Page 18 of A Christmas Adventure

Being the day that it is, the bakery closes at two o'clock sharp for the public and at four for all those who work there. As if Violeta hadn't had enough serving customers and then cleaning and tidying up with Olga, when they leave, her mother waits for her as she usually does and the three of them walk back home together.

Violeta decides to stay in the background, takes out her cell phone and, pretending to answer some messages, lags behind a little, letting the two women walk ahead. Olga glances at her from time to time, the situation makes her feel very uncomfortable because she doesn't intend to steal the spotlight with her mother at any time, but she also doesn't know how to get out of the way without drawing Maite's attention.

"Young people and their cell phones," Maite says suddenly, catching Olga watching her daughter.

A strange heat rises through Olga's body and her heart races so fast that it almost comes out of her mouth.

"Well, you're pretty young too, what am I saying," Maite corrects herself, "although I don't see you much with that gadget."

"I'm not much of a phone person," she says to get by.

"Violeta isn't either, although well, the truth is I don't know, I see her so little that I no longer know what her hobbies are, you know?" she says melancholically.

"Maite, maybe it would be better if these days I leave you alone with your daughter, you barely see her and you should take advantage of the time with her."

Olga takes another quick look back, making sure Violeta doesn't hear her.

"Don't be silly, woman. Violeta likes you, and I already have my moments alone with her, you also need to distract yourself, because in this town one gets very bored if one doesn't know anyone."

Maite hangs on her arm and keeps walking without expecting any further response from her. After a few minutes, Violeta joins them, placing herself on the other side of her mother, in silence, although it doesn't feel uncomfortable because no one speaks and, despite the cold, the rest of the walk is pleasant.

"Well," says Maite when they reach her door, "rest and do what you have to do and whenever you feel like it, come over to the house," she tells Olga.

"Okay, but remember not to make too much food because I'll bring a meat pie," says the neighbor.

Violeta looks at them both in silence, suddenly she imagines Olga in the kitchen preparing the stew anddiscovers that she wouldn't mind being there with her, helping her while they drink a glass of wine and do other things. The thought makes her shudder and she turns to open the gate door.

"Yes, yes, I remember," says Maite.

The women say goodbye and Violeta can finally enter her house and stop feeling that tightness in her chest that Olga's presence produces.

"I didn't know you had invited her to dinner," she says as soon as they enter.

Maite turns to her and looks at her in horror.

"Didn't I tell you?"

Violeta shakes her head.

"Does it bother you that she's coming?" her mother asks, getting more and more nervous at her daughter's strange expression, "because if so, I'll tell her the dinner is canceled."

"Don't talk nonsense, Mom. It doesn't bother me at all."

"Then why do you have that face?"

"What face?"

"I don't know, you're a little weird," she repeats just like the day before.

"I'm not weird, it's just that it had been a long time since I stayed here overnight and I'm a little disoriented, I miss my bed and my things, but in a couple of days it will pass, don't worry," her daughter lies. "What are we having for dinner? Besides the meat pie..."

Violeta changes the subject and her mother's expression immediately goes from concern to instant relief.

"I bought prawns to bake in the oven and with that, the pie, and a good appetizer, I think it's enough for the three of us. And dessert, of course."

Maite opens the fridge and shows her a cheesecake with raspberry that looks delicious.

"You bet," says Violeta, salivating.