“Flora, your mother loves you more than anything. For better or for worse, she has dedicated her life to you. You can’t blame her for being protective after the lies she’s heard. She’s reacting the way she should.”
“I don’t need your help with my daughter. I told you to get out. You’re nothing more than a monster.”
I take that in stride since I’ve been called that too many times to count. It’s hardly the first and hardly the last time. I see how it’s hurting Flora, though. I won’t leave without her, but I can try to diffuse things a little.
“SeñoraBautista, I will go outside, but the door remains open, and I remain on the steps.”
“You believe the world revolves around you. That’s not how it works. This is my home, and you are intruding. Get off my land and take your shitty family with you.”
“Mamá, if he leaves, I leave too.”
“Flora, you need to resolve this with your mother. I can give you privacy to do that. But like I said, the door remains open, and I stand on the steps. I won’t go where I can’t see or hear you.”
“See? He’s controlling you already.” She turns her fiery gaze on me. “What? Do you believe I’d hurt my daughter?’’
“I think you already are with the way you’re upsetting her. I also won’t relent when it comes to her safety. I’ve promised to protect her, and that’s what I’ll do. I can’t if I’m unable to see and hear her. My promise to Flora comes before anything else.”
“I give it five minutes when the Cartel comes calling for you to break those promises.”
“Mamá, I understand what it means to be involved with a man in the Cartel. I know what Pablo means with each promise he makes. I understand their limitations, and I accept them for what they are. But he’s not lying to me. He’s endangered his own life to protect me over and over. I’m sorry it’s come to this, but I’m leaving, and I won’t be back.”
“You’re picking thishijo de putaover me?”
“I’m picking being safe over likely dying young. I’m picking the person who stands up for me. I’m picking the person who makes me happy.”
We’ve been speaking Spanish so far, but as far as I know her mother doesn’t speak English, unless she’s been hiding that from Flora. That’s what mychiquitatold me in Switzerland. I switch languages. I know it’s rude, and it’ll antagonize Magdalena more, but it’s the only way to have some semblance of a private conversation.
“Little one, you need to resolve this with your mother. I don’t want you leaving here resentful. There’s nothing more important to me than family, and you know I consider you part of mine. Things are testing your loyalty right now, but family’s important to you too. You’ll regret not coming to peace with your mother. You know I won’t rescind my protection, but I won’t be what causes you to end the longest relationship you’ve ever had. I won’t break up your family.”
Tears fill her eyes. “You’re the only one trying to keep my family together, Pablo. I admire you for that, but it’s not your decision whether my mom and I can reconcile. The ball is in her court. I’ll tell her as much. I don’t want to destroy things with her, but even if you weren’t in the picture, she still hurt me.”
Flora takes a breath as she watches me. I hope my expression shows I’m on her side no matter what she decides.
“I know, little one, but I believe she did the best she could. It was a poor set of choices, and I believe some of them wereselfish, but I don’t believe she set out to hurt you. I know she’s spent a lifetime trusting the wrong men, but it’s all she’s known since before she was your age.Los Aguilarsank their talons in and haven’t let go. Look at it as if they brainwashed her.”
I watch Flora inhale deeply before she turns back toward her mother, and the conversation switches back to Spanish.
“Mamá, please don’t do this. Don’t make me choose between you and Pablo. He’ll walk away before he comes between us, but you need to understand I’ll follow him.”
“He’s willing to give up that easily, or is it he’ll manipulate you into chasing him?”
“Mamá, you insist upon seeing things that aren’t there.Papábetrayed you by forcing you to be his mistress rather than marrying you once Luciana made her choice. He could’ve made a happy home with us, but he chose revenge over us. What kind of man does that? He might’ve claimed he did it for his family, but it proves he never considered you and me a part of that. You keep siding with a man who lied to you your entire relationship. You’re choosing to supportAbuelowhen he risked your only child’s life.AbuelitoandAbuelitahave warned you aboutAbueloover and over. They’ve seen what he’s like, but you won’t believe your own parents. Why doesAbuelohave such a hold on you?”
“He’s all I have left that connects me to Domingo. You never knew your father. Ernesto looks and sounds so much like Domingo. It’s as though every time I’m with Ernesto, I’m with Domingo again.”
Holy fuck!
Does Flora get the implications of what her mother said?
From the way she jerks away and bumps into me, I’d say she understands completely. She shakes her head so vigorously her hair whips around her face.
“Mamá, how could you?”
“It was the price of his supporting us in the beginning. Then it was my chance to keep a part of your father with me.”
“Did Néstor know?”
“Of course. Who do you think introduced me to Néstor? Who do you think suggested I’d be a good match for him?”
