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“I’ve got to get going to the shop.”
“OK, Papá, I’ll see you this evening then.”
“Come by the track later. I’ll be there.”
“The track? Why?”
I see the gleam in his eye, and without giving anything away, he gets up.
“You just come by around five. I have a little something for you.”
My dad and his surprises.
34
At eleven thirty, my friend Rocío comes by, and together, we go visit her nephew. By one o’clock, we’re back home and in the pool. The water is fresh and cool. Rocío tells me about her life, but she also tries to interrogate me about Fernando. When she sees I don’t want to discuss it, she drops the subject and we talk about other things. At two thirty, my friend heads home, but I linger in the pool. My phone buzzes. It’s Fernando, asking me out to eat. I say no and go lie down in the hammock to listen to music.
My cell buzzes again. I curse. I pick it up, but I gasp when I read the message:Would you come and have a drink with me?It’s Eric.
My heart beats faster.
Eric is in Madrid, and I’m way too flustered. My throat is dry. I take a drink of my Coke. The cell beeps once more.
You know I’m not very patient.
My hands are trembling so much, I can’t seem to text. Finally, I manage to string some words together:I’m on vacation.
I send it, and my stomach gets tied up in knots until the cell beeps with his response:I know. The red door to your father’s house is very pretty.
When I read that, I scream, drop my cell, and run like the devil to the front door. On my way, I hit my hip against the patio chairs and knock them over, but I don’t care.
Eric is here!
I quickly open the door, but I’m so blind, I can’t see a single car that could possibly be his. Then I hear a honk to my right, and I see a man on a monstrous bike. He dismounts, takes off his helmet, and reveals his smiling face. His eyes are sparkling.
Not really caring about anyone or anything, I race toward him and leap into his arms. I hug him and shiver when I hear his voice in my ear.
“Sweetness ... I’ve missed you.”
Eric, my Eric! He’s in my arms. In Jerez. At my father’s door. He looked for me. He’s found me, and that’s the only thing I care about.
When I pull away from him, I sense his eyes all over me. That’s when I realize the state I’m in.
“Eric, you could have let me know you were coming. Look at me!”
He doesn’t answer. He just puts his hand on my neck and brings me to him so he can give me an impassioned kiss that will make all of Jerez tremble!
“You’re beautiful, love.”
Oh my God! He called me “love”!
“How’s your arm?” he asks abruptly.
I raise it and show him the mark the iron left.
“Perfect.”
He makes an approving gesture, and I invite him into the house.