Chapter
80: Death Sentence
Maria
Dolores told Max about Alma.
“Isela
told me your mother has cancer. She's had tests that detected it.
She had Isela accompany her to the clinic. It's been confirmed.
Your mother has pancreatic cancer.”
“Tell
me it's not true. Please tell me it's not true.”
“My
love, listen to me. If you only knew how much I wish it weren't
true.”
“If
it is, she has to fight. I've got to be with her so she can go on
and beat this disease”
“Of
course. You'll be there for her and I'll be there with you.”
“I'll
talk to her about going to the doctor with her about the diagnosis
and what's happening.”
“My
love, you have to know that she didn't want you to know.”
“What?”
“Isela
said so. Your mother told her.”
“But
Isela didn't tell me. My mother doesn't want to worry us.”
“Of
course but she didn't tell Isela anything else.”
“But
she needs to know that I know and I'm going to help her out of this.”
“The
most important thing is that you remain calm and strong. I'm going
to help and I'll be at your side at all times. Everything will be
alright. Everything will be alright.”
Max
cried quietly as Maria Dolores embraced him.
Isela
and Claudio did the nasty up against the wall in an office. He
groped her body as she stood on a chair in front of him. He had no
will power, no self-control. He seemed to have forgotten who and
what he was. They moved over to the couch to get down to business.
Cadena
and Ùrsula argued about how to get Danny-Boy of the slammer.
“When
Joaquin failed I sent for Jacinto to take care of things.”
“But
I've told you that your lawyers don't want to dirty their hands on
this prison business. But I'm not his official attorney.”
“But
you don't need that title. Just say you're one of the group of
lawyers handling his defense.”
“Not
without their help.”
“You
have it. Just go over to the prison and get Daniel out, then say how
he is.”
“Daniel
will want to know what is going on with his defense. He wants me to
talk to a guy who's protecting him in prison.”
Ùrsula
looked as though she hadn't expected this.
Julian
visited Orlando to see about getting a car designed for him to drive.
He was going to buy one and asked Orlando if he could make the
necessary modifications. Orlando admitted he didn't know much about
this but wanted to learn. Julian was tired of being holed up in the
house all the time. He refused to give in to fear. Orlando told him
he admired his courage. He declined to accept payment for this.
Leo
was happy that Alma changed her mind about Maria Dolores. He was
thrilled that Alma would be helping Maria Dolores with her wedding.
Alma told him that life brought situations that made priorities
clear. Leo talked about Clara and Esperanza and how there is no
family problem that couldn't be solved. Of course his own were
waiting to be known.
Isela
and Claudio put their clothes back on. Isela's phone rang. Maria
Dolores called to get the doctor's phone number. She refused to help
her at first, but Maria Dolores reminded her she had promised the
information. She then said she would send her a text. That was for
Claudio's benefit. He asked what the call was about. She admitted
that Maria Dolores called for a phone number. He tried to kiss her
but she broke away. “It's over,” she said, heading for the door.
Like he really believed that.
Doris
and Orlando confronted Ari on the street about his visit to Isela.
They brought up his motive. Hosefa tried to be smug about it. She
called Doris a greasy, grimy pig [grasienta]
and insinuated that Orlando would take Isela back. He told her no
way, as her daughter sullied herself by being involved with a married
man. Hosefa tried to attack him, but Doris stepped in between them
and started telling her off. Hosefa slinked away to get out of the
line of fire. Ari said that Orlando might want to trade a fatso like
Doris for Isela, which only got Orlando to attack him. Doris yelled
at him to stop. She even threatened to call the police. The two men
kept on fighting. Orlando had the upper hand this time. He wasn't
going to stop.
Claudio
couldn't believe Isela would end it after their sweating up the sofa.
She said it was getting out of control. Ari had come to the house.
He almost ratted them out to Alma. That shocked him. She kissed him
gently.
“Claudio,
I love you, but I can't go on like this.”
“I'll
fix this.”
“No.
Don't you realize? One hand can't wash the other. Maria Dolores
knows.”
“I'll
talk to Maria Dolores.”
“Yes,
but I don't believe you. She was at the house and she guessed what's
going on between us. She will tell Max everything if this doesn't
end.”
The
fight continued until Ari landed face-first against a car's side
window. The alarm rang, then the insults began. His mouth was
bleeding but Ari insulted Doris as though she were not there. He even
accused her of being jealous of Isela. Doris got fed up with both of
them and went into the courtyard. Orlando told Ari off and the two
went their separate ways.
It
was visitors' day at the big house. Danny-Boy and his cellmates
played cards as they waited. He hugged Cadena just outside the cell.
Danny-Boy's cellmate demanded to know about his case. Cadena's
answer wasn't good enough for him. He shoved him the rest of the way
across the room until he was down in a chair. Cadena looked like he
would need fresh underwear in a hurry. He tried to calm the irate
prisoner. Danny-Boy looked like a rabbit staring at a wolf's fangs.
Orlando
followed Doris and saw she was crying. She explained that she knew
who and what she was. She had always been jealous during her
relationship with Ari because of the beautiful women he was with at
his work. She pointed out that Ari wouldn't be seen with a fat woman
like herself in public no matter what happened in private. Orlando
said that her weight didn't matter to him(self). He had gone to see
Max's parents to get the restraining order removed. He was no longer
interested in Isela, so she had no cause to be jealous. For now he
wanted to tell Hosefa. He headed for the stairs to Hosefa's
apartment. Doris tried to stop him.
Danny-Boy's
cellmate was almost on top of Cadena.
“You
have to help us.”
“OK,
so get them to back off. I'd like to breathe.”
Danny-Boy
pulled his cellmate back and got the rest to back off. Danny-Boy and
Cadena were able to speak alone. Danny-Boy begged him to get him
out. “They'll destroy me in here,” he said as Cadena
straightened his tie. They watched the cellmate start a ménage à
trois with two visiting chicks.
Ùrsula
invaded Ivana's office with a demand. She accused Ivana's lawyers of
stupidity and incompetence.
“I
know. They're only following Claudio's instructions.”
“Because
they didn't know what to do. We're going to get this decided in
Daniel's favor. We're saying that the relationship between Daniel
and Maria Dolores was always conflicted, that she persisted after him
and came after him on your wedding day because she wanted to elope.”
“No.
I will not say anything he tells me to say.”
“Well,
he said we'll need to get evidence.”
“Oh,
yes,” Ivana said, sarcastically. “Nobody thinks that anyone
will believe my testimony because I'm about to divorce him.”
“Who
knows?”
“Max
does. I told him and asked him to be my lawyer.”
“Well,
you could say you thought better after and precisely since you've
been married that Maria Dolores continued to bother him.”
“My
lawyers explained it to you but it looks like you don't get it,
Ùrsula. I won't get any more involved in this business.”
“But
you are. Ever since you wanted Maria Dolores' baby. Or not?”
Ivana
stared at her suspiciously.
“You
better hope you're right, Ùrsula, because now I have something that
can destroy you.”
Max
and Maria Dolores visited Alma's doctor. He said that family help
was needed in these situations. He explained that they asked that
his practice not call the house or Claudio's office until they got
the test results. He was glad this had changed. Max asked about his
mother's condition. The news was bad. There was an inoperable tumor
in the pancreas. The doctor had requested a Petscan to check for
metastases. Chemotherapy was usually ineffective in such cases.
Maria Dolores hugged Max and told him he would need to have faith.
He'd always had it before.
Orlando
knocked on Hosefa's door but she refused to let him in at first. He
persisted and she finally stepped aside. After the door closed
behind him Doris knocked but Orlando said to wait for him. He
accused Hosefa for interfering in his relationship with Isela because
she wanted to kill it. Now she finally got her wish. He told Hosefa
that he once loved Isela but that was all over. He now wanted it
clear that Isela was to leave him and Doris alone. She said “OK,”
but not in a way he could believe. He had promised Claudio
Bustamante not to tell his wife if he left him alone. However, he
knew that Isela had said she didn't love Claudio but was out for
revenge. He had decided to rat her out over that. After he left
Hosefa yelled “Idiot! Idiot!” She was not happy that Isela had
let that cat out of the bag because it was going to start scratching.
Cadena
told Ùrsula and Arango that Danny-Boy wasn't doing well in the big
house. Things weren't going to get any better. He was counting on
them to get him out. And his cellmates.
“Didn't
you tell him that Claudio
doesn't want to help them?” Ùrsula asked him.
“Yes.
They all know we've been lying.”
“Of
course,” said Arango. “Because these guys all know what's going
on inside.”
“Are
you saying that if they know Daniel gets out they'll hurt him while
he's in?”
“Yes.
Daniel told me that they were the same ones who killed Maria
Dolores' father.”
Ùrsula
was shocked for a moment.
“The
same ones who attacked the paraplegic and stabbed Max?” she asked.
They
all exchanged looks of shock. Cadena nodded.
Doris
and Clara brought more statues from the local church for restoration.
They admired the restoration Honoria performed on the altar statues
Hosefa had destroyed. Fermin spoke of it as a miracle. They talked
about needing them very soon because of the neighborhood nativity
scene.
“I
don't know what I'm going to do but I have to find the way to make
Claudio help the one who is protecting Daniel in the prison.
“No,
no, no, forget it,” Arango said. “Because Max can easily find
out about this and who is helping him.” Maleny walked in just in
time to hear this.
“It
sounds like my brother made some very good friends in prison,” she
said. “Or something. Ay, Mommy, it's kinda difficult, isn't it?
I don't know how, but you have to find a way to take away Maria
Dolores' baby.”
Ùrsula
didn't take the bait. She smiled. Maybe she thought she was the
reincarnation of Livia Augusta. Suetonius would have thought so.
“Claudio
will help us with that, but in another way,” she said. “When we
present the evidence that Daniel didn't rape the seamstress, we can
convince the judge that an unhinged bitch [desquiciada] like her
should not have custody of the baby.”
She
grinned at the room. Maleny looked a little afraid.
Daniel
shared a smoke with Rudolfo's murderer. Around them the other
prisoners slept. This certainly didn't look like Alcatraz. There
were actual beds in the cells, pinups and photos on the walls. Like
these guys might have had in their rooms as kids. Not to mention
overnight visitors. Even liquor. The killer took a swig from a
bottle of Johnny Walker Black as Danny-Boy outlined what he expected
in return for his freedom. Julian now had no feeling in his legs.
Therefore he and his family wouldn't be able to help Maria Dolores.
His lawyer would accuse Maria Dolores of attempted murder. He was
offering her up on a silver platter. In return he expected payment.
“When you get out of here, I want somebody out of the way. I need
Maximiliano out of my way.”
The
killer took another swig from the bottle and looked at him. He
looked as though he thought Danny-Boy had no idea what he was talking
about.
Claudio
and Isela were barely inside the mansion when her cell rang.
“It's
my mother,” she said before answering. “What is it, Mother?”
“Why
don't you answer, Stupid?” asked Hosefa.
“I'm
busy now, so I'll have to hang up. I'll call you back later.”
“Isela?”
But she had already cut off the call.
“I'm
going to my room,” Isela said. “I have to talk to Maria
Dolores.”
“We
have to find out what she said to Max.”
Max
walked in at that precise moment. He and Isela exchanged stares.
Alma came down the stairs before either could talk.
“Max,
I know you're feeling better but you shouldn't go out for no reason.”
Max
embraced his mother and kissed her. She looked at him and Claudio.
Isela
left the room quietly. When she got upstairs to her room she found
Hosefa there going through drawers.
“Did
you call me from here?”
“No.
But I've been calling and calling and calling and you don't answer!”
Maria
Dolores went home. Esperanza was taking down the laundry and folding
it. She told her Max had been looking for her. Maria Dolores
explained she had seen him. They talked about Isela and Claudio.
Esperanza felt that Max should know the truth. Both had loved Isela
like a member of the family, but Maria Dolores' primary loyalty had
to be to Max. Maria Dolores said she couldn't because of Alma's
cancer.
Hosefa,
as usual, played the motherhood card she wasn't entitled to.
“First
of all I have to say I'm your mother and I must be the first thing in
your life.”
“Yes,
I know, Mother, but was urgent that I talk to Maria Dolores.”
“Then
it's urgent that you explain why you told Orlando about our revenge.”
“He
told you?”
“He
not only told me, he threatened to tell Claudio.”
“Good!
You finally did it!”
“I
didn't do anything! He was furious because Ari bit you and you
accused him.”
“You
did that.”
“Don't
change the subject. Why did you do it?”
“I
don't know why. But Ari almost told Alma everything.”
“Something
else ought to occur to you, daughter. I swear to you that – “
“I
had to convince him. He understood me. He would understand.”
“You
know what? I wish you'd revoke everything you said about what we're
doing.”
“Well,
fix what you're thinking. I'm thinking of getting back with him.”
“You
slut!”
She
grabbed Isela by the hair and pulled her off her feet. Must have
been easy because of her anger and Isela's high heels. Isela's head
hit the base of the support column just in time for Leo to enter the
room.
“What
did you do?” he asked. “Isela, are you alright?”
Hosefa
quickly shifted gears and looked at Isela's head as though she gave a
damn.
Esperanza
was shocked at the news. She was true to her name, though. She felt
that once Alma had treatment and got better all would be better. She
decided that Maria Dolores had done the right thing. This was no
time for dealing with an adulterous father. Maria Dolores still felt
bad about keeping the secret. That was nothing compared to Isela's
betrayal. Maria Dolores said that Isela had told her there were
serious reasons for her actions. Esperanza began to wonder whether
this was about money, but changed the subject when she heard the door
open. Clara and Doris came in and she had begun talking about a
client.
Claudio
and Alma were in Isela's room, helping her into bed. Alma noted that
the girl's arms were cold as ice while Hosefa took Isela's shoes off
her feet. Alma asked what happened. Leo said that she was on the
floor when he entered the room. The maid Beatriz (must be a
different one with the same name) came in with white cloths and a
bowl of ice. Alma wrapped some up and put it on Isela's head.
Claudio said she should see a doctor because anything can happen with
a head injury.
“Did
you faint?” Alma asked.
“No,”
said Isela, shaking her head.
“Should
we call a doctor?”
“Should
we call a doctor?” Hosefa repeated while staring at Isela.
“No,”
Isela answered.
“Are
you sure?” Alma asked.
“Yes.”
Alma
rubbed Isela's feet while Hosefa showed she had the shoes in hand.
She looked triumphant.
“The
truth is I heard an argument and a blow,” said Leo.
“Oh,
that wasn't a blow, was it, daughter?” said Hosefa.
None
of the men were less than suspicious.
“Well,
I think we should leave Isela to rest,” Alma said. She covered
Isela's feet.
“Would
you call a cab to take my mother home?” Isela asked.
“You
don't want her to stay?” Alma wondered.
“She
has stuff to do at home,” Isela said.
“I
guess. OK, I'll go downstairs and call a taxi,” said Alma. She
walked out of the room. The men followed her. Hosefa immediately
locked the door behind Claudio.
“So
it wasn't so bad after all?” she said, matter-of-factly.
Alma
and the men went back downstairs.
“How
could you let Isela go home to a mother like Hosefa?” Leo asked.
“Don't
be rude, Leo,” Alma said.
“I'm
not being rude, Mother. She hit her.”
“How
can you say that? Who told you?” asked Claudio.
“I
know what I heard. Besides, I know, Dad.”
“What?”
“That
Hosefa hits Isela. Orlando told me.”
“No,
that can't be,” said Alma. “Besides, that Orlando – “
“You
don't know, Mother. I'm just saying what I know. Poor girl because
she's always been nice to me.” He walked out of the room. Alma
turned to Max.
“Is
this true?”
“Don't
worry, Mother. Maria Dolores would have to know. She's known her
ever since childhood. I'll ask her.”
“Look
at what you've provoked,” Hosefa said.
“I
just told Orlando the truth. What does it matter that he knows? The
revenge is over.”
“This
is not over,” Hosefa said through clenched teeth. She had grabbed
Isela's foot under the blanket.
“Mother,
Maria Dolores knows. She threatened to tell if I didn't end this. I
have to so she doesn't say anything to Max.”
“If
only I hadn't said anything to you,” Hosefa said. She threw the
ice pack aside and got up in disgust. “Tell that idiot it was all
in her head. That she imagined everything.”
“No.
She was here and we were talking about Alma.”
“Then
she better not say anything and you better not say anything because I
am taking charge of this revenge.”
“Leo
was so happy because his mother had changed her mind,” Clara said.
She was crying. Maria Dolores had explained about Alma. She also
told her that she needed to be strong to help Leo. She didn't know
how. Esperanza told her that it wasn't her place to tell Leo; it was
Alma's. Clara got up from the table and went into her room.
Esperanza told Maria Dolores she would have to talk to Isela. Maria
Dolores did not want to. This had gone too far. They decided to go
to church to pray for strength. Doris was sad for Max. He had been
planning something very romantic for Maria Dolores.
Alma
sat up in bed. Claudio was trying to sleep next to her and realized
she wasn't even trying. He asked if she was worried about something.
“Many things,” she said. Also that there would be time for sleep
and rest. She told him she needed him. They kissed. It looked like
this was going somewhere.
The
following morning Hosefa met with Maleny.
“I've
got some bad news for you,” Maleny said. “Your daughter and I
made a deal that would put Ari on Alma's tail. OK, do you
understand?”
“Yes.”
“Well,
she went behind my back.”
“My
daughter went behind your back? Well, the other day Ari – “
“That's
old news. Yes, I know very well.”
“You
know that Maria Dolores won't keep her mouth shut around Max? She's
at the point of telling him and you can't do anything.”
“We've
been involved in this with both hands. If Alma finds out Claudio
will not get my brother out of prison. You and I have to get those
cosilachos out of the way. Do you understand?”
“Co
si lachos?” Hosefa laughed.
“Well,
if you like those terms so much, why don't you help us?”
“OK.
I'll do what I can if she gets home early. Right now we don't do
anything yet.”
“Why
not?”
“Alma
is sick. Very sick.” She made a letter C with her right hand.
Maleny stared.
Isela
escorted Alma to the clinic for her tests. The receptionist checked
her appointment and asked about paperwork. Alma handed it to her.
She asked Isela whether she was the one who was accompanying her.
Max appeared behind them and said “No. I will take care of her.”
He looked at his mother. “I'm your son.” Alma smiled as she
started to cry at the same time. Maria Dolores was with Max.
Labels: no-creo
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