Chapter 1: Sandra Cruz is Surprised
Sandra Cruz lived just where the Sines main road turned at the winding cliffs and continued on until it reached Grandola. Anyone and anything had to pass her house where she usually lay on her sun roof sunbathing. She liked to be the center of attention, and wanted to know what went on where, why, and with who. Nothing escaped her eyes. Though she was only 34, she gossiped like the old women in town. Her husband Alejandro Cruz, is always on business trips, thus leaving her at home to entertain herself. They had no children of their own, and she didn't really like them. She didn't like their screeching and crying. "If I have a baby, my figure will be disfigured." She once said. Indeed, she was very fit and tan. Her eyes were hazel. Her long brown hair, was covered lots of blonde highlights, almost dominating her natural hair color. Her lips were plump and full with a birth mark on the top right side of her lip and one on the bottom left side.
It was early June, when her husband, Lucas Cruz, returned from his business trip and they decided to go and take a swim together. She was closing the front door of their completely glass beach house, in a purple Shay Todd handkerchief cut out swim suit and Dante purple strap heels, when she saw Benjamin Gomez zoom by in his shiny dark gray Jaguar XJ220. It was obvious that it was Benjamin, that was the only Jaguar in Sines.
He and his wife, Clarissa Gomez, should be tanning on the beach, like all the families in Sines. Could something be wrong? Sandra thought to herself still standing by the open gate. Clarissa Gomez, was her best friend. But if something did happen to her, they would call the ambulance. she continued thinking. So where was he going so fast? It wasn't unusual for Ben to drive like a maniac. Most of the people here did, but whether it was Ben or Clarissa, if they passed by, they honked. He didn't this time, and she was standing right there. Now her afternoon was ruined. She wouldn't be able to enjoy the day with her husband.
She ran into the house and into the bed room. She stepped onto the balcony pulling on a purple Charm Ruffle front tube romper.
"Lucas, I'm going to drive over to Silverbell Candle for a moment, then I'll be back" she called out to her husband, who was laying on the sand.
"Why? What's wrong?" he asked raising his head lazily.
"Ben, just zoomed by and didn't honk." Lucas knew better than to try and stop her if she made up her mind already, so he just shook his head. The two couples have been friends since college, and they moved down here together. Sandra grabbed her keys and hopped into her red Saleen S7 and zoomed off to the Gomez beach house.
Silverbell Candle was just around two bends in the main road. Benjamin Gomez, designed Silverbell Candle and Glass Springs. Both were mostly glass. Ben was a successful architect. For some time. For a couple years after they all graduated from college, Ben worked on opening his architecture business, Lucas was starting his publishing business where he also wrote and traveled, Clarissa worked as a wedding planner and Sandra as a fashion designer. They were all successful. Clarissa and Benjamin married first and then Sandra and Lucas a year after them. Unlike Sandra, Clarissa really loves children and always wished she could have a child. It's already been 9 years into their marriage and they still haven't had a child. Though Sandra didn't care much for children, she hated seeing her best friend sad over the subject. She even felt sorry for her.
As Sandra drew closer to the beach house, the gates opened to welcome her inside. Apparently, someone knew she would be coming. Sandra parked her car and stepped into the front door without knocking.
"Clara!" Sandra called. Clara was a short form that Sandra used to call Clarissa once in a while.
"I'm on the porch Sandra." the voice said calmly indicating that she knew who came to see her.
Sandra walked a short distance to the porch. Clarissa Gomez, was just a year older that Sandra. Her features were smaller that hers, but still distinct. Her brown hair was down in waves. She wore a black ruched flower trim tunic, black VERSUS heels, and a black crystal embellished necklace. She was placing a vase of white calla lilies on a table set for three.
"Hi Sandra," Clarissa said briskly. "Shouldn't you be spending time with Lucas instead of visiting me? He's rarely home. How is he?"
Sandra knew that Clarissa knew why she was here. She also knew she was avoiding the subject. The option that something had happened to Clarissa was now crossed off,as it was evident, she was perfectly fine.
"He's well," Sandra said. "I was kind of afraid YOU weren't though, when I saw Ben's car flash by our house and he didn't honk. I thought maybe he was going to the doctor's. But you would have called an ambulance for that."
Clarissa's lips twitched into a smile. She kind of enjoyed watching Sandra stress over this matter until she snaps.
"No I'm very good thanks for worrying. Though I did have a minor headache this morning." she said. "Ben went to Grandola. We asked some friends to help us adopt a boy from Madrid. Ben went to pick him up at the airport."
If Clarissa said Ben went to pick up a monkey from Africa, she wouldn't be so Shocked. She knew Clarissa was desperate for a child, but adoption?
"You can't be serious Clair" she finally aid when voice returned to her using her nickname.
"Yes I am," she answered sitting down calmly on the couch next to Sandra.
Sandra felt a jolt of electricity into her brain. A Boy!? She wanted to shout. A girl would be one thing, bearable even, but a boy? She wouldn't be surprised at nothing now, if strange things start happening here.
"Are you out of your mind?" she demanded disapprovingly. How could her best friend do such a life changing deed without asking for her advice? This was unacceptable.
"Well, we've been thinking about this for a while now. You know how much I want children Sandra. I've gone to the doctor, and he said I can't have children. So Ben suggested adoption. I had thought about it before, but when he suggested it without me even mentioning, I was elated." Clarissa explained.
Sandra sighed shaking her head.
"Do you remember Sarah Brightenburg from college?" Clarissa asked. Sandra thought a moment then nodded. Sarah was an American girl who married the college football captain.
"She told me she was adopting from Madrid, because she also can't get have children. I asked her if she could pick out a boy for us. She agreed and we went her the money. She is flying down with her girl and our boy from Madrid today."
Sandra prided herself on always speaking her mind; she proceeded to speak it now, having adjusted her mental attitude to this amazing piece of news.
"Well, Clarissa, I don't what to say. You really dug a deep whole now. I heard on the news this morning, that a family in Lisbon, adopted a girl, and she shot them all."
Sandra's effort in trying to put some sense into Clarissa's head wasn't working. It was actually annoying in a way.
"I don't deny that I was worried at first. But firstly, we are not getting a girl. And secondly, we don't even own any guns."
"Well, I hope it will turn out all right," Sandra said. "But don't say I didn't warn you, if you suddenly have trouble with the neighbors because he suddenly decided to drown their dog."
Clarissa sighed, trying very hard not snap at Sandra. She wasn't the one adopting, so what was her problem.
Sandra wanted to stay and see the orphan that Ben would bring, but her desire to be with her husband was stronger. She hugged Clarissa goodbye wishing her good luck, and sped off, much to Clarissa's relief.
"I can't believe that they are actually doing this. To adopt a boy from Spain. Who knows his family background." Sandra said, cuddling to her husband's chest in their bedroom. "What if he is from a family of druggies."
"S, relax. It's their choice." Lucas interjected. "I'm sure they didn't wake up one morning and decided to adopt. They thought it through. And I'm sure Sarah didn't choose anyone with such a history."
Though she was still unconvinced, her husband's seducing voice and roaming hands, distracted her thoughts. She decided to let it go for now as her lips found his and they sailed into a different world.
