Chapter 3 - A Table for TwoWhile Teresa waited for a local taxi service to dispatch a driver, a small side door to the office opened.
A little girl with wide brown eyes and dark curly hair peeked in, holding a worn blanket around her shoulders. “Daddy?”
Ramón’s entire face softened instantly. “Hey, sweetheart. I told you to stay wrapped up in the back room.”
“I heard the garage door,” Bella whispered, her eyes shifting curiously toward Teresa.
Teresa’s heart warmed at the sight of the little girl. “Hi there, Bella. I’m Teresa. Your dad was a hero tonight—he rescued my car.”
Bella smiled shyly, holding up a small piece of paper. “Look what I drew! It’s Santa’s sleigh.”
Teresa knelt down, ignoring the cold floor, and looked closely at the crayon drawing. “It’s beautiful, Bella. You have a real talent.”
Ramón stood nearby, watching his daughter interact with the elegant woman. A pang of sadness hit his chest. He wished he could give Bella the life she deserved—a huge tree with piles of presents, new clothes, and trips to bright cities. Instead, he had given her a drafty room behind a repair shop.
The taxi horn sounded outside, its yellow light flashing against the garage windows.
“That’s my ride,” Teresa said softly, standing up. She looked at Ramón. “When will the car be ready?”
“I’ll order the parts on Monday,” Ramón said. “I’ll have it running by Tuesday afternoon.”
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“Thank you, Ramón. Truly.”
As Teresa walked out to the taxi, she couldn't stop thinking about the little girl’s crayon drawing, the faded reindeer on the mirror, and the proud, noble man who refused her money when he clearly needed it.
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