“Am I so easy to read?”
“Women’s intuition, Graciela. It’s almost always on point.”
We both smile, well aware of our sixth sense.
She is blushing a bright red. I’ve taken a great weight off her.
“Does he know?” I ask.
Embarrassed, she shrugs. “I don’t know,” she says. “I sometimes think he must, because of the way he treats me, but other times, I honestly don’t know if he even knows I exist. I liked him from the instant I saw him lying in bed. He reminded me of a Mexican singer named Alejandro Fernández. Do you know who I’m talking about?”
“Oh yes. He’s quite a hunk.”
“I used to work as a nurse in a hospital, and when his family offered me this job, I didn’t hesitate. It was a way of continuing to be near him. It was love at first sight for me. But I don’t think he’s ever noticed me. He treats me well, he is very proper about everything, but there’s nothing more.”
“He’s never insinuated anything?” I ask, surprised by Dexter’s professionalism.
“No.”
“Not even a little?”
“No, nothing.”
“Nothing?”
“Absolutely nothing. And it’s not because I haven’t tried.”
I laugh. I can’t imagine Dexter avoiding sexual possibilities.
“Listen, Judith, I’m not made of stone, and I have my needs. But it’s clear he’s not attracted to me. I don’t exist to him.”
The wistful tone of her voice touches my heart.
“You’re not Mexican, are you?”
“I was born in Chile, in a beautiful place called Concepción,” she says with a smile. “But I’ve been working in Mexico for many years. My father was from here. I am a mix of Chilean and Mexican.”
I’m very sympathetic to this girl who has so sincerely opened up to me after hearing that Eric was my boss even though she barely knows me. She’s nice looking but totally asexual. The dress she’s wearing and the way she’s gathered her hair in a bun don’t do anything for her.
“Listen, Graciela, I don’t know if you know that Dexter can’t . . .”
Her eyes widen.
“I know. Remember that I met him at the hospital. I know everything about him.”
“So, you know he can’t . . . do that . . . and you still want something with him?”
Even redder than she was just seconds before, she nods.
“Not everything in this life has to be conventional sex.”
Well, well, well, so much for her asexuality.
“Oh no?” I ask now that I see she’s not so innocent.
“On a few occasions, I’ve seen him with his girlfriends and his friends in his office or in the room next to his office,” she whispers. “That same room where the three of you were today. I know exactly what goes on in there.”
“You do?”
Graciela nods.
Now I’m the one who’s as red as a tomato, and I understand the look of reproach on her face.
“God, Dexter is so hot . . . so exciting!”
I laugh with incredulity, and the poor woman recoils, embarrassed.
“Please . . . please . . . What am I saying? Why am I telling you this?” she says. “I’m sorry . . . I’m so sorry.”
She’s horrified and covers her face with her hands.
“It’s OK, Graciela. It’s OK,” I say, feeling sorry for her. Still, I want to know what she knows.
“And what do you think of the games Dexter plays with his friends?”
Graciela sighs, smiles, and whispers, “Very kinky, very exciting.”
So much for our Sweet Miss Innocent. Who would’ve thunk it?
“Have you ever played the same kind of games?” She’s nervous and sighs and so I try to help her trust me with her confidences.
“I have, although if you ever told anyone I said so, I’d deny it. What about you?”
Surprised, she blinks a few times. “After I saw what he does, I did some research, and I met up with some people with whom I play and fantasize that it’s him,” she says. “But I’ve never dared with Dexter.”
“But would you dare?”
She nods without hesitation.
“Don’t worry. You’ve entrusted me with a secret, and I’m not going to reveal it,” I say. “I hope you’ll keep mine too.”
“Have no doubt about that, Judith.”
“Now if you like Dexter,” I say, “you need to do something to get his attention.”
“I’ve done everything, but he doesn’t notice me.”
“Maybe if you dress differently, that would change,” I say, afraid I might have offended her. “Don’t you think?”
She touches the bun on her head.
“If I have to look like those ridiculous girlfriends of his for him to notice me, forget it!”
“That’s not what I’m talking about, Graciela,” I say. “Is it true you’re going with Dexter to Spain and then Germany on this trip?”
She nods.
“That’s great! Tomorrow you and I will have a girls’ day out. We’ll go shopping while they talk business.”
“You’d do that for me?”
“Of course. We women are here to help each other, even though it may not always seem that way,” I say, sure I’ve now overstepped.
We hear a knock on the door. When we open it, we find Eric with a worried look on his face.
“Why are you taking so long?” he asks. “What’s going on?”
I give him a sweet kiss on the lips.
“My love, I just got my period.” The poor man furrows his brow. He knows I turn into a beast during my period. “Also, listen, I’m going shopping with Graciela tomorrow, OK?”
Eric is surprised by our sudden friendship. He knows I’m up to something, I can see it in his eyes.
“No problem on my part, and I doubt on Dexter’s part either.”
I grin. Nothing gets by him.
4
The next morning after a terrible night of cramps, I open my eyes, and all my discomfort is gone. Fantastic! I know it’s just for the moment and that it’ll come back later, but I’m used to it.
I get up, and, after breakfast with Dexter and Eric and letting them know about my plans with Graciela, Dexter insists someone go with us. He refuses to let us go alone anywhere in the city. He gets on his phone, and, an hour later, we have a very charming driver to take the two of us to the most exclusive stores.
We go from shop to shop. I love being able to buy whatever I want for my family and for Eric. I love giving him gifts. Although I know him well enough to know he’ll never wear this red T-shirt that says “Viva la morenita,” I still buy it just to see his face.
Hours later, when I’m bogged down with stuff and Graciela hasn’t bought a thing, we come to an enormous store. I try to encourage her.
“Let’s see, Graciela, what can we buy you.”
“I don’t know,” she says. “Something pretty to wear during our trip; price is no obstacle. I’ve been saving for so long, I think today is a good day to spend it on a new wardrobe.”
I love her sweetness.
“Why don’t we start by getting you a pair of jeans that fit you so well they’ll make men cry?”
“I don’t think I’ve worn jeans since I was a teenager.”
“Seriously? I couldn’t live without them. It’s what I wear most, and I can tell you they go with everything.”
Graciela grins. She’s in a good mood.
“We could buy several things to combine—cool, trendy things; a few pairs of jeans; maybe a dress; and perhaps something more elegant in case we go to a party like the one last night.”
“Fantastic!” Her eyes are bright.
I’m ready to help her conquer Dexter so I start looking around. In the background I hear Jessie J’s “Price Tag,” and I sing along.
I pick up a pair of low-waisted jeans, a top with purple straps, and a pair of tall black boots.
Kn
owing Dexter, he’s going to love these boots. In fact, I’m going to buy myself a pair of red ones and drive my own man insane.
“Try this. I think it’s going to look great on you.”
Graciela stares at what I’ve handed her as if it were an astronaut suit. It’s not her style, but, if she’s going to have an effect on Dexter, this is the way to go. When I realize she’s not moving, I push her into the dressing room. Once she’s on her own, I try on the boots.
They’re great!
Heels, soft, all the way up to my knees, and red. My Iceman will love them. They look amazing with the jeans I’m wearing, and I decide to keep them on. They’re beautiful. I get a text at that precise moment.
I miss you, sweetheart.
I hope you’re buying everything you want.
I love you.
Oh, my love. I really do just want to eat him up. He’s concerned about my well-being every minute.
The Visa card is burning up.
I love you back.
I press send. Eric is so marvelous that merely thinking about him makes me smile.
Just then the dressing room door opens, and, exactly as I expected, Graciela looks incredible.
What an amazing body this girl has!
My mouth drops open.
“If Dexter doesn’t notice you now, he’s deader than I thought he was.”
Graciela grins. “Isn’t it a bit too much?”
I shake my head; this girl has tremendous potential.
“I promise that, once he sees you, Dexter is going to get up and walk.”
We both laugh. I really want her to try on more things.
“C’mon, let’s see what else we can find to drive that man crazy.”
After the first batch, I make her try on a long black skirt that gathers in the back along with a sexy pistachio-green blouse that’s knotted at the waist and a pair of pretty high-heeled shoes in the same color. The result is spectacular. Even Graciela is surprised when she looks in the mirror.
“You can wear this to any party, and you’ll always look impressive.”
“I love it.” She claps when she sees herself in the mirror.
As soon as she undresses, I hand her a sleeveless black dress with a low neckline. I also bring her a pair of black high-heeled shoes; she looks so lovely.
The sales clerk is very happy. She’s going to get a good commission, and when I ask about lingerie, she points the way. Graciela mutters when I hand her an eggplant-colored set.
“Oh God, it’s going to be difficult for me to try this on.”
“Why?”
“Because it’s lingerie,” she says with a sly smile.
I laugh aloud.
I pick up an electric-blue bra and thong combo and show it to her.
“I’m going to try this on,” I tell her. “Let’s just say I’m buying Eric a little birthday gift.”
We both laugh as we go back to our dressing rooms.
Minutes later, we’re done.
“How did it fit?”
“It could be a nice little gift for Dexter,” she says naughtily.
It’s late when we leave the store. We’re hungry. My cramps are back, and I need to contain them before they become unbearable.
As we look over the menu at the restaurant, I notice several men looking at us, and I grin. They mouth the word “sabrosa,” and Graciela and I laugh.
If Eric were here, he’d give them one of his death-ray looks, and they would all shrink away.
But he’s not, so I just enjoy the admiration. I notice a beauty shop after we finish lunch and suggest we get our hair done. Graciela agrees. I decide to have my hair straightened. I know Eric likes it that way. After consulting with the stylists, Graciela decides on a cut that makes her look more youthful. The result is amazing.
Every time Graciela makes a change, I’m more perplexed. This young woman is terribly attractive and should be doing more with her assets.
When we leave the beauty shop, we’re immediately complimented by two men on the street.
“What are two stars doing flying so low to the ground?” says one of them.
What a hoot!
We both laugh.
“It’s the first time in years a man has had anything to say to me,” says Graciela.
“Mamacita . . . que sabrosas!” says another passerby.
We both laugh again. “These guys can’t keep their mouths shut,” says Graciela.
“Listen, Graciela,” I say as I pull her over to a window so she can see her reflection, “have you taken a good look at yourself?”
She can’t believe what she sees.
“Thank you, Judith. Thank you so much for spending the day with me like this.”
I give her a big kiss on the cheek and take her arm.
“You’re welcome, beautiful. With this new look, you’re going to get all kinds of comments. And get ready, because when we get back, Dexter is going to be left speechless.”
“You think?”
“Uh-huh.” I’m grinning. “I promise he’s going to be stunned. But you also have to play your part so he’ll notice you. You go on and act the way you always have with him, very proper, and let others compliment you. You’re young, gorgeous, single, and this trip you’re going to make with us may help clear many things up for you. I think Dexter is like Eric in many ways, and, if he’s interested, he’ll make his move very quickly.”
We laugh together again.
“Now are you sure you want to hook up with him?”
“Totally sure, Judith.”
“Very well then. Do you have dinner with Dexter every night?”
“Yes, when he doesn’t go out, we have dinner together.”
“Well, tonight you’re not going to have dinner with him or us.”
“No?” she says disconcerted. I shake my head.
“Call a friend and make plans for dinner or to go to the movies. Can you do that?”
“I don’t have a lot of friends, to be honest. I’ve spent four years focused on Dexter and lost a lot of friends along the way.”
I’m not surprised by this.
“There isn’t anyone you can call to just go get a cup of coffee?”
“Well . . . there is a couple I see every once in a while.”
I can tell by the look on her face the kind of relationship she has with the couple.
“Look, girl, enjoy yourself if the occasion comes up, just like Dexter does. In any case, you look splendid today, and you’ll have a doubly good time.”
She blushes again.
“We’ll tell Dexter we ran into a friend of yours while shopping and that you’re having dinner with him. If it bothers him, we’ll be able to tell. What do you think of the idea?”
Graciela is enjoying this as much as if she were a teenager.
“I promise I’ll tell you tomorrow if Dexter misses you at dinner.”
I laugh. I’m so bad! But she laughs too.
Graciela calls the couple and makes her plans. We head toward the parking lot and the car.
“Get ready, Graciela. You’re going to knock Dexter for a loop today.”
At seven that evening, after an entire day of shopping, we arrive at Dexter’s house wearing our new boots. The men, who’d been sitting in the living room, turn to look at us. My eyes find my Iceman, and I smile.
Graciela and I walk confidently up to Eric, Juan Alberto, and Dexter.
“Look at these two beauties!” says Dexter, and I almost crack up. He looks over at Graciela. “Tell me right now who you are and what have you done to Graciela.”
With a kind of an indifferent wave, like I’ve taught her, Graciela grins. “I’m the same as always, just wearing new clothes.”
Dexter is quite surprised by this incredible change.
“Graciela, do you have plans for dinner?” asks Juan Alberto.
Wow! This is getting interesting!
I knew this girl had potential.
She is, of course, blushing a
brilliant bright red.
C’mon, Graciela, respond . . . respond.
“Of course she has plans,” says Dexter. “She’s having dinner with us.”
Graciela looks over at me. Poor girl; this isn’t easy for her.
I still remember how much Eric would pressure me, and so I wink at her, letting her know the moment has arrived.
“I’m sorry, Dexter, but I’m not having dinner here tonight. I made plans with a friend.”
Good. Very good!
I have to hold myself back from clapping when I see his face.
“Since you have company for dinner, I didn’t think you’d care if I was here,” she adds.
I want to shout “Olé, Graciela!” as I look at my watch. “We ran into a friend of Graciela’s while shopping. Anyway, you should go, or you’re not going to make your date on time.”
Nervous, she glances down at her own watch.
She’s as disconcerted as Dexter, and, to try and help her out, I let go of Eric and give her two kisses.
“Go on. Have a good time and don’t come home too late. We’re going to Spain tomorrow.”
“Wait for me, Graciela,” says Juan Alberto. “I’m going too.”
Dexter rolls his wheelchair next to her. “I’ll tell the driver to take you.”
“No, thank you. I don’t need a driver.”
She turns around in her impressive boots and disappears alongside Juan Alberto.
Once the two of them are gone, Dexter is still pretty shocked, and Eric looks over at me. I wink at my Iceman, and he hugs me and touches my hair.
“You’re beautiful with your hair like that,” he whispers, “and I love your boots.”
“Thank you.”
“I sense you’re planning something, sweetheart,” says my one and only love as soon as Dexter disappears. I laugh. Eric does too.
That night, the three of us have dinner together. The typically talkative Dexter is quieter than usual. On occasion, I even catch him checking the time. Look at that . . .
5
At breakfast the next day, I don’t see Graciela. Where is she?
I have cramps, and my belly aches. My damned period is a drag at the beginning and at the end. A real joy.
When I get fussy, Eric furrows his brow, but he knows I’m not feeling well and respects my silence. He’s learned to do so for his own good.
We’re the first to arrive on our private jet. I spread out on one of the more comfortable seats and take something to help with my cramps. I need this to go away.
Tell Me What You Want—Or Leave Me Page 5