|
Carmen
By Sleuth
Carmen sat alone in her room. How could she tell her husband about Roberto? How long had she been seeing him.. eight months now. It all seemed so innocent at first. He was so handsome. Those dark flashing eyes.. his intensity. He was so alive. He always told her how beautiful she was. Her husband barely noticed her anymore. The business.. that is all he thought about. Ever since Mick was born she had lost all interest in her husband anyway. Let him keep his business as his mistress. Then Roberto.. an innocent meeting in the park. She had taken Mick to play with the other children. It was a part of town that did not know the Santos family. Just a family park .. all the mothers and their children.
Roberto had noticed her right away.. she could feel his eyes on her. She tried to ignore him.. but she could not. It was almost as if he willed her to look at him.
They talked that day about children and families.. nothing out of the ordinary. It was as if there was a whole other conversation going on between them. He telling her in small gestures and body language that he found her very desirable. She telling him in the same way that he too was someone she wished she could know better. They met like this for weeks and then one afternoon she went alone. Mick was with the nanny and she told her husband she would be shopping and might be gone all afternoon. She knew Roberto would be in the park.
Roberto greeted her in the usual way. A light kiss on the cheek and then he would take her hand and walk her to their favorite bench. They talked for hours that day. He told her of his wife who had died recently, his engineering firm and how he had tired of the long days and nights. He was taking a sabbatical from his work he said. Time to sort things out.. time to find himself again. She wanted him so badly that she lost all inhibition and broached the subject herself. He looked mildly amused and said "Come with me,Carmen.. we can be alone if that is what you really wish." She felt herself blush at the suggestion she had just made and then followed him willingly. He was a wonderful lover and they met this way once a week. She was having feelings for this man she had never had for her husband. She loved the way he touched her and spoke to her so gently.
Two months went by and Carmen awoke one morning feeling ill. She thought " It must be the flu." but in her heart she knew. She already felt this child within her. This special child. One who was meant to be hers and hers alone.
She was sure that her husband would kill Roberto if he found out about this. She must stop seeing him immediately.
She dressed and left the house for the park. Roberto was no where in sight. She knew this was not the time but she had hoped that by some miracle he would be there. She walked to a pay phone and dialed his number.
The phone rang four or five times and then "Hello"
"Roberto?"
"Carmen, you sound upset what is it?" Roberto asked.
"I cannot see you anymore, I am sorry .. please know that I always loved you.. and always will"
"Carmen,what happened.. why are you saying these things .. wha.."
She hung up the phone and cried until she thought her heart would break.
Nine months later Daniel was born. He looked so much like Roberto that she was afraid that everyone would know. Of course no one knew. Least of all her husband.. who crowed proudly about his new son. Daniel was so smart and so handsome. As he grew it became evident to her that Daniel was going to be the smart son. Mick was like his father. Quick to anger. Never satisfied with anything. Daniel was the quiet and thoughtful one.. how she loved that child.
Two years later Pilar, the beautiful little angel. So sweet and giving. She knew she had to keep her away from the "family business."
Now he is gone.. my Daniel. He hates me because he thinks I have ruined his life. If he only knew how my life had been ruined all those years ago. Bad choices? Yes.. but I thought I would always have him and the memory of Roberto.
