04

"Goodbyes are not the end. Do not, even for a second, believe that you will never see me again."

            After showing him the chicks and having lunch, Genevieve said goodbye to Mr. Gomez. Not before he and her Mama sneaked a quiet conversation by the porch.

            Genevieve wondered what they could have been talking about, and why they were so quiet about it.

            They've never done this before.

            Their conversations were always loud and full of laughs, this one was full of whispers and hushes.

            Her curiosity got the best of her and couldn't help asking her Mama while doing the dishes.

            "Mama?" she quietly asked "What were you and Mr. Gomez talking about?"

            Emilia stopped in her tracks, her heart beating loudly in her chest. She wasn't ready to speak about it with Genevieve.

            She didn't want to worry her daughter just yet.

            Her mother stuttered before answering her. "We'll talk about it later dear, after you've finished the dishes."

            "Okay, Mama." she agreed, only because it seemed like her mom was going to cry anytime. 

She quickly rinsed the plates, dried them and put them back in their respective cupboards. Her curiousness was overflowing, and she couldn't help skipping her feet to where her mother is seated.

            The porch of their house overlooks the barn and the faraway trees in the field. It was a beautiful sight, one Genevieve loved.

            Her mother was seated at the white porch swing, swaying lightly in the wind. Her Mama was so beautiful, her Spanish complexion glowing.

            She wasn't Spanish, and she looked nothing like her mother. But it was okay, she loved her, nevertheless.

Who said different people can't be family?

"Come, dear." Her Mama ushered, tapping the vacant seat in her left.

She took her seat and laid her head on her mother's shoulder, loving the moment between them.

Genevieve had no idea that this was one of her last moments with her mother.

"Genevieve." Emilia called, her eyes looking far ahead.

"Do you remember your Papa Carlo?"

She only spent a few of her young years with her Papa Carlo, but she remembered every moment of it.

Oh, how she missed him.

"Of course, Mama." she whispered "I miss him dearly."

Emilia smiled; she missed her husband too.

"Well..." she started, her eyes filling with tears once again. "How do you feel about having your own Papa Carlo?"

Genevieve blinked. Having? Having her own Papa?

"Are you... getting married again, Mama?" she questioned, her head tilting to the side. She didn't understand her mother's question. She didn't know that her Mama was in a new relationship.

Emilia blinked, too. Seconds later, her laugh filled Genevieve's ears. It was her mistake. Oh, she was going to miss her daughter's innocence.

"I'm sorry, dear." Emilia wiped the tears in her eyes, still laughing "No, no. I'm not getting married again. Your Papa was my only love."

"Your Papa Carlo... was my husband, yes?" she asked moments later, Genevieve nodded and waited.

"Well, my question is..."

Genevieve waited and waited. Her Mama was taking so long.

"Spit it out, Mama." she questioned. She learned the phrase from the town market, overheard it from the drunkards by the street. It was a funny phrase, and she didn't think that she would use it. But the suspense was killing her. 

Emilia's eyes widened, but she smiled after. Her daughter learns plenty when going to that town square.

"Are you ready to have a husband, Genevieve?"

She dropped the bomb, silence followed after.

Genevieve didn't know the answer. She didn't know anything about the married life. She only knew her life with her Mama, and her animals. Besides, she didn't even have a boyfriend. She wasn't interested.

If she got married now, would she know what to do?

And who would she get married to?

Were brides and grooms picked by the Lord? Were they soulmates?

Did she have her soulmate? It doesn't work like that. They needed to get to know each other first. 

Genevieve's thoughts wondered and wondered, not knowing the answer to her Mother's question just yet.

"Mama..." she asked after minutes of pondering "Am I getting married?"

"You are, dear." Emilia whispered "And I'm afraid we can't deny his request. It's... the circumstances are... extreme. I'm so sorry, dear."

Genevieve stared at her Mama, who was him?

Emilia immediately knew her question and answered.

"Your future husband... is Alvaro Dominguez, my love."

She knew who he was. He had plenty of businesses, going around the world and dominating anything in his way. People said he was scary and cold and heartless.

But who was she to judge?

She didn't know him personally, and her mother taught her to never judge people by their cover.

But marriage? With a stranger? 

It doesn't seem right.

"Oh." was all she could say. She didn't know what to feel. She wanted to complain and decline the 'request', but what could she do. She didn't know what would happen to her mother if she were to disagree.

If they did deny what he wanted, would it change his mind? What if he hurts them? Powerful people use force, after all. Would he hurt them?

The gears in Genevieve's head were turning, but after all the thinking and pondering, she only asked one question. 

They talked more, about how happy they were, just the two of them. Or when they still had Papa Carlo in the household, how the house was full of laughter. And how her mother hoped she would be happy in another home. 

"Would you be alright alone here, Mama?" she asked, minutes after her mother further explained the situation. 

She knew husbands and wives stayed together in one home, and if that would happen, her Mama Emilia would be left all alone.

"Of course, dear," her Mama said "You can come visit me anytime."

That was a lie. Emilia didn't know if Alvaro Dominguez would allow her daughter her freedom. She couldn't guarantee anything.

Genevieve smiled nonetheless and asked another question.

"Would it make you happy, Mama?"

"Yes, dear." No, Genevieve. "It's for your future, and besides, didn't you always wanted to go and explore the city?"

The smile in her daughter's face formed, and her heart clenched. Emilia was poor, and they relied from the harvest from the farm to live, and she was powerless against people like Alvaro Dominguez.

If she tried to run away with Genevieve, he would find them. That's for sure.

She only hoped that she won't regret giving away her daughter's hand to that scary, powerful man.

She could only hope.