It's seven in the evening and I'm outside my apartment ruminating. It's been three days I haven't spoken to Cynthia and it hurts. She even quit working at that fancy restaurant,La Casa Áurea, drastically reducing my chances of seeing her. How could I have blown up like that? I shouldn't have, but she shouldn't have either. Why would she suggest that, right?
"Huh" a voice said, forcing me to look up to the eyes of a middle aged woman.
It took me a while to connect. She was one of my neighbor's regular visitors.
"Are you alright?" she asked, concerned.
I guess that last question wasn't in my head.
"Yeah, I'm alright, sure. Just taking in the fresh air. Hope you're good." I could feel the embarrassment burning my cheeks.
"I'm fine." she said flatly. Then she started walking away, occasionally looking back till she rounded the corner.
The door creaked, a slow, torturous sound. I looked back and saw Aunt Elena step out, a thick knitted shawl draped over her frail shoulders. She didn't speak at first. She simply stood beside me, looking out at the direction the woman took.
"Mi niña, what's wrong?" she asked quietly.
"Oh, nothing Tía" was what I could manage.
"Don't tell me that corazón, you've been out here talking to yourself like you're crazy. I've been watching you for a while"
I felt the dam break. Seeing no other way out and feeling I had absolutely nothing left to lose, I began to pour it all out. I told her how about three days ago, when Cynthia made her announcement. I further tried to explain how dangerous working for the Montoya household might be and how possible it was that Cynthia was tired of me and wanted to sell me. That last bit was over the top, but the selfish part of me wanted my Tía on my side.
When I finished, my Tía remained silent. The silence stretched, agonizing and thick, as she went over my word, definitely thinking of a way to respond.
"¡Qué tontería, Alice! ¿Desde cuándo eres tan cobarde?". My Tía 's voice was a low lash. Her eyes held mine in a vice. She switches the language away from English whenever she wants the strength in her words preserved. "Te críe para ser una mujer fuerte, no una niña que se esconde de las sombras mientras su única amiga le tiende la mano."
I'm confused, even though I know I should not be. She's hurt and thinks I'm acting cowardly when she 'raised' me differently. "Tía... I don't understand. Why are you attacking me?". Like, ¡No mames, tía!
Satisfied, my Tía shifted back into English, her voice dropping an octave, "I am scolding you because you are being foolish corazón. So because of fear you'll let a nice sweet girl like Cynthia go? You've known her for a long time and it's not easy to come by a loyal dedicated friend like she has been. In your decision making, must you lose your friend?"
"But the danger, Tía—"
"What danger? The only danger I see is a girl who would rather be right than be a friend. If you don't want the job she's offering, then don't take it up. I'm sure she wasn't forcing it down your throat, was she? Don't lose that girl corazón" Tía interrupted gently but effectively. "When you were in need, she came through. That's a good friend. When we needed a little food for us several times, who'd you call?" Aunt Elena stood gently, maintaining eye contact. "Go to her, Alice." She instructed firmly. "Fix what you broke."
The walk to Cynthia's house felt like a death sentence. I had stopped by a store to get her favorite chocolate, mints and flowers as peace offerings. This time I hadn't called to give her heads up that I was coming, unlike the other times. I couldn't risk Cynthia not wanting to talk to me. When I reached the door, I knocked gently, hoping no one heard so I could have an excuse to go home without seeing Cynthia.
The door swung open, but it wasn't Cynthia.
"Well, well, look what pretty little thing mother nature decided to give me this evening," a smooth, playful voice drawled. Leonardo, Cynthia's older brother, leaned against the doorframe. I blushed, his words were having a massive effect on me. He had Cynthia's face but a hair color between black and red, unlike Cynthia's black hair.
"Sorry Leo, not today. Is Cindy home?"
"Of course she is. Why? Something going on between you guys?"he asked with a smirk on his pretty face.
"Why would you assume that?" I replied, trying to play dumb.
"Oh, please. She does those things she always does each time you both fall out"
"Ohh," was all I could offer. Silly me. I knew what 'those things' she did entailed. It starts with her yelling at every one she faces immediately she gets off her bed, to finding fault in everything everyone does and accusing every one of not loving her enough. Then she spends more time on her phone than usual, playing loud music and choosing not to go out of the house for the period of time she's in her frenzy.
"Ok, you got me," I managed a smile, "Is she here, I came to make it up?"
"Well finally, it took you long enough. She's here. She's been a ray of sunshine, if the sun was made of ice ," Leo chuckled, his eyes dropping to my little peace offerings. We stood at the door for a little while before Leo remembered himself and offered to let me in. I have always had a secret crush on Leo, one I told Cynthia never to reveal to him. I made her swear to it.
"Want to come in to have your seat, while I go get her?"he asked politely.
"I think I'll wait here" I gently decline, my stomach churning.
"Who is it, Leo?" Cynthia's voice drifted from the kitchen, sharp and angry.
As Cynthia rounded the corner into the hallway, I froze up. The three of us stood in a triangle of absolute, agonizing silence. Leonardo looked between us. Acknowledging the fact that we needed time to talk, he quietly walked out of the house. I look up to Cynthia's face and see her looking at the door, probably contemplating whether to send me out or not.
I took a very long breath before saying, "Hey Cindy, what's up?" Cynthia didn't move. Waw genius, wonderful way of apologizing. I cringe at my self-scolding words.
"Ok, I'm here to say how sorry I am for being an asshole. You didn't deserve everything I said. I was afraid, and maybe a little stressed about how my life was unfolding. And then I had visions" I paused. She didn't cross her arms or scream.
Since she didn't say anything I decided to continue, "Like actually visions of my future. The Montoya household is a nightmare, or so I've heard. I mean, it's a dark house....." She just stood there, her face a mask of exhaustion that mirrored my own.
"What if I'm being framed? Or I don't work enough and I'm sentenced to beheading? You'll miss me, I'm sure and my Aunt Elena and all my other fans" I can't seem to remember what the topic was about, but I kept on talking.
"Or worst I'm sent to Africa as a punishment for most attractive maid"
To that she actually smiled. The simple reaction made my trip so worth it.
"I guess all I'm trying to say in essence is I'm so sorry for my outburst"
"I never meant to hurt you," Cynthia finally said, her voice small. "And I certainly never meant to 'sell' you. I spent a long finding a position that would pay enough to save your aunt. To hear you call me... what you called me... it hurt so bad, Alice."
She was right. Aunt Elena was right. My inner me was right. I was just being heartless. My aunt needed surgery and I'm blessed with an intelligent friend who goes out of her way almost all the time to help me. I look into her eyes and ask for her forgiveness. She just smiled and looked at my 'peace offerings'.
Handing it over I say, "Oh and these are for you." Collecting them she says, "Won't you like to come in. I started a very interesting drama series yesterday."
"I'll do it," I announced. Because Cynthia looked puzzled as to what I'll do, I clarified. "I'll take the job at the Montoya estate. I'll sign whatever they want."
Cynthia's eyes widened, "You don't have to, we'll think of something else" she's reassuring me. "No, you've thought of so many things and I'm taking this one."
"You sure?" Cynthia asked, genuine concern in her eyes.
"A huevo que sí, mi carnal".