AN: Finally, chapter two. I will warn that this chapter contains a mention of parental death and the death of a child. There is also alcohol and a period mention. As well as kidnapping and thoughts of distress. If you feel you cannot handle this, please take care of yourself and do not read this chapter or story. Thank you!
Song featured/Title Inspiration - Azúcar Negra by Celia Cruz
Chapter 2
Azúcar Negra
THE SKY HAD GROWN darker and darker and yet, Remédios could not outrun the thought of him catching up with her. The more he called for her, the more she tried to widen the gap between them. She only stopped to catch her breath and even then, she looked back in all directions, just to make sure he couldn't find her. "That was close… that was too close… that was…" Remédios' entire form trembled, she didn't even take the time to notice that she had hurt herself – the soles of her feet were covered in a mix of sweat and blood. Her legs were already sore, but she pushed on, her gait much slower than before, but still fast.
She winced the entire way back into town. Just as she found herself at the square, she saw Magüi talking to a woman she had only seen in passing. She was a tall black woman, with bronze skin and a flowy, yellow dress. She covered her hair in a tall, white tignon and even her laughter sounded musical. Remédios stood in silence as the two elder women conversed, she almost had half a mind of walking past them to the restaurant from before, but Magüi noticed her first, "…and this, Úrsula" she grabbed her hand, "…Is my goddaughter, Miera Remédios Cosmé. Such a pretty name, but I like to call her Remédios or Remé, for short." Úrsula grinned at the two, but particularly at Remédios, "She's gorgeous, Magüi! Oh, I hope you can attend the party tonight. My son just got married today, it was beautiful."
She winked, "But you know how we costeños are; we do our own thing!" Remédios laughed rather pitifully, her cheeks still flushed from what had happened earlier, "I don't know, Magüi and I, we're very tired from the travel and the hurricane." Úrsula shook her head at this, "Oh that was just my daughter-in-law, she's just like that." Remédios looked down again, her expression growing redder and redder as a bashful smile graced her face, "Well, I still don't know if I should – Magüi might can go… I don't have many good dresses or skirts, and" She gestured down to her feet, now pulsating with a warm soreness that felt good after a rest, "I lost my shoes." Magüi playfully scolded her, "Tchh, Remé! You're twenty-eight years old and you still lose your shoes and get your dresses dirty like you're twelve!" She pinched her cheek, "You don't like listening to me, either. I told you to leave the Aguayo." Magüi laughed, and kissed her goddaughter's forehead, "Never change, chiquitia." Úrsula shook her head at the younger woman's excuses, "No, no- I won't be having that. I want to at least see you dance, young lady! I'm twice your age and I love to cumbia. Don't let your bones get old so soon! And don't worry about a dress," She wrapped an around Remédios' shoulder, "Me and your godmother were waiting for you." So that's why she was still outside, instead of upstairs, Remédios realized. "…. she told me everything, just before she was going to pay for those expensive rooms. No need!" Úrsula was an imposing woman, but in a good way. When she moved, you moved with her. "You'll be spending the night at my sister's – she has plenty of daughters, like myself – I'm sure they won't mind lending you a dress and a pair of shoes."
He was certain that he would never see her again. Bruno dragged his feet the rest of the way as he carried the items in a bundle over his chest. The scruffy looking young man still couldn't grasp the overwhelming sense of loss within him. Why, in that very moment, did his mind go back to that very moment their eyes met? Her warm, umber color peering into his moss green gaze. And just as fast as it happened, it was snatched away. She didn't even look at him. Even when he could not bear to tear himself away from her. If only he asked her name! Every tree he passed; he'd tap his knuckles against until he reached the heart of Encanto.
His stomach dropped just as he remembered – he'd need to get home soon, and he'd probably had to do it quietly. It was dark now, the sky was a deep ultramarine and patterned with stars, as he got closer to the direction of home, he could hear Agustin's mastery of the keys. As unlucky as he was, he was a damn good piano player. He pulled his hood up before he entered the casita. Coincidentally just as he entered his childhood home, Úrsula turned the corner with Remédios and Magüi as her captive audience, still on their way to her sister's house. A missed chance at a serendipitous encounter, if he would have known then, he'd have kick himself.
The crowd had thinned, but it was still bustling with activity, he had figured he had missed the first dance and most of the reception dinner. He grabbed an arepa, before headed up the stairs that led to his tower. One more step, and he was face to face to his mother.
"Brunito… you're... wet?" Her face was of disapproving worry. "You'll catch your death if you're not careful. What's wrong with you today?" There were many things wrong with him, he thought, but he wouldn't dare back talk. "Mamá, I'm fine." He said as he nudged past her, "It's been a long day and Pepa is happy again." He tried to make the conversation end quickly, but his mother just had to notice the bundle in his arms, "Where did you get that?" and there he was, back underneath her grasp.
"Oh, I found it on my way back."
"Did you steal it?"
"No."
Their shared silence after those three sentences was long. After what felt like four years, but was really ten seconds, Bruno moved up the steps again, "Goodnight, Mamá." In her mind, she knew Bruno was hiding something. She always knew when it came to all the things that were wrong with her children. Julieta was easily forgettable, helpful, but so easy to overlook. Pepa was too loud, vivacious, and full of so much life, but loud.
And her ability could be a blessing or a curse at the flip of a coin. And Bruno… was Bruno. She wished she could help her son in the way she felt was right. There was a time when she thought the world of her triplets. But somehow, even on a day that was meant to be happy, her youngest daughter's wedding, she could not see the good of anything. Not even her own children. As harsh as these feelings were, she knew she loved them. She was simply disappointed. She wanted more than this.
"Goodnight, Bruno."
Alma exited back to the slowly fading crowd, but not before she exchanged a glance with the portrait of her long-departed husband. He looks like you. She thought as she descended the stairs.
Bruno merely touched the front of his door, his engraved face glowed in gold as it activated the miracle within and stepped inside.
Bruno's room, as it was at this time, was meant to represent its inhabitant. However, compared to his public meek persona, to call this place grand would be an understatement. It was a chasm of sand and chiseled stone with accents of neon green and some gold embedded in the rocks. The walls were covered in engravings and reliefs – mostly portraits of Bruno as he was depicted on its door. And that was just one part of his room. To traverse it to meet the rest, he could climb the massive steps at the side of the room's walls. But because this was his room, the casita knew when to speed up the process and lifted his body upwards by shifting and moving the stairs for him to the reach the rope bridge that connected the two sides of his room together. "Thank you, casita." Bruno whispered, still cradling the bundle in his arms as he stepped into his actual bed chamber. Surprisingly, for something so grand at the surface, his actual bedroom was very plain. He had a large enough bedframe for him to stretch out lengthwise, but that was it. He had a small armoire that was made in the same dark wood as his bedframe was, a desk, a chair that had sat at the corner of this room and held several items of clothing that he had yet to put away and his window.
The sun had long set since he left the hill, but he could still see the party guests leave and say their well wishes to Pepa and Félix. Once he finally put the mystery woman's things away in his armoire, he flopped – face first – onto his bed. His 'comforter', if you could call it that, was a woven blanket of several mismatched colors and soft, worn fibers. It was something his mother made years ago and he never wanted to let go of it. He rolled over to his back, his eyes laser focused on the ceiling of his room, which was probably the most remarkable part of it all. As the light outside got lower, the lights above him began to shine. On his ceiling were hundreds, maybe thousands of green specks formed in the pattern of some known constellations. Aquarius. Virgo. Orion's Belt. He wasn't the best at his astrology or his astronomy, but he had vested a small interest in those subjects recently. Every night, the dots of light came into view, growing brighter and brighter as the night came in – with its highest point being midnight. After that, the dots would begin to fade, and by morning, they were gone. Sometimes, their positions in his ceiling, or even his wall, the 'stars' would change positions.
Either way, whether the 'stars' had anything to do with his gift or the nature of his own knowledge of the subject, he still wasn't sure. As far as Bruno was concerned, it was a mystery – just like the nameless woman from before.
His eyes grew heavy and just as quickly as he arrived, he fell fast asleep.
Remédios had a weakness. And that weakness was having to say the word, 'no'. Especially, to people who had been nice enough to her to even let her and her godmother stay in for a night. For as much as she tried to quickly back out of the offer, they'd quickly pull her back in. Magüi, on the other hand, could care less. A place to sleep without having to pay? Perfect. "You've been jumpy this entire time, Remé," Magüi said to her charge through the bathroom door, "You act like you've seen a ghost, or something worse," The heat from the bath water she had been soaking in was nearly scalding, but Remédios' body would adjust to the temperature fast. She tried to tell Úrsula's daughters that she didn't need a bath, but the women insisted – and stripped her nude before they plopped her into the hot water.
"It's no trouble, we're almost done prepping, anyway!"
"Really, you're a guest, and your godmother told us everything. You must be tired!"
To Remédios, they were sweet, but pushy people. Magüi's voice cut through her thoughts like a knife through butter, "…or maybe it was a man?" Outside of the bathroom, the sounds of splashing and hurried footsteps could be heard, before Remédios opened the door, her modesty covered by the towel wrapped around her form and her hair dripping wet. "Magüi!" Remédios bronze face was a telltale red – either from the room's heat or the accusation. "I can't explain it- I just-" Magüi shushed her. "Child, calm down. I was teasing." The old woman then gently pulled Remédios to the scarlet colored palenquera dress and matching alpargatas on the small cot she was offered to stay in for the night.
"The ladies left this for you. Talk to me while you get dressed behind the little folding screen here." Magüi shook her head as she chuckled. Remédios became a nude, brown blur as she grabbed the dress and jumped behind the divider, "I saw a man and he frightened me." Remédios said as she began to shine her body first with the cocoa butter that was gifted to her earlier. The strong scent of the emollient reminded her of chocolate or coffee, "So?" Magüi laughed, "We see men every day. A man helped us with the canoe this morning, remember?" Remédios slid the dress carefully over her body, before emerging to ask for help with the zipper, "It's different." Remédios shook her head as her godmother worked on the zipper at her back. "I don't see how?" Magüi smirked, a knowing one that hinted at a knowledge of something that Remédios would never understand unless she lived her life long enough to make the smile. "My aguayo brought me to him. It was as if I was supposed to see him." She shook her head, "I got scared."
"Do you remember what the fortune-teller told me? When I was little?"
Magüi couldn't help it, she let out the biggest guffaw she had let out in years. "Remédios, mi niña, you still think about that?!" Remédios turned and gave her a pitiful look, "Come on, sit down. Do you want me to braid your hair to help it dry quickly?" Remédios looked down as she wordlessly agreed and sat on the floor as Magüi's skilled fingers raked through her damp coils, "Don't make fun." She huffed, "Ever since the fortune-teller told me her prophecy, I've always been afraid."
"Afraid of what?" Magüi questioned again, "Do I have to say it? I think I told you the story millions of times," Remédios asked her. "Hm. I can't remember; I think you'll need to tell me a million and one more,"
"Well," Remédios said, "It happened like this," When Remédios was around nine or eight, the celebration of Carnival, right before Ash Wednesday, was in full swing. Her parents and little sister had died the previous year, so it was just her and Magüi then. "Anyway, we lived in Pasto at the time, and there were so many stalls and festivities laid all about. You gave me some money for games and snacks, and I guess I must've gotten carried away." Before she knew it, she was lost, but she was lured to a tent covered in a starry pattern. "I could smell the incense burning and when I stepped in, I was greeted by the lady's María Lionza statue, before I saw the fortune teller, herself."
She described her as a pale woman, a gitana. With long, black hair that swept the ground floor at her feet, "..heavy skirts and dark make up. She was beautiful and scary. I knew exactly what she was." Magüi stepped in while she looped the first braid against Remédios' scalp and above her shoulder, "What we all are – brujas." Witches. Remédios nodded, "I didn't understand my magic then, but the fortune teller took one look at me and smiled, 'I see you'."
Before she knew it, the older woman sat her down across from herself as she pulled her tarot cards, "I see you'll be powerful. You'll be a wise woman. One that would benefit and serve the community around you for good." She pulled another – the tower, upright, "But," and the lovers, upside down, with the Devil and Death as her last two – both upright, "Love would be your downfall. And the man you will love can destroy everything you've ever built – I wish I could tell you something happier."
Remédios shuddered, Magüi took this time to squeeze her shoulders as she shook, "Shh…" and then hugged her, "Remé, you know, just as much as me, that you can't always take something like another bruja's prediction at face value." Remédios stood to her full height, her expression was a mix of shame and some vague relief, it was if she was going to come clean about something. Something she held on for what felt like a millennia. "Magüi, how much time until the women come back?" The women, being Úrsula and her daughters, "I can feel them. They're very close." Magüi closed her eyes, "I think they're probably on their way back, yes. To retrieve us?" Remédios sighed, her eyes fluttered back down into her godmother's, "I have to tell you something."
He fell asleep faster than most nights. Usually, he'd be up for a few more hours – unable to really sleep until it to came him in surprise. He'd catch himself in his chair on some nights, with the worst neck pain you could imagine as a sign. The fact he went to bed without checking on his favorite rat and her family was another sign that Bruno was more than exhausted. In the short time the young man had gotten home and fallen asleep, he was knocked out cold. His last thoughts a blended mishmash of imagery from the day's event. His very last one was especially precious – the hidden light of the stranger woman's eyes. Imagine his surprise when he was shaken awake by a splash of cold water and shoved to the floor. Only the glow of his ceiling aiding his vision.
He was under attack. Several hands, more than likely masculine, grabbed him and pulled him to his feet. He had begun to put up a fight, thrashing and trying his best to elbow or scratch at someone's flesh. At one point, he felt he connected with someone's face, but soon his hands were bound back by the grip of even larger ones. Bruno was a slim fellow, who barely met his elder sisters at his full height (although, pride would make him add an inch or two by the way his hair would stick up on a given day). He slumped into their grasp and went limp. In the dark, both literally and figuratively, he thought many things. The status of his family – his mother, his sisters, his new in-laws – and also, why was he captured? Why did they take him? He would speak up during their move forward. The typical, "Where are you taking me?" "Why are you taking me?" "Where is my family?" questions that would ask in such a situation of duress.
And of course, the men – of what he assumed they were – said nothing. He wasn't slow on the uptake, but he suddenly pondered over the idea of some guerrilla fighters returning for revenge against the Encanto escaping from the regime in time. Revenge against his family.
Bruno Madrigal, son of Pedro and Alma Madrigal, was in danger.
"My sister just got married. Please don't do this….."
Magüi did the best she could to fix up Remédios' dress. As her godmother fretted with the final details of her look, from the jeweled barrette that separated the rows of braided hair from her freed curls to the tips of her fingernails, her own thoughts would wander. From the dull ache in her legs and feet to the stronger one in her stomach, she began to plan methods to keep herself from going. I feel sick. My period probably started, anyway – let's stay in. Can we just sleep? Aren't you worried about your heart? But they were weak excuses, and the worst part about Remédios and lying was that her face would always give it away. "If you're thinking about finding some excuse to get out of this," Magüi quipped just as she straightened her skirt, "Forget it." Remédios sighed a small puff of air and sat back down on the cot behind him, "Even after everything I've told you. Still?" Magüi smiled and held Remé's face in her hands, before she licked a thumb to smooth down her brows, "My baby," She kissed each cheek and wiped Remédios' watery eyes, "Don't even think about crying. I'm sure everything is fine. The gitana's prediction, well-" She sat on the cot opposite her Remédios, "She, of all people, should know that a prediction can be interpreted in many ways."
Magüi's chubby arms wrapped around the sullen woman, her graying head tucked underneath Remédios chin as she squeezed her – tighter than tight – as she whispered to her in their secret language, "Besides, I promised your parents and God to protect you and your sister." Magüi rubbed her shoulders as she spoke to her as she tried to ease her tense form, "Nothing but death can keep me from doing just that." Remédios looked down into Magüi's sweet face. The lines and wrinkles in her face softened in the low light as she glowed. Remédios held her face in her own brown hands and planted a small kiss on her elder's forehead and cheeks, before hugging her. "God bless you, Magüi." Remédios murmured. "They're outside." Magüi said as she fished out the rosary from her skirt's pocket, "You left this at the restaurant. I'm surprised you didn't comb the world for it!" It was the same rosary from before – with red and pink beads and the silver crucifix that sparkled. "Here, let me wrap it around your wrist," Magüi used a gentle touch to secure the item of prayer to Remédios' wrist, before giving it a light pat after she was done, "For protection." She reached into her little satchel and pulled out a small bag of four cowrie shells, they both leaned in, giggling, as she passed the bag to Remédios, "For blessings." Another knock and Magüi pushed Remédios forward, "We're coming!" the old lady cried as they walked out.
"Oooh, you look so pretty!"
"The red is so nice on you."
"I love your hair! Can you do mine like that one day?"
Immediately, Remédios was enveloped with the same overwhelming kindness that seemed to permeate the auras of lady Úrsula's family, and Félix's three younger, but still elder sisters, exuded it. They were all bronze skinned and equally lovely. But in a way, Remédios felt somewhat intimidated by their kindness. Still, she couldn't help but notice someone was missing among them, "And your mamá? Did she change her mind?" The one that was wearing a white dress with a gold-colored turban shook her head and smiled. She said the next sentence in a lilted tone, her voice, naturally soft and whispery, "Mamá is already there. We're here to take you!" She linked her arm with Remédios' after she stated the obvious. "Do you remember my name? I'm Sofía!" Another sister linked her other arm to herself, and the women began to leave. It was hot that morning. But in the night, as the moon and stars watched above them, Remédios only felt a lukewarm breeze. She turned to Magüi, "You're not coming?" yelled back as the other women chatted and laughed. Magüi waved her off, "You'll see me there!" she called through cupped hands, "And what did I tell you about looking back?"
"Never look back! Just go!"
"That's my girl!"
Even as her feet and legs ached, she quickly felt herself swept up by the energy of it all. Whether it was Magüi's magic, or the aura of the women, her body would begin to heal. The women's laughter and light gossip turned into song. A playful vallenato about heartbreak and moving on. "Ayyy corazón, si te vas…" (Oh heart, if you go.) Sofía nudged Remédios, and she responded with a soft, "Enséñame como te olvido…" (Show me how to forget you.) The next time the chorus was repeated, she remedied this as she belted along with the others with the same energetic fervor as a group of schoolgirls at a dance.
As they passed by homes and businesses, they were joined by others also on their way to the festivities. A shirtless young man with a lamp. An older couple in their best clothes walked along as they held hands. Or a lone girl with a flower in her hair and her purse in her hands. Just as nervous as Remédios was earlier.
Bruno still didn't understand how they got in. Darkly, he thought, if he had manifested a secret code or a lock he wouldn't have gotten into this mess. He supposed he couldn't be so harsh to his five-year-old self. Still, the irony of a man who could see the future yet couldn't see this coming felt like some practical joke made by a long-lost deity that people stopped praying openly praying to.
He bristled when it felt like they were past the rope bridge. And he could hear his first barrier, the stone entrance, slide open. The temporary loss of sight meant his brain could only piece together what was happening. He knew when they walked out of his door and into the light of the casita. It was muffled, but he could hear murmurs of people. Was the wedding still on? He momentarily panicked, stopped in the middle of the staircase, but was nudged forward. He smelled food – well, of course he did, Julieta worked too hard for it to not linger. The crowd sounds grew louder, even some snickers, but Bruno still felt he was at the mercy of his captors.
"O-Osvaldo!" Oh the sudden sound of his sister's voice tinted with anger was a blessing.
Wait, did she say Osvaldo? Wasn't that the guy he told that he'd grow a gut in the future?
"Stop teasing him!" He heard a few slaps and some laughter, which made forced him to tear away the sack from his head – only to be greeted with the sight of the rest of his family, his new in-laws, and their neighbors in less church-like attire. "Oi, Pepa, you did say that the only way he'd come down is if he was dragged here!" The broad looking men and the rest of his 'captors', which were just three other village men and one teenager that could not hold in their laughter at the sight of the red headed woman that stepped up to their friend.
The after party, how could he forget? After she made her scene, they exchanged a look before Bruno looked down and said, "I didn't think the party would go on, after…" Bruno sighed, his thoughts forever incomplete once a new member of the conversation spoke up.
"Bruno! Are you excited? Mamá is an amazing singer. She could make the ocean move!"
Félix arrived just in the nick of time, he wrapped an arm around Pepa's shoulder and gave his new brother-in-law the okay sign. Bruno merely blinked. "W-what? I mean-" He cleared his throat, "Of course, Miss Úrsula, right?" Just as he asked his eyes caught the tall lady, Félix's mother, walk amongst the people in the crowd, chatting and smiling. She flitted about like a hummingbird in a field of flowers. "Félixito! Mi Pepita!" Úrsula came in and drew both in a tight hug, "Yes, my beautiful mother!" Félix responded as beamed with pride while Pepa's rainbow encircled her head like a halo.
Bruno stood there, an awkward smirk on his lips as he watched Pepa and her new family get along. He could see Julieta in conversation with their own mother, and Agustín was in deep preparation at the piano. The crowd was bigger than the one during the ceremony and at that moment, he was no longer in his body. He felt he could see everything from a bird's eye view. He was an observer. Compared to all the beautiful, and happy faces, he was a shadow.
And more importantly; he felt envy. Everyone had a place. Whether it was to revel as a partygoer with aguardiente in hand, or as a planner – everyone had a place. Except Bruno. Suddenly, the envy was mixed with melancholy. It was Úrsula's voice to brought him back to reality. "And of course, Mister Bruno," She approached him, her arms open, but was swiftly switched to her hands holding his. She tricked him into giving her full eye contact, "Oh, Bruno, I didn't realize your eyes were green! It's a beautiful color." Her compliment made him blush in its sincerity, "It's good to see you. I know your mamá was worried about you," His expression eased at the thought. Finally, Úrsula grinned, "And I was worried you wouldn't be dancing tonight!" She leaned in, whispering into his ear, "Between you and me, I think tonight will be a special night for everyone." She winked, "I have a good feeling."
One of Félix's sisters called out, "Mamá! Félix, we're ready!" She patted his shoulder, "Come up a bit closer to the 'stage'," which was more of just the spot where the family's piano rested and the space designated for the rest of Félix's relatives and their band, "I'd hate to miss out on seeing how you cumbia!" she said with a flourish of her gown.
The party was in full swing once the small crowd arrived at the casita, with Remédios and Úrsula's three youngest daughters in the lead. Their hips swayed with the growing rhythm of the drums and the scratch of the guacharaca , "Oooh, let's get in, mamá's starting!" Sofía exclaimed as they raced to the front door.
Soy dulce como el mela'o….
Once they stepped in, it was if the music took over her company's bodies. Sofía and her sisters danced towards the makeshift ballroom, which was already full of women shuffling their feet and their partners encircling them. Remédios stood there as the sight of so many strangers overwhelmed her, she felt a push at her shoulder, "Magüi?"
The older lady gave her a wry smile, "Now, what did I just tell you about looking back?" Just then, Sofía circled back to pull Remédios into the crowd, swinging their arms together to the rhythm as Úrsula belted. The house itself felt alive and she too, began to feel the music reverberate through her body. They found the other two sisters and danced amongst themselves.
Bruno had busied himself with a glass of moonshine. The anise flavoring always made his mouth turn into interesting shapes, but the buzz of the liquor warmed him. After his fifth gulp, he was slightly tipsy and in higher spirits. He even began to laugh and start another drink with the men who dragged him around earlier. With his face red and his vision altered, he stood to walk the vertigo off and turned. A flash of red and the smell of cocoa hit his senses. His body began to tingle as the small hairs on his neck and chin began to stand. The nameless woman from before was here, only a few feet away, but she felt closer. Here she was, dressed up in scarlet from head to toe. The way her skirt lifted reminded him of a hibiscus flower. And whether it was the liquor swimming in his head or not, he could've sworn she floated. Here she was, laughing with some people, and smiling. Her eyes no longer sad or distrustful, and with the hair out of her face, he could really see her. His gaze followed her the entire time, and while he possibly didn't realize it, his own subconscious begged her, 'Please, look at me.'
Every time she spun. Every time she shimmied or stepped; his mind only had one thought.
Please… look at me.
His legs, at this moment in time, felt like concrete. He could not move from his spot even if he wanted to. 'I could ask her to dance.' He thought, 'The worst thing that could happen…' he dryly swallowed, '…is if she said no.'
His legs were stone, but his heart was human, it beat along with the drums and the thunder of Agustín's piano. But then, a glimmer – she made a final spin, and he was certain that she saw him. Their eyes met just as they did on the hill, earlier. The orange light of the lanterns dotted her irises with a hidden heat he still could not read. Her smile turned into a small simper as she saw him. 'If only I had your name.' he thought as he made the decision to step forward.
But in the throes of clear limerence, he could only suffer in silence. A man pulled her to him and further away from Bruno's line of sight. The growing pang in his stomach was allayed once they separated and gained new dance partners, which also (surprisingly) annoyed him. Determined, he swam through the crowd. Each time he felt he was close to her; she'd switch partners or twirl further and further and away from him.
He persisted, stumbled over limbs and feet, shoved about until she was undeniably close – her back turned away from him as he grabbed her wrist – which surprised her. He opened his mouth, "I have-"
Her brow furrowed, her lips miming the words, "What?" as the sound of the party around drowned out everything. "I have your-" She still couldn't hear him.
He sighed. He had begun to wonder if it was him or Agustín with the worst luck in the world. He pulled her closer. The smell of alcohol was absorbed into his skin and breath, which made her pause. And as she froze, he whispered into her ear, "I have your shoes…"
With her wrist and rosary still in his (gentle) grip, he pulled back, to give them both as much space as he could fathom. "I also have your shawl!" He blurted. Remédios looked down for only a moment as she scanned the skin of his hand and noticed a flat mole on his index finger before she flashed back to his face. "Thanks." He blinked, "Also," He wanted to ask her to dance with him, but he shot the thought down before it bubbled up again, "Could I have your name?"
If you didn't have a skilled enough eye, the couple could be easily swallowed by the crowd and the chorus of faces that hid them. However, Alma Madrigal could see her son and the costeña as clear as glass. And while she understood that her son was an adult – good and grown – she prayed that this was not what it seemed.
