Irises by Francisco X. Stork

rugged-looking face with lively eyes that focused on you and made you feel important. You had to look at him a couple of times before you realized that he was good-looking in his own unassuming way.
    â€œSo, Simon,” Aunt Julia said when everyone was seated i n the living room, “Kate tells me your family owns two restaurants.”
    Ah, good old Aunt Julia , Kate thought. Nothing like getting straight to the point .
    â€œYes, ma’am,” Simon answered shyly, as if afraid to boast. “We had one for a long time and then last year we started a second one over by the airport.”
    â€œThat’s wonderful.” Aunt Julia beamed, casting a meaningful glance at Kate.
    â€œI should check on dinner,” Kate said.
    â€œThe pot roast is all set,” said Aunt Julia.
    â€œI’m going to make the salad.”
    â€œI’ll make it,” Mary said as she stepped into the living room. “Hi, Simon.” She waved.
    â€œHey, Mary!” Simon waved back. Kate shot Mary a look, but Mary either didn’t catch the hidden meaning or decided to ignore it.
    Simon was usually nervous whenever he came over, which Kate had always attributed to the dignified presence of her father. Now he was sitting on the sofa next to Aunt Julia and was still visibly jittery.
    â€œMaybe I should check on Mother,” Kate suggested.
    â€œShe’s all right. You should stay here with your young man.” Aunt Julia smiled at Simon.
    â€œSimon’s been here many times before. He feels at home,” Kate said.
    â€œI’m okay,” said Simon, trying to defuse the tension. “I’ve been here many times before.” He gave Kate a quick smile, as if apologizing for repeating what she had said. She decided she should stay in the room. There was no telling what Aunt Julia might say next.
    â€œHow long have you been engaged?” Aunt Julia asked.
    â€œAunt Julia!” Kate exclaimed. “We’re not engaged!”
    â€œOh, I’m sorry, I thought you were,” Aunt Julia said coyly. Kate could see her stratagem. She was planting seeds in Simon’s mind, letting him know that she would approve of an engagement, as if it were up to her to approve.
    Simon was blushing proudly. He seemed glad that their relationship had been mistaken for an engagement.
    â€œIf you’re not engaged, then what are you?” Aunt Julia was looking at Simon, waiting for him to answer.
    â€œAunt Julia, you’re embarrassing Simon,” Kate said.
    â€œNo, no. I’m not embarrassed. It’s just that, I don’t know, I guess maybe we can say that we’re pre-engaged,” he said.
    â€œOh,” Aunt Julia said. It was clear that pre-engaged did not mean anything to her.
    Kate glared at Simon.
    â€œSo when are you —” Aunt Julia started to ask, but Kate cut her off.
    â€œLet’s go have supper.” She stood up and waited for the others to follow. Aunt Julia ignored her.
    â€œWhat do you plan to do after graduation?”
    â€œAunt Julia, don’t interrogate Simon so much,” Kate tried to joke. She sat back down again.
    â€œI’m not interrogating him. I’m curious, that’s all. Since h e’s pre-engaged to you, I should know. I’m the only relative you’ve got.”
    â€œThat’s all right,” Simon said to Kate. He turned back to Aunt Julia. “I plan to manage one of my father’s restaurants, the one by the airport. I’ll work with him for a few months so he can show me the ropes, and then he’ll turn the whole restaurant over to me. He and my mother have been running a restaurant for twenty-five years. They want to retire. My brother, Raul, will manage the other restaurant as soon as he graduates from high school. He’s one year younger than me.”
    Aunt Julia made a face that conveyed she was impressed. “Managing a restaurant at such a young age!”
    â€œI’ve been