I take that piece of paper in my hands and begin to read it, recognizing my mother's unmistakable handwriting in just seconds.
“If you're reading, it's because we've already left. I called you at noon more than four times and you didn't answer. If you were more part of this family and did not escape from the dinners, surely you would know something about how business is going, something in which your brother is an example to follow ... "
I huff, outraged by my mother's typical satisfaction with Oliver. I keep reading:
“Almost a month ago your father planned agreements with an investment partner from Spain and things were going very well. This morning the news reached him that this man was in Argentina for a few days and that the first thing he wanted was to meet the family of the person with whom he would invest so much. It is in Bariloche. We had to rush because he wanted to have dinner with me and your dad today. The meeting with the whole family is tomorrow. Oliver came with us because he is obsessive ... "
"He's not obsessive, he's a sock licker," I think and continue.
“I took the opportunity to give Luisa and the other employees a little vacation. Anyway, you only need a companion to come. Get out as soon as you can. You have to arrive yes or yes for dinner tomorrow. I can't call you from here because there's no signal, but don't start with your whims again. It's only a few days. "
Mommy.
It ends with a surname and number completely unknown to me, although I assume it must be the address of the place where I am supposed to go. I let out a sigh, letting out all the air accumulated during that long time. Mia's "could be something important" echoes in my head and I can't help but imagine a future "I told you so."
I go to the balcony door and draw the curtain a few inches, forming a small hole through which I can see only the trellis at the far end of the garden. The idea of disobeying and taking advantage to stay home alone soon invaded my head. Then I imagine the hell that would await me days later when they return and I accept that this adventure is not worth so much.
Someone walks past the entrance and when he does it again, I recognize that it is Samuel, with that pile of bound sheets in his hand. I smile at the way he studies, since I do exactly the same. Once Mia tied me to the chair, saying that my concern made her nervous and did not allow her to concentrate. I laugh when I remember that moment and the fact that I have found someone who is as strange as I am, gives me a strange feeling. I think it is at least good news, since I will have to spend more than 18 hours traveling, accompanied only by him.
I open my closet, tossing a jean shorts and a checkered shirt on the bed. I am looking for a sports backpack, the kind that I generally used on excursions and packed it with warm clothes, imagining the cold that awaits me in Bariloche. I tear up the role of mom, taking only the address and I leave my room half an hour later, leaving it a mess.
I leave the house, closing the door behind me and taking the key with me. Samuel continues to read his sheets, only this time he's sitting inside the car, with the door open and his legs out, so focused that I need to cough for him to see me.
Samuel: Ah. Hello (he says looking up suddenly). Sorry I...
May: No, it's okay.
Store your sheets in the car. I think I notice him nervous.
May: We have to travel.
Samuel: Yes, of course. Where?
I hand him the small piece of paper. He takes it and reads it, squinting.
Samuel: I don't know where it is. I'm going to search the GPS
He turns around in his seat and begins to fiddle with that screen anchored to the windshield.
May: It's a bit ... far.
Samuel (frowns): How far away can it be ... SOUTH OF THE COUNTRY? (He looks at me in amazement).
Seat.
Samuel: And your family ...
May (I interrupt): My family is already there.
Samuel: But ...
May (I interrupt again): If you don't trust me, you can check the house. No one.
He is silent for a while.
Samuel: Umm ... good. Let's go now?
May: Yes and if you need to stop by your house to get some clothes, no problem.
Samuel: Thank you.
I climb into the back seat, which I always occupy, and starts the car. He brakes when he reaches the grating, gets out of the vehicle and opens it himself. Having crossed it, he comes out again and closes it, which is something that belongs to the duties of the goalkeeper, who is precisely absent. After a while he parks again and disappears for a few minutes, leaving me locked in. He returns with a blue bag slung over his shoulder, leaves it in the trunk, and starts the car, giving the trip a definite start.
I wake up with a start when a speaker nearly ruptures the eardrums in my ear. I don't even remember the moment when I fell asleep, but my cell phone reaches my feet, hanging by the cord of the headphones that do not produce a sound. I take it and snort when I see his screen. No battery. Cool.
May: What happened?
Samuel: Nothing. There is terrible traffic.
May: How long have we been traveling?
Samuel: Two hours.
I sigh, knowing there are almost 16 more hours to go, and close my eyes. I reopen them I don't know how long later. Samuel continues with his gaze fixed on the road, showing weariness on his face. The route is almost empty and the color of the sky suggests that it will not be long before dark.
May: What time ...
A creak interrupts what I am trying to say and the car begins to slow down, until it ends up parked at the edge of the road. Samuel sighs and leaves, opening the hood of this. Since I see how long it takes, I also go out.
May: And? It is very bad?
Samuel: Yes. I don't understand much about mechanics, but I think it's the engine.
May: And what happens to the engine?
Samuel (ruffles his hair a little): He ... died.
May: What do you mean "he died"?
Samuel: Yes, it doesn't.
May: And now?
Samuel: I don't know.
May: And I did something (I question reproachfully).
Samuel: Something ... like what?
May: How about ... make it come alive?
Samuel (laughs): I can't. I do not have anything. We are in the middle of nowhere.
May: What do you mean?
Samuel (lets out a sigh and looks at me): Until we find a mechanic or someone who understands ... this thing is not going to turn on again.