At home
I am not able to assimilate what I am hearing.
-That man was screaming and your guy was acting like a pro. He didn't lose his cool for a minute. He just cared about me. He's a treasure. He told that gentleman that the papers would be taken to jail. Then the sirens. And look how handsome those Catalan policemen are, not like the ones in Madrid, but almost. They pricked me with a gentleness that not even the nurse of the ambulatory.
-Pinch?
We all look at Anthony who lies exhausted on the couch. And Elvira like a rose. At this point I doubt who has been rescued and who has been kidnapped.
-His insulin," he says, denying the statement made by the handsome policeman, "Simon wanted to use it to get you to sign the stock transfer. According to him, he didn't intend to hurt her. The agents took him away before he finished telling us his plans. I imagine that later, at the trial, they will explain it to us in detail. He clarifies before accepting a refreshing drink from Laura.
-Oh, and that other guy. He treated me great too.
Elvira combs her hair with her hand. If it weren't for the fact that she's been kidnapped, she'd swear she's ten years younger. The woman talks about savior boys as if it were an afternoon soap opera.
I open my eyes in amazement at Anthony. Disbelieving what he hears he reaches for a chocolate chip cookie from Elvira's famous tin. Ever since we were kids she's kept that tin loaded to the top. Milk chocolate chip cookies for me. White chocolate chips, for Laura. Strawberry chips, for Karina. Dark chocolate, for Anthony.
-She's talking about Raul," he says, enjoying the cookie. He helped find her. I hate to admit it, but it's true. Without the snooty guy's help we'd still be looking for her.
The girls, Paul and I dropped our shoulders forward. We had been walking around Elvira's living room for twenty-four hours waiting for some news. When Blake called to say they had her I started crying like a little girl.
I hear the elevator and become alert. I look at the door. False alarm. They're not coming to this apartment. I sigh before sitting down on the far couch. Blake isn't here. He hasn't come with Elvira and Anthony. The sorrow of not having him clouds my immense happiness.
-That boy is cute, but he seems a bit of a scoundrel.
-A little bit? -Paul takes a cookie to avoid expressing his opinion about Raul.
-Although my favorite is your boy. He's a sweetheart.
-Blake? A sweetheart? -Now it's Mariam who pops a cookie in her mouth.
-And he's... I mean, he stayed in Barcelona? -I try to sound disinterested.
-He had a ticket to Baltimore. He had forgotten about the kidnapping. He went straight to the airport.
Anthony speaks as the life begins to escape from my body.
-Is he gone? -. My chest doesn't rise or fall. I can't get any air. I feel like I'm dying. Is Blake gone?
The girls don't move. Mariam takes out her cell phone to start typing. She tries to communicate with her brother. Anthony comes up beside me to tap me on the shoulder.
-Sofi, he had the ticket, but he said....
-He said that, although it's a pity..." Elvira answers loudly, "we should let him go. There is his home.
Anthony approaches Elvira. I concentrate on the drawings on the carpet holding back tears.
Blake is gone. He has forgotten me. He's left me behind like a cold passed.
-This doesn't make sense. He doesn't know..." -Mariam is interrupted by Elvira.
-He said he would send for you. The boy is very responsible, and you are his sister, but, of course, it was impossible for him to stay.
-Impossible? -we all asked at the same time.
Elvira stands up to prepare hot infusions.
-When one is not reciprocated, the best thing to do is to put distance.
Now all heads turn to me. The colors of embarrassment stain my mortal pale.
-I... I... I... I did... Yesterday I was thinking about... but then...
-The poor boy no longer knew what to do to show my Sofi that he loves her. He even said that it made no sense to stay in Madrid suffering so much scorn.
-Contempt?
Elvira stuffs two cookies together in Anthony's mouth.
-I don't despise him. Tears appear, confirming my feelings.
-Then I should tell him. The boy is leaving because of you. He was suffering.
Elvira brings Mariam a cup of hot chocolate before stealing her phone and putting it in the pocket of her robe. The girl watches her without understanding the reason for her theft.
-The last few times I saw him, I did nothing but reject him. I said goodbye, assuming that it was over between us. That's not true. I love him more than ever. He came along to show me that my life was shitty, but with possibilities. If I go to the airport I might find him.
-The flight left an hour ago. Anthony looks at the clock on the wall.
-There are other flights. Elvira winks at me before handing the red fruit infusion to Karina.
-I'm sure you'll find a flight tomorrow or the next day," he says, accepting the steaming cup.
-There are daily flights," Mariam confirms enthusiastically.
-Springtime in Baltimore is very interesting. Paul adds as he accepts his bitter coffee.
-Are you saying that I should travel and show up at his house? What if he kicks me out?
-That's not going to happen," Anthony assures while sullenly staring into his cup. Why did you put cinnamon almond milk in it?
-That's Laura's. Your cup is here. Elvira shows him the thick chocolate and the sullen brat raises his smile.
-God..." I stand up, walking from one side to the other. This is crazy. So what do I do? I knock on the door and say, hello, I'm here.
-It's my house, too. I have keys. You can come in without knocking. Mariam hides her mischief behind her cup.
-The solution lies behind the action.
Voices of encouragement follow Elvira's words. They all speak at the same time. I wipe away my tears before bursting into hysterical laughter.
-It's crazy.
-Karina takes her cell phone out of her purse.
-The house in Baltimore is beautiful. You're going to love it! -Mariam squeals at the top of her lungs.
Their breath is so effusive that I'm going deaf. My hysterical laughter intensifies.
-I fly in two days at eight a.m. What do I do! -Karina looks at the screen with her finger about to trigger.
I look at all of them who are silent in expectation. My heart is in my throat. Elvira takes a sip right under my nose.
-I don't have tea?
-No.
-And why not?
-You have to get into action. He smiles and caresses my face. I kiss his hand with tears in my eyes. I've been a waterfall with a broken faucet for a few days now.
-Karina," I look at her, raising my chin.
-Yes?
-Buy!
Laura screams as the other hits the button.
Anthony approaches Elvira to speak something in her ear about a trickster and she responds with a little nudge. Anthony bursts out laughing, but I am not able to continue listening, the girls drag me from behind towards the door of my house.
-Paul! -Mariam shouted over my head backwards.
-I'll take them to the airport. It's okay.
-I love you Paul!
The man with strong, serious features turned redder than grenades.
-You need a swimsuit and a strapless dress," says Mariam, jumping up beside me.
-And lace lingerie," Laura commented, causing the others to laugh.
-No. Please. He's my brother! -Mariam covers her ears.
All four of us laugh, although mine is loaded with hysterical nerves.