Free The She-Devil in the Mirror by Horacio Castellanos Moya Page B

Doña Olga’s place, the situation is so chaotic, the
girls spend most of the time at their grandmother’s, but Marito wants to be with
them at least for meals. The horrible thing is that the house reminds them of
Olga María’s murder. Can you imagine how awful it must be for the girls to walk
into that living room where that monster murdered their mother? It can’t be good
for them. I already told Marito: he should sell that house immediately. If he
doesn’t, the girls will never get over their trauma. They should live in a
different house, a different space, where they can forget that atrocity—Marito
agrees with me. But it’s not so easy to sell the house and buy another one.
It’ll take a few months. In the meantime it’s best for the girls to live at Doña
Olga’s and go home only to get their clothes and toys—the less they go there the
better. The one who has it the worst is Julita: she can’t go to Doña Olga’s—her
place is too small and also they can’t leave Olga María’s house with nobody
there, with so many thieves around who’d strip it bare in the blink of an eye.
The poor thing has been totally abandoned, because Marito comes home only to
sleep. Poor dear Julita, I really feel sorry for her, all alone in that house,
full of so many memories, with Olga María’s presence everywhere, with nothing
much to do, not being able to see the girls, like living with ghosts. It’s
horrible. Doña Olga agrees with me. We talked about it this afternoon when I
went to see the girls. Something has to be done about Julita, she’s worked for
them for so many years. But for now there’s nothing to do: neither Sergio or
Cuca or Doña Olga can take her to live with them. She’ll have to wait until
Marito moves, the girls get settled again, and then Julita can take care of
them. In the meantime that poor woman might go crazy; that’s what I’m worried
about. Here comes my mother, again. Wait a second. She says the Brazilian
telenovela has started. I’m going to have to go, or else my mother won’t enjoy
it. I’ll call you later, or tomorrow morning if you’re going out tonight. It’s
just that I have a few more ideas about this Deputy Chief Handal’s suspicions, a
couple of ideas that might help find the mastermind behind Olga María’s murder.
I want to explain them to you—but not in such a rush—so you can give me your
opinion. I’m even tempted to call that policeman so he can follow up on some
leads. But they’re very delicate issues. Let’s talk about it later. Okay,
ciao.

4. THE BALCONY
    I LOVE THIS PLACE, MY DEAR; it’s the second time I’ve been here.
About a month ago we sat at this very table with Olga María. What I like is its
European
ambiance
, how you don’t feel like you’re in San Salvador—the
only thing missing that would make it perfect is air conditioning. I prefer this
side, facing the street, each table with its own little balcony. I still have my
doubts about this neighborhood; I wish it were in one of the better residential
areas, but it’s not that bad here. Look at all the traffic. That mall across the
street, it’s done in such poor taste, so tacky, more for servants than anybody
else. Did you know Mirna Leiva owns this place, that classmate of ours from the
American School? I don’t see her here now. Last time she was tending bar. She
lived abroad for several years, after her major difficulties. Remember they
arrested her for being a communist? Poor thing. She spent several years in
Madrid. Her grandparents are from there. At one time the three of us were close
friends, yes, with Olga María, we were about thirteen, I think it was before
high school, but later we grew apart, especially after they arrested her and
there was that big scandal. I don’t understand how she could have gotten mixed
up with