Page 111 of Sombra
After she’s spent a week practically comatose and hurt? And while she’s being distant now?
No, I don’t want to come with them. Iwant to put him on a trebuchet and sling him back to the Madrid airport so I have her all to myself.
But my mouth says, “Sure,” because I’ll do anything for her.
We drive in my car to Granada. We tour the Cathedral, with Kim pointing out where King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella are buried. We walk through the Alcazar, skipping by the shop with scarves—I still need to put ours to gooduse. We venture up to the Alhambra on the hill and meander up theGeneralifegardens.
And the entire time, I’m going berserk.
What is he doing here? Why hasn’t she kicked him out? Does she want to get back together with him? How is her pregnancy today?
Does she love me back? She does, right?
For the rest of the day, I cannot talk to Kim without Shane. My mother evenbrought extra blankets and a pillow into Kim’s room for him to sleep there. I may string up mi madreandShane on the rack before I allow him to sleep in the same room with Kim.She’s staying with me.
Once I get rid of the fucking cockblocker long enough to talk to her.
But the Universe conspires against me.Everyoneis at dinner, even Sonia and her father.
Because life isnot fair and I can’t get what I want, the only place for me to sit is by Sonia.
At first she doesn’t say anything, but then she starts asking questions. “Who is this American?”
I hope she’s interested in him, not me. “He’s a friend of Kim’s.”
She gets a shrewd expression on her face. “He’s got a nice body. Is he her novio?”
“No. He was.”
“Was? Is he here for—”
“I don’t know why he’s here,” I hiss.
Sonia’s eyebrows go up, and she scoots closer to me. Her talon draws along my arm, and she whispers in my ear. “Do you need someone to talk to?”
“No,” I whisper back in hers.
“I’m available if you need me, Tavo. Any way you like.”
“I don’t,” I say in an undertone, and look over at Kim, who has a strange look in her eye. Iplead with her silently. The last thing I want is for her to get jealous of Sonia sitting next to me. Just because Sonia attaches herself to me like a leech doesn’t mean I want her there. I don’t know how many times I have to send her away.
Since Shane is here, we linger extra-long with even more courses than usual. Mari Carmen and Tía Valeria must have cooked for hours. I’m beginning tothink that Kim’s previous hasty eating makes more sense than our meals that take millenia.
Finally, we finish, and I corner her, asking her to come talk with me. She walks with me to my casita in silence.
All day, her mood’s been lighter than she’s been since she found out she’s pregnant, while I’ve been dour. Stewing.
I barely wait until the door is closed before I grit out,“Why is he here?”
My bitter tone of voice makes her come closer and hug me, but I take a half-step away from her. Her face drops, and she looks sincere. “He just needed to talk with me.”
This. This, I don’t get.“Talk with you about something that he couldn’t just call you?”
“No, he couldn’t. But it’s all set, now.”
“It’s all set now,” I repeat in a monotone. “Can youtell me what’s set now?”
Kim shakes her head, and for the first time she looks sad. “No. I’m sorry, I can’t.” She lets out a breath and her expression softens. “His reason for coming here is not mine to tell.”
