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He inhaled and released the air through his nose. His cheek twitched. “I fell in love,” he said. He smiled and stood taller. “That changed how I saw things.”
Gabi frowned. “You didn’t marry?”
He shook his head. “Like Aisha, that option isn’t available to me.”
Gabi couldn’t think of the right thing to say. She blew out a puff of air and shook her head. How many lives had been destroyed by these laws?
“I didn’t have the courage to leave.”
“Do you wish you had?”
“Sometimes, yes.”
“That’s shit.”
“Sometimes, yes.” He laughed. “It was a long time ago. I chose to stay. He decided to leave.”
“He was Gitano?”
Matías smiled. “I knew if I left here, I would never be able to return even though Papa gave us his blessing. I didn’t have Ana María’s spirit. I didn’t trust that his love for me would last a lifetime. And I enjoyed the security of this community. Maybe I am weak.”
Gabi widened her eyes. “That’s not weak, Matías. It’s a sacrifice. There’s a difference. The Gitano way is formidable, and the people so protective of your laws. I’m not sure I would have been able to leave.”
He stepped towards her, opened his arms, and they hugged.
“Aisha and I are leaving,” she said.
He nodded. “I knew it would come to this. Aisha is stronger than us both,” he said.
Gabi smiled. “It’s a lot to give up, isn’t it?”
“It was too much for me.”
Gabi didn’t feel as certain as she would have liked that Aisha was strong enough to walk away from her family. Nothing would be settled until five o’clock came, and they were heading to the apartment.
“When are you leaving?”
“Tomorrow. She’s coming here this afternoon.”
He shook his head. “I’m sad. I have enjoyed your company.”
Gabi turned away as heat crept through her. She looked towards the door, thinking of Nana and Juan. “I don’t want Nana to be blamed.”
“There is wisdom in parts here, Gabi, thank God. Sadly, Aisha’s family are very traditional, and that wisdom doesn’t extend to our way of life.” He pursed his lips and dipped his head. “I imagine there will be a few years of pain until the rumblings die down but eventually, they will. The situation for Estrella and Papa is easier. They will be fine.”
Gabi hoped he was right. “Maybe you can come and see us,” she said.
Matías laughed. “Maybe.” He picked up one of the spiral necklaces that Gabi had made and handed it to her. “Wherever you find yourself, I hope you will make jewellery like this.”
She smiled as she recalled the number of times she’d cursed while learning to make the spirals. Linking two of them together had been even more of a challenge, but the result had been worth it. The necklace had a snake-like appearance with the silver coiled around a black leather lace chain. “You didn’t sell it?”
“I could have sold it a thousand times over.”
“A thousand times over, and we’d be rich.”
“True, but I think it would make a wonderful gift for someone special, don’t you?”
Gabi’s heart expanded, and her hand trembled as she held the delicate piece in her palm. “We could still work together,” she said. “I’ll set up a business and sell your jewellery.”
