First Flower

Hot chocolate and a radio

Zulema's Pov

After my little heart to heart conversation with Saray, I couldn't help but to feel a lot lighter, and more certain of what I wanted in this new life. I wanted to be with Maca, the woman sitting next to me in the couch crying because of a stupid romance movie that didn't even make much sense.

"Did he really gave up his life as an angel to be with her. God, men really are the dumbest creatures on earth." I couldn't really understand why her and Saray wanted to watch this movie in the first place.

"Shut up Zulema, it's romantic." Macarena looks at me with teary eyes.

"I'm not surprised to see Maca crying at this, but I didn't expect you would do the same Saray." I look at her, and notice that she is crying perhaps even harder than Maca. "I'm really disappointed at you Saray." Saying that, she throws at me one of her dirty tissues, that goes straight to my face.

"Ew! You're disgusting and I'm done with this movie, I'm going outside for a bit." I grab my pack of cigarettes on the coffee table before exiting the house.

It's chilly outside and the sun is going down. I sit down on the swing and light my cigarette, looking at the house and its surroundings, as a way to absorb everything. We've been living here for a few days only and it already feels like home to me. Maybe it's because of who I share the home with. The whole thing just felt too good to be truth, and a part of me was always expecting everything to be destroyed in a matter of seconds. Whenever I was sitting on the couch with her or just cooking, I was in a constant fear imagining the police breaking the door and sending us once again to that hellhole, or someone getting back at us and shooting us right there. But one thing was sure, I would never let anything happen to Maca and the baby.

I'm taken of my thoughts when the door of the house opens, revealing two incredibly cheerful women, carrying a couple of blankets, three mugs and my radio.

"What are you two doing here?" I ask with curiosity. "Is the movie over?"

"No, but we wanted to keep you company, is that allowed?" Saray inquiries as Maca and herself spread the two blankets right in front of me, and lay on top of them. Maca then hands me a cup of hot chocolate, and sips a bit of her own. I take the radio of her lap and look through the radio stations, until I find one playing old songs. "Time after time", by Cyndi Lauper is currently playing. I love that song, especially the lyrics, they gave me a sense of nostalgia for something I've never lived, but it was a good feeling nevertheless.

I drink some of the chocolate and its warmth makes my body relax. I lean my head in one of the swing ropes and face the two women.

"I'm really glad you guys are here." I tell them timidly. I just felt the need to say that, because it couldn't be more true. I was with the two only people in this world who actually cared for me, and I couldn't be more grateful for that.

"And we're glad to be here with you." The blonde woman answers, lightly caressing my thigh.

We stay outside for most of the night, after putting some candles on the floor in order to avoid being completely in the dark. We talk about multiple things, sing along to some songs on the radio and drink some more hot chocolate.

"And how is your daughter and your wife?" Maca asks Saray after we finish singing along to a Fleetwood Mac song.

"Well, Estrella has turned into a gorgeous woman and she now has a boyfriend which is something I'm not too pleased about but what can you do right. And Mariza is doing really well too."

"What does she do for a living?"

"She is a writer, and a really good one. She is just finishing her third book."