The Fountains of Silence(84)

“Well,” says his father. “We have a surprise that will wake you up.” As if on cue, his parents step apart.

Standing behind them in the hallway is a familiar face.

It’s Laura Beth.





107



“Why, Puri, what a surprise to see you here.” Julia hugs her young cousin. “Are Aunt and Uncle all right?”

“Yes, they’re fine. I’m sorry to visit you at work, Julia. I know you’re very busy with the matadors.” Puri’s voice is soaked with urgency. “But I have nowhere else to go.”

“Puri, whatever is the matter? Are you unwell?”

“Very unwell.”

“Come in. We can speak in the fitting room.”

Julia leads Puri through the workshop.

Puri has spent endless nights thinking of the handsome matadors. She knows her thoughts warrant confession. The visual feast of colors, fabrics, and suits in front of her is what she’s dreamed of seeing on, and off, the courageous men. But recent distractions have pushed her interest in matadors aside.

They enter a small room with wood paneling and mirrors. Julia motions for them to sit together on a bench.

“Tell me why you’re here, Puri.”

Puri looks at her older cousin. “Because you know about secrets.”

Julia’s eyes dart. Her fingers clutch her skirt. “What are you referring to?”

Puri takes a deep breath. “Julia, when should a secret be kept and what should be kept a secret? If I see something that troubles me, that doesn’t feel correct, do I have the right to question it? Should I say something?”

Julia looks at her cousin, evaluating.

“Well, we all have the right to question things in our own minds, Puri. But some things are complex, nuanced. They stand at a cliff of truth. They might appear as fact when in reality we don’t have all of the information. So, at the time, it’s beyond our comprehension. Speaking of things we don’t understand might only complicate things.”

“In that case, what do I do?” asks Puri.

“Is this related to your social service work at the orphanage?”

“Yes, and at the clinic.”

“Does it pertain to the babies?” whispers Julia.

Puri nods. “And adoption in general.”

“Puri, you must give your best self to those children. Whatever they were born of, whatever their circumstance in coming to the Inclusa, they are innocent. Shelter them and show them they are worthy. If you can help them find a loving and stable home,” Julia’s voice catches, tearful. “Please, Puri. Please do that. Mothers pray for someone like you. Someone who cares enough to hold their children, to love them, to think of their future.”

Julia reaches out and takes her hand. “I know it’s difficult, Puri, but if you can, try to imagine yourself in the place of those children. What do they deserve?”

A woman enters the fitting room. “Julia, Luis is asking for you.”

“I’m so sorry, Puri. I must return to work.” Julia gives her a kiss and guides her out of the fitting room.

Try to imagine yourself in the place of those children.

Was Julia speaking generally of the orphans at the Inclusa or, Puri wonders, was Julia giving her a more direct message? What does she know?





108



Daniel stares at his plate. Laura Beth and his mother have talked nonstop. His mother does that when she’s uncomfortable. His father hasn’t spoken a single word. He does that when he’s uncomfortable.

His father had made a big production of introducing everyone in the lobby to Laura Beth. He referred to her as “my son’s sweetheart from Dallas.” Daniel feels sick. His sweetheart is somewhere in the hotel and might emerge at any moment. Laura Beth tries to engage him in conversation.

“Your mother showed me the photo with Franco. Front page of the newspaper. Congratulations,” says Laura Beth.

Daniel nods. “Thank you.”

“Perhaps you can show Laura Beth a bit of Madrid today,” suggests his mother.

“No, ma’am. I have two photo shoots.”

“You can take her along.”

“The first one is at a slaughterhouse and the second is at a graveyard,” says Daniel. “I don’t think she’d enjoy it.”

“Well, Laura Beth has traveled a very long way. It would be awfully rude not to spend time with her,” says his father.

A cloud of tension hangs above the table. Daniel wants to punch something.

“Actually, I’m the one who was rude,” says Laura Beth. “That’s part of the reason I’m here.” Daniel shoots her a pleading look but she continues anyway. “Mrs. Matheson, I’m not sure if Daniel told you, but I broke up with him.”

The silence is momentary until Laura Beth continues.

“I felt that our family differences were too difficult to bridge. I’ve felt badly about the way I handled it. I’ve missed Daniel so I decided to come to Madrid.”

“You came all the way here to tell me that?” says Daniel.

“Well, no. There’s a new designer, Oscar de la Renta, who lives here. He designed the debutante gown for the ambassador’s daughter and he’s designing our dresses for the Ford ball. Mother had the idea. She’s here too. No one else will have a gown from Spain,” says Laura Beth.