by MJ Summers
Daniela opened the door a crack. “Nobody else, though. They can all wait for tomorrow.”
Betina squeezed through the opening, then gasped. “Oh, Alessa, you look so beautiful!” She lifted a hand over her mouth and stared at her big sister for a moment before rushing to her for a hug.
When the moment was over, Alessa turned to her aunt. “What do you think of the fit?”
“Very good,” Daniela commented, tugging a little here and there along the bodice. “We’ll need to let it out in the chest. Your grandmother wasn’t as blessed as you are in that department. But otherwise, I think it’s perfect.”
“Can it be done so fast?”
Daniela winked. “It’s nothing. You get changed and I’ll get to work right away.”
Betina held up the veil that was in the dress box. “Wait, she should try this on.”
Daniela shook her head. “No. Your mother will put that on her tomorrow. No matter how she is acting today, it is her honour.”
* * *
Soon the house was filled with delectable aromas as the feijoada was started on the stovetop and the first batch of cookies was popped into the oven. The kitchen was a crowded space for so many cooks, but they managed to work well enough and they shared many laughs. The whir of the sewing machine in the corner of the kitchen added to the chaos as the women told stories of weddings past and gave Alessandra advice on marriage.
“The cookies have cooled. Let’s start putting them together,” Bertha called.
They heard a light knock at the door and turned to see Trey and Tomas in the back entrance. “We heard there might be cookies in here,” Trey said sheepishly.
“Come, come! We can spare a cookie for the groom and our new nephew!” Daniela called. “These are casadinhos; they are called a ‘well-married’ cookie. We are wrapping them to give to the guests.” She pointed to a basket holding several packages. “We pair two cookies together, like a bride and groom, see? Then they are glued together with something as sweet as true love. We are using marmalades and jams because they are Alessandra’s favourites. When they are put together we call them bem casados, which means a wish for a sweet life together.”
“That’s a very nice tradition. Thank you all so much for doing this for us.” Trey flashed a grin at the ladies before he and Tomas helped themselves. “We should go eat these outside. We don’t want to interrupt.”
“Wait a minute, Mr. Groom,” Bertha said. “Has she told you what will happen tomorrow?”
Trey wore a confused look. “We’re going to get married?” he asked slowly, glancing at Alessandra.
“Yes, but did she tell you about the bumba meu boi?”
“The bumba what now?” Trey asked, a suspicious look crossing his face as the women broke into laughter.
Alessandra rolled her eyes. “No! We are not doing that.”
“Yes, we are! The donkey will be here an hour before the ceremony. The bumba meu boi is normally done before the engagement but it will be last minute, like everything else with this wedding!”
“Donkey?” Trey asked, his eyebrows knitting together.
“There won’t be a donkey. Don’t worry about it.” Alessandra glared at her aunt.
“Worry about it. And don’t put on your suit until after everyone arrives. You’ll have a messy job to do.” Daniela waved him out the door. “Now, out you go! We have work to do”
A few hours later, the house was still again. Everyone had gone home for the night. Daniela had taken the dress to press it. They’d worked so hard that Alessandra hadn’t stopped long enough to open the presents from the kitchen shower. She plunked herself onto the couch next to Betina, feet aching.
“You should open your gifts.” Betina said.
“After the wedding. Let’s just sit. My head is swirling.”
They sat silently for a few minutes before Betina rested her hand on top of her sister’s. “I can’t believe you’re getting married tomorrow. It seems so grown-up.”
Alessandra felt a lump in her throat again. “I know. I can’t believe you’re going to America in two days.”
Betina’s eyes welled up. “I know. I’m going to miss you. It’s been so nice to be together in the same place again.”
“It has, hasn’t it?” Alessandra whispered, leaning her head against Betina’s.
“Why do things have to change?” Betina wondered out loud.
“I don’t know. Sometimes I wish I could freeze time in a perfect moment and stay there.”
“Me too. Would this be your moment? I mean, this day?”
“Almost. If Mother was talking to me maybe. I feel sick when I think about how upset she is.”
Betina nodded and stared at her sister. “She’ll come around. Tomorrow will be the perfect day.”
“If it is, let’s freeze time.”
Betina sighed. “What’s it like? Being loved like that, I mean.”
Alessandra’s eyes lit up. “It’s like . . . we share a wonderful secret that no one else would understand. It’s like no one has ever loved this much in the history of the world and never will again. It feels like I can see my future, finally, because it will be spent with him, and I’m sure about it like I’ve never been sure of anything in my life.”
“Oh, that makes me want to fall in love right this very minute,” Betina replied wistfully. “Do you think I will ever find a man like Trey?”
Nodding, Alessandra gave her a bright smile. “Yes, of course you will. When the time is right.”
The moment was interrupted by the sound of the front door. Lorena walked in, locking the door behind her before looking up to see her daughters on the couch. She froze for a second, then put her nose in the air and made her way out of the room and down the hall. Alessandra felt the sting of her mother’s anger in the pit of her stomach, which flipped and flopped as she watched Lorena walk away.
Much to Alessandra’s surprise, her mother came back to the living room and cleared her throat. “Betina, I would like to speak with Alessandra alone.”
Betina glanced over at Alessandra. “Do you want me to stay?”
“No, thank you, honey.” Alessandra gave her a small smile.
“Okay. I’ll go get ready for bed.” She walked past her mom and said, “Be nice.”
Lorena gave her an irritated nod, then sat with a sigh in an armchair opposite the couch. “I was seventeen when I got pregnant with you.”
Alessandra rolled her eyes. “I know all this. You had to give up your dream of being the first person in your family to go to university. By the time you were nineteen, you had two babies and no husband and no money. I am nothing like you. I’ve been to school. I have a good job.”
“True, Alessandra. In some ways you are nothing like me, but you are also exactly the same. You are headstrong like me and you can’t see the writing on the wall. And I know that nothing I say will change your mind. You think you have the greatest love of all time and that no one in the world could possibly understand, certainly not your horrible mother.”
Alessandra tried to hide any proof that her mother was right. “You don’t understand. You don’t think a man like him could ever love someone like me, do you? But he does. He loves me and he wants to make a life with me. And we’re going to start that tomorrow. And it kills me that you can’t just be happy for me.” Alessandra sniffed and dabbed at the stream of tears gliding down her cheeks.
Lorena shook her head. “Those are the words I used on my mother when she found out I was pregnant. You’re so smart in some ways, child. And in others, so naive. What if he is only marrying you so his son will have a mother? Have you thought of that? And where will you live? Are you going to pack up your things and start over in the United States? Can you even be a lawyer there or just his servant?”
“Enough! Enough, Mamãe. Just please stop. You don’t know what it’s like when we’re alone together. His feelings for me have nothing to do with Tomas!” Alessandra put up both hands. “No, forget it. It’s the nig
ht before my wedding and I don’t want to hear this. I’m not going to change my mind. We’re in love and we’re smart and we’ll figure out how to make a life together.”
“You’re smart, but he thinks he’s going to get rich riding bulls for a living! For God’s sake, Alessandra! He’s exactly like your father. Right down to the crazy dreams, and it scares me to see you tying yourself to someone with foolish notions like that.”
“Enough. He’s not like that. The bull riding is only temporary. Things will change once he’s part of this family and he won’t need to do it any more.”
Lorena scoffed. “Don’t be so sure. Once they get a taste of the excitement and make some quick money, they don’t give up so easily. You’re going to end up alone and raising a son who isn’t even yours.”
Alessandra’s words escaped clenched teeth. “That is not going to happen. But if it did, I would be happy to raise Tomas. I have loved him like a son for two years now. He’s as much my little boy as he is Trey’s!”
“And exactly how can you be sure that you aren’t confusing your love for Tomas with your love for his father? Maybe you only think you’re in love with him because you don’t want to lose that little boy!”
Alessandra sighed and shook her head. “Because I’m not confused, Mother. I’m in love with Trey. Now either wake up tomorrow ready to be happy for me or stay in your room all day and miss the entire thing. Vô can give me away if you refuse.”
With that, Alessandra got up and stalked down the hall to her room. She shut the door and growled in frustration. This was the last thing she needed the night before her wedding. Her mother filling her head with doubts about the man she loved, when she was nervous enough. Why couldn’t Lorena just be happy for her? All her life, Alessandra had done everything her mother wanted. She’d learned English, gone to law school and done well, working a job the entire time to pay for her room and board so she wouldn’t burden her family with those costs. Now she had returned to Bebedouro to help out. She’d quickly found a job and was also here every day helping them. In fact, she’d managed to find a good man, who had made huge improvements to the farm in just a matter of weeks. Trey couldn’t be more perfect for her family, really. He would take over running the farm so her grandfather could slow down. But all her mother could do was accuse him of using Alessandra or, now, even go as far as to suggest that Alessandra was using Trey so she could keep Tomas. Ridiculous.
She stripped down, tossing her clothes into the corner of her room, and grabbed a nightie out of her drawer. This wasn’t how she should be spending her last night as a single woman. She should be having a heart-to-heart talk with her mother over tea at the kitchen table. Not another huge blow-up. But her mother was bitter and scared and always would be. And at the moment, Alessandra hated her for it.
* * *
Hours later, Alessandra lay in bed, no longer angry but now very nervous about the next day. She heard a tapping sound on the window. She quickly got up and opened her curtain to see Trey standing on the grass. Sliding the window open, she smiled at him. “You can’t sleep either?”
“I doubt I’ll sleep for five minutes, even. I needed to see you.”
“I’ll come outside. One second.”
Alessandra crept down the hall on her tiptoes. When she got outside, her groom was waiting for her. She stepped into his warm embrace. The air had grown unexpectedly cool and she wished she had taken the time to put on a robe over her nightie. He stepped back and took her hands in his.
“I just wanted to double-check that you still want to marry me.” He said it as though he was joking, but Alessandra could tell there was some truth to it.
Her heart pounded in her rib cage. “Of course I do. Why? Have you changed your mind?”
“No, of course not. But tonight, I was lying in bed and I just got to thinking that maybe I rushed you too much with this. If you aren’t ready, we can always postpone.”
“You didn’t rush me, Trey. I know how fast this is, but I want to be your wife and I want to start our life together right away. This feels more right than anything I’ve ever done before. I can feel it in my bones.”
He broke out into a relieved smile. “Thank God, because I think we’re absolutely perfect for each other. I actually don’t know what I would have done if you said you didn’t want to marry me. It would have damn near killed me, I think.” Pulling her in for a long hug, he sighed happily. “Mmm, it feels good to hold you. I’ve gotten so used to falling asleep with you that now it’s hard to sleep apart.” Trey lowered his mouth over hers and gave her a lingering kiss.
“Me too. Whose dumb idea was it to sleep apart tonight?”
“Yours.”
“Right. I forgot. You should never have agreed to that.” She grinned up at him for a moment, then her face grew serious. “Are you nervous about tomorrow?”
“No. Well, I’m not at all worried about marrying you. That, I’m completely sure about. But I am kind of nervous about messing things up in the ceremony. I don’t exactly know all the customs, like that donkey thing. What the hell is up with that?”
Alessandra laughed. “Don’t worry, you’re fully equipped to handle it. You’ll go into the corral, where a donkey will be waiting. You have to catch him and tame him to prove you will be a worthy husband.”
“So, a man catches one donkey once and he’s got what it takes to be a good husband? Seems logical,” Trey teased.
Alessandra laughed. “Oh yes, very.”
“I’m assuming I’ll be making an ass of myself in front of everyone you know?”
“Yes. There will likely be quite a big crowd.”
“Perfect. Have I told you I’ve never been very good with donkeys?”
Alessandra covered her mouth with her hand to hide her laughter. “Oh dear. I’m sorry about this.”
“I’m sure you’ll make it up to me.”
“Oh I will, I promise,” she answered in a sultry voice.
“Can’t wait. Any chance they’ll bring a very agreeable donkey? Maybe one that’s about ten minutes from dying of old age?”
Alessandra shook her head. “None. My aunt said she and my uncle are going to their neighbour to see if they can get his. Her words were, ‘That animal’s a real mean son of a bitch.’ ”
“Perfect.”
The pair laughed quietly before Trey got back to the business at hand. “What else do I need to know?”
Alessandra screwed up her face in thought. “Well, whatever you do, don’t drop the rings. It’s considered a very bad omen and means our marriage won’t last long.”
“No pressure though, right?” he asked.
“Yes, some pressure.” She gave him a serious look.
“Even if I do drop the rings, it won’t change anything, Alessandra. We’re going to be married for the rest of our lives, and we’re going to be in love just like we are now.”
“Oh no, it will mean a horrible fate for sure. If the rings are dropped, the marriage is doomed.” She shook her head solemnly.
“You’re not serious, are you?” He narrowed his eyes at Alessandra until a hint of a smile escaped her lips. “Are you trying to mess with me?” he asked indignantly.
“A little bit,” she answered, finally letting herself laugh. “But seriously, don’t drop the rings.”
“Oh, I’m in for quite the life, aren’t I?” He took her in his arms again and kissed her. “God, I miss you. I can’t wait for tomorrow night.”
“Me too.” Alessandra sighed. “I only hope my mother will come around. We had another argument about you tonight.”
“She doesn’t think I’m a good bet.”
“I think she’s just scared that you’re making me give up her dreams for me.”
“You mean your dreams.”
“No, I mean her dreams. Of me being a rich lawyer. You are my dream now.”
“Can’t you have both?”
“Yes. But if I had to choose, you’d win. And I think that’s what scares her.” S
he reached up and gave him a long kiss.
“I’ll never make you give up your dreams, Alessandra. We’ll find a way for us both to live the life we want. We’ll build it together, and eventually she’ll come around. I hope it’ll be tomorrow but if it’s not, someday she’s going to see I’m not a complete bastard.”
“You’re right. She will.” A breeze flipped her nightie up, causing goosebumps to form on her skin.
“I should let you get back inside. You’re getting cold.”
“I don’t want to. I want to stay like this in your arms all night.”
They kissed and held each other until the next breeze came up and Trey stepped back, running his hands down her arms until he found her fingers with his. “I better go. If Tomas wakes up, I won’t hear him.”
“Right. Give him a kiss from me.”
“I will.”
Trey let go of her hands and watched as she turned to the house. “Hey,” he called. “I forgot to ask if I can see you tomorrow before the wedding.”
“Yes, but not after I’m in my dress.”
“Okay, good. Because I don’t know if I could wait until late afternoon to look at your beautiful face. Guess I’ll go back to bed now so I can stare at the ceiling and miss you.”
“Same here.”
Twenty-Six
A crack of thunder woke Trey with a start. Snapping himself upright, he looked over to the window. Through the curtains, he could see it was light out and yet strangely dark in a way he hadn’t seen since he’d been in Brazil. A second clap brought him to his feet to check on Tomas. He carefully opened the door to the living room and saw Tomas sleeping peacefully, his mouth hanging open. Trey sneaked over to him and tucked the quilt over his little body, then gently ran his hand over his soft hair. Looking at the time, he saw it was after 6 a.m. now. He had finally drifted off around three in the morning and now felt an unshakable grogginess as he stumbled back to his bedroom. Pulling back the curtain, he looked out as rivers of water poured down the glass, making the world outside a blur of dim colours. Lightning flashed, then another boom shook the house.
