Page 40 of Capuleto

"A pity it was due to a suicide." Andrea made a sad face.

"A tragedy, poor family."

"Indeed. And you? Are you doing anything besides decorating?" Her cheeks blushed. "I didn't mean to offend, being a housewife is great."

"No, no, it's okay, it's just that I haven't found anything yet, it's hard when you're an art teacher and move to a new place."

"You were a teacher?" She nodded affirmatively, her brown hair framing her face. "I admire people who can teach something, I don't have the patience."

"I really like children."

"Have you thought about starting a school?" The other women were still silent and eavesdropping, so I leaned closer to her ear. "Between you and me, there are a lot of bored women around here who think they have the future Matisse at home." She let out a soft giggle.

"You say the funniest things!"

"It's true."

"Surely, the problem is that I've never been much of an entrepreneur, my soul is that of an artist, not a businesswoman."

"I could be your patron..." Her eyes widened.

"My patron?" I took a sip from my glass and nodded.

"I'm a visionary, and I can recognize a good business opportunity when I see one. I have a feeling that you would be a safe bet in a place like this."

Andrea blushed at my words. It suited me to have the Arasagastis eating out of my hand.

"Do you really think so? I don't know what to say."

"Well, you say you accept, and when you leave here, you'll start looking for a nice place with enough parking so our future clients can bring their artistically inclined children. Ideally, it should be near a nice café, a hair salon, or a shopping area. That way, we'll give those moms another reason to leave their kids. I can already see it, welcome to the exclusive Madame Elizarán School of Fine Arts."

"Better Elizarán, which is my last name." I liked that correction.

"Of course." We both laughed.

"I'll have to mention it to Karlos, I don't know if he'll like the idea."

"Why?" She looked at me as if she didn't understand.

"I don't know, he's my husband, we usually discuss these kinds of things."

"I get that you'd mention it, but the decision is yours, right? I mean, he already has his position, he feels fulfilled and should be happy that you're doing something that fulfills you too. Luckily for all of us, these days we don’t need to ask anyone's permission to be what we want to be. Don’t you think?" She hesitated. The lady at the next booth listened intently. Seeing the sparkle in her eyes and the diamond ring she wore, I raised my eyebrows. "What do you think?"

"Well, if you ask for my opinion, I'd say that every woman should have her own space and her own drawer, just in case one day she feels like taking the leap and leaving her husband, you never know." She fixed her pupils on Andrea's face. "I, for one, wouldn’t think twice, you make a good team, and if you set up that school, I’ll enroll my daughter and tell my friends."

"See, we already have our first future client!"

Andrea was a bit overwhelmed and, although initially hesitant, she eventually agreed.

"Alright, I'll start looking for the place."

"That’s the spirit!"

"I own a real estate agency!" said the woman with the diamond ring quickly. "I just want to mention that because I'm sure I can find that beautiful location that fits your needs."

I knew I wasn't wrong in asking for her support. Businesswomen recognize each other.

"Fantastic!" I confirmed. "How does it look, partner?" Andrea’s eyes sparkled again.

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