After my morning run, I drink a fruit smoothie made by mom. Just then, a calendar notification pops up on my phone, and I remember I have to go down to town. — I'm coming with you — I tell mom, and I get in the car. While she finishes her errands, I stop by a jewelry store.
I walk down the hill to Mirian's house; even before I see it, I hear the sound of music. I text her, and she comes out a few seconds later. She's wearing a pair of knee-high brown boots with a matching cowboy hat and a white dress with red flowers and puffy sleeves that show off the beautiful freckled skin on her shoulders and legs. She throws herself at me, and I turn her around as we kiss. — It's almost nighttime; I thought you weren't coming.
— I brought you this, open it — I say. She unwraps it to reveal a red case containing a silver necklace with a white diamond and matching earrings.
— It's beautiful — she says. She gathers her hair up and turns around so I can put it on. At the foot of the door, I see a man who I assume is her father, based on the photos I've seen at their house.
— Come on, you'll be just in time for the barbecue — Miriam says.
— No, I'd rather let you enjoy it with your friends.
— But everyone here knows you.
— See you later — I say, giving her a kiss on the cheek before continuing on my way.
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Apparently, running in the mornings and exercising has helped improve my appetite, but there's not much I can do about the lack of taste. Maybe having sex more often would help with the nightmares, because I didn't have a single one for a whole week after that time I was with Mirian. Or maybe I'm just thinking that because I miss her. I haven't seen her in person for three weeks because she went to the city to help her father with some business, and unfortunately, Mom has no intention of going back. I couldn't go alone; I don't dare drive or get on a bus. Just hearing the horn of those things makes me feel like I'm having a panic attack.
— You should see a psychiatrist — my aunt suggests while we're in the kitchen.
— I had sessions with one during my stay in the hospital.
— You don't eat, you don't sleep, and you're in your room all day — she argues.
— I'm trying to eat, I swear.
— This is the fourth time this week you wake up screaming and sweating in the middle of the night. You're not well, this is concerning, Marco.
— I'm fine. I don't have an eating disorder, it's just that… — I don't want to keep living like this.
— Just what? — she asks, and I shake my head. I think she's waiting for me to say something, but I don't make the effort — Are you going to get a job?
— Is this about money?
— I just want you to start over and get out of your room more. I need you to talk to me again so I know how you're feeling.
The conversation doesn't progress at that point. I have a short video call with Miriam, in which she tells me she's coming back tomorrow.
I accompany my aunt on her shopping trips, and several times the people helping her ask about me, and I actually remember them, something that surprises me even now. A few weeks ago, I felt like a stranger in the town square, but now, every time I see a familiar face, I remember myself as a child playing with other kids my age and greeting the older people around me. Many of the young people in town have left, and I was one of them.
— Shall we go to lunch? — my aunt asks.
— No, I'm not very hungry. I'm going to ask if they're hiring at the butcher shop.
— Okay, I'll call you when I get back — she says and walks away.
I approach and ask about the requirements for working there. Since I don't have experience handling food or operating machinery, I would have to accept the cleaning job, so I lie. A man enters the office and says he recognizes me.
— Why, you're Yolanda's nephew! How have you been, young man?
— Fine, thanks for asking, mister Miles — I say without even thinking.
— Oh, drop the formalities. Just call me Emanuel — he replies — What are you doing here? Is your aunt with you?
— Yes, I'll go with her to buy a few things — I reply. I see him looking out the window, searching for her — She went to lunch. I just wanted to stop by and ask if you have any openings.
— Yes, of course — he says, turning back to me — Do you know how to cut meat? We need someone to portion the meat to sell at the store we opened in town.
— I don't have much experience, but I can learn.
— I'll teach you. Tell your aunt that as an employee, she gets up to a kilo of free meat every month.
— Thank you so much! — I say. I wasn't expecting that response — What do I need to do?
— You can start tomorrow. Bring a photocopy of your ID — Emanuel replies. We shake hands, and I leave.
It's not hard to find my aunt after a few minutes; her distinctive scent stands out among the fresh vegetable aromas of the plaza. — Shall we go now? — I ask once she pays for her meal.
— How did it go?
— I went to the butcher shop. They gave me the job, but I think it was thanks to you
— I say with a smile, remembering that man.
— To me? — she asks as we get into the car.
— Emanuel, apparently he was very excited for me to let you know you have a free kilogram of meat because I work there now — I reply, watching her reaction closely. She just laughs and shakes her head. — I can't believe he's still after me after all this time — When I get home, I receive several notifications because my phone connects to the home wifi. They're messages from Miriam, one from two hours ago: "I have a surprise for you."
— Where are you going? —
— Mirian arrived, I have to go see her — Mom's expression changes immediately. — What is it you have against her? Why don't you like her?
— It's not that I don't like her, it's just that you had a lot of problems with her father. I even thought maybe she was using you to make him angry.
— Anyway, I might not come back to sleep — I say, and I ride my bike to Mirian's house to get there a little faster, taking advantage of the downhill. All the lights are off in her house, so I leave my bike next to the garage and go upstairs. I can see everything perfectly in her room, and I head towards her. She's lying on the bed in a long lace nightgown. I caress the side of her leg up to her waist and kiss her forehead. At that moment, she opens her eyes. — Sorry, I woke you — I whisper.
— Take off your clothes — she says, slipping her hand under my shirt.
— I think you're too tired for that —I say as she yawns, and I can't help but smile. I give her a kiss on the lips, which is interrupted by the doorbell. — Who could it be at this time?
— I don't know. My dad probably lost his keys again — Miriam says, getting out of bed after turning on the lamp next to her bed. She goes to her closet to put on joggers and a sweatshirt. — Don't make any noise and wait here. My dad doesn't like men staying over.
— Understood — I say. After several minutes I decide to get comfortable. I open her closet to find something to wear. I quickly spot a section with men's clothing that I've seen before in those memories of the time I spent with Mirian. I suppose it was common for me to stay overnight with her, secretly from her father, and that's why I had problems with him. When I try to close the folding door, something is preventing it from closing completely. Therefore, I turn on the light inside the closet and check the folds on each side of the doors until I find what's blocking one of the hinges.
It's part of a garment, apparently a dress. I look up and see that it's a rather long dress sticking out from the top of the closet, with wide sleeves down to the wrists, where it closes with buttons, and lace embellishments with rhinestones on the bodice.
At that moment, I hear the front door slam shut, but I don't hear Mirian's footsteps approaching. So I decide to go downstairs quickly, but carefully so as not to make too much noise. — Please, leave my house! — I hear Mirian's voice, which puts me on alert.
The light in the entryway is on, illuminating part of the kitchen where I can make out the silhouette of a man in front of her. — Who is he? What's going on here? — I ask, approaching. Mirian seems cornered against the refrigerator, on the verge of tears. — Stay away from her!