Free Summer Dreams by Hebby Roman

children into the world.
    At the thought of children, he envisioned Natalia holding their new-born child in her arms, a beautiful smile on her full lips, joy lighting her face. Dreaming of her as a young Madonna, his eyes grew misty.
    The picnic basket banged against his thigh. He wiped his eyes with the sleeve of his shirt and realized Natalia had hurried ahead, disappearing over the next rise.
    Speeding up, he broke into a trot, wanting to close the gap between them. Not that she wasn't perfectly safe. It wasn't that, but it hurt him to think she wanted to get away from him. When he caught sight of her, he slowed again to a walk. He wanted to catch up, to walk alongside her. But her swift, determined stride kept him back, making him feel distinctly unwanted.
    They climbed the last hill, Esteban following behind like a sick calf. When Natalia entered the farmyard, her speed didn't diminish, if anything, she walked faster. Before he could cross from the barn to the house, she'd let herself in the door and shut it firmly. He thought he heard the click of the lock.
    He stopped halfway to the house and stared at the blank, unforgiving wood behind the rusty screen. She'd locked him out, not even waiting for her things. The food was his, but the basket and blanket belonged to Pura.
    The longer he stared at the closed door, the angrier he became. That closed door epitomized his life. Closed doors, shut in his face. He jumped onto the porch and threw the basket and blanket down. Let Pura find them when she came home and wonder.
    Natalia couldn't let go of her ex-fiancé that was plain to see. She couldn't help bringing Hector up and his big deal investments. Rage curdled in Esteban's stomach. Natalia must believe he was beneath her consideration, especially when compared to her ex-fiancé. After all, he wasn't successful, and his family wasn't listed in a social register anywhere.
    All he had to give her was his love and ... his dreams. And they weren't enough.
    ***
    Natalia dried the supper dishes and stacked them. Pura fished around in the soapy water for one last fork and handed it to her. With a quick wipe, Natalia returned it to the silverware drawer.
    "I went on a picnic with Esteban today," Natalia said.
    "I saw the chicken and potato salad in the ice box. I wondered where they came from."
    "Why didn't you ask?"
    Pura shrugged. "I didn't think it was important."
    "How could you do this to me?" Natalia demanded, her question almost a sob.
    Her grandmother placed a hand on her shoulder and lifted her eyebrows. "What did I do to you, mi Nieta? What are you talking about?"
    Natalia shook off her grandmother's hand and hunched her shoulders. "You know what I'm talking about. I think you set it up with Esteban's help. You went off to the market and didn't tell me he was coming to weed the garden. He brought food for a picnic, expecting me to join him."
    Pura backed up and gazed directly into Natalia's eyes. "I could use old age as an excuse for not telling you Esteban was coming. But I won't."
    She pulled out a kitchen chair and seated herself "What was wrong with going on a picnic with him? I thought you two were friends. Since you broke up with that García boy, you've been moping around my house. Going to school and coming home, shutting yourself away from the world." She raised her head. "It's not healthy, Nieta." 
    "So you did conspire with him to---"
    "Pah! I conspired! Conspired, indeed!" She rose from the dining chair and shook her index finger. "You watch your mouth, Natalia."
    "I won't!" Natalia shouted back, clenching her hands into fists. "You have no right to arrange my life for me, Pura. I'm not a child or one of your students. I know what I want, and it isn't Esteban Montalvo."
    " Por Dios , I hope it's not that phony, Hector García, that you want."
    "I don't want any man. And if keeping to myself is what you call moping, then I'll move out. I won't burden you any longer."
    Pura sank back into the chair, shaking her