Canceled Plans

Marta Makes It Up To Fina

As Marta turned around to go to the kitchen to grab something quick to eat before the rest came down for breakfast she spotted Begoña at the top of the stairs with a suitcase coming down. Her heart dropped. Had Begoña seen her exchange with Fina? Had she seen them coming out of her room together? she thought. Marta was near full panic mode by the time Begoña reached the bottom of the stairs.

"Buenos días, Marta ¿Has dormido bien?" Begoña said in a very chipper manner, smiling at Marta.

"Sí, sí. He dormido bien. ¿Y tú?" Marta said with her voice kind of shaky. Maybe Begoña hadn't seen her and Fina after all.

"¿Estás bien? Pareces nerviosa." Begoña said as she placed her hand on Marta's shoulder.

"Nerviosa? Yo? No. Estoy bien. I'm just tired from all the extra work and long hours." Marta said as she calmed her breathing which steadied her voice.

"I never told you congratulations on the promotion. Well deserved, cuñada." Begoña said, squeezing Marta's shoulder.

"Muchas gracias. How are things with Luz in the dispensary?" Marta asked.

"Good, good. Unfortunately without Jaime we've had to cut back on the visits and appointments outside the dispensary which is unfortunate but we are only two people. He was a wonderful person and a fantastic doctor. We miss him all the time." she said as she hugged Marta.

"Muchas gracias, Begoña. I miss him all the time too." Marta said as a tear rolled down her cheek. "He'd be proud of you and Luz keeping it all running as smoothly as you are." They smiled at each other. "Are you going on a trip?" Marta asked as she gestured to the suitcase next to Begona.

"Ah, that. No. I was coming to grab some more things to take back to the dispensary. I'm sure with all the extra work and long hours you haven't noticed my absence." she said, averting her gaze from Marta.

"I had a feeling there was something up. I hadn't seen you around lately. Is everything okay?" Marta asked, concerned.

"Sí, sí. I'm just staying with Luz because of..." Begoña trailed off.

Realising that she was becoming embarrassed to continue Marta interjected with, "Andrés and I talked. It's because of that and not wanting to be around Jesús, right?" Marta asked delicately as she reached out for Begoña to assure her she wasn't passing any judgment on her.

"Sí. Es por eso." Begoña said.

"Begoña..." Marta said as she took Begoña's hands in hers, looking her deeply in the eyes. "I'm so sorry I've been blind to everything that's been happening in this house. I've not been a very good sister-in-law, have I?"

"No, no. Don't say that. I didn't want people to know certain things. I was embarrassed and ashamed." Begoña said, as she averted her eyes and went to withdraw her hands from Marta's.

"Come with me." Marta said as she gestured to the sitting room. Once they entered the room Begoña went to sit on the chair to the right of the couch. Marta gestured to sit next to her on the couch. Begoña sat next to Marta. Marta took Begoña's hands in hers again. "I know there are difficult things that you don't want to share with people, but I want you to know that you will always have me as a support without judgment. You are a very brave and resilient woman and I am ashamed of myself that I didn't see you were hurting and needed someone."

"No, Marta. Don't be. I had Luz and.." she trailed off, not feeling exactly comfortable to mention the other name.

"And Andrés, right?" Marta replied. "I'm glad you had them. I just wish I could have also been someone for you. I hope that I can now."