With Rob and Aaron otherwise occupied, it left Gerald free to enjoy the evening with Alex, Carmen and the children. That was when Carmen saw a side of him she didn't know existed. Alex and Gerald talked around and over the bobbing heads of children on their laps as if it were an everyday occurrence. As it turned out, it was. Gerald had two married sisters and a passel of nieces and nephews - all of whom he was openly proud. Gerald had not yet married, but he was as much a family man as Alex. Gerald didn't share the desire to control with Alex, though. He seemed perfectly happy to follow wherever Alex led the conversation. It was pleasant simply listening to them talk.
When the trio came back from their walk, the men said their goodbyes and left. Felipa helped Carmen clean up the mess and get the children in bed while Alex went upstairs to finish some paperwork. With the house quiet, the two women retired to the kitchen for a cup of coffee and conversation.
Carmen placed a cup of coffee in front of Felipa and then settled into a chair opposite her. For a few moments they sipped in silent reflection. Finally Felipa glanced up at Carmen.
"Rob is a bit of a show-off, is he not?"
Carmen smiled. "Yes, I believe he is a bit of a clown."
Felipa rolled her eyes. "Aaron says Rob invited himself to come here."
Somehow that was no surprise. "Did Aaron object?"
Felipa shrugged a shoulder. "I do not know. He is a quiet man. I like him."
Carmen nodded. "I do too."
"This Rob, he is a good man?"
Carmen shrugged. "I don't know. He's a guest."
Felipa held the coffee cup between her hands and stared into it. "I would not trust him very much."
"Did he say something to make you feel uncomfortable?"
Felipa glanced up at Carmen and smiled. "Everything he says makes me feel uncomfortable. He is … too much."
Carmen laughed. "He does flow over the top with flattery."
Felipa giggled. "I like when men tell me I am pretty - but I want to believe it."
Carmen sipped her coffee. Generally it made her feel uncomfortable when men remarked on her beauty, but doubly so when they were insincere. They say that beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. The mirror confirmed she was attractive. Even so, how did a person respond to that kind of praise? She always said thank you, but it was nothing to be proud of. It wasn't an achievement. She had done nothing to create it - most of the time she didn't even wear makeup. Basically, it was unearned praise. She worked hard at taking care of her husband and children, yet how often had someone told her she was a good wife and mother - or even a nice person? That kind of praise was reserved for the less attractive, it seemed.