Show Me Chapter 21

After Coco finished the introductions and introduced everyone, it was time for dinner. Rosita had extended Josefina a dinner invitation, but she declined. Josefina was well aware of the fact that her children did not trust her and knew that the only way to gain back trust would be to take things slowly.

Imelda had not uttered one word to her mother the entire time she had been there, still somewhat in shock about everything that had happened. Héctor had tried to fill silence with lots of lively chatter but dinner was awkward and definitely uncomfortable. Even Coco had been unusually silent.

"So how are things with you and Gustavo?" Coco asked Victoria tentatively, wanting to do something to relieve the tension in the room.

"Bueno, Mamá," Victoria said as she stood up to put plates in the sink. "He's taking me to see a piano concert that one of his friends is having tomorrow and we're going out for dinner afterwards."

Ever since the ban was lifted, Victoria began to diligently nurture an interest in classical music, specifically piano and opera. She had been taking music lessons from one of the girls in the orchestra and practiced her singing with her abuelita whenever she could.

Rosita smiled softly, adding, "He sounds amazing, mija. I hope we can meet him properly someday."

Victoria nodded silently and quickly headed to the living room to read one of her books. Héctor watched the scene quietly.

"I just hope he doesn't hurt her," Imelda said to Coco. "Making jokes about someone's death is never funny."

"Lo sé, Mamá," Coco said. "But he did apologize to Papá and he absolutely dotes on Vicita."

Héctor nodded, sharing some reluctance. "He joked about my death for almost forty years, Imelda. But I'm willing to let bygones be bygones and give him a chance. For Victoria's sake."

Imelda stiffened slightly but nodded. Victoria deserved to have some happiness in love, and it was certainly true that she was more than capable of taking care of herself. And given everything that had happened recently, this was also the perfect opportunity for everyone to unwind and allow Victoria's happiness to help brighten their own lives.

When it came time for bed, all the Riveras headed up to their own rooms. Héctor stayed put, unsure of where to go or what to do. He hadn't exactly put himself in Imelda's good graces with his actions. But then again, he hadn't done anything wrong, so….

"Imelda?" Héctor asked tentatively. "Where do you want me to sleep? Do you want me to sleep in the guest room?"

Taking a deep breath, Imelda simply said, "No me importa. As long as it's somewhere."

Translating that as "anywhere's fine", Héctor slowly stepped into the room he normally shared with her. Even though it originally had been Imelda's room, Héctor had slowly begun adding his own personal touch here and there. Sheet music neatly stacked on a chair, three guitars from de la Cruz's mansion and photographs taken at the last Día de los Muertos celebration, courtesy of Miguel, were in the room too.

Knowing that he was still on tender hooks with Imelda, Héctor quietly turned his back as she got changed into a white nightgown and quickly got himself changed and ready for bed. Imelda was already in bed by that point, but since she hadn't made any attempt to shoo Héctor out of the room, Héctor took it as a good sign and got into bed with her, deciding to read his book before going to sleep.

It only felt like minutes to Héctor but suddenly he reopened his eyes, jolting awake from a sound sleep. Blinking his eyes rapidly, Héctor sat up, quickly stealing a glance at his wife. Héctor was relieved to see her breathing evenly and deeply. Imelda hadn't been sleeping well over the past month and more often than not, Héctor would be woken by her screaming.

"No," Imelda muttered in her sleep. "No. Por favor. Por favor."

Quickly recognizing what was about to happen, Héctor shook Imelda awake. Blearily opening her eyes, Imelda focused in on Héctor and sat up, shaken by what had happened.

"It was about the day I left, wasn't it?" Héctor asked as Imelda got out of bed, pacing the rug. Deciding it would be safe to call her by a pet name, Héctor asked, "Mi amor?"

"It wasn't that Héctor," Imelda said as she sat back down on the bed. "It was about Día de los Muertos, the night we almost lost you."

Nodding his understanding, Héctor tentatively put his arm around his wife's shoulders, not wanting to set off her temper.

"I'm still here, Imelda," Héctor said. "I'm not going anywhere."

At that, Imelda agreed and simply said, "I may not agree with all your opinions and ideas, Héctor, but I know that you were only trying to help. But I'm not sure about letting mi madre back into my life. What if she tries to hurt our familia? Or even Miguel?"

Héctor went silent with worry; Imelda did have a point. But he quickly remembered what had happened on the day of her papá's arrest: Josefina had left her husband the minute she realized he had been harboring a criminal and she had burned all of the things that he had owned.

In some extreme cases, spirit copies of objects still in the Land of the Living could be burned and the originals thereby would vanish or be destroyed. It was known as the Final Resolution.

"She left your padre the minute she found out what he did last year, Imelda," Héctor pointed out. "I know it may never be enough to make up for what happened, but she does want to try to have a relationship with you."

Sighing softly, Imelda took a few minutes to think it through and then replied, "All right. But I'm only doing this for you and Coco."

Knowing that now wasn't the time to let out an excited grito, Héctor settled for drawing Imelda close to him. At first Imelda wanted to pull away but quickly settled back down and soon fell asleep, too tired to put up a fight.

Imelda awoke several hours later, feeling groggy and exhausted. The previous evening had taken its toll on her. As she made her way downstairs, she noticed that Victoria had already left for her date and Rosita was cleaning dishes leftover from the meal.

"Buenos tardes, Mamá Imelda!" Rosita said cheerfully. "Estas bien?"

"Buenos tardes? But its only…"

Rosita came over and said, "You slept until almost 11:00, Mamá Imelda. Papá Héctor thought it best to let you sleep in and Julio opened the shop."

Inclining her head in acknowledgment, Imelda walked back to the entryway, searching for her husband whom she found by the kitchen chatting with Mari Quesada. And from the looks of things, Mari looked shocked and upset.

"I feel for both of you, but I also feel for Josefina," Mari said to Héctor, unaware that Imelda was nearby. "It's going to be a long road for all of you. Did you talk to her?"

"Imelda was so upset," Héctor replied. "She accused me of going behind her back after she told everyone not to go near her. Ay, what a mess! But I never meant to hurt mi vida."

Upon noticing Imelda standing in the kitchen, Mari quietly made an excuse and left, leaving the couple alone. Taking a deep breath, Héctor stood up, coming over to Imelda as she sat down.

"I hope you slept well, mi amor," Héctor said cautiously. "You were so tired last night."

Imelda nodded, too full of emotion to find her words. But there was no need to say anything: just by her facial expression alone, Héctor knew she felt terrible about what had happened between the two of them.

Drawing his wife into a hug, Héctor heard her muffled expression, Lo siento mucho.

"Promise me, Héctor," Imelda said, standing up on tiptoe to kiss her husband. "No more secrets."