WE ARE THE D.S (Somos la D.S - English version)

25. SWEET SENTENCE

Tomas Oslumia is too busy a man, not even on the one weekend that his daughter visits him, he puts his work aside.

Most meals have boiled down to two courses where I can simply talk at length with Baelee. The time he gives us to investigate is a lot, but having Ester like a snoopy rat all the time behind us is a problem.

"I'm sorry about this, but I really must leave on an emergency trip to Madrid," the man, looking a little light unlike on weekdays, stands at the edge of the pool where Baelee lies on a float.

"I know what work means to you, Dad, you don't have to explain," I can't see his eyes through his goggles but I can guess that Baelee doesn't even meet his gaze.

"I'll be back as soon as possible and tomorrow we can spend the day here, get some rest, after all it will be Sunday," the man tries to reach her and the girl nods.

"Sure, whatever you say," this time it's a bit awkward even for me.

The man turns in my direction and I turn my eyes back to the book in my hands. I wouldn't want to have anything to do with the conversation going on here.

"I'll take care of buying you a beautiful dress and we'll have dinner tonight, shall we?"

I observe Tomas' efforts. The man seems to be trying, but Baelee doesn't let him in. The girl I met a couple of months ago used to be warm as a ray of sunshine in the middle of winter, now, she's just cold, distant and something tells me it's her armor, her way of defending herself in the face of pain.

I know how her relationship with her father affects her. The sudden separation of her parents, the abandonment that meant that Tomas Oslumia focused on his work and was not even tempted to generate a strong father-daughter bond, is a weight that can erase all the light in her being.

I never say anything about it. I never ask. She never says anything either.

"I ask Ester to prepare a special dinner for the three of us," I raise my hand and say goodbye. I listen to the man walk away and just focus on her. I wait for him to say something, but he does not.

"Is he gone?" Baelee tries to reach the edge of the pool with her hands, but her weight makes her turn over on herself.

I try to hide the laughter in my book, but it's impossible.

"Great! I said I didn't want to get my hair wet," she complains holding up her soaked hair, "now I'll have to shower before I can get into your office," the girl walks over snorting and grabs one of the towels. "Yes, it's all very funny, okay, but can you go ahead?" She leans toward me and a couple of drops land on my book. "I can stall Ester while you dig around and after the shower I'll meet you in the office."

I release the stagnant air in my lungs as she walks away. Having her so close still has the same effects on me. I wish I could get up from this chair and follow her. Kiss her lips, but I can't. I shouldn't.

Baelee's shouts calling for Ester tell me that the woman will be busy, and that will give me enough time to inquire.

I move down the clear hallway of the house and pass through Baelee's room where I feel her voice and Ester's. At a short jog I lock myself in her father's office and begin to investigate.

I go straight to his computer but to my blessed luck, he has a password. I set aside the electronic device and open his desk drawers. Just blank papers and office supplies.

Nothing.

The bookcase is the only place that seems to hold anything. I check every book, every page is clean.