A Slow Burning Candle *Main story completed, additional scenes to be added*

Chapter 27: Door

Julieta made it back in time for the siesta gossip session. With the exception of Gloria's mother, all of the other village women were there.

Pepa was tending to her sister's duties for the most part. Josefa had managed to steal away for the midday break and came to see Luz, so the middle triplet had decided to be kind and take over her sister-in-law's part so she could visit longer with her friend.

A flash of sunny light notified the rest of them that the eldest was back when Pepa lit up the room, "Well, how did Gloria do?"

Julieta set her basket down on the counter, a smile on her face, "She did very well."

"And?"

"It's a beautiful little girl."

The women laughed and raised their glasses. They didn't have alcohol, but a toast of café would certainly do.

"Did she need any of your food?"

"No, gracias a Dios, but I gave her some to speed along her recovery just in case." Taking a cup of coffee from Juanita, the healer sat down to take a moment and savor that first sip.

"That's so strange to think about." Luz looked down at the ground, shaking her head.

"What?" Josefa turned to her.

"Gloria was one of the first students I had, and she just had a baby." The maestra laughed, "I'm so happy for her, but I feel a little old!"

The women laughed, but Pepa turned, brandishing a wooden spoon, "Oye, none of that talk until you have a daughter who is old enough to be married."

Luz held up her hands, grinning, "I know, I know, just... still." She put her hands to her chest, appealing to the other women, "I can't help it!"

The older women teased her back, pointing out her age and noting that a great many of them were already abuelas.

It was all in good fun. Even if Luz really did feel the weight of those ten years in that moment. Little Gloria hadn't been the best student, perhaps a bit of a mean girl, but she hadn't yet been a teenager when Luz had met her.

She couldn't help but shake her head in astonishment at how fast time flies.

"You know something though?" Pepa looked around the room, "I think Dolores might be pregnant."

"Really?" Julieta turned to look at her sister, "Already?"

"Sí."

Juanita pointed up at the ceiling, "Aren't you worried she'll hear you?"

Shaking her head, Pepa put the spoon back into the pot, "She's taking a nap upstairs, her room is quiet when she sleeps."

Luz grabbed one of the pandebonos off the tray and ate it while another woman spoke up, "She's only been married three months, it's a little early to know, isn't it?"

"I think she has all the signs."

"Oh?" Josefa's cheek behavior reared its head, "Or do you just want her to have all the signs?"

The group laughed a bit, but the middle triplet insisted, "No, she does."

"Like what?"

A bit of a cloud began to form over Pepa's head and Julieta laid a hand on her sister's shoulder from where she sat, "It's okay, Pepa."

After a minute, the cloud dissipated and she continued, "Well, she's napping at noon for one thing. She's been more tired lately."

"Ah, but she's also a newlywed." Another woman remarked, "Are you sure Mariano isn't wearing her out?"