RETURN TO #35

Maria was awake when I called her at eight the next morning. After breakfast, we were to see Carlos at his office and then return to Otay before the boys left for school. Carlos wanted to see Maria once more and to give her some pictures he took at Pablo’s shop. Though he was with a patient, Carlos came out and greeted us with a warm “hola’’. We thanked him again for a great job on the braces and for Maria’s visit to our house. Do you think next birthday time you might---? “ Yes, of course, we will make an appointment for Maria’s checkup.” It took us a long time but we finally found a fine thoughtful person to make her braces.

The boys had scrubbed themselves when we arrived and were eating their lunch before the start of the afternoon session of school. Their father had stayed with them the weekend. Maria has her doubts about him and his reliability, yet he is quite good with the boys and he helps Maria daily with the hard cleaning and mopping. Since we have entered her life he has taken more interest in his children. I told Maria that I would talk to Jaime about a subject that was bothering her; that big, messy dog that he had brought to the lot. I explained about the dirt and flies and that dona Emilia also complained about the mess. He readily agreed to remove the dog. This is the third dog he has brought to her since we first met. He thinks that he is helping her.

You will have much to tell your friends at the border and Emilia about your second birthday celebration at our house. “I do not have the word to show my appreciation for what you and Magie have done for me on my birthday. It was like a dream those two days at your beautiful house. I just love your house, Magie. So clean 191

and white. Also, I was so happy to meet Meg and David, finally. “Someday you will have your beautiful house, Maria. We promise you, we promise you.

We will see you within two weeks and remember you have a lunch date with us at Elva’s in November.” I will not forget, David, I never forget.”

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