Page 63 of Taming Liberty

Oh, it’s his aunt. She pulls away and wipes tears off her cheeks. She turns to me and says what I think is a greeting, but I can’t make it out with her scratchy voice.

Angel introduces us, and Maria kisses both my cheeks and holds my hand in both of hers. I still can’t understand a word she says as she trembles and sheds more tears.

“Maria, why don’t we sit?” Luis asks her in Spanish. I wonder if she speaks English. “Simone and I will make you some tea.”

“Yes, tea,” Simone says, heading for the kitchen as Luis takes Maria’s hand and gently guides her to the sofa.

Angel blows out a breath and turns to me. “I’m going to go upstairs for a minute.” He gestures toward the others. “Do you think you’ll be okay?”

“Of course,” I say, although I feel wildly uncomfortable, which I think he can tell.

He nods, kisses my forehead, then leaves me to go upstairs where I can only assume his mother is. I bite my lip and cautiously wander to the couch, afraid to disturb Maria who’s currently sobbing. Luis sits on the middle cushion, turned toward Maria with his hand rubbing her back.

I sit in a chair catty-cornered from the couch and fidget with my sweaty hands, unsure what to do with them. I tuck them beneath my thighs and look toward the kitchen.

Should I go see if Simone needs help?

My gaze flicks to Luis while my heels start to bounce.

The distinct sound of a thick-glass bottle clanking then rolling on tile cuts through Maria’s cries and snaps my attention back to the kitchen entryway. A man’s loud, incoherent speech follows.

That pretty much makes the decision to stay put easy.

Luis meets my eyes but quickly goes back to Maria like he doesn’t want to acknowledge the noise. I scoot backward on the cushion and rest my back against the couch while staring at the muted TV showing a car dealership commercial.

Simone returns with a cup of tea and a box of tissues, giving both to Maria.

“How is he?” Luis asks Simone, still speaking Spanish.

“Drunk.”

Luis sighs. “Does he know Angel is here?”

Simone shrugs then slyly flicks her eyes toward me, as if reminding Luis that I’m still here.

Luis turns to me and smiles, but it’s strained. “I’m so sorry, Liberty,” he says in English. “You must feel left out. Do you speak much Spanish?”

I open my mouth to tell him I’m fluent as long as the speech is slow, but I stop myself. I don’t think theywantme to understand them.

I shrug. “Not much, but it’s okay. I don’t need to eavesdrop anyway.”

“Nonsense, you’re Angel’s guest. We have nothing to hide.”

Why does that sound like a lie?

“I’m sure Angel has told you all about our family, yes?”

Not a single fucking thing.

“Mmm, a little. He’s a very private man.”

“Ah.” He nods then exchanges a look with Simone.

What am I missing?

“She has no idea,” Simone says to Luis. I almost don’t pick up the words with how low she talks, but her Spanish isn’t fast or clipped. “Why did you make her come here, you idiot?”

“Mamá will be happy to see her.”

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