Chapter
98: A War in Hell
A
newspaper vendor hawked the front page headlines, just like in an old
movie. Honoria stared at the vendor as Julian's coffin was carried
into the church by Orlando, Adrian, and two other guys from the
neighborhood. She paused at the entrance to the courtyard. Her face
was like stone. When the coffin was rested in front of Padre Juan,
Orlando stood beside Doris.
Claudio
joined Alma in the dining room. Breakfast was on the table. She
told him Esperanza was to go to Julian's wake; Isela was already
there. Leo was there for Clara and Esperanza. Max had been doing
the paperwork to get Julian's body released to his parents. Claudio
then revealed that Maria Dolores had been arrested the night before.
Adrian
and Orlando lit the candles. Fermin tried to open the viewing
window. Honoria slammed it shut to stop him. The sound echoed
through the courtyard.
“No!”
she said.
“Everyone
here wants to say goodbye to him,” Fermin told her.
“All
his life he only inspired pity,” Honoria said. She wasn't looking
at him or anyone else. “But now it's over. I will not allow this
to continue.”
“Honoria,”
said the priest. “All these people loved your son. They organized
this to honor him and say farewell.”
“He
doesn't need speeches, Father,” Honoria said. “These should have
happened when he was alive.”
“But
he has gone to eternal life.”
“That
is a lie. He spent his life trapped in a body less than others'. It
ended with the woman he loved killing him.”
Clara
was shocked.
“Honoria,
you know very well that isn't true,” Esperanza said.
“Every
since I know you you've denied it.”
“That's
not how it was,” said Fermin. “She knew he was in love with
her.”
“That
makes what happened all the worse. I hoped he could find love
because Maria Dolores never loved him.” She looked at Esperanza
with hatred.
“This
is not a time for reproaches,” said the priest. “Your son is
with God and all his suffering is –”
“I
don't want to hear about God when he suffered up to his last moment.”
“You're
saying this because you are hurting. But Julian was more than a man
with limited abilities who was in love with Maria Dolores.”
“Julian
was a very good son.” said Esperanza.
“He
was like a brother to all of us,” said Clara.
“He
was my best friend,” said Orlando.
“He
helped everyone,” said Isela.
“He
was the light of this neighborhood,” said one of the other
pallbearers.
Hosefa
watched from near the gate, probably wondering what more evil she
could make of this.
“Honoria,
accept God's will,” said the priest.
“No.
I renounce your God. I renounce the God I had worshipped my entire
life. He never relieved my suffering. It was shared between my
son's illness and Fermin's alcoholism. I went to God for
consolation. But for what? For what? That he took away my son!”
She began to cry. “Get out! Get out of here and leave me alone!”
Padre Juan looked at the others, who began backing away. “Get out
of here! Hypocrites! Get out, all you hypocrites and leave me alone
with my son!”
Everyone
backed away slowly and left. Esperanza looked back sadly.
“Julian!
Don't leave me alone! Don't leave me alone, son, please! Julian!”
Honoria cried as she bent over the coffin.
Fermin
was the last to leave. Hosefa left her vantage point. At least she
walked away. Finally, Honoria was left alone weeping over the
coffin.
Maria
Dolores walked through the prison yard. One of the convicted women
bumped into her deliberately. She said “If it wasn't for The
Granny, you'd get hit in the face.” She laughed as she walked
away.
“You
want something to eat?” said a young convicted prisoner.
“I'm
not hungry. If I eat it's because of my baby. I'm pregnant.”
“So
then?”
“Do
you know if there's a chapel here?”
“What,
you want to unburden your conscience?” The young prisoner sounded
like she wanted to laugh.
“I
need to pray for a friend.”
“As
long as he didn't do anything bad.”
Another
young prisoner, one being held as she was, handed her a plate. The
food looked fresh and substantial.
“It's
from The Granny.”
“Thanks.”
“What
did she give you?” asked the first one.
“Forgive
Honoria,” Fermin said to Esperanza.
“I
understand, Fermin. It's the worst thing that could happen to a
mother,” she said.
“Now
we must pray for her to recover,” said Padre Juan. “I'll be back
later because now I don't think she wants to listen.”
All
were willing to forgive Honoria and were willing to assist at the
burial. Leo invited Clara and Esperanza to come home with him. They
declined his offer. He assured them that Max was doing everything
possible. Doris offered her apartment for them to rest in, away from
Hosefa. Esperanza's doctor wanted her to rest. Esperanza and Clara
accepted.
“In
the end, Daniel didn't sign the warrant. But it doesn't matter
because Maria Dolores is in prison,” Victor told Mama Bear.
“So
you say it's useless?” asked Arango.
“No.
We just withhold it until it's needed to improve our defense.
Because Max will try to make him look guilty to free Maria Dolores.”
“But
Daniel assured me that the only witness was Ivana and she won't talk
because it's not to her benefit.”
“Well,
exactly. All we have to wait for is the sentence and the birth of
the baby. However, the prison system allows inmate mothers to keep
their children until they're five years old.”
“They
allow children to stay in a prison that long? How horrible!” said
Mama Bear.
“So
we have to take it away before that, don't we?” asked Arango. The
shark should have known that answer.
“Exactly,”
said Victor. “Well, I have to get back to the office. Excuse me.”
He
shook hands and left the parlor. He saw Danny-Boy waiting for him
near the study.
“What
did my mother want?”
“Nothing.
I'm going to start working to recover your child.”
“Good,
perfect. So tell me you can help me visit Maria Dolores.”
“Why?
Of course not. You can't. The only visitors she's allowed are her
lawyer and her immediate family.”
“I'm
the father of her baby. That's immediate, isn't it? If necessary
I'll give you money. Money can do everything.”
Victor
looked as though he wish he were anywhere else. Maleny came in.
“I've
won. Aren't you thinking about that?” she asked.
Maria
Dolores went back to The Granny's cell. She was an older woman with
a wise face, like Chelito's. Somehow her hair was still black.
“I
guess you asked how to find me. Didn't they tell you I don't see
people without an appointment?”
“I
just wanted to express my gratitude for everything you've done for me
since I got here.”
The
Granny dismissed the other woman in her cell. She left. Granny
motioned for Maria Dolores to approach her.
“I'm
interested in all pregnant women who come into this place,” she
told her.
“They
said you were The Granny. You must have many grandchildren.”
“Only
one.”
“I
thought it was many. You have a lot of things here.” She was
looking at the framed photos on the wall.
“You
are mistaken. I work here. I sell a lot of things in here, up to
medications.”
“Yes,
I see. They told me I have to work.”
“I will help you.”
“I
want to ask a favor.”
Maleny
sat on the desk. Danny-Boy was lounging in the leather chair behind
her. Both looked as crazy as ever. Mama Bear and The Shark came in.
“Well,”
Maleny said. “How were you going to continue sacrificing your
children to get more and more and more money? We're demanding our
share.” The doorbell rang.
“Very
well. If you want your fortune, it's in this house and it's here
thanks to our administration. Now we have to get another fortune to
take care of it. They money we had is money and it's gone. Ivana's
fortune is in a business that keeps making money because it's solid.”
Isidro
entered.
“Excuse
me, Madam. Young Ari is outside and insists on seeing the young
mistress.”
“Tell
him to leave. I don't want to see him.”
“He
said he has important information about your administrator.”
“I'm
not interested.”
“But
I am,” said Danny-Boy. He got up from the chair and left the room.
Doris
encouraged Esperanza to get some rest and escorted her to the bed.
Clara's cell phone rang and she heard the recording. It said the call
was from the prison. She was to press “1” to accept it. She was
too shocked to do anything and it cut off as Esperanza came to the
phone. It rang again and Esperanza took the call.
“I
don't know why I'm here,” Maria Dolores told her. “They brought
me here last night. I haven't seen Max. I found out I needed a card
to call you and there was no answer.”
“Nobody
told us anything. So why are you there?”
“Try
to talk to him, Mother.”
“My
poor girl!”
“Don't
go on like that, Mother.”
“Hey,
I need to talk, too,” said the prisoner behind Maria Dolores.
“No.
Don't worry. Now you have to be strong.”
“I'll
be alright, Mother. I'll just need a phone. I'll call you when I
get one.”
When
she ended the call she cried. Esperanza also cried. Max arrived.
“Arango
has been our estate administrator forever,” Daniel said. “My
mother has always trusted him. He's no saint, but I can't imagine
what you can say about him that would be of any importance to us.”
Ari
looked at him smugly from the depth of the couch.
“It's
more important to me. I'm just here to see that this lap dog helps
me get my job back at the club. But that's not important. After he
talks to the club president I'll just move back in here, don't you
think?” He grinned. “You know this lap dog shagged your sister
at least once.”
Maleny
laughed. “You must be insane.”
“If
you have nothing else important to say, get out of my house this
second,” Mama Bear said. Nobody had seen her enter.
“Of
course, of course, but one more thing. You don't know how happy it
makes me to see this family all together and enchanting. You just
love to stick knives in each other. What an example.” He looked
at Mama Bear. “Dear Mother-In-Law, good day.” He blew her a
kiss as he departed.
Danny-Boy
stood next to Maleny and put his arm around her. It was more like a
choke hold he could close within the blink of an eye. He whispered
some nasty words to her, then addressed the Great White Shark.
“You
ate the flesh right off our ribs,” he said. “And that wasn't
enough.” He mumbled some more poison as Mama Bear stared and went
into stalking mode at the Great White Shark.
“Don't
you talk to me that way!” Arango said.
“You're
just an employee!”
“No,
I'm much more! I helped your mother all these years. I gave my
whole life to this family. My loyalty –”
Mama
Bear slapped him hard. Then she grabbed his lapels.
“Loyalty?
You have betrayed me, Arango! Get out of here!” She let go.
“No,
no, no!” yelled Maleny, pointing at him. “This idiot attacked me
in the hotel --”
“Get
out of my house immediately!” She turned to Maleny. “And your,
slut, will die before you find out who killed your father.”
She
left the room. Her children and Arango stared as though they were
about to begin a duel.
Max
explained what had happened. Maria Dolores was arrested because she
was found alone in the apartment with Julian. He had been using a
wheelchair and was therefore unable to defend himself. He didn't
know how long she would be in there. He told her he needed to get
someone who could give an account of the events. He needed to prove
that Maria Dolores was defending herself from Danny-Boy. His
immediate task was to see to it that she have it easier in prison.
They all wanted to see her.
Padre
Juan visited Alma. They talked briefly about Honoria, then Alma told
him about Maria Dolores' arrest. She was afraid she would die before
Maria Dolores would be released. She felt selfish for saying this
when she thought about Maria Dolores being locked up. And how her
son worked day and night to protect her and free her. She was
begging God for just a little more time to put some things right.
Adrian
found Jenny. She was sprawled on her couch. He told her they were
worried about her. They he described what happened at the wake. She
got up and kissed him. He wasn't expecting that. He pushed her
away. She could only take that as rejection. He hadn't meant that,
but she revealed that she had prostituted herself in the past. She
was sure he was disgusted. He saw her as a generous woman who had
loved Julian. He told her that Fermin and Honoria needed her help.
She asked him a favor: To make her pregnant so she could give
Honoria and Fermin the grandchild they always wanted. He embraced
her but did not answer.
Arango
stormed out of the study after Úrsula. Maleny was not about to let
this shark off the hook, but she couldn't stop him. She and
Danny-Boy wanted him gone. He went after Úrsula into her room and
locked the door behind him. Danny-Boy was right behind Maleny. He
told her to stop trying to break down the door and how much he hurt
when he found out that their father had been murdered.
Mama
Bear could not believe the recent turn of events. Or that Ari had
the balls to come and tell such a story.
“I
thought I knew you like the palm of my hand,” Úrsula said “And
now I'm told you shagged my whore of a daughter. I want to know if
that's true.”
“I'm
not here to deny [desmentir] that. Yes. I shagged Maleny.
And what did you expect? As you kept saying I'm just your
administrator. I've done things for you I never imagined in my life
I was capable of doing. In exchange for what? I was only one more
guest to your family reunion.”
“And
you're saying to me you're rolling around in bed with my daughter?”
“Of
course not. But I am also a man. And when Maleny doubted it once I
showed her I had blood in my veins, Úrsula. And I told her that
like you I'd cry over a paper note rather than accept comfort from
another human being.”
“I
always thought that it's better to cry in a mansion rather than in a
fourth-grade house. From the moment my son was in prison I changed
my priorities. Now it's my son and my fortune, in that order. And I
don't need a traitor like you in my house. Get out of here.” She
opened the door. He didn't leave. He slammed it shut.
“I've
given up my entire life for this. You don't send me anywhere.
Remember, Úrsula. I know lots of things about you. More than your
own children. I'm glad your priorities changed because if I open my
mouth you will lose Daniel.” He grabbed her shoulders. “I'm not
going anywhere. As for Maleny, don't worry. It's been a long time
since I've had any interest in her. You may not realize this, but
there's something else deep inside. I've observed your people's
behavior. It makes me sick.”
He
walked out. She looked as though she were sick.
Claudio
and Isela were in the study.
“We
weren't able to talk last night,” Claudio said. “I don't want to
deal with Hosefa any more. She demanded more money after the money
she gave Orlando. I was going to give her the money I meant for
Max's wedding.”
“Are
you lying to me, Claudio? Orlando never took the money. I have to
ask you a big favor. This is the last time you will mistrust
Orlando. He's not what you think.”
“What?”
“Thanks
to him Hosefa was locked up because she wanted to cause a scandal in
the church. She was going to tell Alma about us.”
“Before
this I trusted her because she was your mother. But that's over.”:
“So
what are your going to do, Claudio?”
“Give her more money. To
get lost and leave us alone.”
“But
that's not what she wants.”
“What
does that woman want? Tell me.”
“She
wants to know what really happened to Marta. Remember when I told
you she didn't commit suicide? Hosefa thinks you did it.”
Padre
Juan and Alma talked about Hosefa and Isela. He said that it would
be best if Isela became independent. Not only of Hosefa, but of
Alma's household. Alma correctly guessed that he knew about the
affair between Isela and Claudio. She thought Esperanza had told him
but the good padre said he had not heard it from her. Alma was
afraid that if she put Isela out there would be fights again. She
also didn't want to see Claudio fighting with their sons. She did
not want them in pain over this when she died. Padre Juan suggested
they pray together. They did.
“You
were the judge in my sister's case. Her name was Marta Ramos
Cabrera.”
“Do
you know how many cases I've sat on as a judge?”
“She
worked in a bank. She stole money. She was just another case to you
but she was my sister. She was murdered in prison.”
“Wait,”
he said. He stepped away. “Of course. I remember. She did the
crime. Why do you and Hosefa think I was guilty of all this? When
you said your sister died because she committed suicide over a man
you deceived me.”
“Hosefa
always believed she was innocent and that you sentenced her unjustly.
So I had to investigate to find out.”
“So
why didn't you tell me? Why didn't you ask me?”
“Because
I had to get close to you to find out if Hosefa was telling me the
truth or not. If I could get revenge on you.”
Neither
of them knew that Alma was right outside the door. The maid
approached her with a tray and Alma motioned for silence. She
whispered to take the tray to the priest. The maid obeyed. Alma
stood near the crack in the door.
Maria
Dolores thanked The Granny and handed her a credit card.
“Don't
worry. It's your lawyer, not your man. If he doesn't answer he's
not coming here. He's got to pay.”
“How
do you know he's not answering me?”
“I
know because I am the oldest one with the most years in here. And
men are the first ones to abandon us. But you still seem to have
faith.” She noticed that Maria Dolores was handling a ring that
she put in her pocket. “You guard that ring well.”
“Yes;
I hide it well.”
“Just
like mine.” She laughed. She got up to make coffee.
“Max
isn't only my lawyer. He's also the man I love and he's been with me
through all the good and the bad. I know he will not abandon me.”
“We'll
see. Is he the father of your baby?”
“No.”
“Then
the man you killed was.”
“Why
do you ask that?”
“I'm
the only one who can read people in this prison.”
“Then
why are you asking who the father of my baby is?”
“Because
it's a newbie crime, not one for a lifetime criminal.”
“I
didn't kill Julian. He was like a brother to me. I'm not capable of
doing anything like that. It was an accident. I was trying to
defend myself from the father of my baby. He had raped me.”
The
Granny doubled over and almost retched.
“Are
you alright? Do you need help?”
“Go.
Leave. Leave.”
Maria
Dolores walked out slowly. The Granny took a breath and began to
cry. She didn't want Maria Dolores to see that.
“Maybe
you don't remember Hosefa in court because she was very different.
But since Marta's death she's been abusing me very badly. It's a
bitterness she won't let go of.” She saw it in her mind. Josefa
heard Marta's cry from behind bars. She watched Claudio leave the
room. “She looked at you with your perfect family. Your sons,
your wife always smiling at social occasions. With rancor. She
thought of her own miserable life. And she hated you.”
“Therefore
what did she propose to you? Destroy my marriage, my family?”
“Yes.”
“Why
did you do this to me? Why?”
“Forgive
me. Forgive me, Claudio, because I believed Hosefa. After I
investigated --”
“After?”
“The
archives. And when I found nothing Adrian looked in the judicial
archives. He told me you had nothing to do with this. Forgive me.”
“Why
did you do this to me? To my family?”
“Because
I didn't know you. Not you. Not Alma. And I had no doubts. And
later I regretted every moment I fell in love with you. And I fell
more in love with you.”
A
guard pulled the young convicted woman into the warden's office. The
warden pointed to the food on the table and she thought back to the
food handed to Maria Dolores earlier.
“I'm
reminding you that Corina is in the punishment cell. She sleeps
alone. And I drink better.”
Several
murderous stares between her and the guard. The girl knew she was in
danger.
“I
swear, Claudio, until I entered your house I didn't know what it was
to have a family. A loving mother like Alma. With you I knew love.
You were the first and best man in my life.”
Alma
listened in shock.
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