One Out of Two by Daniel Sada Read Free Book Online Page A

of slight displeasure, superfluous if you wish, a not-very-sly wince that flitted across his face, no questions, as if to let her know that his love and devotion were of indisputable integrity.
    Later, during that same loving exchange, he talked almost obsessively about his work, in other words: the weaning of she-goats and the difficulties involved in selling them; about how pigs were not very profitable. Out of all this, the real girlfriend conjured up abstract images that consisted of small arrows being shot at sentences—we could call them precepts—of the most profound transcendence.
    “You don’t need to be such a stickler. I promise you that when he gets here tomorrow, I’ll be very cautious. I won’t ask stupid questions or say anything compromising.”
    The other sighed passionately and mentioned in passing:
    “At the beginning, when we were alone there in the walnut grove, I could tell he wanted to kiss me on the cheek, or on the forehead, or who knows where; he sidled up close to me while I was gazing out over the horizon, acting like a donkey about to start braying; I: like a surly mare, turned quickly to face him and he politely backed off. It’s better that way, not a good idea to give him too much leeway.”
    “No, not a good idea … but why?” Gloria asked herself, inside where her lewd plans were being laid.
    Then came the long-awaited day and her opportunity.
    That first time …
    The substitute was ready punctually at four in the afternoon, her hair done up in a do identical to her sister’s, the same amount gathered and the same amount loose, flaunting those iridescent earrings: courtesy of the beau. The shop properly locked—to avoid any sudden urges—and at its door, the radiant figure Oscar took to be the same woman: without optical or other illusions; all of which Constitución watched from the street corner, as if she were a meddlesome child viewing romance from afar and longing to be there; others saw her, too: of course—Sunday, hot, vanities: imagine the pains they took, trying to guess since the week before which of the twins was dating.
    Now he approaches, a bouquet of roses in hand, to walk again with his sweetheart to the walnut grove, after a flirtatious greeting; but then came an abrupt change, something not part of any plan: the loser brazenly sidled up to the rancher: who: he had no choice but to place his arm around her shoulder, hug her prettily and in the middle of the street: right there in plain view of the entire town: after which they continued on their way, pressed against each other while the other was pressing herself against walls: spidery: and from a distance also pressing her lips together and telling herself in a rage: “That blockhead already gave herself to him. I hope, at least, she keeps her virginity, that’s the least she can do.”
    No way could she go yell at her; she had to bide and watch the scene scrupulously, follow them unflaggingly, because if her sister allowed him to grope her, so would she have to seven days hence and without any foolish haggling. To the chagrin of the observer, this Johnny-come-lately was painting the walls of her own scenario with wild and passionate hues splashed across the distance, cloud pompons dripping with ocher and deep red settling in between the hills. A perfect and unequaled backdrop for abandon, for those long, drawn-out kisses.
    And: joy was had. Gloria and Oscar gave themselves to each other, surrendering to the undertow, their lips loose, large, labile: sudden soft and circular surfaces. Desire driving them on. Sitting on the tree trunk: Gloria let the man see the bouquet fall from her hands: intentionally and, what of it! she was spellbound. Triumphant or stupid. Over here, and on the other hand, the real sweetheart hiding behind a bush had to create her own illusions, as if she were experiencing in her own flesh that rancher’s tongue thrust between her teeth. “Stop!” she well-nigh cried out