Hooker spilled the necklace of tiny sea shells into the box on top of the skirt with the embroidered roses. He thought about the day he bought it for Alita and how absurdly pleased she had been with the small gift. Then he put the thought away. He knew the memories of Alita would come back frequently for a time. Then only once in a while, and finally, hardly ever. But they would never be completely gone.
In the same way, Alita would never be completely gone from this little apartment. He started to take down the bead curtain that closed off the bed, then changed his mind. He kind of liked the sound of it.
The package of Alita’s things was a small one. Hooker closed the cardboard flap over the top of the box and started to tie it with string. There was a knock at his door.
Connie Braithwaite stood out in the hall. She was wearing a pale blue suit and a little matching hat. Her hair had grown out some since their time in Quintana Roo, and she’d had it waved.
“Hi,” she said. “Glad to be out of the hospital?”
“Yeah. They kept me there a lot longer than they had to.”
“Not according to Dr. Morales. He said your ear was badly infected, and it’s lucky you didn’t lose the whole thing. Let me see.”
Hooker turned his head.
Connie touched his cheek with cool fingers. “It looks a little ragged, but not as bad as it might have been. I’m glad your hair is coming back.”
“It always did grow fast.”
“Can I come in?”
“Oh, sure. I was just packing some things.”
Connie did not look at the box. She sat in one of the wooden chairs.
“Have you thought any more about coming back to the States with me?”
“I have, but the answer is the same. Thanks, but I don’t think so.”
“Is it because of the old trouble you were in there?”
“Partly.”
“The Braithwaite name swings a lot of weight,” she said. “I’ll bet whatever the trouble was, I could get you out of it.”
“Maybe,” he said.
“No strings.”
“Thanks, Connie. I appreciate the offer, but I don’t belong there anymore.”
“It’s your home.”
He shook his head. “Veracruz is my home. As much as any place can be.”
Connie stood up. “I guess I knew you were going to say that. We talked about it enough while you were in the hospital. I just thought I’d give you one more chance.”
“More than I deserve.”
“No, it isn’t.” She reached around his head on the side of the undamaged ear and pulled his face down for a kiss. “So long, Hooker. I’ll be leaving tomorrow morning.”
“Why don’t you come with me tonight?” he said. “I’m having dinner over at the Kaplans’. We’re celebrating his new foot.”
“No, thanks, Hooker. I’ve said my good-bys to Buzz. And like you, I know where I don’t belong.”
She squeezed his hand once, then left without looking back.
Hooker closed the door gently after her. He returned to the box of Alita’s things and tried to get the string tied around it. He couldn’t get the knot right without somebody to put a finger on it.
The hell with it, he decided. He could do that the next day. He would go down to El Poche and drink some tequila. Paco would need somebody to talk to. The Browns were in last place, and the Yankees were going to the World Series.