Oh, Papá, what a mess you created!

Another sister. As if I didn’t have enough with three siblings. My mother must be turning over in her grave. I tried to recall the details of my father’s will. Nowhere in there had my father mentioned this Elisa. Neither did Aquilino. Did that mean that he’d forgotten her? Had she died? But if she was still alive, where was she?

The photograph of the little girl in Angélica’s room came to mind. Could she be Elisa?

The room had become stuffy and hot and I didn’t know if it was the climate or my father’s confession. All I knew was that I had to get out.

I stepped out of the study, crossed the patio, and left the hacienda through the kitchen door. It was such a relief to be outside, away from that confined space. My shirt was drenched in sweat and my arms covered with mosquito bites. I couldn’t stop scratching. I undid my tie, thinking about my father. Were all men like him? I didn’t think Cristóbal had ever been unfaithful to me. Had he? At this point, I wouldn’t be surprised if some random child would show up claiming he was Cristóbal’s long-lost son.

Oddly, the thought didn’t horrify me. In fact, it might be good if he did have a child, being that I could never give him one. There would be something left of him in this world, something other than his old typewriter.

The moon looked sublime and it was so bright, it partially illuminated my path. I hiked for a long time, and the more I walked, the hotter I became. I could already hear the gurgle of the creek. I anticipated the cool water engulfing my feet and that vision gave me the strength to keep going.

When I arrived, I sat on one of the rocks, undid my shoelaces, and removed my shoes and socks. Under my bare feet, the heat appeared to be rising from the ground, like a coal stove. How could it be so hot at night? So hot and so humid? I submerged my feet in the water and my body temperature finally lowered down a few degrees.

Crickets chirped around me and an owl hooted. I was so uncomfortable with my back covered in sweat. I removed my tie and jacket.

In all this time, I hadn’t been outside my room without a jacket. What a relief! I longed for the cool water against my skin. Without giving it much thought, I shrugged off my vest and removed my trousers, too. Looking around, I unbuttoned my shirt. Who would be here at this time of the night anyway? It seemed safe enough and I desperately needed a fresh bath.