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If anything, I wanted him to hurt Alberto even more when Cristina told Lucas that he’d been sniffing like a dog around her. But once I found out it was Belén who had sent the photos to me, I knew that she got exactly what she wanted.
She could do with healing.
There’s some darkness inside of her, and I can’t think why but for some reason, all she wants to do is cause Leticia pain.
I’m sitting in Frontera, a popular bar in Cobeña. It’s one I’ve been to many a times for their flamenco shows and drinking by the terrace for the open views where you can see the snow on the mountain tops during the winter and the sun beaming in the summer. Either way, it’s breathtaking and previously, I’ve enjoyed the peace and tranquility here whilst getting completely drunk.
Sometimes they have live bands too, but Leticia wants to meet during the day so it’s a little quiet. I can see some moms catching up on the weekly gossip away from prying eyes and ears from the local schools.
I smile as I think about how Mamá could easily have been one of them. I wonder what she would have talked about.
No more do I feel pain thinking about what Mamá may have done and I would never know. These women, these villages, are testimonies to what could have occurred if she were alive when I was at school, and no doubt what she would have done with Lucas and Jorge.
“A penny for your thoughts?” Leticia says as she stands by my table.
I didn’t even see her come in, let alone approach my table.
“Lee.” I smile as I jump up and press my lips against hers.
I expect her to push me away, but as she doesn’t I lean in and kiss her a little deeper. It feels as if it’s too long since I kissed her, held her in my arms. I don’t want to scare her, so I back away.
“Guapa!”
She giggles. “With paint all in my hair and wearing my dungarees. Yes, I am really pretty. I’m starving.”
I signal for the waiter to come over and take her order. She orders while explaining about the need to finish a painting she started and I’ve never seen her so hyped up.
“Wow, did you have some Coca-Cola this morning or something, you’re so alert.”
She shakes her head. “No. I even got up early to see Cristina off at the airport. I’m alone again.”
“Not quite alone. I’m here. And your parents are around.”
She waves her hand, as if she’s dismissing them and I’ve brought up a sore topic.
“Why are you still here? I mean, you have a business to run. Cristina told me something crazy about you giving it all up.”
She blows her hair which has escaped from her loose bun. I reach up and tuck the strand behind her ear.
“Gracias1.”
I nod to say that she’s welcome.
“It’s true. My dad is running it all. I have to speak to him at least twice, but sometimes once per day to make sure I hand it all over to him.”
“Why didn’t you stay and just walk him through it all?”
“Because I wanted to be with you.”
The conversation comes to a dead still as neither of us speak but just look at each other.
“You didn’t have to. I’m fine. I have family here, as you said.”
I dismiss what she just said. “I realize now this is the mistake I made. Just because you have family here doesn’t mean that you don’t need me. Just as I need you. I want this to work, and I know I was a jerk, but I’m changing, not just for you, but because I want to be the man you need.”
Her eyes widen as if she’s shocked about the speech I just made. It surprises me too. My heart is beating out of control and my breathing is rushed as I wait for a response from her, but there’s none as the waiter brings the food and she doesn’t hesitate in eating.
“I haven’t eaten all day.”
