Flutter by, Butterfly

Chapter 32

Alejandro had more to show me. There were papers that linked Maria's parents somewhere in Yucatan. We had reason to believe that they could still be alive. We discussed other things, such as if it were possible to get the original Miguel's memories back. I wanted it to be true, but with all the things that he had already been put through, including the words I had spoken, it was highly possible that a part of him was gone forever.

We stayed about a week longer or so, and we decided it was time to go. We had some unfinished business before we took our leave. I brought with us the spinning tops, Pablo the pig, for that was my husband's twin's name, and the family photo album. The food and blankets, and even what little furniture and cookware was there, we allowed to be given to the nearest neighbors; but that little shack, Alejandro took some gasoline, drenched the home from wall to wall, and set it on fire. I did not ask why. I simply understood it was his way of putting the past to rest. He took me by the hand that night, and we danced by the light of the moon and the burning light.

We slept on a blanket under the stars, listening to the dying embers of the house of ashes. I snuggled close to him, eventually letting sleep take over my body. I don't think that sleep ever claimed him. I could feel that his mind was in a turmoil, of things that he kept to himself.

I was scared too. I had not had any hope of being reunited with Maria at all, and now, from the papers we had just read, we had proof that at least her parents were still alive? I was almost afraid to think that it could be true. I could only imagine how much Alejandro wanted this even more.

We left by his private plane, and we did a lot more of exploring than we did investigating. I believe that he was just putting it off, not that I was complaining. I went scuba diving with him with sea turtles and a whale shark, and made love inside a beautiful cenote. We explored ancient Mayan ruins, sunbathed on beaches, and even went to a party or two in Cancun.

The latter we decided to never do again. Parties were never my thing, anyway, and Alejandro proved to be too dangerous with others. He knocked a man unconscious for looking at me the wrong way. At first he was worried that I was angry. It couldn't be further from the truth. I felt relieved. I didn't like the way he was looking at me either, and once again, I was reminded that I couldn't be any safer than when I was with my protector, my lover, and my best friend.

One morning I woke up to the sound of his audible sigh. I knew that today was going to be the day. We got our things together, and headed somewhere in Campeche. We found our street to be a cobblestone road with yellow walls. We paused when we arrived at the door. He held up his hand, and paused, turning to look at me. I placed my hand at the small of his back for support. He turned and knocked. What we saw next, made my husband fall to his knees, screaming:

"MAMA...MAMA...MAMA!"

Maria stood at the doorway, as much in shock as the rest of us. She fell to her knees too, weeping and wailing with him. I cried with them, watching them when Maria first noticed me. She held out her hand to me, and I fell to my knees too, weeping with my best friend, and the closest thing I ever had to a mother.