Religion keeps countries blind. All forms of worship should be outlawed.
—Comment from the Global Reporter message board
“Is something the matter?” Dalmy asked with a cold voice.
“Maybe I’m more tired than I thought,” Mia said.
“It will be a short trip,” Dalmy said. “I promise. Back here and in bed in under an hour. Unless you’re not up for it, but in that case we may have to start the deportation process.”
“I don’t want to appear unappreciative, or unladylike,” Mia said. Think. Think. Think, she told herself.
“Please,” Dalmy said. “Be yourself.”
“I wouldn’t know what to say to a man,” Mia said. “I’ve never been alone with one before.”
“But your husband . . . ,” Dalmy said. “Right? It will be just like that.”
“Even we were never alone together,” Mia said. “He celebrated with his friends too much on our wedding night and when we arrived here he locked me in the bathroom, angry at me because he chopped off my hair the night before.”
“That’s horrible,” Joseph said. He sat back down and Dalmy did the same.
“So you’ve never known the private company a male companion can offer in any sense?” Dalmy asked.
Mia shook her head. She saw her hosts look at each other with large grins.
“An innocent girl,” Dalmy said. “I think people might pay a large sum for her time.”
“I agree,” Joseph said.
Mia felt her skin crawl. Even if she hadn’t known these people’s true intentions she would have figured it out by now.
“We’ll have to change the hair though,” Joseph said. “Maybe some new clothes too. Ones that fit better.”
“I’m free tomorrow,” Dalmy said. “I can have the girls come by and help.”
“I have the perfect idea,” Joseph said. “A party. Here, tomorrow night, in Jeanette’s honor, welcoming her to our small town. We can introduce her to the locals.”
“Don’t go to all that trouble for me,” Mia said.
“Nonsense,” Dalmy said. “It’s for us too. We can show off our new girl, and who knows? Maybe someone will want to spend time with you here.”
Mia nodded her head.
“It sounds nice,” she said, her stomach turning at the idea.
“It’s settled then,” Dalmy said. “Tonight, rest up; we have a busy day tomorrow.”
Dalmy called for Ricky and he came into the dining room. They spoke to each other in Spanish. Mia wished she knew what they were saying but decided it couldn’t be any worse than the previous conversation.
“Ricky’s going to walk you up to your room,” Dalmy said. “He’s going to keep an extra-close eye on you. It can be difficult sleeping in a strange place; we don’t want you running off and hurting yourself. He’ll be outside your door all night if you need anything.”
Mia stood up and Ricky grabbed her arm.
“Is this necessary?” Mia asked.
“We have some strange customs here,” Dalmy said. “Meeting you has been a gift and we’d hate for anything to happen to you.”
Mia couldn’t read Dalmy. She didn’t know whether the woman was dropping the façade or was protecting her new investment. Probably both. Either way Mia’s best bet was to continue playing the naïve girl. She gave a sheepish grin and Ricky led her out of the house.
Mia debated attacking him and pulling his gun, but she could tell his defenses were up and she wouldn’t be successful. Mia wasn’t good at initiating conflicts, only defending herself during them. In the morning, Mia would make her move. Dalmy would be nearby and if Mia got ahold of her Ricky would likely toss his gun. That was her best chance for now.
The back stairs were unlocked this time. Ricky led Mia up and to the end of the hall. He pushed open another unlocked door and let go of Mia’s arm. He didn’t wait for her to respond before pulling the door shut and locking it from the outside. Mia searched the room, happy when she found a small garbage can. Sickened by the night’s experiences, Mia unloaded the contents of her stomach into the receptacle. A chill ran up her spine when she was done. Her confidence was faltering.