Maria shook her head and her eyes told Tony that even if this had been Anita’s opinion, she would not have honored it. “She said that we must be out of our heads to think we could see each other. She said it was impossible.”

“See how wrong she is?” Tony asked.

“She is on our side,” Maria said. “But she is also worried for us.”

“We’re untouchable, Maria. You and me. And I’m gonna tell you why.” He rested his hands, suddenly clammy, lightly on her shoulders and moved his head until his eyes looked directly into hers. “Because we’re still on a cloud. And that kind of magic doesn’t go away.”

“Magic is also black and evil.” She shuddered. “Anton—Tony, I must know. You will tell me the truth?”

“Now and forever.”

“You are going to that rumble?”

He exhaled, then shook his head. “Until you asked me, I didn’t know for sure. I was mixed up about it. Now I’m not. The answer is, no. The only thing I’m doing tonight is go home, get dressed, and call for you.”

“Before you come to see me I must speak to my mother and father.” She was firm. “And before I do that you must stop the fight.”

“I did stop it,” he insisted. “Last night. It’s not going to be anything except a fist fight. And Bernardo can’t really get hurt.”

“No.” She continued to shake her head. “No fight is good for us.”

“Maria, I’ve been here longer than you. I mean…” He paused, confused, for he had seen how she shuddered. “I mean that the fight has nothing to do with us. Nothing will happen,” he insisted. “Nothing. And smile again. Please.”

“Only if you do this for me,” she said. “It is not for me, but for us that I ask. You must stop it.”

“You asked for us,” he said. “So I will.”

“Can you?” She thanked him by squeezing his hands. “You can?”

“You don’t want even a fist fight? There won’t be any. You name it and I deliver,” he bragged.

“I believe you.” She clapped her hands with awe. “You have magic.”

It was the time to embrace her, to hold her in his arms again, and she rested, as if wearied by the heat, with her head on his shoulder. “Could you wear the white dress again? You see, I didn’t really get a chance to get a good look at it.”

“The white dress?”

“The white dress.” His lips brushed the outline of her ear as he murmured her name. “For tonight when I come by for you.”

“You cannot come for me!” She was frightened. “My momma…”

“… is going to meet mine,” he interrupted. “But first I gotta meet your mother. So I can invite her along when I take you to meet mine. You see, Maria, I have one too. My father, he’s been dead a long time.”

“I’m so sorry, Anton.” Maria moved to free herself and Tony released her reluctantly. “I don’t know,” she hesitated.