I took off my new clothes and my bra and panties while she stood by waiting. Then I slipped into the abbreviated bottom and the small top. There was little left to imagine about my body, I thought.
“I had a figure just like yours once,” she said, admiring me. “I remember when my husband first saw me in a bathing suit like that. I knew from the look on his face that I had hooked him like a fish and would reel him in.”
She stuffed my bra and panties into the bag.
“I’ve put in a small makeup kit for you, tissues, and a new hairbrush. You have everything you need now. The restaurants you’re going to for lunch and dinner are not formal. They’re both beach restaurants. Because you’ve been so good these past few days and listened to what I tell you, I’ve bought you this,” she added, and handed me a small case. “Go on, open it. I want you to wear it today.”
I opened it and saw a beautiful watch with an emerald-green leather band.
“It’s beautiful,” I said.
“Of course, it is. Now, have a good time, and don’t say or do anything to embarrass me.”
Señora Rosario came to the doorway. “Señor Bovio has called from the gate,” she said.
“Which Señor Bovio? Adan?”
“Yes, Mrs. Dallas.”
“Okay, Delia. Go on. Get dressed.”
I hurriedly did so.
“I won’t be home when you get back,” she told me as I put on my new outfit, “but we’ll have time to talk about your day tomorrow at breakfast. Late breakfast,” she added.
She handed me the bag and nodded. Adan was waiting in the entryway. He wore his own sailor outfit and cap and looked as if he belonged in a movie.
“Wow,” he said when he saw me. “Perfect. That’s a perfect outfit, and we have terrific weather today. The sea isn’t too bad at all.”
He opened the door quickly. I supposed I looked so nervous he was afraid I might change my mind. Instead, I smiled at him and hurried out. I couldn’t help feeling I was being swept along in a wind I couldn’t possibly resist. We were on our way.
“Did you enjoy last night?” he asked.
“Yes, very much. I like your friend.”
“Yeah, he’s great. Fani is fond of him as well.”
Since he had brought up her name, I thought I could speak about her. “Why does she not go out more?”
“You mean on dates?”
“Yes, sí.”
“Fani is a little too particular about the men she sees. Sometimes I think she’s asexual, not interested in men or in women.”
He laughed at the expression on my face.
“I’m just kidding, but she is too into herself to be in a relationship. She puts herself too high up. No one can reach her. Don’t worry,” he added quickly. “I’m not speaking out of school. I have this same argument with her all the time.”
As we drove to the sea, he talked more about his youth, the times he and Fani had been together, once when their families even met in France.
&
nbsp; “She’s probably the closest friend I ever had who happens to be a girl,” he said. Then he turned to me and smiled to add, “Until I met you.”
In my mind, I was imagining a boat perhaps a little bigger than a fishing boat, but when we parked and Adan nodded at his boat, I was amazed.
“That’s it.”