He knew she was his. He knew, from just one glance at that smile…
"Rosa" he said her name again, in a soft whisper.
He glanced down at the photo again. She had dark, olive skin and jet-black hair. She was obviously his child. But it was that smile that let him know…a beautiful, broad smile that held nothing back.
He thought, she is the sort of child that reads like an open book. When she is happy, she will smile (his smile), that lets anyone and everyone know that her heart is singing…. and when she is angry, Javier thought, that she would furrow her brow, purse her lips and fold her arms…maybe even stamp her feet.
A small smile spread across Javier's lips as he continued to stare at the photo and imagine his daughter.
And when she is sad, he thought, she hangs her head and hunches her shoulders.
Javier looked up, at the ocean before him, at the endless blue.
I have a daughter, he thought to himself.
The fact still hadn't quite sunk in, and he suspected, that it wouldn't for quite some time…
I have a daughter, he said to himself once more.
With that one simple sentence, a million questions flooded his mind.
Perhaps he should have stayed with Katey, sat down and spoken to her… that would have been the wise, mature thing to do.
But Javier needed to get out of that room…. he needed to be by himself for a little while…. he needed time to contemplate.
"Rosa" he said her name again.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Katey was surprised to see La Rosa Negra abuzz with bodies, moving around the dance club, balancing boxes and ducking in and out of the bar's back door.
"Hola" one worker smiled and nodded as he rushed another box behind the bar.
Katey smiled weakly and nodded in greeting.
The same worker reappeared a moment later, his hands free, and his brow gleaming with sweat.
"You the boss's friend, miss?" he asked.
Katey again gave a weak smile and nod, then, thinking she should be a bit more polite, cleared her throat and said "Yes…Yes, I'm Katey, nice to meet you" and put out her hand.
He wiped his hand on his pants first, before taking Katey's; "Iago" he said with a wide smile.
"You work for Javier?" Katey asked.
"Si, Mr. Suarez" Iago replied, wiping his brow with the back of his hand. He looked to Katey's face, "American?" he asked, confirming his suspicion.
Katey nodded.
"Ah, you would have met my brother then…"
Katey raised an eyebrow, "Your brother?"
Iago nodded, "Paco, you met him, si?"
Katey gave a small, knowing smile; "Yes…Paco, he helped me at the airport"
Iago smiled too, "Yes, he is the only person in Havana who flies to and from America…"
Katey's mind began to stir with questions she had forgotten to ask Javier. How did he know she would be on that plane? Why had Paco helped her? How could a Cuban get so easily in and out of America in this day and age?
It seemed Katey's thoughts were painted on her face; as Iago looked at her mind whirring away with questions.
"Cigars" he said simply.
Katey blinked, "pardon?"
"Cuban Cigars…very popular in America…"
"I don't understand…" Katey started.
Iago gave a small chuckle, "you Americans are not too keen on us Cubans, but our cigars…oh, you love our Cigars!" he gave her a wink, "some very big business men pay a lot of money to have your airport security turn their heads when packages of our Cigars come in…that's why Paco goes so freely to and from America…Cigars…and money"
Katey let out a small laugh aswell, "well, I suppose that explains a few things…" she started, "but how exactly did Javier know I would be on that flight? How did he know to let Paco look out for me?"
"Paco only flies to America every two weeks…Javier just gave him a description of you…" Iago winked again, "beautiful tall blonde American woman", Katey blushed, "…and he just asked Paco to keep an eye out, he knew Paco's was the only plane you would be getting on"
Everything suddenly became clear, except for one more detail. "Paco said he owed Javier a favor…."
Iago nodded knowingly once more, "Si…" he looked to the bar then back to Katey, "Javier gave me a job when things were not so good…he got me back on my legs…"
Katey looked perplexed for a moment, and then nodded, "back on your feet?" she offered, and Iago nodded.
"Si…back on my feet…" Iago nodded, "Paco asked him to help me and he did…then Paco helped you, and now they are even"
Katey nodded again, and was about to say something, when another worker called out for Iago. Iago snapped back in quick Spanish that went straight over Katey's head.
"I had better get back to work…" Iago motioned to the heavy boxes that were piled on the doorstep, "don't want the boss to catch me slacking off…"
Katey smiled, "I don't suppose you know where Javier is right now, do you?"
Iago shrugged, "he left an hour ago…just walked straight past us as we turned up for the day's work…"
"So, you have no idea where he could be?" Katey prodded
Iago sensed something was wrong; he noticed Katey's swollen, red eyes and her rigid manner…she was definitely concerned about something, but he wasn't the type to pry….especially not into his boss's business.
"I suppose he might have gone to the beach." He offered.
"The beach?" Katey repeated, a glimmer of hope igniting in her eyes.
Iago nodded, and waved away one of his co-workers as they called out to him again, Katey recognized a few shouted swear words that brought a slight blush to her cheeks.
"He goes there sometimes…" Iago shrugged again, "but if he isn't there, I wouldn't worry too much… he'll be back eventually, there's lots of work to be done"
But Katey didn't appear to heart his last words; she had already nodded in thanks and started out the door.
"Iago!" someone called from behind the bar.
"Si, Si!" he replied with a hot sigh as he went back to his chores.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A lone figure stood on the beach, only daring to stand where only his feet would slowly be lapped by the rhythmic waves.
Katey did not go and approach him, but instead stood and watched him from afar, standing on the pavement.
She was reluctant to go to him. After the news of Rosa was so indelicately broken to Javier, Katey didn't know how he was feeling. She wished he had stayed, instead of suddenly leaving the way he did.
She felt bad for harboring a tinge of anger towards him… who was she to criticize the way he handled such a huge blow?
Still…she couldn't help it. Why hadn't he stayed and talked to her, like a mature adult?
The lone figure turned away from the waves, and Katey froze. He spotted her, and for a moment looked hesitant to move his feet from the spot where he stood.
Katey breathed a low sigh of relief when Javier slowly began to walk towards her.
Rosa. The name echoed in his head again. Rosa.
What would he ask Katey about his daughter? There was plenty he had to know...but where to start?
He was only a few feet away from her now, and Katey still couldn't make out his feelings….little was revealed from his face.
Rosa, her name whispered one last time as he came to stand before Katey, looking up into her soft face. Her eyes were pricked red, and swollen…Javier's heart sunk, and he silently cursed himself again for being so foolish and running away.
Words stuck in her throat and she felt tears once again well in her already pained eyes. But Javier saved her from having to speak.
"Does she…" he started, a slight quiver in his tone, "…Does she know about me?"
Katey didn't know whether to laugh or cry or awkwardly attempt to do both…