Allyce lay quietly on Severo’s back, torch in hand, to light the way back to Severo.
The sea breeze was gusting and Severo’s clothes were almost dry.
“Why don’t you take me downstairs and we’ll hurry back? The temperature was getting colder and colder, and Allyce worried that if she delayed, Severo would catch a cold.
Severo is so stubborn that not even ten bulls can make him back down.
“Take you on your back and come back faster too”.
At these words, Severo quickened his pace.
Allyce had a vague feeling that today Severo, as if fighting with someone, was not going to back down one step in what he wanted to do.
When I arrived, it was fine, but what happens now?
“What’s wrong with you today?” asked Allyce after a moment’s hesitation.
She waved the torch in her hand and gave him a slight sidelong glance.
The lines on the side of his face are graceful and soft in the hazy glow.
Allyce couldn’t resist leaning over and placing a soft kiss on the side of his face.
Severo’s footsteps stopped abruptly.
Without waiting for Allyce to speak, he had set her down, his voice low, “Here we are.”
It was then that Allyce realised that the two of them were standing in the driveway of Grandma Pando’s house.
Listen carefully and you can still hear Grandma Pando and Grandpa Pando talking inside.
“Why aren’t you back yet?”
“Young couples like to have fun, so what’s the point of coming back late”.
“An old man is still immodest at his age!”
“I am not …”
Allyce felt slightly embarrassed to overhear this conversation.
It seemed that she and Severo had done something inappropriate outside.
“Come on, get in!” he pulled Severo’s hand.
Severo, not knowing if she had heard the conversation between Grandma Pando and Grandpa Pando, took her hand and led her inside.
Allyce didn’t let him take her hand, she shook it off: “I’ll go in myself, come on.
When he finished, he hurried to the courtyard, reaching out to cover his face, which was a little hot.
Fortunately, the two elders said nothing during the meal.
Allyce knew that, although the old man had talked about them behind her back, it was harmless and innocuous and she didn’t care.
…
The next day, Grandfather Pando was to take them to the sea.
Allyce and Severo looked at each other and although they wanted to sail as well, Grandpa Pando was old and although he seemed agile, he was a little short of breath even after a lot of walking.
“No, Grandpa Pando, if we want to go out to sea, we’ll go alone”. Allyce stepped in and refused.
“All right, I’ll sit in the boat and let Severo fish, it’s a deal.” Grandfather Pando finished and, disregarding her reaction, turned around to go back to his room to change his clothes.
Allyce couldn’t help but lose her smile, Grandpa Pando was like an old boy.
Every family on the island has a fishing boat and there are quite a few people on the quay in the morning.
Someone greeted Grandpa Pando: “Your relatives?”
Mr. and Mrs. Pando have lived on the island for several years and have always had some friends and relatives at home, and these people, being sensible, naturally appreciate what is going on and ask polite questions.
Grandfather Pando raised his voice in high spirits and laughed: “Ha ha, they are our house guests, take them fishing in the sea!
“Come out to sea! Come with us, it’s good to have a lookout, we don’t intend to do much fishing today.” The man suggested politely.
Grandpa Pando sniffed, raised his voice and said: “Yes, these two children have never lived on the beach, take them for a walk”.
Grandfather Pando was right when he said that Allyce had never lived by the sea, although he had seen it.
On this island, most people make a living from fishing, but Allyce knew that Mr. and Mrs. Pando did not.
From the decor and furnishings of their house, and the air of dignity of the two old men, it is clear that they are well-to-do, and that when they say they are fishing in the sea, they are actually meeting.
Once on board, El Abuelo Pando sat down to chat with the owner, who was a little younger than El Abuelo Pando, a little louder and a very nice man.
The two men spoke in the local language, not knowing what they were talking about, but it was clear that they were having a good time.
Allyce, wearing a straw hat and local-style trousers and coat, took two steps beside Severo: “Can we catch some fish today?”
I was a bit excited about the sea fish, live fish from the sea, which I had never seen before.
Severo wore a similar suit.
The island has limited development and the clothes that can be bought are not the big brands, but the kind of clothes worn by the islanders.
The sea breeze lifted the brim of Allyce’s hat and Severo reached over to crush it before opening his lips and spitting out two words: “Probably”.
Allyce had never seen Severo in a straw hat, and he wore a scruffy suit that didn’t suit his style, but didn’t hurt his manners at all.
Allyce looked at him with interest for a moment, leaned closer to him and whispered insistently, “You’re the most handsome fisherman I’ve ever seen”.
Severo raised an eyebrow: “It’s no use congratulating me, I’ve never been fishing.
“I was really complimenting you, not trying to get you to fish.” Allyce bristled.
Severo hooked his lips and cast his gaze into the distance, reaching for her shoulders and stretching his arm to point ahead, “See that road?”
“Allyce looked in the direction he pointed and there was nothing but a sea of water.
Thinking that Severo was making fun of her, she clenched her fists and threw them at Severo: “That’s enough!
“Dolphins.” Severo quickly grabbed her hand and lifted her chin with the other, gesturing for a closer look.
Allyce stared for a moment, the more the boat moved, the wider her field of vision became, and suddenly her eyes widened: “It’s really a dolphin! I’ve only seen them at the oceanarium”.
Severo turned his head and saw her so happy he was about to jump, the smile on his lips deepened for a few moments, then faded again.
…
The group went out fishing, all with the intention of enjoying themselves, and although there was no rich harvest, the fish that were recovered at least made up a few dishes on the table, and a few could be kept in a small pond to come back to eat from time to time.
Allyce was the most excited to eat, like a child who had never seen the world before and found everything new.
The two stayed for a few days, walking on the beach, swimming, picking fruit, helping the two old men with their vegetable garden, the usual.
But Allyce felt happier than ever.
Only, when she is quiet, she thinks, if only Alonzo were there.
If only a family of three could get together …
Severo is so intelligent that when he sees her alone and lost in thought, he knows she is thinking of Alonzo.
He approached her and spoke aloud, “Go to Alonzo soon. “