Chapter 49
The next morning, Celia sat with Benjamin on the beach at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, a breezy point where airplanes first flew and soft, sandy beaches beckoned. Though it was a warm day for the end of February, there were few others on the beach, just the occasional jogger or walker, along with some kite-flyers a few hundred meters away.
In front of her, André’s former teammates played soccer, Tiago and Manny playing right along with them. It was a taste of the old times, when a pick-up game was a daily occurrence, and a line in the sand was just as official as a goal post.
Her lawyer called Manny’s phone when they were a half-hour into the game. He brought the phone to her, and she allowed him to hold Benjamin so that she could concentrate while she spoke. “Teresa said André was going to be deported,” she said, using her best English. “Is that true?”
“Yes,” the lawyer answered, his voice calm and confident. “That’s usually what happens in circumstances like these.”
She couldn’t hold back her grin as she glanced at Manny. “So, he won’t ever be able to come back here?”
“Not likely.”
She exhaled deeply. She would only have to worry about André when she went home for a visit. “And he’s in jail now?”
“Yes. He’ll stay in the jail until his trial. He’s being held without bail.”
After thanking the lawyer and ending the call, she threw her arms around Manny and Benjamin. “I can’t believe we did it. Not only did we get Benjamin back, André will most likely be deported. Can you believe it?” She kissed little Benjamin’s cheeks as Manny held him. “It hasn’t even been a year since I let him control every part of my life. I was afraid to leave that little apartment.”
“Look who’s in control now,” Manny said, pointing at her. “The police might have never found Benjamin if you hadn’t known about that house.”
She nodded and then pointed a finger at him. “True, but you were the one who convinced me to come to North Carolina.” She doubted that she would have made the decision herself, even if she’d had more sleep.
He shrugged in his typical shy fashion. “We make a good team.”
“We do.” She took Benjamin from his arms, nuzzling her cheek against the baby’s soft face. “I only wish I could help you as much as you’ve helped me.”
“But you have helped me,” Manny protested, his voice increasing in volume. “Have you forgotten how much trouble Mom and I were having with Flora when you first moved into Theo’s house?”
Poor Flora. Celia couldn’t imagine how Manny and Joana could have had so many problems with her. “I haven’t done anything for Flora other than be her friend.”
“And that’s what we all needed, more than you know.” He placed his arm around her and pointed out to the water. “What do you say to a walk?”
Celia passed Benjamin to Tiago, and they walked out to the edge of the waves, where they caught glimpses of dolphin tails moving in and out of the water. A few meters behind them, two of the soccer players’ wives were comparing the colorful bags they’d bought from Manny.
“I can almost imagine we’re back on the island,” Manny said. He reached to touch her hair. “I remember your hair looking like this when we were teenagers.”
She turned to face him. “What else do you remember from back then?” She placed both hands on his shoulders, stepping closer. “Do you remember the day we climbed to the top of the volcano?”
He smiled. “How could I forget? You kissed me for the second time that day.”
“I promised I’d wait for you.”
He swallowed. “Yes.”
The memory of that day washed back through her mind. They had held hands the whole way—as they’d walked past the fragrant lavender bushes on the way up, as they stood in the cool breeze at the top of the cone, and as they sunk knee-deep in the ash going back down.
Then she remembered the day they shared orange sodas at André’s café. She could still picture the devastation in Manny’s eyes as he noticed her wedding picture. Now, thanks to André, she’d put Manny through even more trauma. She could understand how an ordinary man might decide to part ways after all that had happened.
Of course, Manny wasn’t an ordinary man.
She stepped closer still. This conversation was long overdue. “I’ve never been so sorry as I am about breaking that promise. It’s the biggest regret of my life.” She traced a finger along his collar, avoiding his gaze. “There hasn’t been a day that’s gone by since we sat together in André’s café that I haven’t wished I had waited. The funny thing is, though, I still feel like I’m waiting.”
He grinned. “Well, I can fix that, but remind me again—what are you waiting for?”
“I’m waiting for our American Dream, Manny.” That was what they had called it so many years ago when they sat in the mango tree, spinning plans about marriage and children, a house and careers, love and family. She still wanted all those things. With him. “I know what you’re thinking. It won’t be as perfect as we thought when we were teenagers. I know that. Apartments are expensive, and you’re helping support your mother and sister. I’ve got a new baby and hospital bills—”
“Celia,” Manny interrupted, placing a finger over her lips and reassuring her with the look in his eyes, “if we’ve learned anything from Benjamin’s kidnapping, it’s that money doesn’t matter as much as we thought. How much money do we really need anyway? Look at us now—we’re enjoying this beautiful vacation spot without spending a cent. Having you and Benjamin with me is what’s most important.”
He knelt in the sand at her feet, taking her hand in his. “I love you, Celia. I already consider you my wife and Benjamin my son.” He paused. “But I would be honored if we could make it official. Will you marry me, Celia?”
He looked so proper, kneeling there like the perfect American gentleman, but she just couldn’t allow for any more of this American etiquette. She dropped down beside him, tackling him with a hug. “Yes!” Then she kissed him with a proper Cape Verdean kiss, full of fire and confidence. Once again, their future shone before them, as bright and green as the leaves on the mango tree.
She sat down beside him on the sand as they looked out on the ocean. “On the day the volcano destroyed our home,” she said, “Mama told me that I couldn’t trust you to come back for me. She told me that after a man leaves Fogo Island, you lose your spell over him. He forgets how beautiful you are.”
He smoothed his hand over her hair and kissed her cheek. “Considering that she was ill, we can’t hold her words against her.”
She kissed him in return. “You proved her wrong when you came back for me the first time on Fogo Island. Then André scarred my face, and her words haunted me again. I’ve made so many mistakes. I’ve broken all my promises. I’ve lost the beauty I once possessed. But you came back for a second time. You’ve come back for me again and again and again.”
He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her in for another embrace. “I’m not coming back for you any more, though. From now on, we’re staying together.”