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That he remembers the pet name my family used to call me when I was young startles me. It brings me back to a time when I loved ballet. I said I would be a famous ballerina when I grow up. Alberto and his family always used to come and watch me perform. He said that I looked like a flamingo, the way I would stretch my arms and then glide onstage. Another thing that I had a passion for in which I’d given up on.
“Leticia?” Cristina asks as she starts to shake me.
I shake my head as I snap out of the flashback I had of the past.
“Talk. Now!” I grunt as I take her hand and lead her outside so that we can talk alone.
“Why the hell didn’t you tell me that Abuela was suffering from dementia? I thought we shared everything.”
She nods. “We do. We did. Just not this. Your parents said with the wedding and the stress of it all, that we would let you know afterward. But then the cruise and all that …”
“How long has she been like this?” I snap her out of retelling my life. I know what happened to me, what I want to know is what happened or has been happening with Abuela.
“Nearly six months now.”
So, since I left to go to New York, then Japan. She’s been like this that long, and no one told me.
“Who else knows?”
“You mean does Diego know? I don’t think so, but I don’t know. All I know is that until now, she’s only really forgotten the odd thing. She’s not been at the stage that she’s left the house and been wandering around the street like David’s abuela.”
Mamá was telling me about David’s abuela, one of our neighbors, but then she never bothered to tell me about her own mother.
“You know what Tía’s like. She doesn’t want to admit what’s really going on and Tío isn’t much better.”
My parents are like that, they like to sweep everything under the carpet all the time. Don’t talk about it, and it’s not happening. But as I head back to the kitchen with Cristina by my side, it’s clear that mi abuela is getting old.
She smiles at me and beckons me to come near her.
“So, are you wearing that to the festivos?”
I shake my head, but then nod it again.
“Alberto, tell your girlfriend to change.”
I’m speechless, running into my room as I hear her mumbling about me being so sensitive.
“I just said about the dress. If she wants to wear it then fine. Go talk to your amor,” she says to Alberto.
I can’t believe she can’t even remember that Alberto and I are no longer together. As much as I want to be with Diego, I can’t now. I can’t leave mi abuela. Not now.
1 Tequilla shots.
2 Leticia, you’re here.
36
Leticia
After drying the tears away and changing into a blue shirt and jean shorts, I put on a little makeup and join the family who are waiting for us all to see the bulls again. I’m just happy that they aren’t killing them anymore, but I’m not sure seeing bulls in a ring being used for a trampoline sport is even better.
The family insisted we go again, even if we only went yesterday with Diego and Lucas. They tell me that seeing as I’m living in America, I’ve forgotten my traditions. We all jump into the minivan and I find myself smiling at Alberto and wondering if he knows I’m a married woman. I don’t want him to get the wrong idea. My heart belongs to Diego even if seeing Alberto has brought back memories of the past.
“I hear you’re married. He’s a lucky guy,” Alberto says as we sit in silence next to each other in the minivan.
“Yes, he is. And a billionaire too,” Cristina says, giving her two cents. Oh, so now she’s on Team Diego. I wink at her, for making sure everyone knows that this isn’t a date. We don’t need to give Alberto false hope. I’m pretty sure he has found someone by now. Men never stay single for long, especially ones like Alberto.
“And you? Are you married?” I smile while Papá drives through the familiar roads I’ve done a thousand times from Cobeña to Daganzo. I look out at the fields and the windy road, the lines and the odd cyclist on the other side.
