Page 29 of Tell Me What You Want, Or Leave Me

“Since you have company for dinner, I didn’t think you’d care if I was here,” she adds.

I want to shout “Olé, Graciela!” as I look at my watch. “We ran into a friend of Graciela’s while shopping. Anyway, you should go, or you’re not going to make your date on time.”

Nervous, she glances down at her own watch.

She’s as disconcerted as Dexter, and, to try and help her out, I let go of Eric and give her two kisses.

“Go on. Have a good time and don’t come home too late. We’re going to Spain tomorrow.”

“Wait for me, Graciela,” says Juan Alberto. “I’m going too.”

Dexter rolls his wheelchair next to her. “I’ll tell the driver to take you.”

“No, thank you. I don’t need a driver.”

She turns around in her impressive boots and disappears alongside Juan Alberto.

Once the two of them are gone, Dexter is still pretty shocked, and Eric looks over at me. I wink at my Iceman, and he hugs me and touches my hair.

“You’re beautiful with your hair like that,” he whispers, “and I love your boots.”

“Thank you.”

“I sense you’re planning something, sweetheart,” says my one and only love as soon as Dexter disappears. I laugh. Eric does too.

That night, the three of us have dinner together. The typically talkative Dexter is quieter than usual. On occasion, I even catch him checking the time. Look at that...

5

At breakfast the next day, I don’t see Graciela. Where is she?

I have cramps, and my belly aches. My damned period is a drag at the beginning and at the end. A real joy.

When I get fussy, Eric furrows his brow, but he knows I’m not feeling well and respects my silence. He’s learned to do so for his own good.

We’re the first to arrive on our private jet. I spread out on one of the more comfortable seats and take something to help with my cramps. I need this to go away.

I don’t talk. If I do, it’ll just get worse.

Eric sits by my side and touches my head.

“I hate that you’re in pain, and I can’t do anything about it.”

“I hate it even more,” I say.

Poor guy. What a look on his face.

“Don’t worry about it, my love,” I whisper as I snuggle up to him. “It will soon pass, and I won’t be in pain again until next month.”

My blond boy hugs me, and, still crampy, I fall fast asleep.

When I wake up, we’re flying, and I’m alone in my seat. Eric is with Dexter and Juan Alberto, but as soon as he hears me move, he’s at my side.

“Hello, sweetheart. How are you feeling?”

I blink a few times and realize my pain is gone.

“Right this instant, perfect. I’m pain-free.”

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