The Fountains of Silence (25 page)

60

“He seems nice enough,” says Antonio. “Maybe a bit naïve.”

“Of course he’s naïve. Arriving in Vallecas uninvited? He’s from a rich American family. He knows nothing of Spain.” Julia lifts Lali from her crate for feeding.

“That’s not true, his mother was born here. He speaks Spanish well,” says Antonio. “And he seems generous. It’s kind of him to take the boys to the bullfight.”

“I’m not worried about the boys. I’m worried about Ana. Did you see the way he looked at her?”

“Most everyone looks at Ana like that. You should be more concerned about the way Ana looked at him.”

Antonio is right. Julia noticed the way Ana downplayed her excitement while scrubbing her face and pinning her hair. She also noted the silent rhythm between her sister and the Texan. She wishes she could encourage and support Ana instead of blocking her at every pass.

“
Ay
, even if he is nice, he’s a hotel guest. She mustn’t jeopardize her job,” she tells Antonio.

The infant wiggles in Julia’s arms. She looks at her daughter. She’s still so small. Another woman in Vallecas has a two-month-old child who’s already larger than four-month-old Lali.

“
Mi amor
, we’ll be short again this month,” says Antonio. “Is there any way Luis could give you an advance?”

Julia releases a deep sigh. “I can’t ask Luis again. Take the candy from La Violeta to work. See if you can sell the box somewhere along the way.”

“Didn’t you tell Ana that we would keep one box?”

She did. Ana promised to sell one box at the hotel but begged Julia to keep the other.

Julia recalls the way Ana hugged the ribboned box to her chest, pleading, “Just this once, Julia.
Por favor
. For me.”

She hates disappointing her sister, but hates poverty more. Why did she open the wine? It would have brought a dear sum. They’ve been saving money to move and every
peseta
counts. By Julia’s calculations, in two months they will be close to having the money.

“
Mi amor
, tell me the truth. Is it the candies you want to get rid of—or the Texano?” asks Antonio.

He means to tease, but fatigue has stolen her humor. “We don’t have the luxury of candies, Antonio. Please, sell it. We need the money.” Julia recalls the conversation.

The war is over. We must accept our fate and make sacrifices. Pursue peace and stability above all, Julia. Leave truth for some distant day in the future
, her mother had said.

How distant is that day? It’s been nearly twenty years since the war ended and truth still clings to the shadows. But Julia reassures herself that even if withholding the truth is painful, it is the right thing to do. It keeps the peace. It is what her mother wanted.

61

Daniel takes the Metro to Puerta del Sol, reflecting upon what transpired. The nun in the office, who introduced herself as Sister Hortensia, was older than the nun he photographed with the baby. Ana’s cousin seemed happy to see him, but suddenly began to cough and quickly excused herself to the garden.

“How do you know our Purificación?” asked Sister Hortensia suspiciously.

When Daniel explained that his family was staying at the Castellana Hilton where Puri’s cousin worked, the nun suddenly became inquisitive.

Thinking about the episode gives Daniel an uncomfortable feeling, similar to the feeling in confession. As he exits the Metro, he sees police in gray uniforms surround a young man. No one dares to look. Pedestrians pass quickly with their heads down. He does the same. He walks briskly and turns down Calle Echegaray.

Rather than return to the hotel, he decides to wait until his photos are developed. A faded green sign pulls Daniel in off the street. Men in flat caps stand at a bar under a fly-specked light bulb, while the barkeep marks their tab in chalk on the wooden counter. The chemistry in the room changes the moment he walks in. Clearly, tourists are not frequent visitors.

Rows of dust-smeared bottles line the shelves behind the bar, but the drink selection is small.
Jerez
and tap water only. Daniel orders a Manzanilla, his mother’s favorite. It is the only drink he recognizes and he remembers it smells good.

He selects a table in the back and sets his bag behind a chair. A gruff man delivers a complimentary plate of crisp green olives and sausage marbled with ivory-colored fat.

Daniel reaches in his back pocket for the telegram that Carlitos delivered at the hotel.

He places the folded envelope on the table in front of him. It’s addressed not only to his mother but to his father as well. He turns it over. Half of the envelope flap is not sealed. He eats an olive and tries to distract himself. It’s none of his business. Opening someone else’s mail is illegal. He’ll have to go to confession again. But maybe it will provide answers.

The temptation is too great. Daniel slides his finger under the flap. He gently loosens the remaining adhesive and removes the telegram. The Western Union form is the color of onions. The cabled message is printed on thin white tape affixed to the form.

WESTERN UNION TELEGRAM

—VIA CABLE

SENDER: BUD MATHESON—DALLAS, TX

MR. AND MRS. MARTIN MATHESON—CASTELLANA HILTON, MADRID

PRIEST SHARED NEWS. HAVE YOU TOLD DANIEL? WORRIED WILL BE HARD ON HIM. WILL PREPARE THE HOME STAFF FOR CHANGE.

Daniel stares at the message from his uncle. His father’s brother is a pragmatic man, who rarely expresses emotion or concern. His worry ignites fear in Daniel, bringing back the questions—the edge in his mother’s voice, her emphatic desire to come to Spain, his father’s mention of a “tough time.” Has he gotten it all wrong?

Could his parents be separating?

62

Daniel makes his way back to Miguel’s shop. His feet move but feel detached from his body. He spent hours staring at the telegram and the plate of olives. With no one to talk to, he came up with theories of his own.

His parents’ strange behavior suddenly makes sense. The fight with the two men in the alley had no consequence with either of them. They were too concerned with their own problems to reprimand him. Shortly before their trip to Madrid, he heard his parents arguing in their bedroom. His mother was crying. Why didn’t he pay attention? His mother’s gift of the camera and her support of his photography frustrate his father. Did that cause their “tough time” and is he to blame?

He thinks of all that could change. Will his mother move back to Spain? Is that why his father mentioned the importance of his happiness in Madrid? The timing with his recent graduation can’t be coincidental. Have they been waiting until he leaves for college to separate? Will he be forced to choose who he spends time with?

Daniel knows of only one divorced family in Dallas. Considered pariahs, they were removed from the Social Register. Divorce is not an option for Catholic couples. Instead, his parents will remain married but live apart. Several couples in Dallas reside in different residences. The husband lives in the summer home and the wife lives in the Preston Hollow estate. They are seen together at social events and remain on the Register. On the outside, all remains intact. But everyone knows the truth: Behind closed doors, life lies in pieces. And that’s how his head feels.

“Texano!” Miguel bellows as Daniel enters the shop. “I think you will be very pleased. Your photographs are
excelentes
!”

The compliment should fill him with joy, but barely registers. “That’s great. And thanks again for developing them so quickly.” Daniel retrieves his wallet. “How much do I owe you, Miguel?”

“You don’t want to see them?”

“Not right now,” says Daniel.

Miguel eyes him with concern as he accepts payment.
“¿Estás bien, amigo?”

“
Ay
, I’ve got a lot on my mind.”

“
Ya lo veo
. I see that. Well, when you are feeling better, please return. I would like to discuss these photos with you.”

“Sure, I’d like that too.” Daniel takes the large envelope and exits the shop.

The hotel is alive with music and guests. Hundreds of young men in stark white uniforms fill the lobby. Daniel doesn’t want the distraction of a party. He longs for privacy. Quiet.

Ben Stahl speaks to an older man in uniform and takes notes on a small pad. Lorenza and Ana orbit the group, selling cigars and cigarettes. Ana sees Daniel on his way to the elevator and makes her way to him.

“
Buenas noches, señor.”

“
Hola
, Ana. Looks like a big party.”

“The U.S. Air Force cadets are visiting Madrid during their summer tour. The embassy is holding a reception here,” she says.

“Well, I’ll leave you to it.”

Ana’s brow creases. “
Señor
Matheson, are you okay?”

Daniel looks at her. Ana’s concern is so genuine. He wants to tell her everything. Instead he gives a weak smile. “I’m fine. I think I’ll have an early dinner in my room tonight.”

Her voice quiets. “Of course,
señor
. I’ll have the room-service operator call up right away.”

“Thanks, Ana. I appreciate it.” He makes his way to the elevator, holding the envelope of photos.

“Seventh floor,
por favor
.”

The elevator climbs. Daniel’s heart sinks.