Page 124 of The Moon Sister
‘You’re smaller than Mamá told me you were. I thought you were my big sister, but I’m taller than you!’
‘Yes, you are right, and cheeky too.’ Lucía found herself unable to prevent a chuckle.
‘If you are here, is Papá with you? Mamá says that he plays the guitar, just like I do,’ Pepe said. ‘I want to play him a new song I learnt.’
‘I . . .’ Lucía glanced at her mother. ‘I am afraid Papá could not come.’
‘Pepe, go feed the chickens, and then we will eat,’ María instructed. As Pepe reluctantly went out again, Lucía watched him in wonder.
‘How . . . ?’ she began.
‘After I left you with your father in Barcelona all those years ago, I returned to Granada. It was two months before I realised the sickness wasn’t just grief, but a parting gift from your father. Yet Pepe has been my salvation, truly, Lucía. You should hear him play the guitar; one day he will be better than José.’
‘Does Papá know?’
‘No. I understood when I left Barcelona that I was setting him free.’
‘Yes, free to put hispichawherever he wanted,’ Lucía muttered, feeling a fresh surge of anger at her father.
‘Some men can’t help themselves, it is as simple as that.’
‘Well, he hasn’t learnt his lesson yet, Mamá.’
And then they both laughed, because there was little else to do.
‘He is not altogether a bad man, Lucía; you above everyone will know that. Is he happy?’
‘I don’t know. He plays his guitar, he drinks, he—’
‘Well.’ María cut her daughter short. ‘He is who he is, as we all are. And a part of me will always love him.’
Lucía watched her mother sigh, and believed her.
‘Don’t hate him, please,’ María entreated. ‘He wanted to give you your chance.’
‘And his,’ Lucía mumbled, ‘but I will try not to hate him. For you.’
‘I have some fresh soup ready for lunch. Would you like some?’
‘Yes, Mamá.’
Lucía devoured the whole bowl and asked for more, pronouncing it the best food she’d eaten since she’d left her mother’s kitchen eleven years ago. María glowed with pleasure as she watched Pepe and Lucía sitting at the table, eating together like a family. Afterwards, the two women went to sit outside.
‘Do you remember when you used to try to get me to help you with the baskets?’ Lucía asked.
‘Yes, and you would always find an excuse after a few minutes and be gone.’
‘It’s so peaceful here, so beautiful,’ Lucía said as she cast her eyes across the valley. ‘I’d forgotten. Perhaps I didn’t realise what I had.’
‘None of us do,querida, until it’s gone. I’ve learnt that the secret of happiness is to try to live in the moment.’
‘It’s a lesson I might find quite difficult to learn, Mamá. I’m always thinking of the future!’
‘We are different, you and I: you were always ambitious for your talent in a way I never was. I wanted a home, a family and a husband. Well.’ She smiled. ‘I managed to get two of those things, at least.’
‘Do you still dance? You used to be so good, Mamá.’
‘For pleasure, yes, but I am getting old. I am anabuelawith two grandchildren.’
