Lee kept her distance most of the evening, informed by Bette that Marina and Jenny were in a committed relationship. Bette didnt hesitate to give her the details of their romantic ceremony, including their midnight swim. Nor did she hesitate to point out all the visual references in the mural to their relationship and oh, how did she say it, reflective of the depth of their devotion.

Lee hadnt forgotten that twice now she had gotten a reaction from Marina, that wasnt her imagination. This game wasnt over yet.

**************************

Your Father.

Marina, I thought your parents werent involved in your life. Not since Francesca?

Theyre not, or havent been. I dont understand, but Im going to find out.

It was obvious this had shaken her and a cloud came over her mood for the remainder of the evening. She was no longer able to be her charming self in her responses to those in the crowd. She found herself standing off to the side of the banquet room, alone within her own thoughts.

Never once in all these years had they responded to her letters, her messages. Never once had they even acknowledged they cared that she still existed. Calls never worked in the past, letters were not returned but nor were they answered. Something has to have happened to cause him to do this. She must find out, she must find out now. Jenny needs her she cant go flying off to Spain. The purchase, maybe there are contacts there that she can use, maybe.

A hand brushes along her arm from behind, Jenny, I was thinking, I have to contact them. I have to Lee what do you want and dont touch me.

I didnt want to startle you. You looked so deep in thought. Not happy thoughts either, I might add. Is something bothering my mysterious Marina? Lee stood close to her, almost trapping her against the column where she was standing.

Marina looked at her in disbelief, the gall this woman has to touch her to speak to her so familiar, You dont get it do you. Marina shakes her head, with no time or patience for the likes of Lee Frank, she walks away with no other words.

**************************

Hello Jenny. I read the book. Interesting dilemma it presents.

I thought you might find it insightful to yourself. Maybe it would help you make better choices. Or at least to understand your choices will never yield the result youre after.

It really is uncanny how much we resemble each other. Dont you think? Maybe its why Marina reacts the way she does. Grinning at the slap she gave Jenny in return, contemplating if she might affect their evening just a little, or maybe even a lot.

Jenny was wondering where Marina was, wishing she were here by her side. Wishing she were here to dispel the distrust this woman insists upon, Jenny, sweetheart, lets go see Bette and Tina. Marina slid her arm comfortably around Jenny, looking at her and never once giving Lee a glance.

**************************

Are you serious? Of course we can find out how the payment was made. That should lead us somewhere. Lets go talk to Joyce, shes the manager of this office. If she doesnt know, Im sure she can find out.

As Bette and Marina walk off, Tina turns to Jenny, I thought you were going to tell her.

Oh, I did. We were going to tell everyone tonight but her father and the mural shes distracted. Im sure well get to it, maybe when we sit down for dinner.

Howd she take it?

She was a little surprised at first, but, we talked about things and she seemed happy about it. Shes the one that wanted to unveil the news tonight. I wanted her to take some time and think about it more. But well anyway, Im sure shell get back to it.

Marina came rushing back to Jenny, Hes here in L.A. I have to go try. Bette said she and Tina could take you home. With an abrupt exchange of kisses on the cheek, she turned and left.

Jenny was shocked that Marina would just leave her like that. She knows how difficult its been for her to go out in public. She knows how the anxiety attacks still happen. She stares and watches Marina walk out the door, paralyzed by her exit.

Bette, please take me home. Now, please.

**************************

She stood at the door of the suite, thoughts racing as they had been since hearing he purchased the mural. Wondering how he knew, what he knew, why he chose now to take an action, and most of all, why was he in L.A. He knew, he had to of known she would try to contact him. He didnt have to be here to purchase it. He must be expecting her, but why.

The door opened, there he stood, this man she loved and adored so much. This man, that had abandoned her, turned his back on her, refused to understand. He would not accept the loss of his dreams for her, his plans for her, never once giving a second thought to what might make her happy.

He was a handsome middle aged man, slight graying, fairer than Marina but with similar characteristics and build. No one would find it difficult to see they were father and daughter. The desk called, told me I had a young female guest on the way. I found the name an interesting statement.

Without a touch or a warm look, he turned and motioned for her to come in. So, Marina Ferrer? Howve you been, busy from what I can tell. Thats it. We havent seen each other in almost eight years and he invites me in as if I were a business acquaintance.

What did you expect, Marina. Did you expect him to take you in his arms, proclaim how wrong he had been, how much he loves you? No, not this man, this man of morals, this man of standards, her father who had said he never wanted to see her again. Just his being here opposed the very moral dilemma that had caused him to turn away from her.

He was of the old Spanish thinking, that religion and state were one. The purification of Spain, began in the time of Ferdinand and Isabelle, had firmly planted that relationship. It was in 1978, that the bond was to be severed and the beginning of the breakdown of all that her father had believed. Marina was nine years old.

The ritual of marriage was very much a part of being Catholic in Spain and it was understood that Marina would marry someday. At the age of twenty she began to work beside her father running the gallery, preparing her for the day she would marry, have a family, and then take over for her father as had been done for over 160 years.

Eight years she had worked with him in the gallery when she met Francesca. The day the last remaining remnants of his moral stability had crumbled. One by one the fibers were decaying for in the same year law was passed banning discrimination based on sexual orientation. It was as if his beloved Spain had become his enemy endangering all the moral standards he had held so high as those had before him.

Why did you buy it? spoken softly asking the question, the question inside the question, was he finally after all these years prepared to accept her.

Im a dealer. I know what is negotiable and what is not. He moved to the bar in the suite to fix himself a drink, Do you want anything?

Marina shook her head, her voice near a whisper, Why mine representing what it does? She goes on, How did you know about it? Why the overpayment? Youre too shrewd for that.

Adn Heredia was a reputable dealer of art and the owner of the Caja Rural Gallery in Malaga, Spain. The gallery had hosted renowned artists and provided the center for his familys dealings for over a century. Their wealth, primarily held in Switzerland, had been protected during the tumultuous years when Spains economy had plummeted. Wealth, from the knowledge passed down through generations, why did he buy it and at such a cost.

Which question would you like answered first, Marina? He remained cool and seemingly detached. Why dont you have a seat and well see if we can get your questions answered.

She sat down. Her look was one familiar to him, one he had seen many times when he was firm with a decision she didnt like and wanted it changed. A look, that most often, had changed his mind. He smiled inside at the remembrance of that little girl, that little girl he loved so dearly. Now once again, she was sitting across from him.

Much has changed since you left. She watched a sadness wash over him, “In the beginning, your mother hardly spoke to me. Only gradually did she begin to forgive me… Shes ill now, very ill, and I want all her forgiveness.

Marina could see the pain in his eyes. She knew how much her father loved her mother, how much he wanted her approval on all things, and how devastating it must have been to not have her near to him for all these years.

Ana Ferrer was of Moroccan descent possessed a beauty that had mesmerized Adn Heredia. Of graceful charm, strong fine features with a soft warm glow, she was a smaller version of Marina. But, it was her empathy and caring of others that had captured his heart. She was his world, his life.

But Anas love for Marina was infinite, her only child, her doting daughter, the other love of her life. Many afternoons were spent in their gardens walking hand in hand along the paths, stopping and admiring a favorite flower or an especially vibrant bloom. She so loved their natural beauty and grace, always pointing out which one most reminded her of her Marina that day.

Marinas heart felt as if it had stopped beating. Tears instant to her eyes, pain in her heart choking her, words difficult to form, madre Whats wrong with her?

Shes been fighting cancer for a year now but if I had to say it is her broken heart that weakens her.

**************************

She sat numb on the couch in the dark, reliving his words, again and again. Fighting back memories of happier times for their pain was too great a reminder of the time lost.

Jenny had heard her come in anxiously waiting for her. Upset at being left at the banquet, upset they did not complete what they’d planned, and upset Marina was so distressed by her father surfacing after all these years of nothingness.

**************************

Jenny found her bent over with her head resting in her hands. Sitting down beside her she wraps her arms around her shoulders resting her face on Marinas back. Marina kisses her arm, He wants me to come home, at least for a while.

Raising her head now looking at Marina, Why now? Whats happened?

My mother is very sick. She wants me there. He bought the mural for her. Her eyes plead for understanding, Jenny, I have to go. But I… I dont want to leave you… come with me?

Shocked at Marinas request, the idea of her going seems too forward, too bold, Dont you think thats a little more than they can handle. I mean theyre trying I guess but for me to go with you it just seems

If theyre to accept me then it includes you, youre part of me now.

Shes ill, thats why she wants you there. It doesnt mean they accept who we are. Youre her daughter and she wants you near.

**************************

Adn Heredia had missed his daughter more than anyone would ever realize. He left the next morning to return to Malaga and to his wife. He was eager to tell her the news of their daughters return.

She had insisted on bringing this woman with her, determined to force everything into the open. But he wondered who she was. He knew it wasnt Francesca Wolff for she was in Madrid. It was Francesca that had sent him the HRC magazine with the right up about Marinas work and the banquet to unveil it.

**************************

So, I guess were here to wish them bon voyage right? I mean, dont you think this little gathering came about pretty sudden. Whats the deal? We could’ve seen them off at the airport if theyre in such a rush, she didnt have to arrange a dinner and all. Anybody?

Shane smiled at Al, always amused by the thousand questions floating around in her head. Al, its simple man, she wanted to

Tina smiles, They dont know how long theyll be gone, maybe they just wanted some special time with us, their friends

Come on, when was the last time we all went to Marinas, can anybody remember?

Al, chill

**************************

Friendship’s the wine of life, Let’s drink of it and to it. Glasses chi-*****, smiles everywhere around the table. Salud!

Much wine had been drunk and the girls were all giddy caught up in Marinas excitement about her return home. Bags sitting by the door, evidence the time was near for them to journey to another place another world.

Marina stands once again, her face taking on a more serious look one full of emotion, There is another reason we wanted everyone to join us before we left. Jokingly the others tease her with remarks about getting them drunk with all the toasting. Marina looks to Jenny with such love the others are quieted in response. Jenny

Quiet and reserved, she stands gripping Marinas hand, , she sighs, she knows the dots will be connected, frightened about her response, their response. Tears build in her eyes, her faces contorts as she looks at Marina for rescue.

Marina steps up to her tenderly wrapping her arms around her, kissing her face then looking to the table as Jenny remains buried against her, Jennys having a baby. Were pregnant.