The Fountains of Silence(65)

Fuga crosses the ring toward Rafa.

“No, walk the ring!” Rafa whispers. Fuga’s face is blank. But Rafa recognizes the stare. It’s presence.

Fuga has a keen readiness but no fear. What he has experienced in life is far worse than anything that could transpire at a capea. In the streets he is ignored and denied. He is labeled a wild orphan, a mad gravedigger. Fuga reveals himself to the animal only. In life, he falls to his knees for the animal only.

At Rafa’s insistence, Fuga walks the small ring, collecting pesetas, grapes, and most of all, respect. He says nothing, interacts with no one, just turns and walks to the stone shed.

Rafa runs to Daniel. “Did you get photos?”

“I did. Wow, your friend is very talented.”

“Sí, he is very brave.” Rafa lowers his voice. “This was nothing. An angry cow and a young calf. Wait until you see El Huérfano with a real bull.”

A man in a wide felt hat approaches Rafa.

“How old is your friend?” he asks.

“We don’t know. He’s an orphan.”

“So, that’s part of your pitch, huh? He’s faced bulls before, that’s obvious.”

“Well, se?or, we have an old wheelbarrow. We tied a set of horns to it. I run it around so Huérfano can train.”

The man looks at Rafa, clearly skeptical.

“That is why we are here, se?or. We were lucky to find these Americanos to pick us up and drive us here. With the recommendation and backing of a fine man such as yourself, Huérfano can begin to train properly as a novillero. I work part-time at the slaughterhouse, but a torero must have a sponsor to train there.”

“So, you’re telling me that this—Huérfano—has never faced a bull.” The man chews on his cigar, staring at Rafa.

Rafa skirts the question. “He has yet to face his destiny, se?or.”

“And what about that suit? Did he steal it?”

“No, se?or. My dear sister works for the best tailor in all of Madrid. The suit must be returned tomorrow.”

The man extends a business card to Rafa. “Don’t return the suit just yet.”

Rafa breaks out in a grin.

Daniel snaps a picture.





81



Daniel turns the Buick onto the dusty path. The youngsters spot the car and stampede toward it. Rafa hangs out the window, waving wildly as the children explode into cheers, jumping up and down. Elderly residents awaken in their chairs. Neighbors emerge from their shacks. The community pours into the road to watch the big black car glide toward Rafa’s house.

Antonio stands in the doorway, holding Lali. Julia and Ana appear just as the car pulls to a stop. Rafa jumps out, stands in the center of the street, and hoists the business card above his head.

“?Novillero!” he yells.

The crowd gives a huge cheer.

Ana looks to Daniel, her mouth open in surprise. Daniel nods.

“?Toro! ?Toro! ?Toro!” scream the children.

Rafa walks to the rear door of the Buick. “Vallecanos, congratulate our friend, El Huérfano!” Rafa opens the door and Fuga steps out amidst the chaos.

Still dressed in the suit of lights, Fuga looks princely, strong. He ignores the adults but acknowledges the children, giving them his grapes. He then walks straight to the door of the shack, carefully cradling a handful of coins.

Fuga bends to one knee and bows his head. He raises his hands and offers his winnings.

To Ana.





82



The worthy opponent is someone you respect, someone who has similar goals, and someone you must overcome. Daniel looks at Fuga.

He is a worthy opponent—and he has caught him completely off guard. As he snaps the picture, it all rolls back at him.

Fuga’s glares. Instant. The moment he entered the shack Daniel felt Fuga’s eyes upon him, saw his hands ball into fists. While taking his photo, Fuga’s menacing stare softened only when he glanced—toward Ana. At the time, Daniel thought nothing of it. Was his lens biased? Did he dismiss Fuga because he was a gravedigger? The most dangerous adversary is the one you underestimate.

The crowd disperses. Fuga enters the shack with Rafa and the family.

Nick whistles and scratches the side of his head. “Well, there’s a humdinger. I never saw that one coming.”

“We should leave,” says Daniel.

“Nah, there’s generally a dance on Sunday night. We should stick around.”

How does Nick know there’s a dance on Sundays?

Ana emerges from the shack and approaches the car.

“Ana, I’m trying to convince Dan to stay. There’s a dance tonight, isn’t there?” says Nick.

“Yes. Do stay, se?or. Rafa will want you here to celebrate. He’s so excited.”

“Looks like El Huérfano is the one who’s excited.” Nick laughs. He gets down on one knee and holds his flask up to Ana.

“Stop it, Nick! I was just as surprised as you were.” Ana looks nervously to the door. “Stand up. It would be very hurtful if he saw you teasing like that.”

Nick gets up. “So, you and the matador aren’t courting?”

“Of course not. He’s barely spoken to me.” Ana steps closer, hands on her hips. “Even if we were, you have no right to my personal life. You might be surprised to learn, Nick, that I’ve moved on from the Van Dorns.” Ana walks back toward her house.