- ¡Nate! ¡Call an ambulance!- Sam shouted.
- Just relax- Edna murmured, motioning to the young brother- It's not a heart attack ... I'm not that old.
-¿So?- Victor noted, alert.
- Costochondritis... An infection, in the junction of the ribs and sternum... It's not serious- She rubbed her chest- It hurts a little... It's curable.
- ¿Do you need i get you something?- Samuel rubbed her back.
- I'm fine- She straightened up, slowly- Often it appears with cold… or stress...
- Edna... I'm sorry... everything.
- Is all right, Sam. I know you, you're a good person. A little fool at times, but good guy... - She sighed- I think I'll take a look at whatever you have...
A tinkling bell rang in the building, and Shaareim looked up, as if she knew what would happen after. A yelling of many childrens was present immediately, with many running around the corridor leading to his door open. A little boy of four years scurried inward, with tattered clothes and some dirty shoes a couple of sizes too big, that did not stop him to run to Edna and hug her legs.
-I think we'll have to discuss that another time boys... - She said, stroking the child's hair.
- ¿How about tonight?- Asked the eldest of the Drakes- We can all have dinner somewhere, tell stories, see the plans ...
- I can handle looking for a good place- Victor said- And Nathan warn you.
- Sure- She smiled, before looking down and the child pulling his clothes- Yes, Yuse, I see you… ¿What's going on?
The boy pointed to Samuel, muttering something very low. Edna bent to lift her up and have him closer.
- Repeat, I don't know how read lips yet- She said to him.
Yuse turned to whisper something near the ear that made her laugh a little.
Sam smiled, softened. Only she could get those enormous desire to start a family.
- ¿What did he say?- Nate asked, amused by the scene.
- "The great men is very tall"- She smiled and looked at child- Yes Yuse, is tall. Especially because you're tiny.
The child spoke to him in the ear.
- No no- She said- He is not bad. They are birds. Remember, evil men are tattooed ugly things... ¿Sam, Could you...?
Samuel approached, causing the child to be reduced, fearful. He opened a little his collar, letting him see his tattoo.
- ¿See?- Edna said- Birds. You like birds, Yuse ...
The small reached, pointing with his index finger. Sam was close enough, so the child could touch the marks, awkwardly, one by one with his finger.
- ¿How many birds they are?- She asked.
- One… two…- Yuse began counting slowly, touching each in turn- Three… four…
- ¡Yes!- Edna tickled him, making him laugh- ¡Very good!
The woman looked at her companions.
- Boys... - She said- You will have to excuse me... ¿We talk at night? ¿At seven? Right now I'm a little busy.
- We reserve the table and I call you- Nate said.
- Perfect. Yuse, tell Bye- She greeted, being imitated by the small- Byyyyeeeee…
Edna smiled at his friends and walked out the door, the child still waving, and Sam returned the greeting with a silly smile on his face.
- Well- Nathan sighed- Everything went well after all.
- And she kept quite good- Sullivan said, purposely.
- ¿Quite good?- Sam looked at him as they began to leave- ¿Did you see her? She is radiant.
- Well... She gained a little weight...
- Radiant and adorable- He repeated, ignoring him.
Both, Nathan and Victor, laughed softly, nothing had changed with him.
Taking advantage of Thailand and his climatological paradise, they opted for a normal dinner, outdoors, under the cloak of a darkening sky. A relatively secluded table, good size, square, placed under an awning and well lit, with soft ethnic music. And of course, as the eldest Drake had planned, Edna sitting near him. Woman who had left his previous outfit to go with a simple blue jeans and a white shirt, true to his practical style.
The food was the least spicy they could ask for, almost absurdly cheap and overly meaty, full of rice and vegetables of all colors.
Whisky of dubious quality for men, the most standard water in the world for the only teetotaler woman kilometers around.
During the meal, the subject of the treasure was not mentioned even close, only devoted themselves to tell stories, catch up on many others, laugh too much.
The food was gone, but the talk was still.
- We expected to have to discuss with your husband and lie in his face- Victor said, as he lit his cigar- ¿Is it not in the area or what?
- ¿My face look like i being married?- Edna looked at him intently.
- You have some wrinkles... And some white hair…- He pointed her hair with his cigar.
- Thank you. So sweet- She said, sarcastically- And no, what I have is working face. I'm not like you who has settled life, ¿You know?
- ¿And why not?- Asked Nathan, knowing that that question would be about the mind of his brother.
- You know that my main problem as a child, was thought too. Then I get involved with people who love puzzles, historical data and culture. Then I come and do schools... It is quite obvious that my main problem is the same: I am very stubborn and I get bored very easily if I talk to someone who is not. And by God that nobody here knows anything about anything...
- You're still a rat library... - Sam said.
- I will die like a rat library. And here... I do not want to sound bad ... But there are no libraries...
- So you're making schools as possessed- Laugh Victor.
- I will not stay here forever, but at least I leave some of my "fanaticism library"... Unfortunately I have to decide between my mental health and my physical health.
- ¿What do you mean?
- For my mental health, I would be in Sweden or Finland, between museums, enjoying books ... But as I love more than fresh air, rain and snow, for my physical health, I need a warm climate. At least until I make my bone marrow transplant...
- ¿What bone marrow transplant?- Samuel sai, concerned.
- My Costochondritis is bearable with medication, anti-inflammatories, steroids... But the cure usually comes with a mix of extremely destructive drugs, or bone marrow transplant. Transplantation is simple, difficult is to find a compatible donor.
- Edna... - He took her shoulder- When we finish this, I'll do a compatibility study. And if I am not the men for that, i will take Nate, Elena, Victor and whoever finds on my agenda.
- Thank you- She patted his leg.
- You are almost the youngest of the group and have a health like a shit...
- Yes… You continue to smoke like this and in a few years we will see who is worse...
- ¿How do you know I'm still smoking?
- I'm a damn dog ¿Remember? The Fountain of Saint Michael? ¿The one i found by the smell of sulfur? If I could find in a cave with all the smell of shit, obviously i can smell smoke in your clothes...
- Can be Victor ¿Don't you think?
- I recognize the typical smell of an expensive Cuban cigar, and I cant differentiate them from your common and cheap cigarettes ... What I do not understand why i never see you smoke, i just smell it.
- Because I respect the fact that you are not a smoker and you hate the smoke in your face. Is even healthy for me to be near you. I were smoking now, if you you were away.
- Awwwww, it's almost a compliment...
Victor, quietly, slowly put out his cigar.
Costochondritis actually exists. Everything described is real, except the severity. In reality, it is a temporary condition that does not need powerful drugs or bone marrow transplant. It is normal that disappears by itself after a short time.