acceleration. Thus the pace. Let’s call them “capitular jumps,” which made the trip one of constant renewal (so to speak) from one surprise to the next.
Renata, feeling like a very tender wife, wanted to cling to Demetrio’s arm. We could say that he drove with one hand, the skillful devil, believe it or not. He freed himself from her grip only to change gears: One moment, many one moments, and she allowed him the moment.
There were lapses in their conversation, which, if they could be drawn, would be shaped like protuberances, something that rose oblong, and oblong descended, the peak being two or three vigorous sentences, then a waning, for the emotions seemed to have a high degree of ephemeral intensity and … the silence lasted … and new waves, new protuberances and … Out of everything they talked about during the trip, we will highlight the following:
“Listen, my love,” Demetrio began, “I need to tell you something.”
“What? Dearest. Tell me,” said his beloved.
“When we move to Parras, we’ll have our own room in my mother’s house.”
“We are going to live with your mother?”
“For a little while. I figure about two months.”
“What about our privacy?”
“Our room is very private, and my mother is very discreet, more than you can ever imagine. In addition, I am making so much money at the pool hall that we will soon have an enormous house on the outskirts of Parras. I can even promise you that.”
“I will go wherever you take me. But I want privacy. A lot of privacy.”
“Really?”
“Yes, yes. Don’t forget that.”
Demetrio turned and planted a solid kiss on her cheek. Explosive surprise. She wiped off the bit of saliva left by the furtive smear: her fingers were trembling.
“Don’t do that again. Wait till we get to the hotel in Piedras Negras.”
Wait, wait, wait, wait. Penitence. Repressive feints. Desire on the verge. Insidious respect, still. How much longer till … ? Pain below. Pain above. Pain—where?
“You can’t wait, can you?”
“To tell the truth, no … I want, I want …”
“Me too, but you must understand …”
49
Glorious, exuberant, incredible arrival. The trucks were parked along the width of the country hotel, strategically placed. An event that was—inimitable? The cream-colored building in question was two stories high, though fairly imposing. An outstretched building. Modernity in the countryside, for Piedras Negras was still about two miles away. That is, the circulating air mussed the hair. Well—why did Demetrio choose this place? Had he been here before? According to what the newlyweds discussed on the way, they were going somewhere far away from any city thicket. Supposedly they would find something somewhat like paradise, and they found it and very evident it was … Demetrio’s lucky star, et cetera … Now let’s watch the crucial scene: the big guy got out of the truck, tucked in his shirt, and went in to request a room for himself and his wife. This action was watched by the accompanying kin, who were no longer sitting and waiting but rather had placed their feet on the ground (heads like pennants), including Doña Luisa, who began to cry a little.
Renata was the only one who remained seated. She didn’t want to get out. Instead, she cracked her knuckles, so anxious was she for her husband to get a room. Meanwhile she thought: Will it hurt when he sticks it in, or the opposite? A few minutes later she thought: This very day I will lose my virginity. And a little later: My mother never told me anything about the sexual act. Everything will be new for me. Finally, about fifteen minutes later, Demetrio sauntered out and made a gesture with his hands—what did he want? Yes, they should unload the suitcases, there was a room, a beautiful one overlooking the road and the tilled fields beyond. And Renata got out and offered to help. She raised her hand to say good-bye to her gawking kin, who nevertheless didn’t leave, who watched as she entered the building behind Demetrio, who was carrying everything. Outside, the remnants of stoicism. So many gentlemen, so many ladies, all with long faces. Some with more tears than others. A frenetic gathering. It’s just that Renata was on the verge of losing … that’s already been said—and what would it be like? What kind of wild dumping inside—a lot? Not to even think about the cruelest of the cruel. Perhaps first there would be a more sentimental wave good-bye. In fact, the cry spread; cries in