The Open Window

Chapter 3, The Meet

           We got to the house and in just 20 minutes. I step out expecting a small Spanish home but it's this big mansion, yellow cement with wide windows and balcony on top of balcony. It's was probably 3 stories high. The mansion was surrounded by tulips, roses, and daisies. The path to the door was gravel and at the sides of the door were two big green bushes. The windows were open wide and you could smell Spanish food right outside. They had a large yard where kids could play.

          "Do you like it Cameron? You seemed to be surprised by the House." Says Carlos. "This is no house, this is a mansion," I say laughing, "Who lives here?" "Well technically we all do for right now, but it's my mother's house." Carlos says as we all walk into the mansion. "So are you guys like rich or something." "I guess you could say that." Carlos responds smiling and shrugging his shoulders.  "Bienvenidos familia! (Welcome family!) Y quien es este? (And who is this?)." Says the random women as she comes out of the kitchen cleaning her hands with a cloth.

          "Mama, este es Cameron. (Mom this is Cameron.) El conoció hay Melanie en el aeropuerto. (He met Melanie at the airport.) Este es su primera ve en la Españia. No tiene donde ir, so el se va hay quedar con nosotros. (This is his first time in Spain and he doesn't have a place to stay, so he is staying with us.)" Responds Carlos. "Welcome Cameron to our country!" This lady, Maria, spoke in English very well and she came to me. I stuck out my and she came in for a hug. My hand was stuck somewhere in her belly.

         "Hey, Cameron, could you do me a favor and join me to the town market?" Chica says. I went with her and she let me drive the car. Traffic was pretty hectic and loud but not like New York. I parked a block away because the towns market was so crowded. I had asked Chica, "Chica, do you mind if I tour around a little? I won't get lost, well I'll try not to." "Ya go ahead Cameron, I'll meet you here again in an hour." I left one direction and she left the other. I took a walk more than touring like a tourist. I was thinking about my mom as I walked. I took out the picture I have of her in my wallet. All I could do is smile and—
"Mira, que lo que te pasas gringo!" Said some random middle aged man as he bumps into me.

          He just walked away and as he passed, I saw his knuckles bruised up. I kept walking in the ally and I pass by a window hearing a girl sing. I sneaked a peak inside and she was cleaning; she was dressed like a maid. I couldn't help but stare at her in awe. She looked up and quietly stopped singing. She came to the window and shut it in my face, and closed the curtains, which were still see through. She took off her apron and headed for the door with her purse in a fast paste. I ran around the building to go catch her, but it seemed like she was already gone by the time I got there. I didn't stop looking. I looked into the crowds, into taxis and it's when I looked up that I see her rush into a bus as it drove off; she looked out the window and met my eyes. She seemed scared but why scared of me? Why did she run away?

         I head back to the car with a face of disappointment and couldn't stop feeling like I scared her off. I get to the car and wait for Chica to come back. I headed into the car and just chilled. I thought about the girl for awhile. A few minutes pass by and Chica comes back with bags full of wedding stuff. Melanie's wedding was tomorrow and still have to get a nice suit. I still don't have a date. "Cameron, so you're planning to leave after the wedding?" Chica asks. "Ya, I have to do what I came here for." "And what is it that you came here for?" She asks wondering. I wasn't sure if I wanted to tell but what hurt can it do.

         "I came looking for my mom, she lives over here in Spain and I looked her up before coming to make sure she was still alive." I said "Oh that's nice and are you bringing a date to the wedding?" She asks. "No, I haven't found anybody I mean." I said still thinking about that girl I saw in the open window. "Well, I'm Melanie's maid of honor and I had told her that I could walk alone and she was fine with it, and told me if I changed my mind to just let her know. So I was wondering if you wanted to walk with me down the ail. And it works perfect because Melanie's husband, Rick, doesn't have a man of honor. So would you like to be my date?" She says nervously. "Sure, I'll be your date but you're gonna have to teach me what's going down at the wedding and some moves." I said as we both laughed. We finally drove home and Chica catches up with Melanie on the update and they found a tux which fits me perfect. They taught me all the steps and some Spain culture for weddings. I also helped clean the house for the wedding tomorrow; I felt like I was part of the family.