Chapter 24
On Sunday, as the oven's heat fades and Maite and Olga lower the shutters to end the day, Violeta watches them from a few feet away, feeling suffocated. A lump suddenly forms in her throat, and she experiences an inexplicable emptiness. This has been her last day working there; tomorrow she'll return to Madrid and resume her life, and just thinking about it makes her want to cry.
"Violeta, aren't you coming?" her mother and Olga call from the corner with questioning looks. She wants to ask for a few minutes, to compose herself and say goodbye in her own way, but she knows they'll ask questions, and right now she doesn't have the strength to answer things she doesn't even understand herself.
It's New Year's Eve, and after lunch, they decide to spend the afternoon in Barbastro so Olga can see one of the nativity scenes that are part of the Aragon Nativity Route. Maite keeps insisting they should go alone, aware it's their last day together, but both agree they want to share this time with her too. Violeta because it was her parents' yearly tradition, and she doesn't want her mother to miss out just because her father has left. Olga because she needs to show her friend that even if there's something between her daughter and her, it doesn't mean they can't spend time together.
The afternoon in Barbastro flies by, first with a snack and then admiring the seventy square meters of nativity scene on Santa Teresa de Jornet Street.
"How wonderful!" Olga exclaims, impressed.
"Next year we'll visit one in another town. José and I used to go to a different one each Christmas."
Violeta looks at her mother and finds her very serene. It's as if she's finally accepted he won't return and is starting to turn the page and face her new life. Olga squeezes her hand and kisses her forehead, smiling.
"She'll be fine, don't worry."
"Of course, if you're around," Violeta says, leaning in for a hug.
Olga wraps an arm around her and pulls her close. Neither says anything, though they want to say so much.
They arrive in Alquézar around nine in the evening and, following their morning plans, all three head straight to Maite's house. It's New Year's Eve, and they'll have dinner and ring in the new year together.
The three of them enter the kitchen; again, they've decided no one will cook tonight and have left the food they bought ready to heat. While Maite takes care of that, Violeta and Olga prepare plates with grapes for the midnight countdown. A strange atmosphere floats between them, constant exchanged glances that quicken hearts and create tension in their bodies. They both know that tonight they're not only saying goodbye to the year but also to each other, and neither seems able to face it.
During dinner, Maite carries the conversation from the start until the two manage to relax, and everything proceeds with laughter, knowing looks, and stolen kisses when Maite isn't looking. When it's time for the grapes, all three watch the TV intently and swallow one after another to the rhythm of the bells until their plates are empty. Then they toast with champagne glasses and wish each other a happy new year with hugs and kisses, as tradition dictates.
Violeta's cheeks are red from the warmth and the high she got from hugging Olga, or that moment when they looked at each other and kissed several times between laughs.
"I didn't expect to start the year like this when I came," Violeta whispers while her mother remains distracted by the artists singing on the TV show.
"Start it how?"
"With you."
Olga's heart beats even in her ears.
"I didn't count on this either, but I'm glad."
They smile at each other and kiss again.
"I love this one, let's dance," Maite jumps up.
Olga and Violeta join her, and for the next hour, the three dance even to songs they don't like or have never heard. They enjoy themselves until their bodies say enough, and they decide it's time to go to sleep.
"Stay here tonight," Maite says, looking out the window, "it's pouring rain. I'll put in my earplugs, and it'll be like I'm not even here."
Olga and Violeta laugh at the comment, and after saying goodnight to Maite, they enter Violeta's room.
"So this is where you sleep," Olga says playfully.
Violeta turns to her and then looks at the bed, feeling her body start to burn in a disturbing way.
"Sleeping isn't exactly what I feel like doing right now," she says and approaches her.
Violeta grabs Olga by the collar of her sweater and drags her across the room until they reach the bed, where she pushes her, making her fall back onto the mattress while looking at her with eyes full of desire.
"Try not to make noise," Olga smiles, flushed, as Violeta begins to undress. "I want to be able to look your mother in the eye in the morning."
"My mother is a very deep sleeper, she doesn't need the earplugs," Violeta concludes, throwing her panties at her.
Olga catches them mid-air, and with desire tingling her mind, she begins to undress as Violeta approaches her.