From Chapter 3
It didn’t take long for all the guests to be seated around the table.
Fortunately, it was a really pleasant evening. The food was wonderful—guacamole, rajas, carnitas, frijoles, and a bunch of other guisados that were completely delicious and complimented perfectly the soft corn tortillas Marisol had made early in the morning.
Most of the conversation seemed to focus on me. I didn’t know if it was because they were really interested about my life in Boston, my Master’s degree, or simply because we wanted to avoid the big pink elephant in the room—Sol and Michael’s first dinner at her parents’.
I didn’t mind being the buffer for that conversation, although I was sure Marisol would have to answer a million questions about her relationship and Michael’s intentions soon enough. You didn’t get to invite your boyfriend to meet your Mexican family if you weren’t expecting to go through that.
“That’s really interesting, Kassandra,” Mr. Fuentes said. “You opening your own business and helping everyone write their processes and plans.” Marisol’s father’s accent wasn’t that noticeable—not like her mother's. I guess it was because Mr. Fuentes worked out in the city while Sol’s mom stayed at home and spent time with the family. “But I’m more interested to hear about the ‘gringo’ Sol brought to dinner tonight.” He was really direct; he probably got frustrated that all the conversation was about me and not about anyone else.
“Pa, I told you,” Marisol said. “He’s a financial manager, just like me.”
“Let him talk, Sol. It isn’t as if I was speaking to him in Spanish,” Mr. Fuentes said.
“Marisol’s right, Mr. Fuentes,” Michael said. “I work as a financial manager in the same bank as she does, only in a different branch.”
“So you don’t work together?” Mr. Fuentes asked Michael again.
“Not really,” Michael explained. “I was lucky enough to meet her at the Christmas party the company had for everyone.”
“Since Christmas then?” I could see Mr. Fuentes doing the math. It was now the middle of fall, so they’d been dating almost a year before Marisol brought Michael home to meet her parents. I didn’t want to be in Sol’s shoes when everyone left.
“Yes, sir,” Michael said.
“And you haven’t brought him home until today, Solecito?” The head of the family turned to his daughter. ‘Solecito’ was the pet name he used for Marisol, specifically when he was spoiling her not when he was questioning her so seriously.
“No, Pa.” Marisol smiled gently. “I’ve been really busy lately, and so has Michael. I didn’t find the right time to bring him home. I thought….”
“Tina, it’s his first time home, right?” Now he questioned Sol’s mother.
“Si, Manuel. Es la primera vez,” Mama Tina answered Mr. Fuentes question. “¿Qué tanto misterio?”
“I was just wondering why the gringo didn’t show his face before,” Mr. Fuentes explained. “What exactly are his intentions with my little Sol?” His question didn’t seem to be aimed at anyone in particular until he looked at the other side of the table and met Michael’s eyes. “What exactly are your intentions with Marisol?”
“The best, sir,” Michael answered.
I had to give the guy some credit—he wasn’t budging at all. He looked Mr. Fuentes right in the eye and faced him with everything he had. I could see Clay look at him with awe and respect. It wasn’t an easy task to stand up to Mr. Fuentes.
“Define best,” the protective father said.
“I adore her. I intend to care for her in every way, to love and protect her. To treat her as she deserves.” Apparently, Michael’s words weren’t convincing; Mr. Fuentes huffed under his breath. “I also intend to marry her…if she’s willing to take me.”
That about made everyone stop breathing for a second there.
“What?” Marisol said. Apparently they hadn’t had that conversation yet.
“This probably isn’t the best moment, Sol,” Michael said apologetically. “But since your father brought it up, I couldn’t stop myself.” He stood from his seat and walked the small distance to reach Marisol. “I’ve been thinking about it for a while now.” He extended his hand and helped my friend stand up next to her chair. “And we haven’t even talked about it at all. But we’re perfect together. You’re perfect.” He reached for a small velvet box inside the pocket of his trousers. “I’ve been carrying this around for a couple days now. Looking for the best moment to reach for it and offer it to you.” Michael kneeled before her.
Everyone had stopped eating to watch this surprise proposal; some even stood up in order to get a better look at the event.
“Why not here, with your family and friends as witnesses to how much I love you and how I want nothing more than to have you in my life forever? Marisol Fuentes, will you marry me? Would you make me the luckiest man alive?”
Marisol was completely speechless. Her right hand covered her mouth and tears pooled in her eyes.
“¡Contéstale, niña!” Mama Tina shouted, just as excited as the rest of us to hear her daughter’s answer.
My friend was only able to nod yes. Michael took that as answer enough and placed the ring on her delicate hand.
We all clapped and cheered when Michael stood and held Sol in the most tender hug. I knew she was usually shy, but I guessed happiness was all the encouragement she needed to kiss Michael in front of her parents.
“Congratulations!” Natalie said.
“You’re going to get married!” I added in excitement.
“He’s got some balls to propose in front of Mr. Fuentes,” Clay said at some point.
“I thought I was going to be next,” Laura commented.
“I can’t believe my Sol is getting married,” Mama Tina said.
“Pinches gringos. They have to do everything backwards,” Mr. Fuentes scoffed under his breath.
“This has been an entertaining night,” Julian pitched in.
We all took turns in congratulating the newly engaged couple. And I doubted I was the only one to wonder what exactly Marisol’s dad meant by his comment. We were all about to learn how Mexicans liked their weddings.
Mexican Wedding Checklist
☑ Meet the parents
⊠ Ask for her hand in marriage
☑ Propose to the bride
