If you are a true Caleciano, you know where the Romeros live. Three well known brothers to the Imperial Valley : Daniel, Dante, and Diego. Unfortunately, for their parents, it was the meet up spot. I didn’t even go to the same high school, but we always ended up there. I’d always heard about the brother who stayed inside, lost in his own world. Dante seemed either too deep for parties, or simply saving himself for something worth his time. I knew of him the way you know someone who quietly takes up space in your imagination without ever trying. Ten years later, just two hours away, reunited friends chased the night with late night tacos... and there he was. The boy from the background of every party, finally right in front of me. Our groups folded together naturally, the way good things happen when you stop looking for them. He was refreshing. Cool and unexpected, like that first sip of an ice cold diet soda on a warm night. We laughed until the taco shop had no choice but to close around us, then parted ways with that soft feeling in your chest; the quiet certainty that this couldn’t possibly be the last time. It wasn’t. Ever since, we never stopped laughing.