Fraudulent Fertilisation

“We’ve been lucky, Roberto. Since we met again, life has shown us nothing but kindness. How many brilliant days have we lived through? How many magical nights? Just for that, I’d be grateful. Don’t you agree?”

“Totally, dear,” he said.

“I’m glad, I think we both value the importance of our relationship. Don’t you think so?”

“If I couldn’t appreciate what we’ve got, I’d be a poor man, it’s wonderful to be able to open up, to think aloud. That’s what I can do when I’m with you.”

They were wrapped up really warm looking out to sea. The cold sea wind buffeted them in the face. From Cape Waikiki, they were admiring the enormous bay of Punta Mogotes. The waves broke white on the lonely coast and a dense must invaded the beaches. They loved each other, they were happy.

“If he knew the truth,” thought Alicia, “it would be terrible. He would never be able to believe in me, or forgive me. It’s the only thing he doesn’t know, that I betrayed him. I’ve told him my whole life, all my secrets, in the most minute detail. He knows my romances, my disappointments, my joys. Perhaps I should have told him about Álvez before, now I daren’t. In any case, he’ll never find out what happened, the semen wasn’t even used. I should forget what happened, there’s no sense in torturing myself by remembering.”

“Are you aware, girl,” said Roberto, interrupting her thoughts, “that almost five months have passed by? Without realizing it, I think we fell in love, I feel as if I love you deeply.”

“Me too, dear; when I’m with you, I feel like I’m on holiday, it’s beautiful that we’ve both got a smile playing on our lips, as if we were encouraged by a great emotion. It’s lovely to live like this...”

“Love makes people strong, Alicia. Thanks to our relationship we’ve escaped from loneliness, from the tragic feeling of life. While it lasts, all for the better! Sometimes I feel invulnerable and you attract me more now than before.”

“It’s the same for me, I feel the same, our bond is more solid now. We understand each other, we know each other better, that’s why I dare ask you for something... I need your help, Roberto, Mabel is in very bad shape.”

“Hasn’t she got over the abortion yet?”

“No, she gets worse every day. I don’t know what to do. She’s attempted suicide, she’ll try again. I’m desperate, I don’t know how to avoid it, it’s as if she were mad. She flagellates herself spiritually, she’s never at peace. She sleeps very badly, she doesn’t eat, she’s already on the brink of starvation. The doctors don’t know what to do, they advised me to take her to a psychiatrist.”

“Do you need financial support? Don’t make it difficult for yourself, count on me. We’ll send her to a good specialist.”

“I don’t know. Knowing Mabel, I don’t think it’ll be that easy. I think she’ll need something warmer, a helping hand. Can’t you think of anything?”

“Let’s see, wait. Yes! I think so, Carlos Stelli. A good friend of mine. He’s a sensitive man, very affectionate, deeply human. He did abortions for his whole life, until recently. It’s left quite a few scars on his character. Nobody better than him to clear up your little sister’s outlook. I’ll phone him tomorrow. Do you agree?”

“Of course, dear, I’m enormously grateful. The idea of suicide has become an obsession for Mabel. It’s very dangerous, I’m sure.”