Friday, October 11, 2013
More than three hundred people showed up for the Parker´s funeral service. Paula was there too; I know she saw me.
At the lab, they haven´t come up with anything yet that might help us with the case. It´s eleven o´clock at night and I´ve been at it since seven, and found nothing.
I grab my stuff and head for home.
As I open the door, Ana is there, sitting demurely on the sofa. She greets me with a friendly smile.
“What are you doing here? I ask dryly. I try to harden my features, pretending I don´t love her any more, that I couldn´t care less about her, that I don´t want to see her ever again.
She isn´t wearing any make up at all. She looks tired and sad, as if she were carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders.
“I´ve come to pick up my things... If that´s what you want Paul.”
“Yeah, that´s what I want” I reply looking at the small suitcase at her feet.
“You don´t want to try to fix this?” She approaches, tries to hug me but I push her away brusquely. “Let´s talk it over Paul. It was a mistake... I... I didn´t want to...”
“How many times” I interrupt. She keeps silent. “How many times!” I insist, beginning to lose control.
“Two years.” She stares at the floor.
“Get out of here. Right now, Ana, get your damned little bag and get out. I don´t want to see you ever again!” Ana hoists her bag, nods her head, her eyes brimming with tears. That muscular, tattooed guy with the bushy beard, probably doesn´t want to have anything to do with her. He won´t put her up. He won´t give her the carefree, comfortable life she had with me for so many years.
“Goodbye Paul.” She mumbles, stretching her arms, inviting me to hug her one last time. I back away from her. She turns towards the door, hanging her head and shuffles slowly until she reaches the door. She opens it softly, there is great sadness in the way she turns the knob. I know she is waiting for me to change my mind. But I won´t. “Take care.” She whispers with a knot in her throat.
I try to hold my tears back. The door clicks shut behind me. She´s gone. Out the door and out my life forever.
Now I let all the pain out.
Trying to steady myself, after a while, I dial the phone.