Authors: Mercedes Keyes
With the lift of an eyebrow, Lena showed she was well aware of what was going on, her smile was cynical while patient. The jeweller spoke.
"Ju are Cez' lena, No?!"
With a smile Lena nodded that she was.
"Iz goot, now, Mezter Vebster, he sez, ju are to have ze's ju'elsz, he haz shozen, so… say are zis rubiez, and zis di'amons, and eza'pecially, zis ema'relds, az you can zsee'dem here."
He pulled an emerald necklace with matching earbobs from their box, and then a ruby set. He held up the emerald necklace for her to see, smiling and waiting for a gasp of pleasure, there was none, even though each piece was beautiful. The one Lena especially liked, but didn’t let on to the jeweller, was the emerald set, the necklace held an amazing emerald stone centered and encased in gold lattice that decreased in width as it neared the center, to lay with its peak pointing into ones cleavage. The earbobs were also surrounded with the gold lattice pointing downward, looking like an up-side-down spade. With the raise of his brows he asked if he could place it on her.
Ever tolerant, Lena turned, lifting her hair out of the way so that he could place the expensive necklace on her.
"Oooh grandma, sooo pretty!" Celina exclaimed as Lena turned back so all could see. He then passed her the matching earbobs; Lena held them up to her ears with her hair away and turned so her daughter and daughter-in-law could see. They both nodded with approval. She tried on the ruby set next. Each ruby was shaped like a tear drop, surrounded by small diamonds with matching earbobs.
"Yez, isz very goot, yez." The jeweller nodded.
“You like?” He asked worried about her passive responses to the expensive accessories.
Keeping any sign of enthusiasm at bay, however polite, Lena nodded that she was pleased, but that was all he received, a nod.
"Oh mama, you are breath-taking." Hope exclaimed holding her mothers hair up and away for her. "They were truly made for you."
"Zis isz true, I like zis upon your skin." The jeweller commented.
Lena reached up to feel it around her neck, she supposed it was pretty but she preferred the alternative.
"I happen to like the emeralds and gold, that set is better against her skin, they also bring out the glowing gold of her eyes…" Came Manny's deep voice from the doorway, surprising them all. Everyone looked up to see him leaning there nonchalantly, with his arms crossed over his chest and his feet crossed at the ankles. Lena blushed at the sight of his eyes so intently on her, she lowered her head, as he continued. “...the rich soft hues of gold in her hair, and her amazing brown skin”.
“
I want the emeralds, and for a change, we will also take the rubies. Do not forget to take her ring size, when she agrees to become my wife, I want to make sure her ring fits."
Manny informed him, never taking his eyes from Lena, whose brows rose in challenge to his sure words. Manny nodded and left.
Hope exclaimed. "He's right you know, the emerald and gold is more suited for you."
Lena knew he always seemed to have an eye for what she liked, or what looked good on her, but!
"They were very nice, Mr. ...?"
"Ishvotz."
"Yes, well, Mr. Ishvotz, they were very nice. However, I cannot accept them." All three gasped at her refusal as Lena reached behind her to undo the necklace. "Neither will there be a need for my ring size, I apologize for wasting your time."
"Mama! You can't mean that!? You have to take them! Father wants you to have them! And the ring size! Mama come on, for your wedding ring! Mama Please!"
Lena smiled, understanding her daughter's plea but removed the necklace and placed it back on the table. Quickly, the jeweller grabbed his ring sizer and Lena's hand placing one on her finger before she snatched her hand from him. He was quick as a snake, money on his mind from the sale, he had no inclination to fail in his role. Lena pulled the ring from her finger. It was a little too big, which the jeweller took note of.
He was an expert at his job and kept
it in mind, the next size smaller would be perfect.
"I told you kind sir, that wouldn't be necessary. I meant what I said. Now if you all will excuse me." Lena stood from the sofa and left the room, feeling everyone's eyes on her. She walked down the hall to Manny's study office and knocked on the door. Manny told the caller to enter.
She did so, noticing Mike, Joe and Rory were present, they were in the midst of something that quieted as soon as she entered the room, deciding to get right to the point, she informed him, "I wish to visit Sandra."
Manny, who was sitting upon his desk with one leg propped up in an angle and his arm resting there stared at her a moment before answering. Looking at her he wished he was alone with her right now, he'd love to kiss that regal look right off of her face, sucking the breath from her lungs. He also noted the devilry lurking there in her eyes, something having to do with her squared shoulders and the tilt of her chin.
'You little minx…perform all wish before them, but I know you in bed…when you're all soft, squirming and taking me with no resistance. And you will again…aye you will.'
She read the look in his eyes, and smiled knowingly. The chemistry between them was thick – it could not be missed. Sitting or standing between them was like being sucked into a whirling tempest, the current so powerful that it would move through anyone.
Mike grinned to himself. He could see clearly what was happening, and enjoyed it too much to mind. For once, his mother stood before his father defiantly,
‘Yes, s
exy as hell, and my father, you want her…but not this time pops…no no no.'
He covered his mouth from snickering, catching his father's attention. Shooting daggers at his son, Manny growled low in his throat, making Mike grin all the more.
Turning back to the enchantress before him, "How long do you plan to be gone…if…I may ask?"
Lena nodded demurely. "I suppose you may."
Manny lifted a brow, a little surprised. "You suppose?"
She nodded. "You may."
When she did not elaborate, grinding his teeth, he asked. "Well?"
"Well what?" She returned.
Mike giggled and snorted, receiving a kick to his shin from his father. "Ow! That hurt!" Manny glanced from him to his mother.
“
I would appreciate it if you would cease in torturing and abusing my son.”
“
Our son! An’ he started it!”
“
Michael! Stop baiting your father!”
Mike sat straighter and turned looking like the innocently accused, she smiled and winked at him, “Behave yourself.”
“
Yes mother.” He grinned, turning back.
“
Mama’s boy!” Manny growled under his breath.
Mike turned back to his mother, pointing an accusing finger at his father, just short of going,
‘See!’
“
Echm, as I was saying, I wish to visit Sandra.”
"As I was asking, how long will you be gone!?"
"Oh… I can’t be certain.” She answered simply with a shrug.
Joe shook his head,
'And to think my Hope believes she takes after her father, hmm, I do not think so.'
Rory could not believe that side of his mother, she was baiting and playing down right saucily with his father, this was a side of her he'd never seen before, it made her look like a flesh and blood real woman, who was lively and flirtatious and he didn't like it. She was a mother and should act like one.
Her hair should be as he remembered her always wearing it in the past, pinned up and proper, and demure. This side, mothers just weren't supposed to show.
"I see, since you're not sure as to the time you will return, I will simply give you a time-..."
"Maynard Webster, you cannot give me-…"
"…-ah ah ah ah – I'm speaking now and I want you back here by four, is-…"
"I will return when I feel it is time to return!"
Joseph sank lower in his chair,
'Where have I heard this before?'
"…-Ceś alena! You return by four or know that I will be there to collect you!" He ordered. Lena closed her mouth, deciding not to argue since it would be in vain. With a nod she concurred, spinning on her heel to walk away he asked, "The pieces you were shown, I hope were to your liking?"
In a half turn she looked back over her shoulder at him and answered. "They were very nice, I'm sure someone will be happy with them."
He stood from the desk glaring at her. "What in - what does that mean?"
With her hands on the door handle she answered. "I mean, I have been purchased once in my life, I won't be again, by you, nor any other man. Come along son, since I must be back by four, we best be on our way." Mike shot to his feet, biting into his tongue and the side of his mouth so as not to laugh out. His father mimicked for his ears only,
"Yes, mama.”
Mike's grin was huge as he nodded and winked, "
That’s me, my mama’s boy; don't mind a'tall pops…don't mind a'tall." Snickering, he followed his mother leaving Manny exhaling dramatically.
"Oh Sandra, what am I going to do?"
"You're going to follow your heart and marry him, that's what. He loves you, and that's all that matters."
"Something in me is struggling with accepting it." Lena murmured, rising from the patio chair to look out on the garden from the wrought iron railing that enclosed them.
"Why Lena?"
Lena looked over her shoulder distressed. "You know why." She turned back again shaking her head. "You don't know him like I do, he's a proud man and very possessive. I'm afraid of what he might think or do if he knew."
"Then face it immediately and tell him."
"I can't, I just can't. I wish it had never happened, and I can't marry him with out him knowing."
"What if he finds out? It's possible you know." Sandra said.
Lena stood quiet, unable to answer, "He's taking me home, to Makia." Lena said instead, avoiding and disregarding the other subject.
"I figured as much that he would...when?"
"Hope says by Sunday ... all of my children and grandchildren are going with us."
"That should make you proud."
"It does, very proud." Lena glanced back feeling uncomfortable. "Umm, I'm going to need my medicine." Seeing Sandra's expression she turned back towards the garden. "Also, quite a few colors of silk from Seasons In. I must provide sashes representing my father's colors for my family so they will be immediately recognized; I'm thinking perhaps small flags as well for Manny's ships. I will need everything immediately to begin."
"Well let's make a list of exactly what you'll need."
"Yes, but more importantly, don't forget Sandra, my medicine is low, so make sure you get it from Dr. Merrill."
With a sigh of discomfort, Sandra nodded. She shook off her discomfort, ignoring the concerns she had for Lena. Forcing herself to attentively listen as Lena explained all that would be required as she came to the table, sat down and began detailing the importance of each color that must be delivered.
It was three-thirty and Lena decided she
would be on her way, feeling she had given Manny a hard enough time earlier, she would obey his order. Upon her return to the ship, she found Manny on his way out with Rory, Esteban and Papo. As they went off the ship, Manny stopped long enough before Lena to examine her features to see if she was still displeased, a gentle smile and a nod of her head as she passed him relieved him of his worry. "Manny." Lena called as she was about to go below. He turned at the gang plank. "You will be back in time for dinner won't you?" He smiled widely and nodded. "Yes, I will." Again she smiled at him satisfied and went below where she joined Gaitsu in the kitchen. He’d promised to show her how to make string noodles, which she’d immediately taken a liking to from the previous day's meal. As they talked, a wonderful feeling began to close around her; a feeling of belonging, and a feeling of settlement, the ship was after all, a home that he’d brought for her, for them. Being there now, gave her a feeling that dictated that she was where she belonged. She constantly fought back tears at the wonder of being surrounded by her family.
After all of the years gone by, they were all together again, it was a joy to hear her grandchildren playing throughout the ship and to see Mike, Rory, Leon and Joe follow Manny about, as they took care of whatever business he appointed them. It was uplifting to hear Maria and Hope talk quietly as they schemed and planned against their husbands, laughing at some jest as young women do; and to see Rory and Esteban, growing closer; both of them tall and handsome. She laughed at their efforts to dodge around their duties to wander off as boys of their age often did. She shared concern to hear the cry and sniffles of Celina after falling and skinning her knee, and watched her mother taking loving care to see to her wounds… as a mother who cherished her children did. She was amused to hear Felix running to Manny because Papo had punched him in the arm and to hear her son Mike bellow orders of reprimand as father's do.
All the sounds around her were the sounds of a family. Her family, her dream come true, it was then that Lena realized what it was that made her happier than any title or wealth. Even the sound of Gaitsu's broken English as he so caringly included her in his daily routine of cooking for the family had become something she treasured and appreciated. Tears came to her eyes and she leaned over using her shoulder to catch it as it rolled down her cheek, Gaitsu noticed and asked. "What make you sad, Miss Lena?" Lena looked up shaking her head as she chuckled despite her tears. "Oh Gaitsu, it is not sadness you see before you. For the first time, I am a woman who is happier than she has ever been in her life – I am happy, so happy!" As if timed exact, Felix came into the galley carrying another bouquet of flowers.