by Brian
“Max,” he said slowly, “I have been trying to contact Mr. Jones concerning the loan.” I have sent many letters to his farm, to no avail. Holding up the file he was reviewing, he continued. “Since there have been no payments since the loan was taken out, I rode by his place today. There are no improvements on the property. In fact, it has long been abandoned.”
“Are you saying that I can’t take care of my loans?” Max said raising his voice in anger. “I am the one who brings most of the business to us. Now you are accusing me of not handling our loans. I can’t believe you went to the farm without consulting me!”
Martin slapped the file on the desk as he stood up in anger, knocking over the chair.
“Goddamn it, Max! What are you saying? What are you doing? You know as well as I do that there have been no payments or improvements to the property! Max, what is going on? Why are you doing this to us? To yourself? To Collette? Are you in trouble again with Señor Garcia?”
Martin once again felt his vein throbbing. Max stood there shuffling his feet, not looking at Martin.
“Well, um, no. I just haven’t had luck lately at the gambling hall.”
“Good God Max! You have a new wife and a child on the way now,” Martin screamed at him. “You must take care of them instead of spending all your days in the gambling hall - you can’t do this if you owe people money!”
Martin’s face flushed with anger.
“I… I’ll…pay it back somehow, Martin.”
Martin sat down because he was feeling light-headed.
“Max, I am going to Mexico, and I must tell Salvador what is happening. I have changed the code on the safe and have locked all paperwork inside, so you can’t get into it when I am not around. Does Collette know what you’re doing?”
Max spoke barely above a whisper. “No, she does not. I can’t tell her. You and Salvador are the only ones.”
“Well, I am leaving tomorrow and will be gone a few days. Max, this stops here and now. You must do nothing until I return from Mexico. Then we can sit down and figure out what to do about this position you have put us in. Salvador has more than understood this hole you have put us in, but I fear this time he won’t be so accommodating.
Without saying a word further, Max walked out the door angry with his brother for cutting him off from his money supply, and mad at himself for his weakness when it came to gambling.
Chapter 12
Susanna came running to him and gave him a big hug.
“Martin!” she squealed. “It is so good to see you again! Will you be staying for my fifteenth birthday party on Saturday?”
“Oh, my goodness, look how you have grown! Quinceañera? Is it that time already? Yes, of course, I’ll stay for your day!”
“Papi! Papi! Martin is here and will stay for my party!”
Salvador and Martin exchanged the warm greetings of old friends.
“Salvador, Susanna has certainly grown into a beautiful young lady.”
“Ah si,” he said. “Perhaps now you would consider taking her as your wife someday. Tell me, Martin, how is your brother doing?”
Martin’s smile quickly faded.
“Ay-a-yai. Salvador, I can’t believe it’s been six years already, but I’m afraid I can’t continue in a partnership with you. Max has taken more money and now owes the business almost $40,000.”
“Mi amigo, all is well. I wish to speak to you about another contract. Let’s go to the patio.”
When Martin and Salvador got to the patio, he noticed that Susanna was there too.
“Since Papi lets me do the books now, you will be working with me too!” she said, feeling quite significant.
“Salvador?”
“Oh, si. My daughter is very good with numbers, so I have decided to allow her to do the books from now on.”
Martin felt a pull within him that he didn’t wish to explore and tried to convince himself it was fatherly pride.
“Very well, then. What do you have to show me, Susanna?” Martin asked as he studied her.
Showing the contract to Martin, Susanna continued. “We wish to sell you 50% of our business for this amount here,” she said pointing to a specific part of the proposed contract.
“I don’t understand. Your business is worth much more than this Salvador.”
“Si, Señor, it is,” Susanna answered, drawing his attention from Salvador. “However, you will see a clause further down,” she said.
Picking up the contract with both hands, Martin started reading it line by line. When he came across the clause that Susanna was referring to, he first looked at Susanna, then at Salvador, then back to the contract. “My brother has to be out of it? I don’t know if I can do that.”
“My friend, he can still be part of your business, just not ours. Your brother has not proven to be trustworthy, and I have worked too hard to have him take down my business. Look what he has nearly done to yours.”
Martin understood that all too clearly.
“I…I must …think on this. May I sleep on it and get back to you?”
“Yes, of course. I shall give you all the time you need. I understand it is difficult for you to consider.”
“Thank you, my friend. I’ll stay for the party and then will return to Texas the next day and will have an answer for you in two weeks’ time.”
“Susanna,” her father said, “you should run along now and do what you need to do to get ready for your party.”
“Si, Papi,” she said as she scurried away.
“Oh, how I wish her mama were here to help me celebrate her fifteenth birthday. I do miss her so much.”
“I know you miss your Conchita, but she is looking down from heaven upon you, beaming with pride and joy. As for your Susanna, I can’t believe how beautiful she is.”
“Yes, indeed she is. Perhaps you have changed your mind about taking my daughter as your wife?”
Martin turned to Salvador. “You never stop pushing her on me, do you?” he asked, laughing. Salvador then clapped Martin on the shoulder and headed inside.
On the day of her Quinceañera, Martin went looking for Susanna, and when he found her, he could not believe his eyes. Never had he seen anyone so beautiful before. She was wearing a gorgeous, full-bodied dress that had a flared skirt made of the most delicate lace and adorned with beautiful lilacs surrounding the edge of the dress as well as the top of the bodice. On Susanna, it was exquisite. Her long black hair was done up beautifully and was partially held up with pearl clips, while the rest of her hair hung down her back in elegant ringlets. Her Tia had helped by putting minimal make-up on her, which accentuated her beauty. She looked older than she ever had before.
When she saw him, she flew into his arms.
“Martin! I am so happy you decided to stay!”
Pulling away, he eyed her up and down.
“Oh, Susanna. You are more and more beautiful every time I see you. I am glad I could stay here for this. You have become such a beautiful young woman!”
Giggling and blushing, she said, “my Papi says I am now of the age to get married!”
“Oh? And is there somebody you are interested in?”
“Si. Oh, si,” Susanna said coyly.
“Is he here now? I should like to meet him. Does he know of your interest in him?
“Yes, he is here, but I am not sure if he knows. I don’t get to see him very much. I think I am in love with him!”
He felt his heart drop at her words.
“Oh, well, I hope to meet him one day, and I hope things work out for you two if that is what you wish. It is about time for your party to begin. I’ll see you inside.”
As she skipped off, Martin called out, “Hasta luego, Susanna,” before heading back to the house. He was still amazed at her beauty and wondered why he was ogling a fifteen-year-old girl.
There were many people at the hacienda, and Martin was very touched to have been considered part of the family.
It was late afternoon the
next day, and time for him to prepare for his return to Texas. His bags were being loaded onto the cart to take him to the train station when a sorrowful Susanna came out to see him. He suspected it was a culmination of the excitement of her party, the death of her mother, and his leaving. He walked toward her and took her into his arms, thanking her for allowing him to be part of her special day. She hugged him and quickly ran away without saying a word.
Martin was watching Susanna as Salvador came out to speak with him.
“My friend,” he said, “your being here has meant so much to my family, me, and especially to Susanna. I’m telling you, Martin, you should consider taking her as your wife.”
Martin just smiled and shook his head.
“Salvador, she told me she is already interested in a young man. She would probably think I am too old for her.”
For the first time since he met them, Martin didn’t say anything about his being too old for Susanna.
Chuckling, Salvador said, “You don’t get it, do you? You must be the most obtuse man I have ever met.”
Martin replied, “What do you mean? What don’t I get?”
Shaking his head, Salvador replied, “It is YOU that she is interested in, my friend. How can you not see this? She has loved you since the day she met you!”
Martin felt as if he had been kicked in the gut by a mule. He had been so busy tending to his business that he failed to recognize or acknowledge his feelings for this budding young woman, and finally he had a chance to be with somebody who could make him happy and work beside him as his wife.
Pleased with Martin’s revelation, he suggested one more time that Susanna would make a good wife for him. No longer able to deny his feelings or hide them, he formally asked Salvador for permission to marry Susanna. Beaming, Salvador didn’t hesitate to answer.
“Si! I would be more than honored to have you as part of mi familia.”
Now that his eyes had finally been opened, Martin couldn’t contain his joy. He could hardly wait to find Susanna and ask her to marry him. He quickly made his way to the garden where he spotted her hugging and kissing a young, handsome man on the cheek. Once again, Martin felt as if a mule had kicked the air out of his lungs. His disappointment was great, but he was man enough to want to meet this young love of hers. As he got closer to the young couple, he knew he no longer had a chance with her, not the way she was smiling lovingly at him.
“Susanna,” he called out to her.
“Martin!” she cried out, as she grabbed the young gentleman’s hand, half pulling him along with her as she walked over to him. Martin again felt his lungs deflate as he wanted to run away but knew he would look foolish.
“I would like you to meet someone who is important to me.” She smiled at him, failing to notice that the color had drained out of his face.
“This is Joselito, my cousin from Sonora! He and I have been best friends since we were both babies.”
Martin couldn’t believe what he had just heard. Stuttering he said, “C-c-cousin?”
“Yes, I haven’t seen him in many years, but I saw him just a few minutes before you came out here.”
Smiling broadly, he warmly greeted Susanna’s cousin.
“It is very nice to meet you, Joselito. I am happy to make your acquaintance!”
Joselito just smiled at the effect that Susanna had on this man, and as he walked away, Martin and Susanna could hear him laughing. Martin grabbed Susanna’s hand and told her that he needed to talk to her. He pulled her deep into the garden where they would be alone, and he bade her to sit on the nearest bench.
“Que pasa con ti? What on earth is the matter with you?”
Martin was more nervous than he had ever been in his life as he paced back and forth. He took a deep breath and began speaking to her, but he could tell he wasn’t making sense.
“You know that we have known each other for a long time, and you also know that I am much older than you. You probably don’t want a man that is so much older, and I’ll understand if you don’t --”
Susanna stood up and put her hand across his mouth to stop him from speaking further. Then, removing her hand, she put her lips to his and started kissing him warmly. Martin quickly pulled back, leaving them both breathless.
“Anyone can come back here at any time and catch us; we must stop.”
Susanna was flushed with excitement as well and smiled up at him.
“Forgive me for my forwardness. I didn’t know how to stop your--”
“Babbling?” Martin asked.
“Si, that is a good word.” Susanna laughed.
He shushed her and asked her to sit back down.
“What I want to ask, with the most utmost respect is--” He paused and then continued. “Will you marry me? I didn’t realize until today that I am in love with you. I don’t want to live another day without knowing that you are mine. I know I am much older than you, but I want you to be my wife. Will you do me the honor? Please?”
Her eyes widened, her cheeks flushed, and she gave him a smile of the heavens.
“OH SI, SI, SI!!! I’ll marry you! I’ll love you as I have loved you since the first day I met you. I knew that one day I would be your wife. I’ll make you the happiest man on earth, and I’ll cook for you, clean for you and do anything you want of me!”
Then Martin got on his left knee in front of her, leaned forward, and kissed her left hand.
“We must go tell Papi! He will be pleased!” Susanna cried, tears running down her face.
“Your Papi already knows. We will announce our engagement to anyone who is still here. If your Papi lets me, I’ll stay one or two more days, so we can make a few arrangements. Then I’ll come back, and we will be married.”
A few days later, after completing the arrangements, Martin told the family he would be back in ten days. He wanted time to prepare himself, his office and more importantly, his family for their upcoming nuptials. He also knew that the small wedding he’d always wanted had suddenly tripled in size.
The day he arrived back at the office, he witnessed his brother in front of the bar arguing with a short, bald, heavyset man. He knew that this was trouble and was about to investigate when Max saw him and motioned for him to stay away. With increasing unease, Martin went back to his office and waited. A short while later Max showed up with his eye swollen and lip bleeding.
“Max! What happened? I’ll go to the authorities!” Martin exclaimed.
“No Martin, that isn’t necessary. It was just an argument. It was my fault. Please leave the sheriff out of this. But I do need to ask a huge favor, not one I want to ask, but I must.”
“I think I can guess. You are in over your head again. You owe this man some money again, don’t you?”
“Yes. I owe about $2000. My family, including my unborn child, have been threatened. I promise you after this is taken care of, I’ll stay away from the gambling. I won’t go near the saloons anymore. I’ll get a good job and take care of my family. But please give me - no wait - lend me that money, and I’ll pay you back with interest.”
A thousand thoughts ran through Martin’s head. He and Max founded their bank on the principle of helping others. He loved his brother very much, but he also hated his brother for all he had done to them, their business, and their relationship with Salvador. Martin knew that one day Max’s lifestyle would get him into some serious trouble that not even money could fix. He feared for his brother’s wellbeing but, in the end, he was not able to stay unforgiving toward him, despite all that he had done. Keeping a somber face, Martin replied, “I’ll do this with only one condition.”
Max became angry. He had just laid out his heart to his brother. “What condition?”
“I’ll lend you the money, provided you agree to go to Mexico with me in a few days and be the best man at my wedding.” Martin smiled as Max tried to process what he’d just heard.
Max’s eyes widened. “Are you serious brother? Who’s the lucky lady? Of course, I’l
l do it! Do you mind if I bring Colette? I am so happy for you!”
The anguish of the past few years suddenly melted away.
“Of course, it is okay for Collette to come along! The lucky GIRL is Susanna! I finally realized I was in love with her and now that she is of marrying age, she has consented to marry me!”
They hugged and started talking about the wedding, and when Martin told Max about the incident with Joselito, Max roared with laughter.
A few days later, His parents, Max and a heavily pregnant Colette arrived at the Aguirre Hacienda, and Salvador met them at the front door. There were many decorations all over the place, and several workers were still preparing for the big event the following day.
“Mijo! Max! Welcome! Welcome! Your rooms are ready for you. Who are these wonderful people with you?”
“These are my parents Charles and Marie, you know Max of course and this is his lovely wife Colette, who will soon start the new generation of our family” Martin answered proudly.
“My congratulations to you both! I pray for health, wealth and love in your child’s life.”
“Grasseeyas,” Max said as he attempted to answer in Spanish.
“Mexican tradition states that you may not see the bride until the wedding day. So alas, Martin, you won’t see Susanna until tomorrow.”
Martin groaned out loud, making everyone around them laugh.
Chapter 13
Early the next morning Salvador came to visit Martin and have the traditional walk with his soon to be son-in-law.
“I know I don’t have to tell you about what is expected of you on your wedding night as you are a grown man. But please remember not to let your excitement overtake you.”
“This is not unknown to me, Salvador. She means everything to me. You will never have to worry about her.”
They spoke more about the responsibilities of being a loving husband and she a loving wife, Salvador also advised him of the dowry he had been adding to since Susanna was a baby. Martin was astounded at the amount and tried to give it back to Salvador, but he refused and insisted they take it to start a new life together.
