good housekeeper. And she was in fact fairly good, but the
reputation was based on a misunderstanding: seeing the whole family dressed in
faded clothes, the relatives supposed that Elisa Vicuña was extremely thrifty
and economical. To tell the truth, they couldn’t understand how clothes that
were so faded, almost white, and therefore, they supposed, very old (when in
fact they might have been bought the week before) remained in one piece: it
could only be explained by infinite care and vigilance. When Patri came back
with the bag and the money, Inés Viñas, who was at the edge of the empty
swimming pool, admiring that huge absurdity, offered to go with her. No, there’s
no need; it’s not far, just round the corner. We’ll get two bags then, to make
the drinks extra cold, replied Inés, laughing. Don’t worry, don’t worry, said
mother and daughter, but she insisted. Since she had come to bother them so
early, she might as well help with something.
Inés and Patri went downstairs and out into the street, which was
coming back to life. Inés asked if she had friends in the neighborhood. No,
replied Patri, I hardly ever go down. This is the first time I’ve been down in
two days. Inés was amazed. She couldn’t imagine it. And how are you going to
find a boyfriend like that, my girl? Patri laughed in reply, and Inés joined
in.
Hey, don’t laugh, I’m serious. Didn’t you hear what we were saying,
your mom and me? Yes, but I still don’t know who I’m going to marry. Inés took a
few steps in silence, wondering what to say. Never say you don’t know. Why not?
Because. Patri chose to respond with a chuckle. Tell me, said Inés, You’re not a
virgin, are you? No, not any more. Uhuh, but weren’t you worried about getting
pregnant? This time it was Patri’s turn to ponder her reply. Eventually she came
out with: More or less. What a funny answer! said Inés and burst out laughing.
But you’re a funny girl all round, aren’t you, Patricita! Hearing her laugh made
Patri laugh too. They went into the store that sold ice, made their purchase,
and, when they came out again, started talking about love. It’s the most
important thing, the only thing there is in the world. Yes, yes, of course, said
Patri. Why do you say you don’t know who you’re going to marry? Because it’s
true. Even so.... They walked a while in silence. The trees in
the street were as still as plaster statues. It’s so hot, said the younger of
the two. It’s a heat wave, really, said the other, then added:You
know what that means, don’t you? There’ll be a big, long storm afterward
and then it’ll be cold. Are you sure? It’s hard to believe. That’s
how it is. That’s what always happens in Buenos Aires. The weather does one
thing, then the other. I think it does that everywhere, said Patri with a
certain irony.Yes, but here, said Inés, it’s more pronounced and
it happens every time. What does? The downpour. Ah, said Patri, looking at the
spotless blue sky. No, not now, but you’ll see. Changing the subject abruptly,
Inés remarked: There are some really good-looking men. Yes, there are
some I find very attractive. There are some I find extremely attractive. Well, me too, if
we’re going to extremes. But, you know, they can turn out to be bastards. Yeah,
of course; that’s always happening on TV. But that’s fake. Didn’t you just
say.... ? No, what I’m saying is they can be bastards. Like they can be
anything, Inés added. Oh, OK, all right. But the really important thing, in
love, is to find a real man. Not the real men again! exclaimed Patri. That’s
what mom’s always telling me. Well she knows what she’s talking about, I promise
you. How does she know? Inés shrugged her shoulders. They went around the corner
and glanced at the building, which didn’t look like anything special from the
outside.
At that moment, a typical Argentinean beauty walked past: broad
weight-lifter’s shoulders, pumped-up breasts,
reputation was based on a misunderstanding: seeing the whole family dressed in
faded clothes, the relatives supposed that Elisa Vicuña was extremely thrifty
and economical. To tell the truth, they couldn’t understand how clothes that
were so faded, almost white, and therefore, they supposed, very old (when in
fact they might have been bought the week before) remained in one piece: it
could only be explained by infinite care and vigilance. When Patri came back
with the bag and the money, Inés Viñas, who was at the edge of the empty
swimming pool, admiring that huge absurdity, offered to go with her. No, there’s
no need; it’s not far, just round the corner. We’ll get two bags then, to make
the drinks extra cold, replied Inés, laughing. Don’t worry, don’t worry, said
mother and daughter, but she insisted. Since she had come to bother them so
early, she might as well help with something.
Inés and Patri went downstairs and out into the street, which was
coming back to life. Inés asked if she had friends in the neighborhood. No,
replied Patri, I hardly ever go down. This is the first time I’ve been down in
two days. Inés was amazed. She couldn’t imagine it. And how are you going to
find a boyfriend like that, my girl? Patri laughed in reply, and Inés joined
in.
Hey, don’t laugh, I’m serious. Didn’t you hear what we were saying,
your mom and me? Yes, but I still don’t know who I’m going to marry. Inés took a
few steps in silence, wondering what to say. Never say you don’t know. Why not?
Because. Patri chose to respond with a chuckle. Tell me, said Inés, You’re not a
virgin, are you? No, not any more. Uhuh, but weren’t you worried about getting
pregnant? This time it was Patri’s turn to ponder her reply. Eventually she came
out with: More or less. What a funny answer! said Inés and burst out laughing.
But you’re a funny girl all round, aren’t you, Patricita! Hearing her laugh made
Patri laugh too. They went into the store that sold ice, made their purchase,
and, when they came out again, started talking about love. It’s the most
important thing, the only thing there is in the world. Yes, yes, of course, said
Patri. Why do you say you don’t know who you’re going to marry? Because it’s
true. Even so.... They walked a while in silence. The trees in
the street were as still as plaster statues. It’s so hot, said the younger of
the two. It’s a heat wave, really, said the other, then added:You
know what that means, don’t you? There’ll be a big, long storm afterward
and then it’ll be cold. Are you sure? It’s hard to believe. That’s
how it is. That’s what always happens in Buenos Aires. The weather does one
thing, then the other. I think it does that everywhere, said Patri with a
certain irony.Yes, but here, said Inés, it’s more pronounced and
it happens every time. What does? The downpour. Ah, said Patri, looking at the
spotless blue sky. No, not now, but you’ll see. Changing the subject abruptly,
Inés remarked: There are some really good-looking men. Yes, there are
some I find very attractive. There are some I find extremely attractive. Well, me too, if
we’re going to extremes. But, you know, they can turn out to be bastards. Yeah,
of course; that’s always happening on TV. But that’s fake. Didn’t you just
say.... ? No, what I’m saying is they can be bastards. Like they can be
anything, Inés added. Oh, OK, all right. But the really important thing, in
love, is to find a real man. Not the real men again! exclaimed Patri. That’s
what mom’s always telling me. Well she knows what she’s talking about, I promise
you. How does she know? Inés shrugged her shoulders. They went around the corner
and glanced at the building, which didn’t look like anything special from the
outside.
At that moment, a typical Argentinean beauty walked past: broad
weight-lifter’s shoulders, pumped-up breasts,
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