Chapter Forty-Three Where Now?
Nearing the end of their stay in Spain Luis rented a car, planning a trip to a mystery destination he claimed was inaccessible by public transport, refusing to say where they were going or why.
Danny guessed that the location was connected to the many discussions Luis had enjoyed with his mother over recent days, sometimes the two of them on their own, mostly the three of them together, including a sunny afternoon on the beach where Luis had once worked as a lifeguard.
Since it was warm Danny had suggested that they swim.
Although Luis pointed out that many of the town residents were still wearing jackets and jumpers he eventually acquiesced.
They stripped to their underwear, the only bathers on the long eastern stretch of Playa de la Victoria, while Cristina perched on a lounger sheltering under a raffia hat.
With the entire sea to themselves Luis and Danny splashed about with childish joyful abandon, an impressive feat considering they were both nearing fifty.
In his hometown, in front of his mother, Luis lifted Danny into the air before they tumbled into the water.
They warmed up with carajillos – coffee fortified with a shot of brandy at a beachside café.
Inspired by the sight of their physical interaction Cristina spoke openly about why she had married Luis’s father.
She had believed it was possible to judge a man from the passion of their physical intimacy.
And based on their kisses she had been sure that they were soulmates.
She had spent a lifetime waiting for him to live up to the promise of their sexual connection.
In love there were two types of tragedy: the good man with a bad kiss and the bad man with a good kiss.
She was pleased Luis had found a kind man who kissed well. Hearing the translation, Danny blushed.
On the last weekend before returning to London Danny and Luis collected the rental car, a silver Volkswagen convertible, perfect for a road trip.
Since it was another warm day Luis lowered the car’s roof.
Driving out of the city felt like embarking on the adventure Danny imagined their marriage would be.
Before departing Cádiz they stopped at a bakery to buy two paper-wrapped barras de pan, one filled with jamón, another with queso de cabra, along with two bottles of sparkling mineral water from the mountain springs in Catalonia.
Enigmatically Luis claimed there were no shops where they were going.
The scenic drive took over two hours, passing through Parque Natural de Los Alcornocales before arriving at the small historic hillside town of Jimena de la Frontera.
Though the town was pretty, Luis didn’t stop, following a road further up the hill.
At this point he slowed to a crawl until he found a turn-off.
They bumped along a narrow dirt track for a time, reaching a rusted metal gate where Luis parked.
Danny stepped out and surveyed the area.
Though they were high in the hills there was no panoramic view as they were surrounded by a plantation of tall oaks.
Luis explained that these trees were harvested for their bark which was turned into corks for the region’s wine.
Many of the trunks were banded where the cork had been stripped back.
To the chatter of birds Luis led the way, lifting the latch on the rusted gate.
Danny asked, ‘Isn’t this private property?’
Luis nodded.
‘My grandparents owned this farm.’
Since his grandparents had died many years ago, Danny wondered, ‘Who lives here now?’
Luis replied, ‘We could.’