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The tension lines around his mouth were even more pronounced than the day before.
 Aarón called, he said by way of explanation.  I have to go.
Miguel loved his younger brother and wanted to protect him, but she didn t quite understand what
from. It had to do with his own past and his strained relationship with his mother, but she d never fully
understood the gist of it, and he never seemed to want to confide in her.
 What s wrong? Has something happened to him?
His fingers brushed the hair back from his face. The muscles of his arm flexed with the movement,
but she remained focused on the man and what seemed to be a difficult time for him.
He rested the edge of his butt against the dresser.  My mother has decided to take him with her to
Germany, even though she promised we would discuss it. Aarón wants to come live with me. He doesn t
want to be dragged to Europe to yet another house with another man who&  He expelled a heavy
breath.  Who doesn t really want him around anyway.
Samirah s gaze landed on the open suitcase again.  When do you leave?
 Tonight. I m catching the next flight out to Miami.
A feeling of dread crept over her.  Were you going to tell me?
 Of course. I had no intention of leaving without saying goodbye. I wanted to get my things together
first because there isn t much time if I want to catch the flight.
She nodded her understanding, even though the word  goodbye held a finality that couldn t be
missed.  Do you need me to do anything while you re gone? Stock the fridge with groceries, get his
room ready?
 No. He raked his fingers through his hair again and stared at the suitcase instead of her.
 You sure? Her voice sounded the way she felt small and insignificant. Because she understood
what was taking place, and she didn t want to face it. When he didn t reply, she asked,  How long will
you be gone?
 I hope only a few days, but it could be longer.
This was it. The dump. He no longer needed her.
 Should should I 
 Samirah.
Her teeth sank into the tender flesh of the inside of her bottom lip. Over the past twenty-four hours,
she d agonized over what would happen and how she would feel if he didn t ask her to stay as she d
hoped he would, but nothing could prepare her for the excruciating pain she experienced at this
moment.
 This isn t how I wanted things to go, he said.  I wanted us to spend as much time together as
possible over these next couple of days, but but these are circumstances out of my control. I want you
to know I ve enjoyed every moment we ve spent together. It was fun.
Her eyes snapped up to his.  Fun? I ve been fun? Is that supposed to be some kind of compliment?
He looked exasperated.  Don t do this.
 Don t do what? Tell you the truth about yourself?
 Don t make this into something ugly.
 Don t worry, Miguel. You ve already done a really good job of that on your own.
He pushed off the dresser.  What do you want me to say?
 I thought you& cared about me. I came here to tell you& 
The pain of rejection clogged her throat, and her voice kept breaking. She couldn t stand the look of
pity in his eyes so she stared down at the carpet, finding it hard to believe it would end this way. She
covered her face with her hands so she could hide behind them. She was falling apart. For the first time
in her life, she wanted to hide and didn t want to be seen.
He came silently over to her and grasped her wrists.  Samirah, querida.
 Stop, she whispered.  I told you not to call me that.
 I ve been calling you that for a long time now.
 But you don t mean it.
 Of course I mean it. Look at me. She allowed him to lower her hands, and he tilted up her face
with a finger under her chin.  We both knew from the beginning our time together would be short. You
have your life in Miami, and your family in the States. I knew you would be leaving. So instead of saying
our goodbyes on Saturday, we re saying them a couple of days early. It has always been inevitable. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]