Chapter 16
Sitting at the exquisitely handcrafted maple desk inside of Lisa's guest bedroom, Victoria’s thoughts turned onto her husband who was still in Arica. “Rudolf. My dear Rudolf,” she exclaimed as a passionate smile formed on her deep ruby lips. “How do I love thee? I simply cannot imagine what my life would be like without you.”
“I’ve certainly missed you since I’ve been away. And just think, if you were here right now, I’d be able to ask if I should wear the diamond pendant you gave me as a going-away present ... or do you think a simple chain or rope might be more appropriate?”
“After all, dear,” she continued, now picturing him nodding as she lifted both pieces to her neck. “We’re only going to Aventura Mall. And it’s certainly not anything glamorous like Macy's or Fifth Avenue in New York City.”
Victoria paused, still gazing at the fourteen karat gold ensemble reflecting in the mirror, as she fantasized on what it would be like to be a U.S. Citizen and living the lifestyle of the rich and famous.
No doubt, she and Rudolf lived quite comfortably in Arica. But being “rico” in South America actually didn’t mean much when you resided in a country where the monetary exchange rate between the peso and the dollar was over a hundred to one.
I really wish Maria and I could stop by New York City before returning home, Victoria mentally verbalized when the ringing of Lisa’s phone abruptly interrupted her.
Quickly turning to face the doorway, Victoria noticed Lisa rushing across her Mediterranean-styled living room, so she could answer it.
“You’re kidding,” Lisa's voice was heard saying in serious demeanor, shortly thereafter. “Dad’s ill? When did this come about? And why didn't you call Mom and me earlier?”
Victoria frowned. Rudolf's sick?
Minutes later, Lisa lowered the phone’s black headset, and Victoria rose out of her seat and promptly headed toward the living room.
Lisa’s countenance had distinctly paled, and a predominate wrinkle now resided in the center of her normally youthful-looking forehead.
“Something’s wrong?” Victoria said, noticing her daughter's lips quivering, while streams of tears readily flowed down both cheeks like an overflowing current gushing down a mountainside during a springtime thunderstorm.
“Yes.” Lisa nodded. “And I'm afraid it's quite serious, Mother.”
Victoria blinked her understanding, and her continence became grievous.
“Papa’s unconscious in the hospital,” Lisa continued. “And they don’t know what’s wrong.”
Victoria momentarily panicked - her mouth opening wide, and her dark owlish eyes widening.
“Rudolf’s unconscious … and in the hospital? When did this come about, and more importantly – why? Did Rudolf suddenly become sick and pass out, or is this the result of an accident?”
Lisa remained quiet and shook her head in reply. No doubt feeling just like a child who’s unexpectedly been asked why do people die?
“I don’t know. According to Fernando, Papa asked him to stop by our store on Main Street, so they could have lunch together – and when he arrived, he found him lying unconscious in the backroom – just a couple of feet away from the table where Papa cleans our customer’s watches.”
Victoria nodded as she quietly took this information in, and then pursed her lips. “I surely hope Rudolf didn’t have a heart attack. That runs in his family. Not to mention, it’s the number-one killer for people in their eighties.”
Lisa agreed, before turning in the direction of her four-year-old.
Donna seemed to be caught between two items she wanted to focus on. However, being just a child, she could only concentrate on one. Should I listen to what mama and grandma’s talking about – or keep watching Big Bird play with Barney and the Cookie Monster on TV?
“The doctors at Arica Regional Hospital aren’t sure,” Lisa said, upon seeing Donna lean against their dark-green leather couch, apparently deciding to continue to watch TV. “According to Fernando, after unsuccessfully trying to revive him, they gave as thorough examination as possible, but so far haven’t been able to determine anything.”
“Hmmp,” Victoria replied, narrowing her brows.
It undoubtedly would not have taken a genius to determine she wasn’t exactly happy.
“Do you have any idea where we can quickly sell the extra items I brought?” she asked, recalling the incident she and Maria endured at Miami's airport when their Customs agents suspected them of smuggling. “I originally planned to sell a few pieces at a flea market whenever I began to run short of cash. But with Rudolf unexpectedly becoming ill … instead of staying here until June as originally planned, I believe I need to be heading back to Arica.”
“To take care of Papa?” Lisa asked, following Victoria toward her bedroom.
“Yes,” Victoria confirmed. “Someone needs to be there who can watch over our stores. … Fernando and Carlos do do a terrific job of managing the stores they currently run. But, there is no possible way they’re ready to take on our store on Main Street, or the ones I have your cousins managing. It would be just way too much for them.”
Lisa chuckled as Victoria lifted her suitcase out of the double-wide closet, and half haphazardly placed it on top of the bed.
“Aren’t you forgetting something, Mama? The boys are grown and have been running their jewelry stores for over ten years now.”
“No,” Victoria said as she snapped the leather case open, and revealed a hidden metallic screen lined compartment. “… but there’s an enormous different between running an individual store and trying to manage a whole chain of them. And I don’t believe either of your brothers are up to it.”
Lisa stared for a moment at her mother’s numerous gold brackets, necklaces, and shining eighteen caret pendants now lying on the tropical blue bedspread in front of her.
“Well. I guess if you’re in a hurry to leave – we could take some of this to the local pawn shops. … Unfortunately though, they would probably only give you about a tenth of what it’s really worth.”
“A tenth?” Victoria grimaced and folded her arms.
Lisa nodded her confirmation. “Yes. Unless you want to try to sell to the black market. I thought I heard Gaines say that he has a couple of connections somewhere inside of Little Havana who might offer you wholesale.”
Victoria semi-grinned. “That does sound a lot better.”
“OK. Well. Let me give him a call,” Lisa said while Victoria began to study the jewelry collection laid out in front her so she could decide what she wanted to keep, and what to possibly sell. “Also, would you like me to call Maria and tell her you’ll soon be returning to Arica – or would you rather see her in person?”
Victoria stopped and turned to face her oldest, while a delicate twenty-inch rope remained clutched inside her hand.
“That’s a good question,” she replied, even though it seemed like it was taking her a more than a moment to contemplate her answer. “Perhaps we shouldn’t tell her anything at all – at least, not this second. I'm afraid if she became aware that her father was ill enough to make me want to return to Chile; she may decide to quit her studies and go home with me.”
Lisa watched as her mother lowered the rope in her hand, and then picked up an inch-wide necklace from near the top of the bed. “That is a distinct possibility.”