Chapter 208 - Tests for the soul - mdtres
Veronica
I looked at her for a moment.
"Do you have some time?"
She nodded. I glanced at my children; they were sound asleep in bed. We should let them have more time alone. I motioned to her, and we stepped out onto the balcony overlooking the stables. Roland was vaccinating some cattle, doing my job.
"Do you see that man?" She looked at me.
"He's your husband," she smiled.
"Guadalupe, he was the kingpin of kingpins in Colombia. If you didn't know, he was a drug trafficker. He slept with eight women a week and never repeated," Lupe's face confirmed her astonishment; she had no idea. "His past isn't something to be proud of."
"What made him change?"
"God and love, although he found God because he found love. I didn't do anything to catch the attention of that impenetrable, secretive, and egotistical man; I was just myself. I hope you understand.
"Experience comes with years, with time. Don't do things that don't enrich you as a person. If that person you want to impress doesn't see the great woman you are, it's not worth it," she lowered her gaze. Her question was about Arnold.
"All of them followed the boss's doctrine. They are men who know the worst of humanity. Believe me, they appreciate a bit of fresh air. There's nothing more gratifying than gaining experience with the person you love. My advice is to be yourself, get to know that person to see if they're truly worth the wait," I saw her smile.
"Thank you."
"I'm glad I could help."
"Is it worth it, Mrs. Vero?" she looked at Roland.
"Every second, Lupe. If you manage to penetrate the armor those men have, you'll be the happiest woman in the world. Because even though they are rough, they would give their lives for their woman and children. Luisa, Diana, Clarisa, Shirley, and Gladys showed themselves as they are, and something tells me Arnold is a mix of all his friends. For him, the youngest of the group, they are his brothers. This brotherhood must be understood."
"Have I been that obvious?"
"Actually, no. But I can tell you, you noticed the most special one of them all."
"By special, you mean stupid rascal, idiot, arrogant, know-it-all, show-off, attractive jerk," we smiled.
"Lupe, be yourself. Don't change for him. If you want to change, do it for yourself. Don't expect much from him either."
"Thank you."
We said our goodbyes. I stayed looking at my husband. He took off his hat and greeted me. God, how I loved seeing him as a cowboy, knowing that all that man was mine. My body called for him. As I entered the room, my husband arrived minutes later with that lustful sparkle in his eyes.
"You're sweaty!"
"A shower will fix everything." He picked me up, and we went in. I'll be showering for the second time.
……
Clarisa
My whole body ached. I had no idea how much time had passed. When I opened my eyes, I was alone. I looked to the side; there was another patient, separated by a glass wall. On the other side, the same. I had an IV in my left hand.
I didn't want to look down. I didn't want to confirm that my breasts were gone. My mom always said we were tough, she and I had always been the two of us against the world. She was a woman like many in the country. She raised me alone, got me ahead, and doesn't live with me because she doesn't want to.
She believes marriage is for two, and a mother-in-law living in the house is a drag. We saw each other every eight days. She was a young grandmother. She had me at seventeen, and I was twenty-seven. If I had to think about being strong, my mother's image was my standard.
My grandparents disowned her for ruining her life. Once I was born in Belén de Umbría, Risaralda, my mother Claudia stayed at her aunt's house. The one who was like a grandmother to me. After three months, she got a job in a store, and over time, mom became independent.
With housing subsidies and being a single mother, head of the household, she applied for social interest housing. I was five years old then. Little by little, I witnessed her working for me and to make the house beautiful. I never knew what it was to go hungry, cold, or be in need. My mom was always there.
Even though she always scolded me when necessary, she took courses in dressmaking and baking. She never stayed idle. She worked in the store and made extra money with birthday cakes. Always smiling, always cheerful. Always admirable. If she had boyfriends... I never saw them. We talked three times a day, and every eight days, always together.
She paid for my business administration degree. When I finished, I started working at a large fast-food chain in the country. That's where I met Daniel. My mother adored him, and my husband felt the same about her. I brought her to live in Bogotá once I got married. I couldn't have her far away. She was overjoyed with her grandchildren.
I imagine Dani must have called her by now, though he didn’t want to worry her. Even so, my husband should have done it. God, help me be brave, help me stay strong. I had to look. I took a deep breath, slowly lowered my gaze, and lifted the blanket that covered me from the cold.
I saw myself flat, stifled a scream, and all the machines connected to me started beeping. Nurses rushed in, but I hadn’t let out the scream yet; I was dry. Daniel won't love me like this.
"Ma'am, calm down, it's okay."
I started crying. I didn't have my breasts; I looked flat, and those scars... My body was trembling.
"Doctor!"
"We need to sedate her..."
I heard. Memories of all the nights, early mornings, afternoons, and mornings making love with my husband flooded my mind. I knew how much he loved my breasts. How was I going to face him like this? Why did this have to happen to me? Daniel won’t touch me again. A woman stood beside me.
"I’m the psychologist. You’re having a normal reaction, Clarisa. Your husband has been very attentive. He’s not by your side because you’re in intensive care. You can see him tomorrow." I started shaking my head, and in my daze, I responded.
"He won’t like me like this."
"Well, that’s not what he told me when I spoke with him. Mr. Daniel is a man who adores you. He’s happy you made it through alive. That illness that troubled you is gone. Think of your children. Think of that man. There are also two women who scolded him; he hasn't wanted to eat anything. Your mom and a dark-skinned lady." Did Inés come?
"You have an incredible family. Most of them left because of the hour, but nothing could get your husband out of the clinic." I was falling asleep. "You’re alive, you have a beautiful family, the scars will heal, and you can get implants later. What’s important is that you’re alive."
With those words, I drifted off to sleep, and that woman became an angel’s whisper.
......
Guadalupe
Who would have thought I’d get to know Colombia? I’d only seen it in the good news because, like my country, I hate that we’re only associated with drug trafficking. Both countries are beautiful and full of good people. But look at the coincidence: my father took us out of Mexico because of cartel violence, and we ended up working in a former cartel in Colombia.
It’s laughable, though I admire them more. They had the courage to leave that awful world behind. There’s nothing more corrosive than the drug world. I had my suspicions because they were very good people. When I spoke with Mrs. Vero and she confessed who her husband was, and all those strong men were, I went to Mrs. Consuelo and asked her.
"Lupe, those men had an angel appear on their path who made them find God, and you know the power of the Almighty."
"In Mexico, I met two drug lords. I was scared of them. But with none of these men do I feel that way. Well, Arnold gets on my nerves." I saw her smile. "Well, see you in a few days."
"God bless you."
The plane finally landed. We had a delay of over an hour, but thank God we touched down. I turned on the phone Mr. Roland provided; it was international. Mine was local. I smiled; I couldn't complain. Since our arrival at El Renacer, our lives changed for the better.
As Mrs. Consuelo said, an angel appeared to Mr. Roland, and I couldn’t agree more. Mrs. Verónica was also an angel to us. I called my mom, confirmed the landing, and imagined Mr. Simón would come to pick me up. I hoped he was already here; I didn’t want to look like an idiot waiting.
I went for my suitcase. If it was cold in the city, thank goodness I had my jacket and scarf on. I grabbed my suitcase and headed for the exit doors. It was a joke! Did he have to come? It made me angry that my heart raced and beat so fast at the sight of that blond guy.
"Hello, Tadpole."
Ugh! I wanted to hit him, at least in my mind, I beat him unconscious, but it was just in my head. I smiled at him.
"Hello. Wasn’t anyone else available?"
"How ungrateful you are. I offered to welcome you to my country." I rolled my eyes. At least he was chivalrous and grabbed my suitcase. "Is this all you brought?"
"I’m only staying for three days. I have four outfits, a pair of shoes, my pajamas, and that’s it. What more do I need?"
"You’re a woman."
"So what?"
I followed him. When we stepped out of the airport, it felt like I’d stuck my face in my home refrigerator. Texas was so hot; you could feel the difference. I hugged myself tighter, and he smiled.
"I’ve seen women pack more just in case."
"I’m sorry for you if you only surround yourself with impractical women."