On the way out, Tom was deep in his own head. Matt reached up and put his hand on the giant shoulder.
“Dad… I don’t think he knows what he’s talking about. And even if he’s right, you’re you, you’re my dad, and I’ll always love you.”
Tom smiled down at his son. “Thanks, mijo. I need to talk to that doctor. But right now, I’m hungry! Let’s grab an açaí bowl.”
“Or ten,” joked Matt. “You look like you could put away five thousand calories a day and not get any fatter.” They both laughed and headed toward a juice shop.
When they walked in, a very tall, brown-skinned woman turned to greet them. She gasped, and dropped a blender carafe on the ground. “No! No!” She burst into tears.
Tom looked at Matt, who shrugged.
The woman’s tears subsided and she came and threw her arms around Tom. “Mijo, mijo!”
Tom looked confused. Matt, though, got the idea. “Hi… um… es usted… um…”
“I’m Nicolás’ mom,” the woman said, “and I speak English.” She looked up at Tom, who finally got what was happening and looked down at his enormous feet. “Why are you here? Why rub it in my face?”
“I didn’t mean to!” said Tom. “I didn’t know this was your business and I didn’t know who you were. My son and I just finished in the gym and were looking for a snack.”
The woman wiped her eyes. “Of course, you couldn’t know. I’m sorry. My name is Rita Martínez.”
Tom shook her hand and, impulsively, hugged her. “I’m so sorry, but I can’t thank you enough. I promise to care for your son’s body and help him… and you, if you’ll let me.”
Rita sniffled. “You must have a million questions, mij… uh… sir.”
“I do,” said Tom. “Pero no quiero causarle pena.” He put one enormous hand to his mouth.
“You speak Spanish?” asked Rita.
“No,” said Tom. “But it looks like maybe Nick’s personality and mine melded instead of me just being the lawyer in the young body. I seem to know how to lift weights and play football, but I seem to have forgotten how to do my job. Tell me, did Nick have a problem with his temper?”
“Oooh, he used to get all enojado. And when he started his latest growth spurt a few weeks before the accident, it got a little dangerous because he got so big.”
“Growth spurt?!” said Matt, incredulously. “Another one?”
“Sí,” said Rita. “He wasn’t… isn’t… done growing yet.”
“How tall was Nick’s father?” asked Matt, while Nick furrowed his brow.
“He’s six foot eight. He usually comes here after work. He works construction. If you want, you can meet him, but I want to text him so he is prepared.”