******
The next morning, I carried the trash out of our apartment to the chute at the end of the hall. As I walked down the corridor, someone also walked out our new neighbor’s door. He was the proverbial tall, dark, and handsome, maybe 6’2″ and an athletic well-built 180 pounds body. He had a mess of dark hair on top and a pleasant, friendly face.
“Excuse me, are you Marco?” I asked, figuring it would be neighborly to introduce myself.
“Yes, I am. I’m sorry, do I know you?” he replied in confusion.
“I’m Irene,” I replied. “We’re neighbors. My husband, Oscar, stopped by yesterday to ask if you needed any assistance to move in.”
“Ah yes, yes, I remember. You are his wife, then?”
“Yes, I am.”
“”Very well. It is very nice to meet you, Irene.”
“And you, as well, Marco. You know, if you have free time, perhaps we could have you over for dinner one night to welcome you to the building. It is always nice when neighbors can get along.”
Marco took less than a second to consider the offer. “A home cooked meal. I would love that, if it’s not a bother. I’m not much of a cook, so I’m afraid I am mostly take-out and instant foods.”
“Nonsense, it’s no bother at all. How about Tuesday night?” I offered.
“I’ll be there. Is 7:30 pm ok?”
“it sounds lovely. We look forward to it.”
I remember when we first moved into the building over 10 years ago, one of the neighbors at the time invited us for dinner in a similar fashion, and it helped us feel welcome. I figured this was just our way of paying it forward and helping Marco to feel welcome in our building, so that he can make it his home, also.
******
I told Oscar that night how I invited our new neighbor over for dinner.
“Why would you do that?” he complained.
“Don’t you remember when Roberto and Elena did the same thing for us when we moved in?” I pointed out to him.
“Yes, but that was different.”
“Different how?” I wanted to know.
“They were like our age. Marco, he is just a kid. We will have nothing in common. What will we talk about? It will be awkward.”
“Maybe he’s a Barca fan,” I said, hoping it might cause Oscar to reconsider.
He just kind of grunted in frustration, but Marco was already invited, and Oscar knows there was no way to rescind the invitation, so he was resigned to dinner on Tuesday night with our new neighbor.
*******
Come Tuesday night, I prepared a meal of seafood paella and albondigas. I had just finished laying out the plates and silverware when we heard a knock at the door. My husband answered it and invited Marco into our humble abode.
“It smells wonderful,” Marco proclaimed as soon as he crossed the threshold. His eyes grew wide as saucers at the sight of the freshly prepared meal. “You are too kind to prepare this meal. I am used to instant noodles and street vendor fare. Here, I brought you a small token of my appreciation,” he said, as he handed Oscar a bottle of sangria.
“Thank you for the bottle, but it is our pleasure.” I assured him. “Come, let us sit down to eat.”
We took our places at the table and commenced with the meal. The table talk was light and breezy.
“So, I hear you are a university student. What are you studying?” I asked.
“I don’t know yet,” Marco answered. “My mother wants me to become a doctor, but my father says I should be a lawyer because I am so good at arguing with him.”
“Well, I’m sure whatever you choose you’ll be wonderful at it,” I commented.
“By the way. Is there a gym around here you can recommend? I’d like to try to stay in shape,” Marco inquired.
“Oh, I go to BCN,” I offered. “It’s not that far, and the facilities are clean.”
“I would like that,” Marco responded.
“If you don’t mind my asking,” Oscar interjected, “the rent here in the city is not cheap, and you live by yourself. Do you work? How do you afford this place?”
Marco smiled sheepishly. “I am fortunate. My family has money. They pay for the apartment. Me, I am just a nothing.”
“God knows there are always those less fortunate, but one shouldn’t waste their advantages in life,” Oscar philosophized. “Messi is the most talented futbol player, but he will not take it easy on those less skilled. It is no different with you. Don’t be ashamed of your situation. Don’t waste it.”
“I appreciate your sentiment,” Marco conceded.
“You are young and with money. I imagine you have the girls chasing after you,” Oscar continued. I was pleased to see my husband making an effort at conversation with our new neighbor.
“I don’t have anyone at the moment,” Marco admitted.
“Just as well. You should focus on your studies. There’s time for all that later in life,” Oscar told him.
“You look quite fortunate yourself here,” Marco said, looking around. “Nice home. Great food. Are those pictures of your daughters?” Marco pointed at our family picture hanging on the wall.
“Yes, they’re with their cousins tonight,” I apologized. “I afraid they’re not as enamored with my cooking as you are.”
“Just more for the rest of us to enjoy,” Marco said with a hearty laugh.
The rest of dinner passed easily. We opened the sangria and let it flow until the bottle was empty. I know I was a little tipsy by the end of the night. I normally don’t drink more than a glass at dinner, but I figured with a guest over, I should be cordial, and the extra glasses left me feeling warm and playful throughout dinner. I was happy to know that the dinner had been a success; even my husband, Oscar, seemed to enjoy himself.
Finally, the hour was becoming late, Marco excused himself to return home.
“Thank you again for the lovely meal. You are both too kind. I cannot thank you enough,” Marco said as he stood by the door.
“Please. The pleasure is all ours,” I responded. “It is refreshing to have someone new in the building, and you have made for lovely company. We would love to have you over any time.”
*******
That night, Oscar and I were in our room, preparing to retire to bed.
“If I didn’t know better, I’d think you are smitten with him,” Oscar said offhand.
“Don’t be silly. I’m not even smitten with you. With whom do you think I am smitten?” I retorted.
“Marco.”
“Don’t be daft. He’s just a kid,” I scoffed.
“I see the way you joke around him.”
“I’m just being a good neighbor. Not all of us are old curmudgeons like yourself.”
“It’s ok,” Oscar persisted. “You can have your little crush.”
“That’s rubbish. Utter nonsense.”
I am sure Oscar is just teasing me. I might be offended if I didn’t know he was joking around. Even when I had youth, I don’t think I was ever in the same league as a Marco. He is obviously tall and handsome, and he comes from money, so I have no doubt he will soon have his pick of the ladies in the city.
Marco admitted at dinner he did not have a girlfriend, but he is young, handsome, and single with his own place. I had no doubt he would soon have a pretty, young girlfriend who is always spending time at his apartment. Nice, available young men like Marco do not remain single for long, and I was sure someone would snatch him up soon.
I saw Marco more like a polite, innocent kid, almost like the son we never had. If anything, my motherly instincts saw a somewhat naïve kid living on his own in the city for the first time. Barcelona is a wonderful, beautiful city, but there are many who will scam you or take advantage of you if you are not careful, and I wanted to protect him from those unsavory elements.