Page 92 of Sombra
“I don’t know how. Maybe we can get you an agent? For your music?”
That idea is too much to wish for. “Do you know any?”
“No. I’ll help you look, though.” She places a kiss on my lips. “Doing something about your voice and guitar is honoring your gift. I think you should try. Let’s make a few videos of you singing.” After a pause, she says, “You could design the cover art, too.”
The nextday,I walk with my abuelo in the orchard, inspecting the olives for ripeness. Because we harvest for oil rather than eating, we leave them on the tree longer. But the sun has changed position in the sky, lower and less intense than it is in summer, and soon it will be time to pick.
“I only hope it’s enough this year,” I mutter, whipping a branch in the air as we amble.
My grandfatherlights a cigarette. “It is always enough and never enough.”
“How so?”
“Each tree gives the right amount of oil. No more no less. You can’t force it.”
I nod. “Vale.”
“But even though the tree has given its all, it might still not be enough for someone else’s needs.”
He’s right. Even though I’ve taken care of this orchard, I’ve done everything I need to, it’s stillnot going to be enough to save this farm. All I can think of to say is, “Qué mala leche.”
We keep walking, circling the orchard and checking different trees. When we get almost back to the house, he pulls me aside. “Tavo. We all know you have fallen for la estadounidense. But if you do, who will take care of la huerta?
“I think Guillermo can do it, Abuelo. He wants to. There aresome things that my father didn’t show him, but I can do that.”
He seems to weigh this. “Yes, I think he can. Before, he was too young. Now, he is almost a man.”
“He wants to.”
“Then that is what he should do.”
He reaches over and pats my shoulder. “You have done many things that you did not want to do, for others. I am proud of you. Beware of changing our ways thathave worked for centuries.”
When I get backto my casita, Sonia paces on the front porch. Without letting me say hola, she starts. “I told my father you were brushing me off.”
I let out an exasperated sigh. “Why does he even care?”
“He wants what’s bestfor me.”
She’s between me and my door. I could push her aside, but I’d rather deal with this. So I go slow. “Why do you think I’m what’s best for you?”
Pulling her phone out of her pocket and turning it on, she shows me her phone. “I get 25,000 more followers on Instagram each week. I’m starting to get sponsored content. With your face and my body, we could make millions.”
I shake my head. “Sonia. Listen to me. No.”
“No? I do not understand why you do not want to go into business—especially when your family owes so much to mine. Don’t you want to make more money?”
“I do want to make more money. And we will repay the debt to your father. But I’m not doing it with you.”
“Why not?”
“Because I’m not interested in you for business. I’m notinterested in you for a partner. I am completely and utterly in love with Kim Brown.”
Sonia’s face registers shock and then mild disgust. “¿La estadounidense?”
“Yes.”
She sniffs. “She’s plain.”
