Lupe and Selina Play Through the Storm

“I’m waiting for an old friend. I saw him here last night. He’s the one who found the visa.”

“Such luck! I am looking for someone, too. Someone I have not seen for twelve years. Someone I believed was deceased.”

“Sounds old. Twelve years ago, when we first met in California. Or do you not want to recall those days?”

Lupe heard suspicion in Selina’s voice. Then it became timid again.

“Okay, I guess it’s time for me to apologize to you. I’m sorry I’ve been so distant since you arrived. But some aspects of those California years are different from what you remember. You were so young.” Lupe examined Selina’s eyes, hoping she would not upset the young woman. “Perhaps we are looking for the same man here. Is he tall and good-looking? Is he Black and very kind, but sort of mysterious?” Had she said too much?

“How did you know? That’s him. Have you met Mr. Berto? You are a lot older than he is. Wow—he gave me the jersey and told me you would like it.” Selina’s excitement was evident. “He’s treated me with remarkable kindness.”

“Mr. Berto, you call him?” Could she explain that this being was not a real man? Was this the time to share he’d appeared as a ghost in her life when she was Selina’s age?