Hugo, take your brothers to get changed for school. The two older children went upstairs. The two younger ones stayed playing in the living room. That’s when Lucía really relaxed. She poured herself a glass of water and leaned against the counter. “Is it like this every day?” I asked her as I helped her clear the table. “I’m used to it,” she said, rubbing her forehead. “It’s not really that bad, it’s just that she has a lot of rules. She runs the house like it’s her own business, with very clear schedules and rules of conduct.”
At first it was difficult, but now I think it’s fine. Everything is in order. And aren’t you bored? Oh, I asked, looking into her eyes. She glanced out the window. Bored? With so many children, I don’t have time. Besides, there are other mothers in the complex. Sometimes we meet for coffee. It’s not like at home with so many friends and so much noise. She paused and looked at me. A genuine sparkle appeared in her eyes. But now that you’re here, everything is different.
Today we’re going to have fun. I’ll take you to see the old town. It’s small, but it’s very charming. And we’ll eat out. I know a really good café. Her enthusiasm was contagious, and for a moment I forgot all about it. Maybe I was just imagining things. Every couple has their own way of connecting. In the morning, Lucian drove us to the old town with the two young children. Cobblestone streets, colorful houses, pigeons.
It was a charming place. Lucía acted as our guide, explaining the history of the buildings with a vitality that reminded me of our teenage years when we used to skip class to go shopping. The children, who were very quiet at first, showed some excitement when they saw an ice cream parlor and a toy store and quietly asked their mother to buy them something. Lucía looked at the prices, hesitated for a moment, but finally gave in.
“I don’t usually let them eat these things, but since you’re here, we’ll make an exception today,” she explained. At midday, we ate at the café she’d mentioned. Lucía ordered the cheapest salad, and for me and the children, she ordered pasta and cake. “Aren’t you eating anything else?” I asked. “I’m on a diet.” She smiled, pinching her waist. “Since I had the baby, I haven’t been able to get rid of this belly. Marcos doesn’t say anything, but I know he likes that I’m keeping in shape.” She said it quite matter-of-factly, but I felt a little uncomfortable.
“I don’t think he married you for your looks,” I said, half-jokingly. Lucía smiled without replying, stirring her coffee. In the afternoon, we went to the supermarket. Lucía took out a notebook with a detailed shopping list. She meticulously compared prices and occasionally picked up something that wasn’t on the list. I thought about it for a moment and put it back. “The budget Marcos gives me for the house is very tight,” she explained in a low voice. “But since you’re here, I can buy a little more today.”
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