Page 43 of Sol
“This heat wave willcontinue.”
Listening to others in class, I saw that they had as much difficulty speaking as I did. Maybe more. Made me think about how much we’re taught by what we’re around. Our environment. Maybe Dani was on to something with the way she went everywhere. That way you’d be able to pick the influences you wanted on your life, not tied to those from the accident ofbirth.
When Gustavo finished speaking, he flashed everyone a smile and sat down. Then Dani announced, “Tomorrow, Saturday, I’ve arranged an extra credit field trip to the Alhambra at eleven o’clock, if you’d like to joinme.”
“That sounds good,” Didicalled.
Gustavo piped up, pointing to Sergio. “We’llgo.”
“I’ll be there,” Isaid.
Dani gave me a confidential smile. At least I hoped it was just for me. A few dozen other pairs of eyes could see it,though.
At the end of class, as she went up and down the aisles passing out practice papers, Dani handed me a folded note. I opened it. “Meet me at 61 Calle de las Teterías, 8 o’clocktonight.”
I caught her eyes and tilted my head up,agreeing.
But she hadn’t been soprivate.
Gustavo turned around. “Theprofesoralikes you,amigo,” he whispered. “You will get a good grade.” He gave me a thumb’sup.
I shook my head tightly. Fuck. I didn’t care about the grade, and I really didn’t want anyone to know she saw me outside of class. I just wanted to talk toher.
* * *
Later that evening,I hiked up a winding cobblestone street so narrow that a Smart Car would have to push in its side mirrors to make it through, to a tea room district in the old quarter, full of activity. As I passed by one restaurant after another nestled in whitewashed buildings, people spilled out of busy shops and loitered, ate crepes, and smoked. A three-legged dog limped by. As the sun set late, turning the white buildings to gold and then pink, the call to prayer sounded from the tower facingMecca.
I pushed past the muted red curtain into a dark, low-ceilinged tea room and saw Dani. She smiled and waved me over, wearing a little, sleeveless, cream-colored top embroidered with flowers, which showed her tan skin, and navy blue shorts, with strappy leather gladiatorsandals.
Ducking my head once I entered, I scanned the tea room. Lit by candles and scented with incense, you sat on embroidered cushions on the floor, drank “infusions” of floral or herbal tea, and ate crepes off of tiny tables that were barely taller than my damn shins. Traditional Arabic music with vocals, strings, drums, and lutes played while people gathered to sip their drinks. This place was a riot of color—bright painted ceilings, walls, and furniture. A large group of Spaniards lounged on tufts to the right, talking and smoking. Curtains hung between tables, offeringprivacy.
She perched on a red bench covered in a matching red cushion emblazoned with gold embroidery. Her toned legs were crossed in some sort of pretzel position while she sipped tea in a clear glasscup.
This wasn’t heaven, although I’d bet my dog tags that heaven wasn’t far from southernSpain.
I hesitated for a moment to speak. It was like breaking a spell. “Hi.”
“Hi, Trent,” she said, and scootedover.
Army boy here felt a bit out of place in a room so ornate. It wasn’t that it was girlie. It was just…decorated. I’d never seen anything like it. And seeing so much of her skin? My mouth gotdry.
A slim, mustached man handed me a laminated menu inEnglish.
“Guess he could tell I was a foreigner.” I sat across from her on a small cushioned bench, a tiny table in between us, our knees almosttouching.
“They’re used to tourists,” she said, her eyes bright and her face flushed. “I can order for you if youlike.”
“No, I can do it.” I rubbed the back of my neck as I read the selections. Problem was, while I understood the words, I had no idea what the difference was between “Exotic” tea and “Traditional”tea.
“Dani?”
“Yes?”
My knee almost knocked over the little table. “What’s the difference between blue tea andblack?”
“Oh, I’ll ask the waiter what he suggests.” She waved himover.
He bounded over and pulled a tiny notebook out of his pocket with aflourish.
