If Senor Medina had determined on his own that there was something amiss between his son and his wife, it would have to have been because Alex was treating her so well. Alex was the perfect gentleman, whether with his family or away from them. He treated her with total respect. In fact, the casual observer might think he was actually courting her. He took her to church on Sunday, complimented her attire and fussed over her as if her injured shoulder was a disabling factor. If he hadn't done it with such apparent sincerity, it would have been downright embarrassing.
If the days were filled with flattery, the nights were filled with emptiness. Alex kept to his side of the bed. When they went to bed at night, they slept. It was amazing how amiable two people could be when their time together was going to be short.
Gerald visited the family Monday evening to express condolences. He was leaving the country the next morning for a sales trip, so he didn't stay long and wasn't going to be there for the funeral.
He hugged Alondra and then Felipa. He held Felipa longer and then kissed her on the forehead when he released her. Maybe there was more to their relationship - maybe strong friendship?
When Alex went outside to see Gerald off, Felipa took the opportunity to talk to Carmen alone.
"Alex is happy now, yes? He has forgiven you." Her dark gaze searched Carmen's, and when she didn't get an answer, she sighed. "You have not forgiven him."
"I have forgiven him," Carmen answered. "He had a lot on his mind. I didn't know."
Felipa eyed her doubtfully. "He tells you he is sorry."
Carmen smiled. "Yes, he did."
Felipa frowned. "He tells you all the days he is here."
Carmen nodded. "Yes, he tells me every day in the way he treats me."
Felipa smiled and glanced up to see Alex approaching them. She patted Carmen's arm and walked away.
Alex watched her walk away and then lifted a brow to Carmen.
"What did she want?"
The old Alex was bound to emerge at some point. Carmen shrugged.
"Probably the same thing you wanted from Gerald - a few moments of companionship with a friend."
A wry smile touched his lips as his gaze traveled over her face, but he said nothing more about it. Who would they turn to when they no longer had each other?
Tuesday dawned a dreary overcast day. Alex was quiet and withdrawn. During the funeral, Carmen stayed by his side. At one point, when he appeared to be close to tears, she slipped her hand in his. He gazed down at her for a moment, squeezing her hand, and then returned his attention to the eulogy. A single tear slid unchecked down his cheek, but his expression remained stoic.