The Butterfly Box(201)

Then Ramon’s large body hesitated in the doorway with his son.

Federica detected the anxiety in his eyes and strode up to him and threw herself into his arms as she had always done as a child. Ramon was stunned at her confident display of affection and wrapped his arms around her with gratitude. He was astonished to see in her features echoes of the young Helena he had fallen in love with on the pier in Polperro. Her hair was white and flowing, her skin translucent and her eyes that same clear blue that had disarmed him in her mother. He held her face in his hands and swallowed his regret. ‘You’re so grown up,’ he choked. ‘And you’ve done all this without me?’ he said, pulling her into his arms again.

‘Without you, no,’ she sniffed, breathing in the familiar scent of him that had

carried her through the years and prevented her from ever forgetting him. Ramon looked over Federica’s shoulders and saw the grey face of his son who stood staring at him with haunted eyes. He gently disentangled himself from his daughter and walked up to him.

‘Hal,’ he said, extending his hand. Hal tried to say ‘Papa’ but all that escaped his throat was a dry rasp. He looked into the face of his father, searching for some sign of affection but all he could see was fear and uncertainty. He swallowed hard. Ramon floundered, not knowing what to do next. He lifted his eyes to his father and remembered the advice he had given him. ‘Hal, I’m sorry,’ he muttered. The boy’s eyes softened and the corners of his mouth twitched with emotion. Ramon took the first step, held out his arms and pulled the trembling young man against him. Hal responded with a moan before his decrepit body shook with sobs. ‘I’ll make it up to you,' said Ramon. ‘I promise.’

Ramoncito watched the scenes of reunion   from the doorway and felt excluded. The tears and emotion were alien to him for he hadn’t even cried at his own mother’s funeral. He watched Federica and Hal with curiosity and listened to them speaking a language that he didn’t understand. Federica didn’t look anything like Ramon but Hal was uncannily similar, except he looked thin and

ill. He wanted to go up and introduce himself but he was aware that he played no part in this family gathering because they were all mourning a parting that had happened before he was born.

Suddenly Ramon remembered Ramoncito. He pulled himself up and turned to face his son who stood anxiously in the shadows. ‘Ramoncito,’ he said. ‘Come and meet your brother and sister.’ He said it in Spanish but Hal and Federica understood and blinked at each other in bewilderment. The fifteen-year-old boy emerged into the sunlight. He was tall and athletic with raven-black hair and shiny brown eyes as soft as milk chocolate.

Federica at once recognized Ramon in the languor of his smile and in the poise of his gait, yet his skin was the colour of rich honey and his face was long and gentle, which set him apart from their father.

Hal immediately saw himself reflected in the dark features of Ramoncito and he gathered himself together and strode forward to shake him by the hand. ‘I’ve always wanted a brother,’ he said.

When Ramon translated for him, Ramoncito’s face broke into a wide smile and he replied in Spanish, ‘Me too.’

Federica took him by the hand and kissed him. He blushed to the roots of

his glossy hair. Federica smiled at him. Besides their blood, their blushing was something they both had in common.





Chapter 41


Both Hal and Federica remembered their grandparents’ large terrace, overlooking the wide sea. The scents of gardenia and eucalyptus transported them back to their childhood - but they were very different people now and the past seemed like another life. They all sat in the sunshine, the heat melting away their apprehensions, but still the atmosphere was awkward. There were so many things they wanted to say to each other and yet no one knew how to start.

Gertrude brought out a tray of pisco sour and handed them around, wondering why the place vibrated with such intense joy and sadness all at the same time. For once her scowl was replaced with an expression of curiosity as she eyed the two strangers with suspicion. She was more perplexed when Hal asked for a glass of water.

‘I can’t believe you’re here,’ said Mariana happily. ‘After all this time, what possessed you?’

Federica sipped the alcoholic drink she’d never been allowed to taste as a child and screwed up her nose. ‘This is so sour!’ she exclaimed.

‘All that lemon,’ said Mariana. ‘You’ll get used to it.’



‘After one glass you’ll be hooked,’ said Ignacio.

‘So what made you decide to come now?’ asked Ramon.