Chapter 10

Twenty years later.

Santana arrived at the showroom with a taxi. She looked at her watch: she was fifteen minutes late.
«You always have to be late. - One of her friends said to her awhile ago - In this way everybody will be already there and first they'll notice your absence and then they'll cheer your presence.»
She looked at the long line outside the building. The young painter she helped gain fame with her articles had evidently an enthusiastic following.
«I thought you wouldn't come anymore.» a young guy said to her while opening the door for her.
Santana smiled.
«You're divinely beautiful today.» he whispered in her ear.
«Oh, please, avoid this kind of things. I don't need your compliments. I'm not here to intertaining you. Also, I think there are other people here today that would appreciate more your attentions.»
«Beautiful and nervous.» he said laughing and walking away.
Santana spent a lot of time greeting everyone and answering questions about the artist that almost everyone considered one of her creature.
«Santana, come here. They want you for a photo.»
While she was posing with the painter, Santana saw in the distance a tall, elegant man looking at them.
«He's a friend. - the painter said noticing her gaze. - He's here to buy some paintings. Come with me, I'll introduce you.»
They moved through the crowd and arrived in front of him who was waiting with a smile.
«Santana, this is Will. - The painter said introducing his friend - It's a great honour to have you here, my friend.»
«Nice to meet you.» Santana said shaking his hand.
«Will, I'm sorry I'm late. - A girl said arriving with vehemence - I got lost.»
Santana gasped. She watched her with attention, her heart was beating loudly and her hands were shaking.
«I'm sorry, I didn't want to interrupt...» the girl said smiling embarassed.
Santana kept looking at her.
«She is my wife, Emily.» Will said smiling.
«Are you ok?» the painter said watching Santana.
She put an hand on his arm and Emily watched her wondering what was happening.
«I need to sit down. I need to drink something.» Santana said confused.
«Do you want water?»
«No, I need something stronger.»
They gave her some cognac and she drank it in a gulp. Will and Emily were looking at her preoccupied.
«I'm good now.»
«You made us worry.» Emily said.
«But... who are you?» Santana said looking Emily deeply in the eyes.
«Why?» she replied smiling slightly.
Even the smile was the same.
Santana closed her eyes as if to recall a thought or a forgotten dream. The presence of Emily was like a ghost. The pain was tightening her heart and she felt a hot wave warming her soul.
«Who are you?»
«My name is Emily.» she said looking confused at her husband.
«I'm sorry... I thought you were... I'm a stupid... You are so similar to an old friend...»
Emily smiled.
«And what's your name?»
«I'm Santana.»
«Like my sister!» she said amused by the situation.
«You have a sister named Santana?»
«Yes. She's one year younger. We are very similar but she's not here with me now, she remained at home with my mum.»
Santana's hands were trembling. She felt something growing inside of her, trying to erupt outside her body.
«And... and what's your mother's name?»
«Brittany. Her name is Brittany Pierce. Why? Do you know her?»
Santana moved her head saying some incomprehensible words with an hysterical smile. She looked up with watery eyes and approached the girl. After a moment she raised her hand and caressed Emily's cheek with a tenderness that left everyone speechless.
«You're beautiful.» Santana said as if she was touching a vision or a dream.
Emily turned red and looked Will. The painter didn't know what to do and ask Santana if she wanted to sit down again.
«I'll tell my mother about this encounter» Emily said shaken. Nobody, not even her mother or her husband had ever caressed her like that.
«How is your mother?»
«She's fine.»
«And Noah?»
«How do you know my father?»
While they were speaking, Emily touched her cheek as if to keep the feeling of that woman's hand.
Santana pressed firmly her lips between the teeth feeling pain and felt tears in her eyes.
«I want to go away. - she said trembling - I have to go away.»
«But how do you know my mother and my father?» Emily said trying to reach her arm.
«I'm sorry... I don't feel well. I have to go.»
«But...»
Santana pressed her bag on her chest and ran away without the courage to look again that girl in the eyes. When Emily ran out of the building trying to find her, she saw Santana already inside a taxi with her forehead against the window, crying and smiling at the same time.

«Turn around!» Brittany said to her.
«Why?»
«I don't want you to look at me.»
«Ok! But hurry up!» Santana replied laughing.
It was the first time they bathed together at the river.
Santana was looking from the corner of her eye while Brittany removed her dress. She felt shaking deep inside and, not able to keep the emotion, she turned around suddenly splashing her friend who was trying to cover herself with her hands.
«Ah! Stop it!» Brittany screamed before diving into the water.
«It's so cold!» she said approaching Santana.
They kept splashing around and laughing. Santana embraced Brittany mimicking a fight.
«Stop!» Brittany screamed trying to free herself and trying to pour out the embarrassment of being naked in the arms of Santana. They laughed and then they remained silent, in the water, away from each other.
«It's beautiful here, isn't it?»
«Yes.»
«I'm happy to have known you and I'm happy that you're here with me.»
Brittany was looking down, not knowing what to say.
«Are you cold?»
Brittany nodded.
Once out of the water, Santana was wringing out her hair trying to dry them when she noticed that Brittany was still shivering.
«Are you still cold?»
Brittany moved her head slightly. Santana touched her blond hair and then snuggled up against her, embracing her like it was the most natural thing to do.
«I'm gonna give you my warmth.» she whispered in her ear.