“Do you have any idea how much these cost?”
“No.”
“I have a similar pair but not as nice as these. Just take good care of them,” she said, putting them on me again. “They look very good on you.”
“Thank you, Tía Isabela.”
“Well, how was your driving lesson?” she asked.
“It was good. He says I’m competent enough to drive the car myself.”
“That’s nice. Anything else?” she asked. The way she asked with such expectation made me wonder if she didn’t have secret microphones planted in the bushes to overhear our conversation.
“He asked me to go with him on Saturday to Newport Beach to go on his boat.”
“That’s wonderful, Delia. I’m happy for you.”
We both suddenly realized Sophia was standing at the top of the stairway.
“Where did you get those sunglasses?” she asked, taking a step down.
“Where do you think she got them, Sophia? It’s too early for Santa Claus.”
“Not for her,” she said. “They look beautiful on you,” she added, quickly realizing she had reverted to her normal nasty, jealous self.
“Thank you,” I said.
“So, you had a good lesson?”
“Yes, I did.”
“Good. Can she drive us to school tomorrow and always, Mother?” she asked.
“It’s up to her. It’s her car,” Tía Isabela said.
Sophia looked at me hopefully.
“We’re just going to go to school and back,” I said firmly.
“Fine. Where else can I go, anyway?” she said petulantly.
“Exactly,” Tía Isabela said. “And don’t let me hear that you tried to talk Delia into going anywhere else.”
She glared threateningly at Sophia, then turned and walked away.
Sophia stood gazing down at me. If her eyes were daggers, I’d be bleeding to death, I thought. But she smiled quickly and returned to her bedroom, confident, I was sure, that she could manipulate me soon and get what she wanted.
I went up to my room to write a letter for Ignacio. My conscience was dictating the words in my head so quickly I had to get to pen and paper.
Dear Ignacio,
I continue to miss and pray for you daily. My cousin Edward has given me a very generous gift. When I see you, I will explain some of the reason for it. It has to do with his relationship with his sister and how difficult she has made life for me here, as you know.
The gift is a car. I imagine you are shocked to hear it, but not as shocked as I was to see it. I have learned how to drive it and will drive it to and from school, as well as to your family’s home now. In fact, I hope to do that very soon, although it will be hard during the week, because my cousin Sophia will be riding home with me. Maybe I will drive there this coming Sunday after your family has returned from church.
I paused and held my pen in the air. I did not want to lie to Ignacio, but I didn’t want to tell him very much about Adan. Still, I was afraid the newspaper picture would somehow find its way to him and if I mentioned nothing, he would surely be suspicious and hurt.
Because I am now attending the private school where only the most wealthy people here send their children, I have been invited to some gala parties. I have tried not to become too friendly with too many other students. I don’t think they will be good friends, but I am also afraid that if I behave strangely, it might create some suspicions.