“How long?”
“A couple days. That’s an eternity when you’re a kid.”
My friend’s thunderous laughter breaks the silence.
“I agree.”
“The three of us fell halfway,” I continue. “One tripped and dragged the other two down. Who fell first? We don’t know. Marcos says it was Adrián; Adrián, that it was me. I blame Marcos.”
“Was it on your way out?”
“Yeah.”
“And you kept going?”
“Of course, bloody knees and everything. And oh boy, did they sting. But it takes a lot more than a bruise to stop a Cabana.”
“Except when it comes to Alex.”
“Yeah. Except when it comes to Alex,” I admit.
“Then, you block.”
“I blocked once.”
“And you don’t fight.”
“There’s nothing to fight for, Jaime.”
“Do you think Alex doesn’t love you?”
“I think he does love me. But I don’t deserve it. That’s why I’m leaving.”
“Tell me you did it on a day with no waves, at least. Crossed over there, I mean.”
I smile to thank him for the change of subject.
“Do you think three kids thought about that?”
“No. I’m sure there was more swell that day than any other.”
We laugh together, overwhelmed by the nostalgia of those years when there were no worries, and we stay there in silence a little longer, enjoying the moment. Enjoying my last minutes in town.
“Let’s go, I’ll drive you to the airport.”
“I was going to take a cab.”
“Forget the cab. Your brother lent me his car.”
“Which brother?”
“Hugo.”
“Hugo, huh?”
“There’s no ‘huh,’ Pris. We’ve talked, now that I’m leaving, and... we’re fine. Or at least, I think so.”
“What do you mean ‘you’re fine’?”