![\"\"](\"https:\/\/buber.net\/Basque\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/maite-and-kepa-v3b.png\")
As Javi checked in with the host, Kepa noticed a woman sitting at a table waving at them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIs that her?\u201d he asked, pointing to the redheaded woman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Javi smiled. \u201cBai, that\u2019s her!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Julie stood as they made their way to the table, her smile beaming. She was wearing a floral-print sundress that didn\u2019t quite reach her knees. Her red hair was matched by freckles on her cheeks, making Kepa think she must have Irish ancestry. She gave Javi a hug and a kiss. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThanks for snagging a table for us!\u201d said Javi after they broke their kiss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo problem!\u201d She turned her attention to the other two. \u201cYou must be Kepa. Javi\u2019s told me so much about you.\u201d She gave Kepa a kiss on each cheek. \u201cAnd you are Maite? Javi told me about his childhood crush on you; I understand why!\u201d She gave Maite a kiss on each cheek as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMil esker\u2026?\u201d questioned Maite as she sat down. \u201cSeems I\u2019m the only one who didn\u2019t know about Javi\u2019s crush.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Javi blushed. \u201cWell, that was a long time ago. Now, Julie has my heart.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHow are you liking California? It\u2019s your first time here, right?\u201d asked Julie.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSo far, it\u2019s been great,\u201d replied Kepa. \u201cI admit, a bit more\u2026 how do you say? Rugged or less glamorous than what I expected from the movies.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOnce you get away from the coast,\u201d said Javi, \u201cit\u2019s like anywhere else. Ranches and farms, and no movie stars.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Maite laughed. \u201cWe certainly haven\u2019t seen any movie stars yet! Though Kepa is still hoping to bump into Jon Hamm.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Julie returned her laugh. \u201cSo would I!\u201d she said with a wink.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was Kepa\u2019s turn to blush. \u201cIt\u2019s not like that\u2026\u201d he began.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019m just teasing,\u201d interrupted Julie. She turned to Maite. \u201cJavi said you were thinking about going to Berkeley?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Maite shrugged. \u201cThinking about it. That\u2019s why we came out here, so I could interview with one of the professors. And I think it went well. But, they haven\u2019t made a decision yet. And, besides, I don\u2019t know if I can leave my parents behind.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI can understand that,\u201d said Julie. \u201cIt isn\u2019t quite the same, but I moved here from Boston. All of my family is back there. It took me a while to get used to being out here on my own.\u201d She reached over and squeezed Javi\u2019s hand. \u201cHaving Javi has sure helped a lot.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Maite nodded. \u201cMy parents are older and I would just hate to not be there if they needed anything. I\u2019m an only child, so they don\u2019t have anyone else to help.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Javi shrugged. \u201cIt\u2019s what my dad did, leave everything there behind to come out here. But it was hard for him. When his dad died, he couldn\u2019t make it back for the funeral. I think that always gnawed at him.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt had to be so hard, coming out here to be a sheepherder,\u201d said Julie.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou have no idea,\u201d replied Kepa, with an air of authority. Javi and Julie looked at him, quizzically. \u201cOr so I imagine,\u201d he sputtered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Javi gave his cousin a strange look before continuing. \u201cIt\u2019s funny, when my dad first came over, he\u2019d call home maybe once a year. It was so expensive. But, now, he\u2019s on his cell phone talking to his brother back home almost every day. It\u2019s amazing how the world changes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI agree,\u201d said Maite. \u201cIt certainly wouldn\u2019t be as hard for me to come out here as it was for people like your dad. But, it\u2019s still far away.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Javi nodded as the waiter came to take their orders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n