Page 37 of One Year Ago in Spain
“Well, I have enough research to substantiate my theory. And to tell you that you are not imagining things.”
Claire massaged her temples, thinking. After a few moments, she shook her head and asked, “How do I make a soul fall in love with me?”
“The same way you two fell in love the first time.”
Professor Hong said it nonchalantly, as if it were easy. But Claire and Matías’s first meeting had been serendipitous. They’d had an extraordinary beginning and got caught up in the momentum of their circumstances.
If Claire had to re-create their relationship again from scratch, would they even work?
Boring and uninspired. That’s what Glenn had said of Claire. She was methodical and reliable, which made her a good attorney, but not the most exciting woman to date. Matías loved her, but sometimes she didn’t understand why. Her daily schedule was mapped out by tenths of an hour (billable increments for the firm), whereas Matías marched to whatever rhythm that day asked of him, ready for an adventure or a tangent of curiosity at any time. They were opposites, and…
I don’t know if I’m enough.
“I must warn you,” Professor Hong said, “that astral projections are very fragile. Souls are wispy, sometimes skittish things. You must be careful not to touch him because you will go right through him.”
“Okay.”
“And Claire, you absolutelycannottell Matías what is going on with his body and the hospital, not until he’s ready. Do you understand?”
She shook her head. “Why not?”
“His soul is very tenuously tethered to reality, and the revelation that the soul is notactuallyMatías might be too much.”
“Okay…But how will I know when he’s ready?”
“I don’t know,” Professor Hong said. “Perhaps when he’s fallen so thoroughly in love with you that he would walk through fire—or other planes of existence—to be with you. But remember: You are the only thing tethering his soul to life. If that connection breaks…”
Claire choked back a sob. “Matías will die?”
“I hate to say it, but yes,” Professor Hong said. “You will lose Matías forever.”
Matías
Nine Months Ago
A giant redmonster stuck his face in front of Matías.
“Agh!” He staggered backward, where he bumped into a life-size Donald Duck.
Times Square was famous in movies, and Matías had looked forward to visiting it since he was a boy. He’d been prepared for the Broadway marquees, the buzzing energy of the tourists, the iconic bright lights and screens of the billboards…but not for being accosted by Elmo and Donald Duck.
Elmo came at him again with his furry red arms outstretched. “Hug? Only twenty dollars!”
“Er, no, thank you,” Matías said.
Donald Duck advanced on him and quacked. “Selfie? Twenty-five dollars!”
“I don’t think that’s a worthwhile way to spend my money…”
“But Elmo loves you!”
“And Donald, too!”
“He’s good, thanks, boys,” Claire said, swooping in from behind Matías and deftly steering him out from between Elmo and Donald. She was so beautiful when she took charge; it felt like you could leave anything in her hands and know for certain that all would be well.
When they were safely away, Claire fake-chided Matías.“You can’t let them get too close or they’ll take advantage of you.”
“I never knew that Disney characters could grow up to be thugs,” he said, and Claire laughed.
