 

I finally reached my grandfather's house and quickly dropped my backpack by the door.

Monday morning finally arrived. I hurried toward school, keeping my head down as I walked through the alley.

rolled my eyes but secretly, I wondered if I really should go.

Life always felt peaceful here. There was something about this place that made me forget everything waiting for me at home, the church, school, expectations, and being the priest's son.

I immediately headed toward the garden, I knew Pa would probably be there and sure enough, he was. “Pa!”

He turned around just in time to see me running toward him. I hugged him tightly, he laughed softly and patted my hair before giving me a gentle kiss on the forehead.

“Mateo,” he said warmly. “I see you have something on your mind. That's why you're here.”

I quickly shook my head. “Nothing's wrong.”

He gave me a knowing smile. I didn't want to explain anything, so I walked around the garden, looking at the plants then I stopped. My eyes widened. “Pa!”

He looked over, I pointed excitedly. “Look! My plant is almost blooming!”

It was a small plant I'd planted years ago when I was still in middle school. I'd almost forgotten about it but now, tiny buds were beginning to form. Pa walked over and stood beside me. “Yes,” he said. “It is.”

I crouched down to get a better look. “It's finally going to have flowers.”

Pa smiled. “Everything blooms when its time comes.”

I looked up at him. “What does that mean?”

He looked at the plant for a moment before turning to me. “It means that sometimes, after you've waited for something for a long time, something beautiful finally arrives.”

I stared at him, he continued. “And perhaps very soon, something precious will walk into your life and give it a little more light.”

I blinked. “What?”

He chuckled. “Nothing. Just an old man's thoughts.”

I frowned. “You're being strange again, Pa.”

“Maybe I am.”

I shook my head and turned back toward the plant. I still didn't understand what he meant but I couldn't help smiling as I admired the tiny buds.

It had taken years for my little plant to reach this moment. Maybe Pa was right, some things simply needed time before they could bloom.

It was night already, and it was almost time to go home. I hugged Pa goodbye.

“Goodnight, Pa.”

“Goodnight, Mateo. Come visit again soon.”

He handed me some fruits and a little money for pocket change.

“Thank you, Pa.” I smiled and headed toward the bus stop.

The ride home was quiet. When I finally arrived, I opened the door and found Mum sitting at the dining table.

“Mateo, where were you?”

“I went to Pa's house.”

“You should have told us before going there,” she scolded.

I sighed quietly, she always does this. I walked over to the fridge and placed the fruits inside before going to Lucía, who was sitting at the table doing her assignment.

“How's your homework going?”

“Almost finished.”

I smiled and kissed the top of her head.

“Good girl.” I gently patted her hair before heading upstairs.

“Come down for dinner soon!” Mum called.

“Alright!”

I entered my room and looked toward the window. Niko's window was open too, and the light inside his room was on. I stared at it for a moment before shaking my head and heading into the bathroom.

After a few minutes, I came out. I wasn't wearing my usual oversized clothes yet. I only had my underwear on as I walked toward my table, picked up my towel, and began drying my wet blonde hair then I suddenly felt like someone was watching me.

I stopped. Slowly, I turned toward the window. Niko, he was standing by his window.

Our eyes met. For a second, neither of us moved then I realized he could see me clearly. My slender frame, the bare shoulders.

The appearance I'd spent so much time trying to hide beneath oversized clothes because of Mum's comments.

My face immediately went hot. I let out a startled scream and rushed toward the curtain, pulling it shut.

“What's wrong, Mateo?” Mum called from downstairs.

“Nothing!”

I sat down on the floor for a moment, my heart pounding. Oh, God he saw me. I covered my face with my hands.

Why did this have to happen? I quickly got back up, grabbed my usual oversized shirt, and pulled it on, much better. I took a deep breath before heading downstairs.

Dad was already home. I joined everyone at the dining table and tried to act as though nothing had happened but my mind kept returning to the window to those few seconds and Niko seeing the part of me I usually kept hidden.

Dinner was going well until Dad suddenly spoke. “One of the church members' sons went off to college,” he said. “I've heard he's become wayward and forgotten about God.”

I stopped eating for a moment. For some reason, I felt strangely attacked, I didn't know why.

Dad continued, turning his attention toward me. “Mateo, you're our pride. You need to show the members what it means to be the priest's son.”

I slowly looked up at him.

“You're the standard,” he said. “Never forget that, and don't get swayed by the immorality of this world.”

“Yes, sir,” I replied, nodding slightly.

My chest suddenly felt heavy, I lowered my head and forced myself to continue eating.

Across the table, Dad and Mum continued talking about other things, occasionally laughing and giggling together.

I barely heard them, their voices seemed distant. The standard that was what I was supposed to be.

The perfect son. The example. The priest's son who never made mistakes.

I pushed the food around my plate, pretending I was listening to their conversation. Their laughter filled the room, but somehow I felt completely alone.

I glanced at Lucía. She was happily eating, completely unaware of the weight sitting on my chest.

I wished I could tell someone how tired I was of always being watched, judged, and compared but who would understand?

To everyone else, I was lucky, I was the priest's son. I had a good family, a home, and a place in the church yet sometimes, I wondered what it would feel like to simply make a mistake without feeling like I'd disappointed everyone.