pt. 5 ~ When It Ends, The Memories Begin ⋆˙⟡

1/8/25

That next morning, we woke up early, both of us having not slept that well. We decided to make up for the day before by having a nice brunch. He took me to his favorite place downtown. We promised each other to make the most of this trip despite the setbacks, just as we had previously the other way around.

LA during the day was very different than the night. There was more Spanish than English in the area we were in, and so much street art. And murals that were actually good! With him being half Mexican half Italian, he knew this area all too well. He grew up there, and pointed out his favorite art pieces. I told him I wish I could just stand still for a second and look at all the art and beauty there was in one space, then move an inch forward, and see so much more, and admire that too. He found it funny, and inspiring, that I was so enamored by something he barely batted his eyes at anymore. He told me I brought the light back into the things that have dulled out as he got older. I told him he did the same in my life.

Back to the brunch, to uncheese myself, we sat down in this little cafe and got chai and breakfast sandwiches. Still the best chai of my life, and that’s my drink everywhere I go. Leo tried it and agreed-best one ever made. We had to tip the waitress because the price of the drink was so good.

After eating and talking about all that happened, laughing with bellies full, we sat back and sighed, and I found myself drawn to the photographs on the wall. It had all the major touristy sites in LA, including the Hollywood sign, and the Iron Man Donut. I recognized most of them, and was surprised by some that were there. I really didn’t know virtually anything about LA or what was in California before going there. Really showed how bad the public education system was.

He pointed out a few, telling me how close some of the sites were to where we were, and said, “Anything up there you want to see? I’ll take you there.”

It was like a dream come true.

I of course immediately said “the hollywood sign. I’ve gotta see it.”

He smiled and said, “Done. What else?”

I told him a few up there, he just smiled and watched me get excited, seeing these sites he’s been to his whole life. And we did in fact go to all the ones I pointed out.

Then he took me into the city. The air was really bad, so we wore masks. Everyone did. It was like we were thrown back into 2020, watching everyone walk around with masks. Ash was still falling from the sky, falling on top of my head and shoulders. Clumps of it formed on the sidewalk, and looking up only led to it falling into your eye like an unwanted raindrop. We took turns picking ash out of our hair and clothes, like monkeys with their tick-filled children. We decided to walk around only until I started feeling bad, then we’d head back. We didn’t exactly gauge how bad it would be being out until we were there. But we adjusted and it didn’t get too bad. But he took me around, his goal was to show me all the street art LA was famous for. He always sent pictures on his walks and bike rides of the street art, knowing I liked it, and now I got to see it in person, and it was amazing! Something so trashy and overlooked, but such unrelenting talent lovingly put into a corner or a sidewalk step to send a message or to preserve a memory. I took so many pictures haha!

My personal favorite-the floating cow.

We decided to rent scooters, and we raced and scootered around the city, eventually ending on the famed bridge. It was absolutely gorgeous. Then we went to the Japanese Village Plaza, and saw the cutest things! I got some little art supplies, and some plushies, along with some sugary drinks Leo told me were good that I’ve never heard of. We even wasted money on claw games to get plushies, which they had full stores of, but we didn’t get one. Figures.

Then we came back, watched Murder Mystery with some snacks we bought and chilled out before meeting his parents. There his parents welcomed me with open arms. They were so loving, so excited to see me. Finally got to see the people in all the photos he sent me. Him and his older brother poked fun at each other, saying that he couldn’t believe “egirl was real”, which we all laughed at. They made us this amazing taco, which the mom said “you will never have a more authentic taco then this right here. Straight from the hands of a lady from Mexico from a recipe from Mexico.” I laughed and said “I’ll take your word for it”, even before she served it. I ate it, and it was good! But I very much lied and said it was the best taco I’ve ever had, but she doesn’t need to know that. They were so happy Leo was happy, and that I was normal and good for him. They gave me a tour of all the little trinkets, Mayan pieces they collected that were authentic and collectibles. “Things that they said should be in museums but instead we’re stuffing them away out of greed” the dad would joke. They told me stories on how the mom and dad met, the grandma and grandpa, and the brother’s tragic love life. Leo kept joking “you’re next! Now you find your e-girl!” The dog seemed to like me more than usual. He got on my lap and didn’t try to bite me. Actually got excited to see me the more we came over, which was unheard of for someone out of the family. He was a little crusty white little thing. Cheeks pinchable, but definitely smelled.

I felt very full, very loved, and very complimented on my looks. They talked about my features as if I were foreign, which we joked about. The brother at one point said “Mom you act as though you never seen a white woman before!”. It was hilarious. Eventually we ended the night, and went back to the airbnb. We got prepared for the next day and talked, laid around, enjoyed our alone time together, and talked about all we did. I remember feeling out of this world. I was so so happy. I told him “Leo idk how any day this week could trump today–it was so fun. Like SO FUN.” He’d laugh, and say “well, I’ve gotta trump today then! Challenge accepted.”

That night, I went to bed full -- of food, of love, of relief.

And I genuinely thought: maybe this week is turning around.

Thanks for reading, and again… sorry for the emotional whiplash 😭

–A.M.