Chapter 29

With the holidays, Malena’s investigations—her snooping—slackened. First of all, she’d been rehearsing every night at the Madreselva. And second, who would have the heart to cause a family scandal during this time of the year? Truth be told, she was enjoying this life too much to even think about going back to Guayaquil. There was nothing waiting for her there—with so many absences, the dean had probably expelled her from school already (not that she minded terribly).

From the early hours of December 31, San Isidro’s most enthusiastic citizens had built dummies—called Años Viejos—and placed them on small stages framed with tree branches throughout the city. In the plaza, over a dozen dummies were displayed in two long rows. At midnight, they had to be burned to symbolize the end of last year’s problems and the beginning of a new year of hope. After the burning, a big celebration would take place at the plaza. Malena had never participated in this tradition. Back home, she’d merely seen the festivities from a taxi or her apartment window.

This year was different. She took a step back, admiring the dummy Amanda and Bernardo had built in the morning with newspapers, pillows, and old clothes. It had a gray-haired wig and a mask of a man with a large nose. The last touch was a bag of spaghetti in his hands.

“It looks just like Enzo,” Malena said.

Amanda surveyed her handiwork. “No, it’s a better version of Enzo. This one doesn’t talk.”

Enzo’s dummy sat with his arms wide open on a chair. His free hand was placed over a small round table with a handwritten sign that read “Il Napolitano.”

“Yes, it’s perfect,” Bernardo said.

Amanda stretched her back. “I can’t wait to burn it.” She glanced at her watch. “Sebastian and Joaquin should be here already.”

Malena rubbed her hands against the black dress Amanda had given her for Christmas. In only a few minutes, she would be dancing on that stage with Sebastian. The band was playing “La Plaga,” and Javier stood beside them, with a guitar in his hands, singing.

“Javier is here,” Malena told Amanda.

“Don’t worry. He won’t say anything.”

“Did you know he could sing like that?”

“There’s more to Javier than meets the eye.” Amanda unzipped her purse and removed her compact. “Don’t be so nervous. There’s nothing wrong with dancing.”

“Tell that to your sister and her husband.”

Amanda powdered her nose and returned the compact to her purse. “You seem so naïve, sometimes I don’t understand how it is that you dated that man in San Vicente.”

Malena averted her gaze. She’d never dated anyone, much less the married man they kept mentioning who apparently was so bad for Lili. If only they knew Liliana was in the capital at this very moment, living her happily-ever-after with the wicked Juan Pablo.

Amanda left her purse on a nearby chair and greeted Joaquin. Malena stayed behind, glancing at the purse. With all the chaos and confusion of tonight’s celebration, she might be able to take it. Oh, God, was she turning into a thief now? She just couldn’t think of another way to get hold of the armoire key given that Amanda always guarded it like a treasure.

Before Malena could make up her mind, the faint scent of cigarette and mint told her Sebastian was here, standing behind her.

“Buenas noches,” he said.

Malena spun on her heels. He wore black, too, and his eyes shone. She hugged her arms.

“You look fantastic!” Amanda told Sebastian. “Now get going, it will soon be midnight.”

Malena was conscious of Sebastian’s hand on the small of her back as he led her toward the stage. When she crossed in front of the band, Javier’s eyes widened upon seeing her there. She stood in front of Sebastian, just like they’d rehearsed.

“Don’t look down,” he whispered. His eyes were fixed on hers with such intensity she had the urge to look away, but didn’t.

As soon as the music started, he wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her close to him. Then, he held her right hand, softly pressing his palm against hers. She followed his lead effortlessly. The steps weren’t hard anymore. Dancing didn’t make her nervous; being so close to Sebastian did.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a crowd surrounding them, gasping at every turn, applauding. Malena could get used to this attention. This high must be what artists sought in every performance. Approval. Admiration. She felt connected to the audience, free. Nobody had ever been impressed with anything she’d done before—certainly not her father. And the feeling was invigorating.

For a moment, she imagined that it was only her and Sebastian and that beautiful tango, “El día que me quieras,” in the plaza. Energized, she boldly looked into his eyes. If she had to do this, she might as well enjoy the moment. So this was what it felt like to have Sebastian’s attention. She wondered, too, what a kiss from him would be like.

The rest of the song went by in a haze. Too fast, in her opinion. They remained locked in each other’s arms after the melody ended. This might be the last time they would be this close. She couldn’t bring herself to let go of his arms. He gently pushed her away, but held her hand as they bowed to the public. A roar of applause erupted around them.

In the microphone, the master of ceremonies praised them and advertised Amanda’s nightclub. Then, he started the New Year’s Eve countdown.

“¡Cinco, cuatro, tres, dos, uno, cero! ¡Feliz Año!”

“Happy New Year,” Malena told Sebastian.

He gazed at her lips. Was he going to kiss her? It was tradition, after all. But he simply squeezed her hand. He didn’t let go until he spotted Claudia among the crowd, glaring at them.

Malena had never seen Claudia looking this beautiful before, not even at her engagement dinner. She looked older tonight and sophisticated in a light blue sleeveless dress and a high bun. Trinidad, wrapped in a wool poncho up to her nose, stood behind her, like a good chaperone. Sebastian moved a chair out of the way and approached his fiancée. He kissed her cheek. Somehow Claudia managed a smile, but Malena was certain that if Claudia had had a knife nearby, she would have thrown it at her.

Malena searched for Amanda among the heads surrounding her and the small bonfires that had started throughout the plaza. She needed to get away from Claudia and Sebastian.

“I didn’t know you were dancing tonight,” a male voice said behind her. It was Javier.

“And I didn’t know you were singing,” Malena said.

“My sister is never going to forgive you for this.”

“I know.” She watched Sebastian lead Claudia toward the drink stand. She was shaking her head. “How long have you been playing with the band?”

“A few months.” Javier’s gaze landed on the sparkling pin in the center of her V-neckline.

“You’re good.”

Sebastian looked in her direction while handing Claudia a plastic cup.

Javier also handed Malena a drink. She hesitated. She never consumed food or beverages from street vendors (typhoid was the last thing she needed).

“Come on, don’t be so prudish,” Javier said.

Prudish? She liked to think of herself as wary and efficient, thank you very much. Ana and Claudia were prudish, not her!

“Would a prudish person dance in front of a crowd?” Or pretend to be someone else?

Javier smiled, but didn’t remove his eyes from her cup.

She smelled the cinnamon and aguardiente in her canelazo and took a sip. It was warm and she could taste the naranjilla juice in the mix.

“The band is getting ready to go to Guayaquil in a few weeks,” Javier said.

A couple of these drinks and she wouldn’t care anymore about having to face Claudia later. “Are you going with them?”

“I can’t. You know how my old man is.”

“But you’re such a good singer, Javi. This might be your one chance.”

“Nobody can make a living with music or theater in this country, remember?”

She had told him something similar at the storage room the other day. Things seemed so different now, like anything was possible.

“Make it your New Year’s wish,” she said.

Claudia was laughing now, and wrapping her hand around Sebastian’s arm. It was the canelazo for sure. Malena hated to admit it, but Sebastian and Claudia made a nice couple. When Claudia caught Malena watching them, she grabbed Sebastian’s face with both hands and kissed him.

Malena drained her drink, wishing Sebastian would push Claudia away. He didn’t. Instead, he held Claudia by the waist and responded to the kiss.

“There’s Amanda,” Javier said, unaware of the pain growing in Malena’s chest.

What an idiot she had been to think there was something special between Sebastian and her while they danced. It had meant nothing to him. It had been, like Amanda said, just a dance. He was in love with Claudia, and he would marry her very soon.

Malena followed Javier back to where Enzo’s dummy once stood. It was still burning, and Amanda and Joaquin were talking so close to each other that Malena felt uncomfortable interrupting them.

“I’m worried about her,” Amanda was saying.

“We should take her home,” Joaquin said.

“Who?” Javier asked.

“Sebastian’s mother,” Joaquin said. “She’s had too much to drink.”

They pointed in the direction of Ofelia Rivas, a few steps away. Malena barely recognized her. Gone was the classy lady she’d met recently. Ofelia had a glass in her hand, her caramel shawl halfway off her shoulders, her mascara smeared, and she was massacring the bolero “Bésame Mucho” with her screeches.

“We have to tell Sebastian,” Amanda said. “Where is he?”

Sebastian and Claudia were no longer at the stand where Malena had last seen them.

Ofelia staggered toward Amanda. “Have a drink with me, amiga!”

Amanda wrapped her arm around her shoulder. “Come with me, querida. I’ll take you home.”

“No!” Ofelia shook Amanda’s hand off of her. “Leave me alone. I’m enjoying myself for the first time since Ignacio died.”

“Fine, then I’ll go get your son!” Amanda said. She whispered onto Malena’s ear. “Keep an eye on her. I’ll be right back.”

“I’ll go with you,” Joaquin said.

Ofelia gulped more aguardiente. “¡Que viva el año nuevo!”

“¡Que viva!” answered some drunken male voice from the crowd.

A cluster of townspeople mocked her stance. Sebastian and Claudia approached with Trinidad trailing along.

Sebastian snatched his mother’s arm. “Let’s go home, Madre, you don’t look well.”

“No! I’m not leaving!”

Freeing herself from his grasp, Ofelia spun, but her heel got stuck in one of the cement cracks. The woman lost her balance and landed hard on the ground. General laughter followed Ofelia’s fall. Claudia smiled briefly.

Glowering, Sebastian helped his mother up.

“¡Mierda!” Ofelia said. “I broke my shoe!”

Malena reached out for Ofelia’s free arm. “Are you okay, Doña?” She helped Sebastian pull Ofelia up and wrapped her arm around her waist.

“Let’s take her there.” He pointed at a park bench. “Trinidad, please bring a coffee for my mother.”

They headed for the bench. Claudia followed at a distance. Now that people were dispersing, the band had started playing pasillos, which added to the somber mood the evening had taken. Malena sat by Ofelia and slid her hand over the woman’s forehead.

“She’s very pale.”

“I don’t feel too good, Sebas, I’m dizzy.” Immediately following her words, Ofelia bent forward and puked, loudly, messily, in front of God and everybody.

Claudia covered her nose with her fingers while others around them expressed their disgust with groans and grimaces. Sebastian clenched his fists. Malena hoped he didn’t lose his temper again, like he did the evening of the Madreselva opening.

“Sebastian?” she called.

His features softened when he turned to her.

“She’s trembling.” Malena rubbed Ofelia’s back, doing her best to comfort the poor woman. “It’s going to be okay.” She pulled Ofelia’s hair behind her ears and removed her shawl so it wouldn’t get soiled.

Sebastian removed his jacket and placed it over his mother’s shoulders.

Amanda and Joaquin returned with Javier. An overexcited Claudia explained to them what had happened with Ofelia. Sebastian’s jaw tightened.

“I’m going to take her home,” he told Malena.

“I’ll help you,” Javier offered.

The two men helped Ofelia stand and walk away. Still with the shawl in her hand, Malena caught Claudia staring at her. This was going to be a long night.

Malena had avoided Claudia for almost twenty-four hours. Last night, while Claudia changed in the bathroom, Malena had pretended to fall asleep. In the morning, she’d waited until Claudia left for church to open her eyes. And she had practically begged Amanda to take her along on errands all day. But now, as she followed Amanda back into the Platas home, there was no more hiding.

In the living room, Claudia, Ana, and Mamá Blanca worked on the trousseau to the sounds of their favorite radionovela.

“Good evening,” Amanda said.

“Buenas noches,” Mamá Blanca responded.

Ana raised her head from her crochet and greeted her sister, but her response was barely audible. She eyed Malena before returning her attention to her needle. Claudia, on the other hand, kept her head low as she cross-stitched a leaf pattern on a towel, as though she hadn’t heard them.

“Perfect timing,” Mamá Blanca said. “I was just getting ready to go to bed. Would you help me upstairs, Amandita?”

In a panic, Malena turned to Amanda. Don’t leave. But Amanda was immune to her unspoken pleas. She crossed the living room and helped her mother stand up. Both of them headed for the staircase. Malena attempted to follow, but Ana stopped her.

“Liliana, would you stay for a moment? I need to speak to you.” Ana rested her hand on Claudia’s lap. “Hija, would you be so kind as to bring me a cup of anís tea?”

Claudia produced a thin smile and stood up. It didn’t surprise Malena that Ana had requested anís tea. She worried so much she probably suffered from all kinds of digestive problems.

With Claudia gone, Ana turned off the radio. “I understand you danced with Sebastian last night at the plaza.” Her voice was stern. “So far, I’ve been very patient with you, Liliana. I’ve overlooked certain behaviors that I know your mother would not approve of, such as going to Amanda’s … place.” She picked up her crochet work and sat down. “But this is intolerable. As you know, Sebastian is Claudia’s fiancé. That may not mean much to you being that, well, you know exactly what I mean. But in this family, we respect that.”

Sometimes Ana sounded just like La Abuela Eva.

A folded newspaper, El Heraldo, sat on the coffee table; a familiar name printed on the editorial page called Malena’s attention: Cesar Villamizar.

“I consented to have you stay with us in consideration of my long friendship with your mother, but if this sort of behavior continues, I may be forced to contact her.”

Malena raised her head.

“No, please don’t contact Ma … my mother. I promise I won’t go back to the nightclub.”

“Stop badgering her.” Amanda reentered the living room.

Blessed Amanda!

“If there’s someone to blame here, it’s me,” Amanda said. “I’m the one who asked her to dance with Sebastian. Lili was helping me promote the Madreselva.”

“Well, that’s too bad,” Ana said. “You know María Teresa entrusted me with the care of her daughter. In her absence, I’m Liliana’s guardian, whether you like it or not.”

“Lili is already an adult. She can do whatever she pleases.”

“Not while she’s under this roof!”

Malena wished she could disappear so she wouldn’t have to see the sisters fighting because of her.

Ana tossed her tablecloth aside. “I knew it was a bad idea for you to take over that restaurant. I always knew something like this would happen!”

“What did you expect me to do? Let that damn Enzo destroy whatever was left of Nicolas’s business?”

“Stop blaming Enzo! That poor man had to run the business for twenty years, sell your house, and manage Nicolas’s fortune. He did everything while you sat here moping over your bad luck!”

Amanda’s eyes narrowed. “I can’t believe you’re siding with that bastard.”

“I’m not siding with him. I just think you should take some responsibility for the business’s failure.”

“That’s exactly what I’m trying to do, in case you haven’t noticed.”

“You could have done it without disgracing this family, or without causing a problem between Claudia and Sebastian!”

“It was just a dance, Ana! It’s not like I’m throwing Liliana into Sebastian’s bed!”

“You practically are!”

Malena picked up the newspaper and fanned her cheeks with it. This was what she got for pretending to be the mistress of a married man. Now Ana thought her capable of anything. However, posing as Liliana didn’t mean Malena had to sit through insults or a morality lecture every day; especially not one coming from someone who might not be entirely honest herself. Ana had crossed the line.

Both sisters turned to her, but neither one said a word.

With the newspaper still in her hands, Malena left the living room. She needed to put as much distance between herself and Ana as possible.