Once at Mrs. Carmen's house, Alexander offers to carry the things inside. Tadeus sees his grandmother leaning out the window with an expression he can't comprehend, as if she were a different person — Aren't you coming? — his partner asks, holding out a hand.
— Yes — he replies, barely audibly; he takes a deep breath and watches his sister hug her.
— Come on, my love.
Tadeus accepts the support without looking up until the weathered hands force him to look at her. Warm hands and a smile that bring tears to his eyes — Mommy — he whispers, wrapping his arms around her.
— Everything's all right, my boy, everything's all right, sweetie — Daisy says, caressing his back when she hears him sob.
Carmen smiles with her hand on the chest, Yenedith steps closer to place her hand over her brother's shoulder through her tears until they break the embrace. After bringing all the decorations inside, the hostess offers orange cake with milk — So how did you two meet?
— At a costume party three years ago but we've got a little more than a year dating — Tadeus replies.
— How come you never thought to tell us anything? — says Carmen — And you, Daisy, didn't you ever think to mention it to me?
— It's just that…
— Don't worry about explaining, son; we understand — says the man.
— Oh, shut up, Hector!
— It's more common for the younger to be more open about their sexuality, but it's not easy for older folks because we were taught that being a fa** is a perversion. Especially with how religious you are! don't you see that you've got this man sweating here? Just look at him, he hasn't said a word since he sat down in that chair.
— Uncle, but you can't use the word with F anymore — says Yenedith. Alexander covers his smile with a napkin.
— My apologies, then — says the man, turning his gaze back to his cupcake.
— Well, you know you're welcome here. We don't care about other people's preferences.
— Thanks — he says, pressing his lips together to keep from laughing.
— Will you be here for Halloween? We're throwing a costume party with the neighbors.
— No, Auntie. We're going to give candy to the children.
— That's just an old people's party, I'm going out with Gem, too.
— But you'll be here for Christmas, right? — asks Daisy.
Tadeus looks at his sweetheart before answering — Yes, we'll be here. If it's okay with you, Auntie, Alexander would like to offer to make dinner.
— No, but he's a guest — Hector remarks.
— I'd like to help out however I can — he says.
— I don't see a problem with that — says Daisy — Besides, we can drop off the gifts at the church and attend Mass.
— Well, then, but he'd better be a good cook — says the lady in a teasing tone.
— Yes.
— Yeah, that's right! I like confident people; that gives me some relief — she says with a smile and begins to clear the table — Edith, sweetie, come on, help me wash these dishes.
— Le'me do that — says Hector.
— Well, I think we're going to head out now — Tadeus says, standing up.
— Please, stay. I already put more meat in the pot, and we can't let the food go to waste — Carmen says.
Yenedith smiles when she sees her brother-in-law's excited expression — Alexander, why don't you go help Grandma with the plants she's repotting?
— It's this way, come on, help me — says Daisy.
Yenedith walks over to her brother and squeezes his hand to get him to follow her upstairs — You seem really withdrawn.
— I've really been thinking about the job the police offered me — he says as they begin climbing the stairs to the third floor, which is used as a storage room — Auntie should get rid of some stuff and use this space for something else.
— Help me look through these — she says, turning on the light and starting to open boxes — So, have you made up your mind yet?
— Edwin's already in jail, and even if he gets a minimum sentence, I don't think he'll mess with us again after all the media fuss.
— He ordered your murder; you'd better protect yourself. I already have a plan. What are you going to do?
— We're not sure it was him. Besides, Alexander is going to put that kind of business aside.
— I'm glad, seriously — she says, locking eyes with him — I was really scared.
— It's over now. — Tadeus moves closer to give her a hug when he notices the grimace she makes trying not to cry — We'll all get out of here, and we'll be fine. He won't be able to follow us.
— I don't want you to feel obligated again. I shouldn't have said that to you because you deserve to be happy, too — says Yenedith, breaking the embrace — Get married, and let's get together for the holidays and birthdays every year.
— That, I will do.
They hug once more and go down to the living room to start putting up the Halloween decorations until midnight, when the adults insist that it's time to go to bed.
— We'll leave early in the morning.
— Why?
— I was thinking of leaving now, but it would be rude not to say goodbye — Tadeus turns on the fan and opens the window.
— I don't mind being here with your family.
Tadeus smiles, gives him a kiss, and hugs him as soon as he slips under the sheet.
><><><><
The approval from the Ministry of Health was cause for celebration at Strauss Industries over the next few days.
— It has been an extensive effort, filled with great hope because the goal has been to save lives or at least alleviate the severity of the symptoms caused by this disease. I am proud to be part of such a capable team. I would like to thank Dr. Annalisa Mideros, head of pharmacological research, and the project's deputy director, Dr. Bernardo Solís. Without you, none of this would be possible — Alexander waits a moment for the round of applause to die down and continues — I'd also like to take this opportunity to announce that I will follow the example of Dr. Manuel Elkin Patarroyo, who developed the malaria vaccine and stood his ground in his goal of saving as many lives as possible — Another round of applause follows. He calls on the doctor to continue her speech and returns to the table.
— You're amazing.
— It was all thanks to the doctors.
— But you've funded it all. I'm glad it was you — Tadeus says, kissing his hand. When the speeches are over, a couple of people approach the philanthropist to request an interview, offering appearances in magazines or on television shows.
The guest takes his leave once the warmth in the palm of his hand has faded. He gazes at the glimmers of the sunset when suddenly he hears the sound of a splash. "How strange" the sky is clear. His gaze drops to his feet as he feels the tickle of water spilling over the edge of his shoes — But where did all this…?
— What thing?
— The… water… I guess this is a sign that I haven't been sleeping well.
— Is something wrong? — He wraps his arm around his waist and rests his hand on his forehead, then moves it down to the cheek — If you're tired, we can leave.
— I don't want to interrupt your celebration. I'm sure if I eat something, I'll feel better — because his stomach feels empty, he thinks, with his hand resting on Alexander's chest.
— Let's make a toast and then leave, my love.
Watching him open that bottle of champagne, the laughter, and the music remind him of casinos. Those women who didn't even have the energy to fake a smile. "Now I'm here, eating ham and fruit sandwiches as if I'd accomplished something."
When they get home, his mouth fills with the taste of liquor from Alex's tongue. — Share your body with me tonight — he whispers in his ear, slipping his tongue inside and making his laugh.
— Yes — he continues laughing as he feels his tongue trace his cheek until it reaches the eyelid.