Page 112 of Sombra
I take a deep breath. “Thank you, but you have to understand how this seems. Your fiancé shows up and—”
“Ex-fiancé—”
“The one who gave you a ring. And you can’ttell me why, but you’re happier now.”
She presses her hand to my chest and looks up, those lush lips saying the right words. “Tavo, you need to understand. Him coming here, had nothing to do with me. It’s all to do with him.” She pauses. “While I was here, I figured out some things for myself. And he figured out some things for himself. He wanted to tell me in person because it’s a bigdeal to him. But in a lot of ways, it doesn’t affect me at all. I broke up with him. He knows. I gave him back the ring.”
I pause for a moment. “Okay. That’s good, I think.”Right?
Smiling, she says, “Yeah. It is. He had to deal with some things, and it’s much better now. It’s all good.”
My breath blows up the hair on my forehead. “Okay. But Kim, we haven’t talked about thebaby. Do you … are you going to keep it?”
“Yes, of course. I’m sorry I made you think otherwise. It freaked me out completely.”
“It freaked me out, too. It still does.”
“Yeah. Yes, we’re keeping it. I mean, that’s what you want, too, right?” Her sweet face lifts to mine like she’s hanging on my next words.
“Yes. More than anything.”
She smiles with my assurance.“It feels right to me, too.”
I let out a sigh of relief. “We need to talk, though. Make arrangements for where you live after this semester. I’m open to suggestions.”
“I’m not sure your mother thinks you’re open.”
“Let me deal with her. Come stay with me tonight. Leave Shane.”
She leans in closer and puts her hand flat on my chest, peering up at me. “Yes, of course.Let me go get my things in the house, and I’ll come back.”
“Okay.” I want to follow her, but I need to trust her. Whatever is going on with her and her ex-boyfriend, while I don’t like it, I believe her.
Before she goes, she asks, “What was Sonia saying to you at dinner.”
I can’t help but let out an exasperated snort. “Kim,dios mio, the usual. How she’s available to me. Howshe wants me. I cannot get rid of her. I’m so sorry, I was telling her I didn’t want her.”
“I figured she was saying something like that. But is she still aiming to marry you?”
“I haven’t given her any impression that I would. I’ve told her no every time she brought it up.”
“But what does your mother say.”
“My mother still wants me to be with her,” I admit.
A cloud passes through Kim’s eyes. “So you are still under financial pressure.”
I nod. “Unfortunately. But maybe this harvest—thiscosecha—will be profitable and we can pay Señor Molinero off.”
She shrugs. “Maybe.” But she looks worried as she heads toward the main house to get her things.
While I wait for her, I step outside. As always, my feet point me toward the huerta,which is as much of a beauty as it is a jail. Tonight, while clouds overhead obscure the stars, a cold wind whistles that makes me think it will be clear later.
Standing outside in the dark just for a few minutes makes me feel better. While not entirely at peace, I’m getting there. My problems seem insignificant when I look up at the sky. Maybe the finances will figure themselves out. Orif we lose this place, maybe that will be a freedom, too. Like when people have a house burned down, while it’s a tragedy, they rebuild. We can rebuild, too.
With a lighter heart I return to my casita. Maybe I’ll play some music while I wait for Kim to come.
I open my door.
