A grandmother’s open arms


The weekend niece. from the book, Searching for treasures


The town's streets Guatapé, Antioquia, Colombia
The town’s streets
Guatapé, Antioquia, Colombia

   “Anyhow, do me a favor and prepare your things. I’m in a hurry, for they’re about to arrive, any moment now. I already called this Alicia, woman, at the terminal and she’ll have a bus ticket for you when you arrive.”
Oddly, when Dora heard what her grandmother had to say, she felt an immense wave of relief wash over her. If it had been up to her, she would have danced for joy! However, displaying an utmost restraint, she hid her emotions and limited herself to reply politely:

     “Of course, Grandmother. My things are ready. With your permission, I’ll leave for San Gil immediately. My best wishes for the outcome of your reunion.”

     “Go to the kitchen, before you leave. Ask the cook to prepare something for the road.”

     “Thank you, Grandmother. That’s very kind of you, but I don’t feel like eating at the moment. I had something for lunch on my way over, and I feel a bit full.”

     “And, that was how on that Friday afternoon, Dora arrived at the El Terminalito, bus terminal, in San Gil to find her other grandmother’s open arms, waiting for her with sweets to her liking and the inexhaustible love and tenderness that Ines always had in store for her. It was a spectacular afternoon. The rains had swung towards the mountains, heading out to Barichara and leaving a shiny, sparkling sun in their place, behind in San Gil. That day, the sky was covered in different hues, light to the north and growing into darker tons of cobalt blue to the south.

     Ines and Dora left walking from El Terminalito. They walked beneath the sheltered shade of the multicolored parasol y began to head homeward. Before they continued on their way, down the city market street, the grandmother, suddenly, strayed from their customary way back. She veered to her right toward the bridge and began to cross it as if she were going to the other side of the river.


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