Her sister adored the new surroundings and found everything, from the luxurious bath equipped with its inside water to the fine dishes on the tables at mealtime, to the elegant gardens packed with sweet-smelling blooms, much to her liking. When their mother took them shopping for new clothes, the first new things theyâd owned since their fatherâs death, Doneta cried. Pilar, more comfortable in the thin cotton trousers and plain shirtlike blouse of her homeland, tried to convince her mother that a ball gown for the birthday rumba wasnât necessary, but that fell on deaf ears and she was forced to try on what seemed like an endless stream of gowns until a choice was madeâa long, full-skirted one that was mint green in color. The thin straps were anchored to the bodice with a delicate rosette.
âWhat are you doing up here, Pilar? Youâre supposed to be downstairs with the dance master.â
âI already know how to dance, Tia Simona.â
âNo you donât. When the dancing begins at the party, it wonât be those indecent country dances youâre used to back home. This will be waltzing and you need to learn.â
Simona was Tio Miguelâs wifeâa plain-faced shrew of a woman. From the moment the Banderases entered her home, sheâd made plain her dislike. Pilarâs mother said part of the reason had to do with them being poorâapparently Simona came from an extremely wealthy family who didnât tolerate those who werenât, and the other part had to do with Simonaâs two daughters, Mari and Anya. She and Tio Miguel were having difficulty finding husbands for their daughters, who closely resembled their mother, and Simona was concerned that having Pilar and the ravishing Doneta under her roof would only make the quest more difficult. âHave you seen my mother?â
âSheâs out with my husband. Theyâre looking at property. Sheâs thinking of settling here permanently.â
Pilar froze.
âNow, downstairs with you.â
Stunned, Pilar did as she was told.
After dinner, as Pilar, Doneta, and their mother sat outside on the verandah, Pilar asked about the property. âAre you really thinking of staying in America?â
âYes, Pilar, I am. I want a fresh start in life and this seems the perfect time.â
âBut what about our home?â
âWeâll make a new home, Pilar. Weâve struggled and done without for so long. My brother let me know that my parents left me a sizeable sum of money in their willâout of guilt or love, we arenât certain, but itâs more than enough for us to live comfortably as long as we stay within our means.â
âThen why canât we take that money back to Cuba?â
âBecause Miguel has the funds in an American bank. I donât want to take it back and have Spain whittle it away with their taxes and assessments until thereâs nothing left.â
Pilar mulled that over while taking in the beauty of the gardens. âAnd if I choose to return?â
âYou are old enough to make your own way, Pilar. Iâll not stand in your way.â
Pilar tried to imagine life without her mother and sister because she knew without asking that Doneta would be content to stay. She glanced between the two women who held her heart. âIâll let you know after the party.â
âThatâs fine,â her mother replied softly.
Lying in bed in the dark, Pilar knew her sister was awake. âWould you really prefer to live here, âNeta?â
âI would. Iâm tired of having to work so hard for so little reward. Maybe once the country changes, things for people like us will be better, but right now . . . I know you probably think Iâm flighty to be impressed by the way our uncle lives, but to have a full belly each night before I sleep, to not have to get up each morning and wear the same clothes. Do you realize weâve
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