It was then Ryanne saw a twitch in Micah's face.Alita saw it as well, but she didn't respond but continued opening envelopes.Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile was next on the list.
“I do not want to go to school in the same country as Tio Pablo de la Marta,” Micah said, “because that man is insane.He will show up on campus in gauchos, with that stupid gold tooth, and a cup full of guaro asking me when my next exam is and how many of the female students, I fornicated with each day.”
Alita continued opening envelopes and added, “Or soliciting all the young ladies on campus for sexual favors.You know he did that when he came to our recital in Argentina.The headmaster had to ask him to leave.”
Ryanne said, “What?He did not?”
“Señora, he picked two young ladies, both rather homely in appearance, handed them a stack of cash and said there is more where that came from.See me after class,” Alita said.“I was mortified.Security had to escort him off the campus.”
Micah had reached the final pile of schools in Colombia.He sighed and grabbed the hand sanitizer.Coating his hands with the liquid, he pushed the stacks aside and grabbed a hot wing and few fries for his small plate.
“Alita, I like the idea of attending school in Colombia,” he said.“I can be close to home, there is no language barrier, and the research I shall do can be applicable to my country.I am feeling strongly about Universidad de los Andes in Bogotá.Do they have the communications major there for you, Alita?”
“I applied for digital storytelling,” Alita said softly.
“Well, did you get accepted?”Micah asked, chewing on a wing.
She opened the envelope.“I did, plus a partial scholarship.”
Her bottom lip quivered at the idea of actually attending university to study what she wanted.Ryanne sat next to the girl, wrapping her in an embrace.“I'm very proud of you.I'm so proud of you both.”
Micah picked up another wing, “So, are you good with going to Uni in Bogotá?”
“I'm okay with it,” she told him.
“Good, after this snack, we can make a plan to call a real estate agent to find a flat,” he said.“We will need a vehicle, possibly an SUV.I do not wish to take the Jeep to Bogotá.”
“I was thinking if we were to find a place close to campus, I could get a Vespa,” Alita said, watching his face, which went flat.
“You are making the funny,” Micah said.
“No, if we have classes at different times and only one vehicle,” Alita said, feeling a bit cocky, “then I may have to get one of those handsome study partners to give me a ride if I don't have my own transportation.”
Micah looked up at her.There was fire in his eyes when he spoke.“If you want your own vehicle, just say so and I will get you one, but the whole, handsome guy thing...you pick with me.I find no humor in it.Might I suggest you stop.”
“Sure thing, Boss, but you did say we weren't joined at the hip.”
“I also said I don't have an issue killing a mutherfucker for touching you...sorry Mama,” Micah said looking at Ryanne.“She tests my resolve at the most inopportune times.”
“I mean no disrespect, my apologies,” Alita said, trying not to smirk.
Ryanne saw it.Eduardo, who had been close by listening, but not engaged, also saw it.His son was also falling in love.Micah Delgado also had a sense of humor.
Having him home regularly without the other two sons around, he had begun to see the man his son was growing into.He liked it.He also liked Micah.
Angel, having been outside with ponies, entered through the back door, smelling up the place with a stench that started at his head and ended at his feet.He spotted the wings and reached for one, only to have his hands swatted by Ryanne, who commanded him to shower and change before touching anything in the house.He grumbled at the command but looked at his father.
“Papa, when do I start training to be your guard?I don't want to stand around all day like a bored bung hole, but the wedding is this weekend, and I need to be ready to drop a bastard,” Angel said, his angelic face trying to look tough.
“Son, you scare me,” Eduardo said under his breath.
“Your enemies should be scared too.My knives were wiped across the backs of my dart frogs,” he said.“Hey, am I getting a tattoo of the dart frog on my chest?I'm a bad ass too!I want my tattoo!”
“Angel, we talked about this,” Eduardo said.
“Papa, you said I was no different from your other sons, so that means I should get a tattoo like they did.I am the son of a Czar.I am theEmberá Chocó!”Angel shouted.
Micah and Alita both shouted, “TheEmberá Chocó!”
