Delia's Gift (Delia 3)

“Threatening Isabela is the wrong approach to take,” Señor Bovio said, shaking his head. “I know something about politics, diplomacy. She would only dig her heels in deeper and make even more trouble for you both, Delia. Don’t forget that you and your cousin and his friend were involved in what amounted to an international incident. This isn’t some parlor game we’re playing. If somehow she got wind of what we’re trying to do for that Mexican boy who was at the center of it all, she would really explode.”

He was right. I felt myself calm down. “I know,” I said in a voice of defeat.

“Besides, this is exactly the sort of thing I am trying to keep away from you while you are pregnant,” he continued softly. “Let me use all that I have at my disposal to make your life easier, comfortable, and healthy, especially healthy, during these months. If Adan were here with us, he’d be asking you the same thing.”

I raised my gaze quickly. He was looking to the side and smiling, as if he could see Adan standing there, agreeing. Then he turned back to me.

“I’m a grandfather who has to think like a father, too. I didn’t ask for this,” he said, sounding a little cold. “Fate imposed this on me, but I am not the sort of man who shirks his responsibilities. I am determined that this baby will be born healthy and strong.”

“I am not arguing about that. I, too, want nothing else, Señor Bovio.”

“Good. Good,” he said, relaxing. “Now, let me change the subject. I have some good news for you. This afternoon, a teacher, James McCarthy, will be bringing you books, manuals, whatever you need to finish your high school diploma requirements. He will supervise your work, leave you the assignments to complete, and then, when the time comes, administer your exams. If you get busy with it, you should be able to graduate about the same time as the students attending the school.

“In the meantime, I have spoken to my friends at the education offices, and we will receive a list of the best schools of nursing to which you can apply. I’ll get you all of the information on all of the schools, and you can spend time thinking about each one and deciding. When you are able to attend such a school, the tuition and living expenses at whatever school you choose will be taken care of, so you will have absolutely no worries in that regard.

“After you give birth, I’ll see to it that you have an automobile of your own, clothes, whatever you need or want, for as long as you want.”

“How long do you expect my baby and me to live here, Señor Bovio?”

“You can live here as long as you wish, Delia. I am willing to do anything to make you happy. There’s no reason to worry about all that now, anyway.” He waved the air as if he could wave away the words and thoughts.

“I’ll try not to worry about it, but I’m sure I’ll think about it, señor.”

“Of course, of course. So,” he said, pressing his hands together, “as you see, in the meantime, your days will soon be filled. Mrs. Newell is, in fact, at this very moment working out a schedule for you that will include exercise as well. All of your physical examinations, evaluations, whatever tests are needed, will be scheduled.

“Now, please, do me a favor. Go up to your room and rest, and get yourself in a calmer mood. I’ll

have you called the moment Mr. McCarthy arrives with your school materials.”

He smiled. It was difficult for me to hold on to any indignation in light of all that he was doing and promising. And when I thought about it, it was true that Tía Isabela was really responsible for this. She was just trying to get back at me. I could just imagine how Sophia was teasing and tormenting her about Señor Bovio stopping her from getting her satisfaction.

“I’m all right,” I told him. “I was in the middle of going to the pool to get some exercise and air. I’ll go back to that. It relaxes me.”

“Good. If it relaxes you, please continue,” he said. “Swimming is an approved exercise, but don’t overdo it.”

His phone rang, so I nodded and left when I could hear that it was business and not Tía Isabela again.

I could see his logic. Everything he was saying sounded reasonable, but nevertheless, I was terribly disappointed. It had been quite a long time since Edward and I had had an opportunity to talk. There was so much more I wanted to say to him, to explain more about what had happened in Mexico. I was sure he was curious about all that was happening to me now, and I needed him. I desperately needed someone to talk to, someone I could trust. For as long as I had been in America, he had been that someone. He and his companion, Jesse, had been my knights in shining armor.

Everything was set up at the pool as usual, so I chose a lounge, slipped off the robe, and went into the water. I began to do some laps, enjoying the water and losing myself in the exercise. When I reached the side of the pool after my fifth lap, I looked up at the polished toenails and shapely legs of Fani Cordova. She was standing in a pretty yellow skirt and blouse and smiling down at me. She wore a pair of designer sunglasses that were studded with jewels. Her hair was pinned up. I thought she looked more beautiful than ever.

“I see you’ve adjusted to your new life pretty quickly,” she said.

I pulled myself up and out of the pool. “Hi, Fani.”

“My cousin called me to come see you, but I already knew you were here. Sophia didn’t waste a second getting out the news about you all over the community.”

“I expected that.”

“Yes, well, you don’t look pregnant to me. Is this another scam you’re pulling?”

“What?”

She sat on a lounge and watched me take my towel. “Another scam, like that whole charade you created with what’s his name, the Mexican boyfriend.”

“It wasn’t a charade, Fani, and it wasn’t a scam. I couldn’t talk about it at the time. There was too much danger for him and his family.”

“You sure had me believing you about all that terror crossing the desert and his dying. I thought I was the best when it came to pulling wool over other people’s eyes.”