Chapter 20
Through narrowed eyes, Gaines gazed around his living room as the phone conversation he had been engaged in for the last fifteen minutes slowly drew to an end. Undoubtedly, he was not particularly happy with the arrangements of this afternoon’s meeting. However, considering the time frame Victoria needed to sell her jewelry, sacrifices would have to be made.
“Can you play with me, Daddy?” Four-year-old Donna asked, looking up at him and displaying an angelic smile as he hung up the phone.
Gaines stared into his daughter’s deep royal blue eyes.
“I’d really love to, darling,” he said, giving her his full attention, even if for only a brief moment. “But unfortunately, I’m busy right now trying to help your Abuelita. How about later this evening we watch Cinderella together? Would that be okay?”
Donna expressed a reverberating “Yes," and Gaines smiled, then rose from his lounge chair and headed toward the back bedroom.
Currently sitting in front of her desk, Victoria watched the reflection in the mirror as she carefully put on her makeup.
“Are you about ready to go?” Gaines asked, silently sliding into the doorway.
Victoria turned in his direction. “I will be, in just a minute. Are Lisa and Donna coming?”
Gaines took a quick glance into the kitchen, and noticed that Donna had left the living room - taking her “Barbie” with her. Also, Lisa was no longer in the kitchen putting away the dishes. “I’m not sure, but I don’t think so.”
Victoria grunted her disapproval. “That’s a shame. I was hoping we’d all go out to eat after we were done. Didn’t you say you knew of a place on 2nd Avenue that makes empanadas almost as good as mine?”
Gaines displayed a partial smile, then subtly licked his lips upon hearing the scrumptious reminder.
A strong breeze blew the local palm frawns to and fro when the blue Dodge Dart exited the Florida Turnpike. And Gaines’ youngest was quick to point out that in the distance, over the Everglades, dark clouds were rapidly building.
No doubt, South Florida would soon be experiencing other one of their typical midafternoon cloudburst.
“Did anyone remember to bring an umbrella?” Gaines asked, hoping either Lisa or Victoria would respond.
However, instead of hearing the loud ‘yes’ he was expecting; the reply came in the form of complete silence - unless one wanted to include the current discussion about who forgot to bring it.
Gaines leaned backward and glanced over his shoulder at both Lisa and Victoria, and frowned.
“I presume you ladies want to be dropped off at the International Mall.”
Donna repeatedly indicated 'yes'. However, Victoria appeared to hesitate.
“Shouldn’t you be there during the transaction?” Lisa asked, leaning over the front seat, so she could face her mother.
Victoria nodded. “That’s exactly what I was pondering.”
Gaines unconsciously tightened his grip on the steering wheel. “Well. It doesn't really matter to me who wants to stay or wants to be dropped off,” he said, bringing the car to a halt in front of the red light between Northwest Fourteenth St and 107th Ave. “But whoever is going to do what … you're going to need to decide now.”
Ignoring her husband’s attitude, Lisa gazed northeastward toward a large parking lot which had come into view on the other side of the intersection. “Isn’t that the International Mall - just right over there?”
“Yes,” Gaines answered, glancing upward upon hearing the obvious. “That’s why you and your mother need to hurry and make a decision.”
Donna stared at the hundreds of parked cars when Gaines pulled up in front of Macy’s.
“Are you sure you don’t want to come with us,” Lisa asked her mother while gazing in the visor’s mirror as she touched up her lipstick. “I’m certain Gaines will be able to handle everything.”
“No,” Victoria said, shifting against the back seat as if looking for her purse. “You and Donna go ahead and have fun while Gaines and I take care of this. I just wouldn’t feel right not knowing if I missed the best deal, simply because I wasn’t there. Not to mention, you know that ever since you were a little girl, I've always handled all jewelry transactions of this nature personally.”
Lisa nodded her agreement, while Donna quietly watched both of them. “Can I sell jewelry too, someday Mama?”
Lisa grinned from ear to ear. “Of course, sweetie. If that’s what you’d like to do. However, I’m afraid today isn’t the day for you to start.”
Donna's lips formed a childlike grin, and she reached across the car seat and grabbed her Barbie. “Okay, Mama. I think I rather wait until I was at least six, anyway.”
Both Lisa and Victoria laughed.
Lisa and Donna waved good-bye, and it seemed strange seeing Victoria sitting in the front seat when Gaines started to make his way out of the mall's parking lot.
“Is Daddy and Abuelita going to be gone long?” Donna asked as the two of them made their way pass numerous palm trees on their way toward Macy’s double glass doors.
Lisa looked downward at her daughter and gently took her hand. But for some inexplicable reason, deliberately chose not to reply.
Though technically within Miami’s city limits, being inside little Havana was like residing in an entirely different world.
Victoria’s eyes unconsciously widened as she observed each person's tan skin and Latin features, and listened to the sound of Santana singing “Oye como va.” It blared so loud; she clearly could distinguish every single word.
No doubt, English was rarely spoken here. And when it was used, it was only done so to assist a lost gringo, or perhaps take advantage of him.
“Are you sure we’re going to be safe?” Victoria asked when Gaines pulled into one of the local convenience stores, and parked.
Gaines systematically scanned the grounds surrounding them before answering.
“I think so,” he said, when no apparent danger was spotted.
Suddenly, the sound of someone clearing his throat unexpectedly came from Gaines' left - just behind the driver’s side door, and he instantly jerked sideways.
“What the …?”
The man in the black shirt and jeans standing there remained silent for a bit moment, and gave him a faux smile.
Undoubtedly, his stealth approach had been successful.
“Who I am isn’t important,” the Latino said in a deep, quiet voice. “However, the fact that I may be able to assist you is. Your name is Gaines, correct?”
Gaines' right hand unconsciously quivered as he nodded.
“Okay. That’s good,” the dark haired, black marketer said, sounding slightly more confident. “Now if you’ll kindly follow me, I’d lead you to my office. However, before we start, may I suggest you leave grandma inside your car? Her presence is definitely not needed, nor particularly wanted.”
Gaines frowned and briefly glanced toward his mother-in-law. “I’m afraid that’s not going to be possible. She’s the one who owns the jewelry.”
Gonzales’s eyes narrowed, and a newly formed wrinkle in his forehead revealed his displeasure. “Well. Okay. If that’s the case,” he said, gazing toward someone hidden behind a nearby hedge. “But her safety is going to be your responsibility. I refuse to guarantee it.”
Victoria raised eyebrows seemed to indicate that she disapproved. “Why are you so worried about my safely? Even though I am in my early sixties, are you concerned that someone might try to rape me?”
“Rape you?” Gonzales said, stepping back and chuckling. “I seriously doubt that, Ma’am. … You may be a good-looking woman for your age, but I sincerely doubt anyone around here is that desperate.”
Victoria scrunched both lips, as if she was about to pout.
“So why would my mother-in-law be in danger?” Gaines asked as his forefinger repeatedly tapped the small, brown leather case sitting beside him.