Saturday October 29, 2016 part 2 (12/76)

Me: I have an appointment with Marta.

Dr. Jorge: Yes, that's right. But let me tell you, perhaps you don't know... Marta no longer... she doesn't have a driver's license.

Me: Oh really? Why?

Dr. Jorge: Believe me, my sister, the reason isn't very Catholic. It's better to just say she never had one and avoid bringing it up with her. Your phone is ringing, Theresa, answer it.

I'm so absorbed by the strangeness of the doctor's words and his amused smile that I hadn't even noticed my phone ringing. The sound of the vibration was becoming increasingly insistent.

Dr. Jorge: Aren't you going to answer?

Me: Stop with your paranormal stories, Dr. Jorge.

Dr. Jorge: I don't know what you're talking about.

He continues to smile, his eyes sparkling with mischief. Just then, someone knocks at the door.

Me: If you're here to play one of your silly tricks on me, now is really not the time.

Dr. Jorge: I don't know what you're talking about, Theresa.

I approach the door, my heart beating slightly faster. When I open it, I find myself face to face with Marta, who smiles warmly at me.

Me: Marta? Hello... hello.

Marta: Hello, my sister. I called you, but I didn't get an answer.

Me (trying to hide my embarrassment): Oh really??

Marta (shrugging slightly): Yes, I got your number through Barbara, you know her, I think. We had lunch together before.

Me (suddenly remembering): Ohhh yes, now I remember. Don't just stand there, come in.

I wonder how Marta and the doctor could have gotten my room number so easily. Clearly, these two seem to understand each other well.

Dr. Jorge (with a sly smile): Speak of the devil.

Marta (with a suspicious look): Who is the devil? Were you talking about me?

I know this doctor won't hesitate to put me in a tricky situation. How am I going to respond to Marta, who seems a little annoyed?

Me (searching for words): No, not necessarily... We were just saying that...

Dr. Jorge (with a knowing smile): I was just explaining to Theresa that I'm going to be your driver today, that you even kind of made me come with you, that's all.

I notice Marta's reaction when the doctor calls me Theresa.

Marta (with a surprised look): Theresa? And why did you arrive early without informing me?

Dr. Jorge (apologetically, in a light tone): It slipped my mind, sorry.

Marta (sighing): Anyway, we'll talk about it later. For now, I think it's time for our appointment, isn't it?

Me (with a reassuring smile): Yes, I'm ready. Would you like something to drink first?

Marta (impatiently, her light floral dress swaying with each movement): No, thank you, I'm too eager to get to the shops at Internash. Get up, Jorge, we're leaving now.

Dr. Jorge (with an amused smile): Yes, all right, all right, I'm heading out first. I'll wait for you downstairs.

Dr. Jorge steps out first, his sunglasses reflecting the sunlight. Marta, dressed in a light sky-blue dress and wearing elegant sunglasses, is almost overflowing with excitement. We take the elevator, although our destination is nearby, and quickly reach the ground floor. As we exit the residence, the doctor walks quickly toward the parking lot, while Marta and I proceed more slowly, enjoying the mild air and sunshine.

Marta (with an appreciative smile): It's nice weather, isn't it, my sister?

Me (smiling in response): Oh yes, the weather is really beautiful.

Marta (with a satisfied smile): Yes, it's sunny, but it's not too hot.

Me: Exactly.

I then see the doctor's car for the first time. A grey BMW, spotless, with an almost unreal shine. The doctor has put on his sunglasses as if preparing for a photo shoot. When he sees us, he smiles and honks lightly.

Dr. Jorge (in a cheerful voice): Ladies!!!

Marta (with a teasing tone): You could have been more gentlemanly, that's not what I taught you.

Marta walks forward and gets into the rear left side of the car, her dress floating around her. I'm about to get into the rear right side when the doctor opens the front door for me.

Me (in a firm but polite voice): I'd rather sit in the back, thank you.

Dr. Jorge (with an indulgent smile): As you wish.

I get into the rear right and close the door. Marta, already settled, looks at me with curiosity.

Marta (with a hint of surprise): But why didn't you sit in the front, my sister?

Me (smiling): I didn't want to leave you alone in the back, especially since I was the one who asked you to come with me.

Marta (with a grateful but slightly warm smile): Oh really? If you really want to do me a favor, sit in the front. It's really hot back here, please.

Me (nodding): All right.

I move to the front and gently close the door.

Dr. Jorge (with a note of relief): Good, now we can finally go.

We arrive at Internash, a large luxury store with sparkling windows. The aisles are filled with a variety of products.

Marta (with a certain confidence): Since you're not familiar with this store yet, I suggest we start with the beauty section, then clothes, and finally accessories.

Dr. Jorge (with a hint of weariness): I'll wait for you outside, in the car. Please don't take too long.

Marta (smiling and showing her impatience): Yes, go rest. If you like, we can go eat something together afterward before dropping my sister off at the university residence.

Dr. Jorge (with a wink): That works for me, ladies.

The doctor walks away, leaving us alone in front of the overflowing shelves of beauty products.

Marta (picking up a cream, with enthusiasm): Oh, look at this cream! What do you think of it?

Me (examining the product, slightly distant): Oh, it's really sublime, but I prefer the one with Aloe Vera. What do you think?

Marta (impressed, smiling): Oh yes, wow, you impress me. That's the one I usually use, but since it was out of stock, I've been using this one.

Me (with a sincere smile): Then take the Aloe Vera one, I'll happily buy it for you.

Marta (hesitant but touched): Oh no, I can't accept that, I'm just here to accompany you, my sister.

Me (insisting kindly): No, it would make me happy to offer it to you...

Marta (with a grateful smile): Okay, thank you. Now let's move on to the clothing section; I assure you it will be hard to resist.

We head to the clothing section, where the colors and fabrics are a feast for the eyes. Marta stops in front of a dress.

Marta (enthusiastically): Oh, look at this beautiful dress! Isn't it stunning?

Me (reserved, examining the dress critically): Hmm, I'm not sure, it doesn't really speak to me... Besides, it's too colorful for me.

Marta (with a knowing smile): Yes, yes, that's true. My sister, do you know what you're going to give your niece?

Me (thinking out loud): It's hard to choose, but I think I'll give her necklaces and serums for skin care. That's what she talks to me about the most.

Marta (with an approving smile): Oh yes, a great choice. Your niece must be very lucky. There was a time in my life when I wished that the people who were supposed to be there for me actually were.

There's a note of sadness in her voice that touches me, but I prefer not to delve deeper. To change the subject, I point to another dress.

Me (encouragingly): I think this dress would suit you very well.

Marta (touching the fabric with a playful smile): Oh yes, it's definitely my style, but no, I won't let myself be tempted.

Me (smiling): Come on, try it on. I'll wait for you.

Marta (laughing slightly but determined): Really? Okay.

She slips into a fitting room. A few minutes later, she returns, glowing in the dress.

Marta (with a hint of nervousness): So, what do you think?

Me (genuinely admiring): Gorgeous, it suits you so well.

Marta (flattered, blushing slightly): Thank you, I'll be back in a few minutes.

Meanwhile, Dr. Jorge returns, standing casually beside me.

Dr. Jorge (with a sly smile): This one would look stunning on you, Theresa.