The Notebooks of Don Rigoberto [antikvár]

IThe Tieturn of TonchitoThe doorbell rang, Dona Lucrecia went to see who was there, and like a portrait in the open doorway, with the twisted gray trees of the Olivar de San Isidro as the background, she saw the golden ringlets and blue eyes of Fonchito's head. The world began to spin."I miss you very much, Stepmamá," chirped the voice she remembered so well. "Are you still angry with me? I came to ask your forgiveness. Do you forgive me?""You, it's you?" Still holding the doorknob, Dona Lucrecia had to lean against the wall. "Aren't you ashamed to come here?""1 sneaked out of the academy," the boy insisted, showing her his sketchbook, his colored pencils. "I missed you very much, really I did. Why are you so pale?""My God, my God." Dona Lucrecia staggered and dropped to the faux-colonial bench next to the door. White as a sheet, she covered her eyes."Don't die!" shouted the boy in fright.And Dona Lucreciashe felt herself passing outsaw the small, childish figure cross the threshold, close the door, fall to his knees at her feet, grasp her hands, and rub them in bewilderment. "Don't die, don't faint, please."She made an effort to collect her wits and regain her self-control. She took a deep breath before speaking. Her words came slowly, for she thought her voice would break at any moment. "Nothing's wrong, I'm fine now.