The Feria (5 page)

“Really?” As she finished, he was waiting with a spoon to her lips.

The smell was unmistakable. Then her tongue confirmed the sweet honey taste. Flan.

“It’s delightful! Did you make this?”

“Yes, earlier today. It was my mother’s recipe, but inspired by a very lovely young woman. So it’s laced with my two best girls.”

Xavier’s gaze darkened. Did he mean her? She swallowed. Silence.

“In case you’re confused,”—he nodded—“Yes. I’m referring to you.”

“Well, I accept, then.”

“Well, I thank you, then.”

Their ensuing laughter sang in tune and could have shaken the tiny trailer, but they would never have noticed.

They began and ended the hours with seamless conversation, and even when there wasn’t anything to say, the silence was natural. There was no fatigue in the atmosphere. The energy in the room continued to renew itself. Before long, they somehow, unnoticeably moved from the breakfast bar to the sofa, and for all Soledad knew, they could have sauntered there.

“I know it’s getting late, but I hope you can tolerate one last surprise.” Xavier inclined his head toward her. “I promise I won’t keep you out too much longer.”

“That should be all right.”

“But I need for you to make me a promise.”

“You have me at my most vulnerable. At this point, I would promise you anything.” She felt intoxicated from his presence.

“If you’re pleased with this night, before it’s over, would you do me the honor of allowing me to kiss you?”

The tiny tan sofa creaked as Soledad shied away.

“I’m sorry, was I too forward? Should we take it back a step?”

She had actually shied away because the moment the word ‘kiss’ had escaped his lips, she was ready to surrender. She took a deep breath, fighting an internal battle to maintain her composure.

“I promise I’ll be pleased with this night.” She forced herself to meet his gaze.

Xavier’s eyes locked on her. She couldn’t help but hope, believe he was about to kiss her. The desire in his eyes told her he wanted to. She stayed her breathing in anticipation, but flooded with disappointment when he stood and lifted her off the sofa.

When they exited the trailer, Soledad was startled that the lights at the feria across the way had already gone black. Time had escaped her, but she wasn’t sure how or when. She was sad their night was coming to an end, but also very grateful her grandmother would not be intolerant of her extended curfew. Anyway, she and Suki were out cold. Of that she was certain.

Kerosene lamps adorned the darkened camp as they escorted the elephant back to his home.

“My flowers!” Soledad turned, intending to head back to Xavier’s trailer.

He stayed her with a soft hand on her shoulder. “Don’t worry. I’ll use them as my excuse to see you tomorrow.”

“Then I can live without them for a night because they are a promise of good things to come.”

He squeezed her hand.

Soon, they were headed to the actual
feria
grounds. To the Ferris wheel to be exact. The
feria
had a ghostly vibe to it when empty. A breeze picked up, making her wish she’d brought a sweater.

“
Muchas gracias, mi amigo
.” Xavier shook hands with a young man about his age, who was manning the Ferris wheel station. Actually, he looked like he was about to leave. “I owe you.”

“I won’t forget that,” the young man joked.

“And I won’t forget what you’ve done for me.”

Xavier helped her into the cabin and got in beside her. He wrapped his arm around her and brought her snuggly into his side. She wiggled closer, needing his warmth, and something more.

The cabin began to move. As they ascended, she had no idea what the purpose was of riding a Ferris wheel in the dark, until suddenly the great open sky appeared before them. With lights out below, the sky was an exaggerated ocean of brilliant stars, and the moon, an enormous ball of glowing light. It was breathtaking.

What a gift of nature.

When they reached the top, Xavier turned to her.

She nodded, then wet her lips with the tip of her tongue. His breath brushed her face as he hovered, just for a second, before lowering his mouth to hers.

She felt his tongue on hers. His breath was sweet. It was a kiss that stopped time. His tongue danced around her lips, and she forced herself closer to him. They separated in brief pauses to breathe, but even those were too long to be apart. Somewhere in the distance, fireworks burst into multi-colors and sounds. Soledad smiled. It was only appropriate that someone out there would be celebrating with them.

The next morning as the old ladies struggled with the aftermath of their night before, Soledad struggled with the aftermath of a love overdose.

She woke up and made burritos with egg and
chorizo
. She was too lovesick to eat, her grandmother and Suki too hung over to eat, but she made breakfast anyway. As she forced her food down, she daydreamed, repeating that kiss in her head over and over.

Her a
buelita
finally made it to the breakfast table. “Suki, come quick and look at my granddaughter!”

Suki shuffled through the small house and over to Soledad, staring down at her intensely before finally speaking up.

“
Socorro
, what should we do?” Concern etched her voice.

Alarmed, Soledad began to stand. “What? What’s wrong?”

The never-ending jokesters began laughing.

“
My niña
, you are in love.”

Soledad’s eyes widened as the women gauged her reaction and laughed more. Guilty as charged, she plummeted back down into her chair. “I think so.”

The old ladies began to dance in the kitchen, giggling like schoolgirls.

“My dear, it’s the most exhilarating feeling in the whole earth. Be happy. Be at peace with this.”

“
Abuelita
, there is so much on the line. Stanford, my father, saying goodbye, being devastated. I almost wish I’d never crossed over.”

Suki interrupted. “
Mija
, love is always worth the risk, and you will find that love will always sort everything out, even the impossible, in its own time. So let go, and enjoy it for what it is today. Don’t live worrying about tomorrow. Live for this day. And tomorrow, you can live for tomorrow.”

Abuelita
sneered at her companion. “I was going to tell her that.”

This time Soledad joined in their laughter. These women were infectious.

Her heart jumped at a rap on the screen door.

“Don Pedro,
que gusto
!”
Abuelita
welcomed him in.

“
Buenos dias, señoras. Señorita
.” He nodded at Soledad.

“
Buenos dias
,” the three women sang in unison.

“I am so sorry to trouble you, but may I speak with Soledad?”

“Of course.” The women retreated, shooting curious glances at Don Pedro.

“
Señorita
, your father sends an urgent message that you must get home. And it is far more urgent as he sent it three days ago, but my work kept me from coming back here. So yesterday when I saw him, he sent the same message with much more assertion.”

Fear seized her chest. What was so urgent her father had sent a messenger? Had something happened to him? She stumbled with her words. A gaping hole began to maneuver itself in her stomach.

“
Gracias, Señor
, I will certainly heed my father’s call.”

“He will be most pleased when I tell him today. He actually asked if you would accompany me this morning. I can leave you on my way in to a job I’ve secured near your home?” He sounded unsure. “I know you were not prepared for this, so I will be happy to wait for you to get your things together.”

“
Señor
, I will obey my father’s call for me, but I have some appointments to attend to this morning. Friends I must say goodbye to before I leave for school. Please let him know I shall see him tonight.”

“Everyone wishes you well, by the way. Shall I alert your father? How will you get home?”

Soledad cringed. She hated lying, yet it was all inconsequential now that she had fallen in love. “My girlfriend’s mother is headed to El Paso this evening. She is actually the last stop I’m making today. I’m sure her mother will be more than willing to take me home tonight.” Before he could protest or question her any further, she spat out, “
Muchas gracias, Señor
.”

“
Adios, señorita
.” The doubt in his words matched his eyes.

Before long, Xavier, handsome as always, showed up on the porch with the bushel of flowers he had promised to bring. Soledad was grateful that fate allowed him and Don Pedro to miss each other. It was such close timing, actually, that she tormented herself for a short time, questioning the possibility. Had that occurred, Don Pedro would for sure alert her father about a boy attempting to court his daughter.

After saying their hellos, Soledad was in her grandmother’s bedroom scouring through clothing she’d left there from past visits. She needed clothes for swimming. Today she and Xavier were going to the river. While she searched, she could hear Xavier flirting with her
abuelita
and Suki on the porch and presenting them with some of her flowers. She didn’t mind.

In the best pair of shorts and T-shirt she could find, she flew outside, pecked each lady on the cheek, and she and her love darted away.

The Rio Grande, the beautiful river separating the two countries Soledad loved, was nature’s U.S.—Mexico border. And when finished with its travels, the river became something far greater when it emptied out into the Gulf of Mexico. This was the day of the week that almost everyone went to the river, whether for recreation or washing clothes. Everyone was there. Soledad loved the day at the river almost as much as she loved the
feria
. It could very well have taken over as her favorite part of being with her grandmother, but for the fact that she met Xavier at the
feria
, forever placing that at the top position.

They chose a spot higher than where the women were washing clothes. Although it would be impossible for the filth of dirty clothes to travel in such a vast body of water, the image of downstream dinge repulsed Soledad.

Children could be heard a ways off shouting “
Brinc
a!” “Jump!” “Jump!” Some leapt off the bank, some were pushed, but they delighted in the magic of the river all the same. Dogs were barking. People were fishing. A ways off,
mariachis
could be heard singing. They sounded like they were serenading a woman.

“I’ll love you forever, forever I will. Please say that you’ll have me, please say that you will ...” Soledad found Xavier’s eyes, which were already fixated on her. She gushed with a bashful laugh. “I hope she says yes.”

“I do, too.” Xavier looked deeper into her eyes, and Soledad got the feeling there was hidden meaning in his reply.

Today, out in the sunlight, his beautiful blue eyes hypnotized her. She remained transfixed, locked in his gaze, until she heard a familiar sound. Her two favorite old ladies had come to the river for some Vitamin D.

How could they venture out after the party they’d had last night? They were as tough as nails. The women danced around the shallow part, clothes rolled up. The day was officially complete. It was a party at the river where everyone was invited, and everyone was one great big family. Some people were preparing food, others the fire pit, and still others arranged and sorted fireworks. When the sun went down, the party would begin, and it would be spectacular!

Soledad dove into the warm water, and when she came up, she felt her clothes plaster to her body. She pulled her long hair back, dripping, then ran her fingers through it to keep it from getting too tangled.

“Stop staring.” Xavier’s sharp tone startled her. She glanced at the young man sitting nearby. Color rose high on his cheeks.

“What?” he said to Xavier. “She’s with you, isn’t she? Then what’s the problem?”

Soledad watched as Xavier clenched and unclenched his fists. He turned to her. “Can we go somewhere more private?”

“Yes, of course.” She glanced at the other young man, who seemed to be watching their exchange with interest. “Is everything all right?”

“I’m feeling a little selfish. There is so much going on that I can’t really enjoy the sound of your voice or your company. Is that okay?”

“Yes, let’s go!”

They walked side by side, trying to casually sneak off. They didn’t want to appear as two desperate lovers going off to do their deed, but in truth, that’s just what they were.

Soledad glanced behind her and saw that
Abuelita
and Suki were now enjoying dangling their feet in the water. Nearby, young boys floated tiny boats.

“Are you sure you want to get away?” He saw how her attention lingered on all the excitement behind them.

“I’m very sure.”

When they were clear out of everyone’s sight, he reached for her hand. Fingers intertwined, as always, he took her to a more secluded spot, where tall growing grass built a safe house around them. It was like a shield that made them invisible to all. They both waded into the water, until about chest high.

It was only here, in this private encircling, that Soledad allowed herself to finally freely stare at and appreciate the breathtaking presence before her. Seeing Xavier without his shirt on, his swimming trunks tight against his body, sent shivers up Soledad’s arms and legs.

Without another word, just like magnets and without hesitation, they entered each other’s arms and their two wet bodies clung together. Their kissing was so eager, so urgent, they both found themselves short of breath. Pressed closely together, Soledad could tell Xavier was aroused. It was as if away from the public eye, he felt she was all his.

His hands started at her shoulders and slid down her arms, smoothly sliding the wetness from her skin until they rested on her waist. With a strong grip on her hips, his mouth never leaving hers, he locked her in place, pressed firmly against him.

Heat swamped Soledad, starting at her forehead, and out of control rushed through her body. She felt restless. Xavier’s arousal pressed against her lower body, close to her most intense ache, as if it needed no direction. It knew exactly where it needed to be. She didn’t shy away from him.

Although her eyes were closed, Soledad could feel Xavier’s hands, now under her shirt, making their way up her sides. The touch of his fingertips on her bare, wet skin played an overwhelming symphony of sensations. Even though she was wet all over, there was a warm damp throb that began in her private area she couldn’t ignore. Her body was reacting in all sorts of ways which were not at all familiar, and it startled her. Confused, she stopped kissing Xavier and placed her hands on his chest.

When she pulled away and opened her eyes, she found him very still, his eyes still closed. They were both panting heavily, and she noticed Xavier was trembling slightly. Finally, after several minutes, Xavier opened his eyes. “I’m so sorry, my Cholita. I don’t know what came over me.” He led her out of the tall grass that had hidden them so well, and back to the bank, where they sat. After an uncomfortable silence, Xavier spoke. “Honestly, I can’t help what my body does when I’m with you.”

“I’m sorry I stopped. You have been my first at all of this, and I’m trying to understand what I’m feeling. I’m eighteen, Xavier. You’re twenty-three. I’m sure you have a lot more experience than me.”

“I understand, Cholita. While I do have some experience, you have to know that I desire you with everything in me. I can’t control how I feel.”

Xavier’s impassioned plea sent a surge of warmth through Soledad, and that pesky throbbing between her legs started again.

Somewhere in the background, children had begun to hit a piñata, and screams of delight interrupted the silence.

Soledad leaned back on her elbows and flashed him a flirty smile. “I really like that you call me Cholita.”

“It feels very natural.”

“
I
feel like I’m yours.”

“Because you are.” His blue eyes darkened. “And I’m yours.”

She inched toward him while he caressed her face, then brushed her hair back. He planted a soft, slow kiss on her wet shoulder. Heat once again flooded her body. Being here with Xavier felt so right.

And those beautiful blue eyes. Those
beautiful
blue eyes!

Those eyes were the last thing she saw in her mind when she closed her eyes that night.