She sat watching him intently, trying to find any change in his face.
It is hard to see anyone who has become like your own body to you.
- Willa Cather, from "Neighbour Rosicky," Collected Stories (Vintage, 1992)
chapter three: i'll never love again september 26, 2003
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── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──
Alejandra dreamt she was pregnant with a daughter.
A sweet little girl who would have her dad's hair and her mother's eyes. The sweetness that flowed through her veins would bring her family closer together if it were possible. A cure for the feeling that Alejandra had recently been mourning. Something that the new mom couldn't place, but knew that something was missing from her life. "Mama!" The nickname shouted over the loud construction noise, and Alejandra glanced out from her unrolled window, seeing Tommy. "Whatcha' doin' here?" He asked while walking over and leaning down, holding his elbows on the car window. Alejandra smiled at him, "just thought to stop by," she answered while unbuckling and pulling her key out of the ignition.
"We're taking our lunch in five, go find Joel he had to take a phone call," Tommy told Alejandra who nodded her head, walking around the half-built home and seeing Joel with his back facing her. One hand on his hip, the other holding the phone to his ear and Alejandra saw his back expand with the heavy, annoyed breath he took. Alejandra had a slight limp in her step while walking over to him, looking out over the lake while she held her hand to his back delicately. Joel jumped slightly, turning quickly to see Alejandra give him a warm smile before walking to the edge of the lake and grabbing a rock from the sand.
"Marie, I do not care-" Alejandra turned quickly at the mention of Sarah's biological grandmother from her mother's side. "School just started, there's no reason to pull her out so she can come to visit right now." Alejandra rolled her eyes, knowing how persistent the woman could be. "Alejandra isn't working right now, maybe we can talk about her driving Sarah up for a week or so..." Joel saw the immediate reaction that crossed Alejandra's features, knowing Marie never favored the woman and Joel pursed his lips from the words that followed. "That woman loves to pretend my grand-baby is hers, doesn't she." Joel refrained from telling Marie that Sarah, was Alejandra's. Alejandra looked to the lake before hearing the sirens that seem to be repeating today. "I've gotta get back to work, I'll speak with you sometime soon." Joel hung up the phone before Marie could argue back and sighed, shoving it back into his front pocket.
"What's with the visit?" Joel called while Alejandra smiled, walking over to him. "Just wanted to do something..." Alejandra smiled while handing the small rock to Joel who looked down at it, his frown replaced by a sweet smile. "Add to the collection? It's a bit big" He asked, hearing Alejandra giggle under her breath with a nod to her head, "it'll fit in your pocket." She looked up at him and squinted her left eye, "yeah, it'll also drown me if I somehow end up in the lake..." Joel teased as he pushed the rock into his front pocket, feeling the sharp edges poke into his skin.
"So, Sarah called me her mom again... In front of the class." Tommy walked over to the two, his hard hat jumping with each quick step he took. "Leftovers," he sang while they walked towards the picnic table.
