Free A Sorority of Angels by Gus Leodas Page A

see her uncle heading towards Steinerman and his companion. She wondered who he was. When the children came out, she saw her uncle pointing them out to the man in the white trunks. Bernardo appeared with a huge cardboard box full of pool toys and games: three sets of snorkels, masks, and fins in three different colors; volleyball and a floating hoop to toss the ball through; water wings, a rubber mattress, and smaller size balls. In an instant, all toys spread out on the stone decking. The children were swimmers and they jumped into the pool with their paraphernalia. Roberto and Sorel screamed for their uncle’s attention to show him their abilities. They had taken swimming classes at Pilar’s athletic club in New York. The President clapped encouragement.
    Pilar decided to change into her swimsuit; a yellow bikini. Sitting with Uncle Rafael’s two cohorts disarming them as much as possible may prove advantageous.
    She donned a yellow robe deciding to leave it untied, soft sandals, a little Eau de Joy and headed downstairs.

 
    Pilar descended the marble stair adjusting her attitude, withdrawing a step from her battle plan. She held the robe loosely when entering the terrace. Steinerman saw her first and stood with the others. The tall man in his mid-fifties with blue eyes and blonde and gray hair wore white trunks with a matching short sleeve top.
    “Good morning gentlemen,” Pilar greeted.
    “Sit here, Pilar.” The President pulled out the chair next to him. “This is General Ludwig Marichal. Ludwig, this is my niece, Pilar deLorenzo.”
    “The President neglected to say how beautiful you are, my compliments. Welcome back to Argentina.”
    The President laughed. “Watch him, Pilar. He’s one of the few romantic generals left in this world.”
    Pilar sat between her uncle and general facing Steinerman. Roberto called out to her to come in. She said later.
    “Have you found many changes since your return?” Steinerman asked.
    Pilar wore a cordial expression.
    “A few for the better. Everything changes fast nowadays in a high tech society. Are you going swimming?”
    “The President enjoys swimming early in the morning,” Steinerman responded. “About six o’clock. He has us in that habit as well, why I was upstairs when you arrived to change out of my wet suit.”
    “Please don’t wait on us,” urged the President. “Go in and enjoy the water and your family.”
    Bernardo visited and removed the empty dishes. Pilar rejected breakfast, only tea. General Marichal, Pilar deduced, already stripped her naked by the way he looked at her and certain he raped her more than once, his conquests discreet.
    For the next twenty minutes conversation varied, nothing relevant, the children’s energy a constant presence.
    Pilar decided to swim and settle the children to lower their yelling. She stood saying, “Time to join the children. Excuse me.”
    The President retrieved the volleyball Andres threw that missed the floating net. Pilar removed the robe. General Marichal scanned her body. Pilar glided to the pool’s edge feeling the stares. Springing on toes, she dove into the seventy-five foot pool with minimum splash.
    For the next half-hour, she taught the children how to snorkel. Then she exited by the steps at the other end and dried with a towel Bernardo provided. Pilar walked the length to her seat, adding a minor sway to her rhythm. The general put on his sunglasses to admire her discreetly. She picked up the robe from the chair, draped it over the back, and sat in her bikini. Marichal removed his glasses. During time in the water, Pilar resolved to confront Steinerman and her uncle.
    “Mr. Steinerman, thank you for your concern over me.” Steinerman looked puzzled. “It isn’t necessary to have your people follow me everywhere I go. I assure you nothing will happen to me.”
    Steinerman wore a disarming grin. A stammer caught in his silent throat.
    “Pilar, what are you saying?” asked her uncle,