Chapter 25
After a short wait, the gates opened and I drove through. I parked in the familiar semi-circle in front of the house. I got out and the front door opened, revealing Javier’s mom.
“Senora Fuentes?” My voice shook slightly, revealing how scared I felt. Would she meet me with anger?
“Sí, mi hija. How are you?” She reached for my hand. I’d forgotten just how petite she was until her hand held mine. Her eyes were still kind but time added lines around her eyes and mouth. Her hair was now cut into a one-length bob that framed her face. She looked stylish in her white capri’s and embroidered short-sleeve shirt.
Her warmth at seeing me made me want to hug her. “Do you remember me?”
“Mi hija, how could I forget you? We were so worried about you after the accident.”
How could this woman be so sweet to me when her son was so angry with me?
“Come in, come in.” She motioned to me as she opened the door wider.
I stepped in and looked around. The house hadn’t changed a bit. I guess it didn’t need to. It was just as beautiful today as the first time I saw it.
“Would you like something to drink?”
“Yes, that’d be great.” I followed her to the kitchen.
She poured some Jamaica tea and set the sugar bowl on the table so I could sweeten it myself.
“What brings you here, sweetie?” She sat down at the table with me.
“I need to explain about what happened after the accident.”
She reached over and touched my hand. “Mi hija, Javier told us everything.”
“He did? When?” I was shocked and surprised.
“Two weeks ago when he came to pick up Veronica.”
“He told you that my father said he was dead?”
“Sí, sí. I was so sorry to hear that. We knew Javier never intended to hurt you. He was a good boy and he loved you. He didn’t deserve to be punished. We had to protect him.”
I reached over and took her hand. “You’ve no reason to apologize. I came to apologize because my father made you send your son into hiding for so many years. He’d no right to say those horrible things to you.”
Just as I finished speaking, Mr. Fuentes walked into the room. I felt a little bit afraid he’d make me leave when he saw me. I stood up, paused as I looked at him and then extended my hand to him. “Hello, Mr. Fuentes.”
He looked at me sternly, but shook my hand. “Why are you here?”
My face heated from his abrupt response. “I came to apologize for my father's behavior after the accident. I assure you I’d no idea that he had come here to insult and demean your family. I spent the last six years thinking Javier died in the accident. It wasn’t until a few weeks ago that I learned that he was alive and well.”
“Javier told us the story.”
The room was quiet as we stood there with nothing else to say.
“I should be going now. Thank you for seeing me with no notice.” I turned away from the table to walk to the door.
“Mi hija, where are you going?” Mrs. Fuentes asked.
“I don’t know. I think I may head up to the mountains. I’ve never been back and they hold good memories for me.”
I started to leave when I heard Mr. Fuentes say, “Wait a minute.”
I stopped and turned around at his command. He walked out of the room and I wasn’t sure if I was supposed to follow him or not. So, I stood there and waited. He returned a minute later and handed me a key.
“What’s this?”
“The key to the cabin. Someone may as well use it. Stay as long as you like.”
I looked down at the key in my hand and then back up at him. Tears welled up in my eyes at his generosity. How could they be so kind to me when my family took so much from them?
“Thank you.” I wrapped my arms around him and hugged him for a long moment. He stood still initially and then hugged me back. He kissed the top of my head and tears burned my eyes.
“Drive safe and enjoy the time away.” He pushed me back gently.
I wiped my face and smiled. “Thank you. I won’t overstay my welcome and I’ll bring back the key when I return home.”
He nodded and smiled. I hugged Mrs. Fuentes and kissed her cheek, then turned and left. When I got in the car, I took a deep breath. It felt good to know they didn’t hate me, not like Javier. I drove away and headed for the White Mountains.
When I reached Salt River Canyon several hours later, I pulled over and got out to take in the view. I sat back looking at the immense canyon. I felt a little nauseous as I remembered us spinning and then hitting the snow-covered ground.
It was so long ago, but it seemed like only yesterday as I stood and faced the backdrop of what turned out to be several years of pain and sadness. I returned to my vehicle and drove up the canyon. I took it slow and let people pass me rather than giving into their pressure to move faster.
It was almost two more hours before I reached the cabin. I was surprised my navigation brought me all the way here with no issues or wrong turns. Remembering the excitement of the first time I came here, I walked up to the door and unlocked it.
When I opened it, I noticed sheets covered all the furniture. They obviously didn’t use this place very often anymore. I started pulling off the sheets and folding them. I unloaded my suitcase and the groceries that I stopped to get at the market on the way.
I stood at the doorway of the bedroom with my bags and the memory of Javier and I exchanging rings in this room came flooding back. I touched my necklace, a gold chain. I’d placed the ruby ring and my twist tie ring on it before I left home. I took a deep breath, walked in, and started unpacking.
It was late by the time I went to the kitchen and made myself a turkey and ham sandwich. I didn’t feel like cooking and this would do for tonight. I flipped open my laptop and worked for a few hours before going to bed. I checked my emails and sent one to Rafael assuring him I was okay. I just needed a little time alone.
~ ~ ~
I felt refreshed the next morning. I’d slept in, then lounged around in my pajamas for hours before I showered. I pulled out my favorite faded blue jeans and a peach knitted sweater. I took the time to do my hair with long loose curls and put on some make-up.
I studied my appearance in the mirror. Although so much time had passed, I still looked like the girl I was in high school. My light eyes and honey colored hair hadn’t changed. My face had thinned over time but I still had the same fair skin that was smooth and youthful. Despite the stress and long hours of work over the last several years it didn’t show on my face.
I retreated to the living room, and turned on some light jazz music before opening my computer. I needed to catch up with my work so I didn’t get fired and make a bigger mess of my life. The creative juices flowed as I pushed through my newest project.
Someone knocked on the door. Who was it? Nobody knew I’d come here. Taking a deep breath, I stood and went to investigate.
My heart raced and I felt a little apprehensive. I peeked out the window but I couldn’t see who was at the door. The knock came again. I guess they aren’t going to go away. I cracked the door slightly and then opened it when I saw Javier standing there.
He wore jeans, driving shoes and a button-up oxford with the sleeves rolled up slightly, just like the first time I saw him. He stood there with one hand in his pocket and a grin on his face. “Can I come in?”
“Oh, yeah, of course. It’s your place after all.” I stepped back to open the door wider and stand out of the way for him to enter. So, this was where my vacation ended. He’ll tell me to get out. I closed the door behind him and turned to see him staring at me.
“How’s the mountain treating you so far?”
“Good. Relaxing.”
“Did you find what you were looking for?”
“I don’t know what you mean.”
Is this where he chastises me for going to see his parents and then coming to their cabin?
He stepped closer to me, but I didn’t make eye contact. I looked down at his hand and noticed the ring I had given him on his pinky. I looked up at him. Why is he wearing it?
He reached up and took the rings on my chain into his hand. “You still have the twist-tie ring?”
I smirked at him. “Of course, that was my engagement ring.”
His grin was a little bigger now as he held them for a moment more. He set them down and then ran a finger down the front of me and hooked his finger at the top of my jeans.
“I’m sorry.”
I looked down at his hand and felt the same goosebumps I felt the first time he touched me in his uncle’s game room. I looked back up at him. My voice was almost a whisper because being that close to him sucked the air out of me. I found it hard to breathe normally. “Sorry for what?”
“For being mad at what you had no knowledge or control over. For being mad you weren’t with me. For not being able to push you away once I found you.”
“Is that why you want to push me away? Because you didn’t need to come all of the way up here to tell me that. I already picked up on it.”
“Stop talking.” His lips came down on mine.
At that moment, I remembered the deep woodsy smell of his cologne, how soft his lips felt on mine, and how I shuddered when he touched me. I realized it was real. We were young, but we really did love each other. We could have had the forever fairytale I used to dream about. He was my prince, my friend, and the love of my life.
He kissed me slowly and tenderly, like he was drinking in every moment. His hand came up behind my head and his fingers entwined in my hair. He stopped and rested his forehead on mine, neither of us able to catch our breath.
I closed my eyes and we stood there together. “I can’t survive losing you twice, Javier, so if this is just a game or another way of hurting me, please leave me alone."