Chapter 17
Several days have passed since Patricia Burnet and Carlota Morán returned from Gibraltar, from that express getaway that not only allowed them to visit the most beautiful street markets they had ever seen but also to get to know each other in a different way. They haven't been able to see each other since they arrived in Salamanca because both have been swamped with work, and between one thing and another, they haven't met up, although they do talk on the phone daily. Patricia is adapting to her new routine with Coco, waking up earlier than she used to take him for walks, and on days when she knows her workday will be longer than usual, she usually takes him to Aida's house, who seems delighted by the animal's company.
"Have a great New Year's Eve!" Patricia bids farewell to her coworkers at the clinic where she works in the afternoons.
It's Monday, December thirtieth, and the next day she works a few hours in the morning, only attending the clinics if there's any cardiac emergency, but otherwise, she's free to relax and enjoy the last days of the holiday season.
She gets in her car and drives carefully, the streets packed with people who, as always, are out doing their last-minute shopping. That afternoon, Patricia feels nervous and wants to get to her ex-girlfriend's house as soon as possible to vent and ask for help.
"It's freezing cold," Patricia says, bundled up in her coat when Aida opens her door.
"Last year was worse," Aida replies and lets her in, "this year it's fine."
Patricia shakes her head; her ex-girlfriend has always had a strange relationship with weather. She loves heat and hates cold, but she tolerates it better than anyone, in fact, she usually walks around the house in light clothing, even without the heating on.
"Did you get another tattoo?" Patricia asks, moving closer to examine her.
Aida smiles like a mischievous child.
"I went for a touch-up and took the chance to get this flower," she points to her right shoulder. "I've promised myself not to visit Anton's studio anymore this year."
Patricia raises an eyebrow; she's heard that same promise for years. Her ex-girlfriend is addicted to ink, she remembers that when they started dating, she already had a couple of small tattoos, and then they met Anton, a guy who opened a studio downtown, and from that moment on, the girl became a regular. Aida, with very fair skin, has always had a body anyone would envy, genetics have favored her, and with just a couple of boxing workouts a week, she maintains a stunning figure.
Coco appears sliding across the living room floor when he hears his owner's voice and approaches the vet, wagging his tail vigorously.
"Have you been good?" Patricia asks the dog, "of course you have, because you're such a good boy."
"He is," Aida confirms.
Patricia smiles with satisfaction.
"Next week I probably won't bring him every day," Patricia explains as she walks to the couch, "I only have three scheduled surgeries, and Coco won't have to spend so many hours without me."
Aida pouts and looks at Coco with puppy eyes.
"But you'll still have to be at the clinic in the afternoons," Aida says, and Patricia narrows her eyes.
"Hey, get your own dog," says the vet, knowing that Aida and Coco have formed a beautiful friendship bond.
"Now that I'm calmer and working from home, it wouldn't be a bad idea to visit the shelter. I've realized I spend too many hours alone sitting in that chair, and since you've been bringing Coco, I get up more, go outside, and clear my head," Aida says, and Patricia notices a hint of sadness.
"Are you okay, Aida?"
Aida nods.
"It's just that after spending so much time traveling and setting up the company, having casual sex and not dating anyone, I've reached the point where I want to share with someone, I don't know," Aida shrugs, "go on dates and all that."
Patricia smiles, pleased. Aida, fed up with her boss, left her job and decided to start her own company. From there, she spent quite a while focused on achieving her goal. She had to make many trips, close deals, seek financing, and meanwhile, she stayed single, sleeping with practically every woman she could because, in her own words, she needed to drain stress somehow. During that time, she refused to engage in a more formal relationship, and despite Patricia's advice, the girl had decided to continue with that life that the vet certainly finds empty.
"About time," Patricia says, clapping.
Aida rolls her eyes; it's not that big of a deal.
"Well, tell me. What's wrong?"
"How do you know something's wrong?" Patricia asks, settling into the couch.
"Patricia, I know you too well. I know there's something you want to tell me," Aida answers with certainty.
Patricia breathes and releases the air slowly.
"I want to ask Carlota to spend New Year's Eve together, but I don't know how to do it or even if I should. I don't want her to feel overwhelmed and think I'm too intense," she says in a rush, flustered.
Aida stretches her lips into a big smile.
"You don't know how happy I am for you," she says and takes the vet's hand affectionately. "I thought you'd never get over me."
Their loud laughter makes Coco lift his head and look at them suspiciously.
"Well, I think you can just tell her directly," Aida says, changing her mind when she sees the horrified look on the vet's face, "or not."
"It just seems too rushed, and I don't want her to think I'm too intense," repeats the canine cardiologist.
"You could drop hints when you talk to her, mention that you and Coco will be spending the night alone at home," suggests Aida, not too sure because she would just ask directly.
Patricia's eyes light up.
"Yes, I can even tell her that this year will be the first time I'm not spending it with my family and that I'm not sure what to do," adds Patricia, who thinks it's a brilliant plan, "and if I don't see results, I'll say poor Coco is a bit sad."
Aida looks at her, thinking she's never seen her ex-girlfriend like this, nervous and inventing a dramatic story just to get the girl she's seeing to spend New Year's Eve with her.
"Well, I think it's perfect," Patricia continues and stands up from the couch, "come on, Coco, we have a plan to execute."
Patricia says goodbye to Aida, promising they'll see each other when she returns from her family home in the first days of the new year. The vet wastes no time and heads to her apartment, polishing the plan she has devised to invite Carlota over.
As soon as she showers, serves Coco's dinner, and pours herself a glass of wine, she calls Carlota as they've been doing since they returned from Gibraltar.
"Fortunately, we haven't had any new arrivals at the shelter, I couldn't stop by earlier, I've had so much work at the clinic that I couldn't keep up," Carlota tells her, letting out an exhausted sigh. "And you?"
"Same here, we haven't stopped working, we've had a wave of patients because many people are going on trips and want to confirm everything's okay with their pets," Patricia answers, gathering strength to execute her magnificent plan.
"What days," Carlota says. "By the way, Patri, I was thinking of asking if you'd like to spend New Year's Eve together at your place or mine. Since it's Coco's first after the adoption, we could do something special, but with the storm coming back to Salamanca, I think it's better to stay at the shelter. There are four dogs and a cat without foster homes, and I don't want to leave them alone. What do you think about having our New Year's celebration there?"
Patricia falls silent. After spending those days overthinking and today crafting a plan with Aida, Carlota goes and proposes it so spontaneously and directly. She feels foolish and understands why her ex-girlfriend suggested she just invite her over without all the drama. Seconds pass, and as the cardiologist remains silent, Carlota blushes, thinking she's overstepped.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to overwhelm you. Just that since we'd both mentioned we didn't have plans for New Year's Eve, I thought..."
"Yes I want, we want," she corrects herself, looking at Coco. "I think it's a good idea, I wanted to ask you too, but I didn't know how."
Carlota smiles.
"You know you can tell me anything," the volunteer responds. "I'd love to be with you anywhere, but especially at the shelter where everything between you and me began."