Resplendent Read Online Free Page B

bed. She smiled down at me as I snuggled close and rested my head next to her belly, face up. She lifted strands of my hair and began playing with them.
    “Madrina?” I asked and her hand stopped for a second when she heard the hesitation in my voice.
    “Mmm?” she asked.
    “Do you remember what my parents were like when they were together?” I avoided her gaze as I looked up at the ceiling but I could feel her eyes on me.
    “I do. They were something else,” she answered and then began trailing her fingers over my forehead. My eyelids fluttered closed.
    “What does that mean? Something else?” I placed my hand on my stomach and relaxed with her touch.
    “It means I’d never seen a relationship like theirs before. Your mother was outspoken and stubborn, but brilliant and hard working. Your dad was more quiet and reserved, but always put family first. They worked well together.”
    Her words swirled around in my head before settling and I asked another question, because I wanted to know.
    “How will I know if I find a love like theirs?”
    She sighed and I finally opened my eyes to look at her.
    “Well, there are different types of love I think. It’s not so black and white.”
    I frowned. “So there’s no way to know?”
    She smiled a sad smile. “I think you’ll know, it just takes time. When you realize you’re willing to give yourself completely to that other person. You’ll know when you can’t stop thinking about him during the time that you’re apart, and you still get excited to hear his voice. When you’d rather defend him than defend yourself. Love is acceptance, because we all have flaws, and you won’t mind living with each one of his.”
    “Do you still love Carmin’s dad?” I asked hoping I wouldn’t offend her. My hand rested on hers.
    “I do still care about him and wish him well, but no. I think we were more comfortable with each other and just going through the motions. When he walked out on us, I was angry. And it took me a long time to realize that I wasn’t angry because I loved him. I was angry because he chose to not help his family. I missed his help.”
    I glanced back at the ceiling and saw a blurry image of my parents facing each other. It was on my 11 th birthday party before they sang me happy birthday. My dad wiped her bangs back and kissed her on the forehead. I smiled.
    “Do you think you’re in love?” Lola asked, and teasingly swiped at the corner of my mouth.
    “I was thinking about my parents.” Well, it’s true .
    “What about that boy you’re always texting back and forth?” She probed.
    I blushed. There was only one boy.
    “He’s just a friend,” I giggled. I couldn’t contain it.
    “And does this friend have a name?” I looked at Lola and she raised an eyebrow. “Hmm?”
    Jeez, so persistent.
    “Andres,” I answered without thinking and instantly regretted it. What would Carmin think if Lola slipped and told her? “He’s really just a friend,” I insisted. A very cute friend .
    “Okay, that’s how good relationships start anyways.” She leaned down and placed a kiss on my forehead. “Go get dressed so we can get going.”
    I let out a breath of relief and got up from the bed.
     

     
    “Carmin, I’m borrowing your shoes!” I called out and slipped my feet into the dark brown wedges. I straightened my shoulders and smoothed the creases of my green striped top.
    “Wow, you look hot!” Carmin said from the doorway. I glanced at her through the mirror and smiled.
    “You think so? It’s not too much?”
    Carmin shook her head and walked to the closet we shared to put on her shoes.
    “You know these boys just want us to be dressed up and beautified every second of the day.”
    My eyebrows pinched together at the thought and I looked again at myself in the mirror. I was fine with dressing up once in a while, but sometimes, I just wanted my yoga pants and flats.
    “Here.” Carmin’s outstretched palm was in front of me and I