He continued his account of their great love, explaining how Adelmo wanted to leave the country with her and start a new life. For him, settling in the States was impossible, but for your sister, it was a dream he could help her achieve.
And then there was Ben. Adelmo’s business dealings with him had been illegal, and Stella’s husband was a very greedy man. Adelmo might have been able to buy him off to ensure a quick divorce, but that wouldn’t have solved the problem of where he and Stella could begin a new life together. Plus, there were additional complications. He hesitated at this point in the story.
“What complications?” I urged. But he ignored me.
“He came to me for advice last August. He made it clear Stella would be miserable if she could not return to her family, and he could not live with himself if she was in pain. Also, because of his line of work, he had many enemies. He had avoided serious relationships in the past for fear these violent men would hurt anyone he loved. That was another reason to keep his love for your sister a secret.”
When Adelmo contacted him and asked him to help find a place for Stella to hide, Luis was surprised. Eva agreed to stay with Stella, and he set up the trip to Ibarra.
“I don’t understand. Except for learning you and Adelmo were friends, our conversation sheds no new light on anything. If she went away to stay safe, why did she go back to her house? And what about the airline ticket? Was she trying to escape from Adelmo, too?”
“I believe it would be best if you read your sister’s letter before I answer any more of your questions. Stella left it at the home of Eva’s sister with instructions to mail it. But it was misplaced in the confusion over getting your sister out of the country. Eva didn’t find it until after Stella died. She didn’t feel right about opening it, so she gave it to me.”
“What is so complicated about a letter from my sister?”
“That is for you to decide. I will leave you alone with it now.” He stood, handed me the letter, and left the room.
Dear Grace,
It seems I’ve gotten myself in a “pickle,” as Gran used to say. If you’ve read my letters, you know I’ve been seeing a wonderful man. His name is Adelmo Balsuto. You’re probably thinking he’s another one of my mistakes, but this time I found my one and only true love, like Gran. As usual, though, my timing sucks. I asked Ben for a divorce and—surprise, surprise—he’s being a total ass-hat. He doesn’t love me, probably never did, but he hates to lose. Things got so bad I had to get away for a while. So that’s problem number one.
Problem number two is Adelmo won’t marry me. The reasons are complicated, but trust me when I say they’re pretty damn good. He insists I go home without him. Says he will come when he can, but we both know it won’t happen.
So, Grace, I’m really coming home this time. If you haven’t forgiven me, I’m not giving up. I think when you see me all the bad stuff between us will disappear, and you can help me start a new life.
Before I leave Montañita for good, I have to make one last trip to Ben’s for my locket. Eva doesn’t want me to go, but remember what we used to say about those lockets? No way am I leaving it behind. Ben won’t be there, so I should be able to get in and out without him even knowing I was there.
I can’t wait to see you and for you to see how different I really am.
Love you forever.
Your Favorite Sister
So, she had died because of the locket. We had taken the necklaces as symbols of the strength of our family bond. Gran said we could pass them down to our daughters if we were lucky enough to have them. Instead of good fortune, hers had gotten Stella killed.
I gazed at the Atlanta skyline, shimmering in the afternoon heat, and tried to make sense of Stella’s letter.
Luis cleared his throat as he reentered the room. “Are you all right?”
“How can I be when it seems my sister died for a piece of jewelry?”
“Eva told me why it was so important to Stella. But I will let her explain.”
He went to the adjoining suite and tapped lightly on the door, then opened it. Eva stood on the other side. “I would like to introduce you to my mother, Eva Cordoza.”
“Grace,” she held out both arms and moved to embrace me. I allowed her to make contact but was too stunned to do anything other than stand immobile.
“Come, sit with me.” She led me back to the small sofa.
“You are too thin, just like our Stella,” she said. “I was sorry to send you away with so many remaining questions. I wish I could have answered them, but there were so many difficulties with the truth. I will begin closer to the beginning. Perhaps some tea, my son?”
He poured tea for his mother and eased into one of the matching chairs. “I was Adelmo’s nanny, I think you call it. He and Luis were babies together. We lived in the Balsuto home. When he grew up, he brought me to Montañita to manage his household. But I soon learned he had not left his family business behind, so I resigned from his employment and began my own cleaning service. Señor Wilcott was one of my clients. That is when I met your sister. She was so sad and lonely. She begged me to work full time for her, and I agreed.”
Eva added sugar and cream to her tea. I fidgeted next to
