Page 94 of Sombra
Eighteen
Kim - Secrets
It’s nine-thirty at night, and I’m bustling about the kitchen helping Mari Carmen, Tavo’s mom María Luisa, and Tía Valeria get ready for a special meal—a Sunday dinner to celebrate the upcoming olive harvest and the joint venture between the dela Guerras and their neighbors, the Molineros. Mari Carmen and Jorge drove an hour away to Málaga, especially for the purpose of buying seafood off a boat. We’re havingpulpo—fried octopus—squid ink pasta, a fish stew with cod calledbacalao, plus plenty of veggies, both cooked and in salads, and the ubiquitous bread. This meal pushes my food boundaries, but I’m ready. For dessert, Tía Valeriataught me how make a pastry calledpalmeras, which is puff pastry coiled up and shaped in a heart, then dipped in chocolate. They’re mouthwatering, and I snapped a dozen pretty pictures of them.
Amazing I haven’t gained weight here. I think it’s all the physical activity.Ahem.
I post a picture from my phone, and Mari Carmen catches me. “You and that Instagram!”
With a shygrin, I lift up my shoulders. “I have more to share now.”
Since it’s getting colder, dinner at the de la Guerra house has moved from outside under the charming, strung-up lights to inside at a vast and formal dining room with a table big enough to sleep six. The dark, heavy furniture handles all of us, plus glasses of wine and plates of groaning dishes. With candles lit and red velvet curtains,the sumptuous room can feel formidable.
Especially because Tavo’s mom remains frosty to me. In fact, for the past week, she’s barely acknowledged my presence, although everyone else still makes me feel welcome. In her eyes, I’m the American interloper, destroying her plans for Tavo to marry Sonia and save the farm.
But he can’t marry her. He told me he won’t. Still, I worry aboutthe family finances and keep hoping I can do something to help. I have no idea what, though.
As I cut up the baguette, Sonia Molinero breezes in wearing a fashionable floor-length dress that shows plenty of skin on her shoulders. Even though my hands are occupied, she gives me two blithe, but cultured kisses on my cheeks, and pointedly passes over Tavo. While I’m grateful she’s stoppedspearing me with imaginary daggers in her eyes, she always make me uneasy. She corners Guillermo, and asks him to pour her a glass of wine.
Guess she likes him better with a haircut.
A tall, handsome, dark-haired man wearing a dark blue cashmere sweater over a button-down shirt and slacks steps in the kitchen. He oozes wealth and power, from his crisp haircut to his fancy shoes.I’ve never seen anyone actually wear that brand in anything other than a magazine. Tavo’s abuelo introduces me to Señor Eduardo Molinero, the neighbor and Sonia’s father. Although I’ve never met him before, I get the niggling feeling I’ve seen him. I put down the knife and shake his hand, kissing his cheeks.
“Mucho gusto conocerte,” he says, giving me a well-mannered head nod, and he makeshis way to Tavo’s mom.
After everyone has drinks and gathers in the dining room, I take a seat next to Tavo, put my head down, and sneak glances at Mr. Molinero sitting across from us. He’s joking with Tavo’s mom about something that happened when they were young.
“Do you remember that time, María Luisa, when we were young, and—”
But she cuts him off, blushing. I’ve neverseen Tavo’s mom blush. She shushes him and changes the subject.
I wish I could figure out where I know him from.
When it’s time to eat, Mr. Molinero stands. “I wish upon our families a blessing of prosperity at this time of our future union. In our lives, each of us sows a seed. We water it. We tend to it. And we keep away the weeds and the birds and the predators, hoping and prayingthat it will grow to full maturity and be harvested. I know each person here has something in life he or she wants. A seed of a dream, perhaps, or a wish for the future. May each person here reap the joyful harvest of seeds he or she has planted. And may our families be united forever more.”
What union of the families?
I squirm in my seat at the end of his blessing and pass the saladbowl, barely taking any. My stomach roils. Suddenly I’m not hungry, even though I spent the entire day anticipating this meal.
There has to be a way to help Tavo’s family. Anything but forcing an incompatible marriage.
“Eduardo, can you get another bottle of wine?” Tavo’s mom asks.
He rises and heads out of the dining room into the hall without instruction, like he knows hisway around.
And in the dim light of the hall, I realize where I’ve seen him.
Oh shit. My face pales and my hand shakes.
“Guapa, are you okay?” Tavo whispers, reaching under the table to hold my hand.
“Yes, I’m fine.” I take a bite of lettuce, but it tastes like paper.
Now that I know who Señor Molinero is, I can’t stop looking at him. I can’t stop thinking abouthim. I can’t stop wondering why he’s been here. How many times?
Off to the side, Sonia takes selfies with Guillermo, who keeps flirting with her. Tavo’s grandmother lectures his grandfather about smoking, while his aunt and uncle exchange bored looks, since this is the hundredth time they’ve heard this argument. And Mari Carmen and Jorge are in their own world.
Tavo’s mom keeps hereyes on Señor Molinero.
