Cradle Gift by Patricia Bossano

Author:Patricia Bossano [Bossano, Patricia]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781491702369
Publisher: iUniverse
Published: 2013-08-27T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 27

Their early return seemed to catch Soledad by surprise, but she recovered quickly and looked ecstatic to have them back in her kitchen, where she could mollycoddle them to her heart’s content. Despite their objections, she threw together a quick snack, which she placed on the table along with a frosty pitcher filled with lemonade, and two glasses.

At the sight of the improvised spread, Maité realized she was hungry after all. David pulled out a chair for her, hurried to get to his own, and they sat down to devour the cheese and cold cuts.

“So, what’s going on?” Maité asked setting down her glass and eyeing Soledad slantways. She’d been bustling around anxiously emitting fitful giggles every so often but not saying much, very unlike Soledad. As if that wasn’t suspicious enough, Soledad seemed to be avoiding Maité’s eyes. Even the constant petting and pinching of Maité’s cheeks whenever she swept by seemed strained. When Soledad didn’t respond, Maité insisted, dodging another pinch—her cheeks were starting to smart—“Something’s up, Sole. What is it?”

Whatever Soledad was trying to hold in would no longer keep. She exploded into that contagious laugh of hers and pretty soon David grinned too while Maité shook her head. “What? What is it?”

“I’m so happy, mi niña!” Soledad blurted, dabbing at her eyes with the corner of her apron.

“About what?”

“You will see. It is a sorpresa. You will see!” Soledad rested her pudgy hand on the countertop, taking a deep breath to compose herself, but again launched into a long shriek, making Maité jump. “Aaaaay mi niiiiiiiñaaaaaa!”

Maité clutched her chest, glaring at Soledad, while David shrugged. Then a well-known voice came from behind.

“Listen, lady, you just have to stop being so loud. You’re gonna give someone a heart attack!”

Maité couldn’t believe her ears. She didn’t want to turn around for fear she might be hearing things, after all, that seemed to be the trend with her these days. But the sight of Soledad jiggling with laughter was oh, so reassuring.

Maité turned around, and there stood lanky Emily by the kitchen door with a towel wrapped around her head, wearing very short shorts, a skimpy tube top, and canvas shoes. She was shaking her head at Soledad, who wasn’t even bothering to wipe her tears with her apron.

Maité leapt from her chair. Emily was really there, with that smirk on her face Maité knew so well, the one that said I got you good! She hurtled herself at Emily. It felt so good to hug her, to see a familiar face.

“I couldn’t let you spend your birthday all by yourself, could I?” Emily asked, patting Maité’s back.

“I had no idea you were—”

“Yeah, well, M, if you’d check your e-mail, you’d have a clue. But you probably didn’t even notice I hadn’t answered. I mean, after the load you dumped on me this morning, for me not to answer? Hello?”

David cleared his throat, and Maité turned abruptly toward him. “Oh, I’m so sorry,” she stammered. “Emily, this is David.

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