Christmas came early for Argentina over the weekend, as they won what's being described as one of the best World Cup finals in memory. I don't even know much about sports in my country but I appreciate the joy and celebration that comes after such a showdown.
I also appreciate the opportunity to remind readers that Argentina will feature heavily on my blog in 2023, with my new novel Estancia Aldea Norteña set to debut chapter one on Epiphany (Friday January 1). This alternate take on Northanger Abbey follows newly graduated Catalina Moreno and her neighbors the Aguirres (affectionately called Tío Ruy and Tía Lola) to the beaches of Mar del Plata. The city introduces her to new friends like the Lobo family, and fresh experiences including a soccer (or fútbol) game. In honor of Argentina's third World Cup victory yesterday, and as a holiday treat to my readers, here's a snippet from that chapter to enjoy.
When halftime came, everyone got up to stretch, even Tío Ruy. "Do you need some help?" Catalina asked discreetly, leaning over to speak to him, and he shook his head.
"No, no, you go with those young people and enjoy yourself. There are bathrooms right here I can get to, no need to worry about me dear girl. You're not a nurse tonight!"
So Catalina left with the others for the snack stands, even though they could order something from the screens easy enough. But it was exciting to walk around and see everything from another view, especially when they stood at a spot over their box and were able to get a full unobstructed sight of the pitch. "I'll be right back!" Juan called, running off somewhere, and Catalina made sure to stick with the girls as they bickered over what to buy, hoping not to be stuck on her own again.
"Ooo, look at them!" Angela called, and they immediately began cheering and clapping as a few players came out onto the sidelines, bouncing a ball around.
Catalina leaned forward to see over the railing, interested in getting a better look even if she wasn't quite interested enough to do so much, and was able to see even more people in some of the stands below. One of them looked familiar, his hair slightly tousled in the breeze, which was the only warning Catalina had when he looked up at their commotion and she stared straight into the eyes of Enrique Tilve!
She gripped the railing tighter, eyes locked on his in alarm and excitement all at once. He looked startled too, maybe, but then only waved and turned back to the other people around him. Nothing dramatic, no sneers or jeers or even a smile, just a polite wave and dismissal. It was to be expected, of course, Catalina could not blame him. She should just accept her fate and return to their seats.
But it was so hard to be so close, and not speak to him! Especially when she followed Angela and Maria back down the stairs, and they walked right past where Enrique was sitting. He didn't look over at her, even when she waved tentatively, and so Catalina had to turn back to their enclosed box that felt more like a prison than a shelter. She hesitated at the entrance, looking back across the aisle to where Enrique sat, wishing she knew what to say. Then he turned back toward her, and she decided she would speak, at once, before she lost her courage.
"There you are!" Juan called, coming up and hugging her, kissing both her cheeks so familiarly Catalina was silenced, face flaming. "Come on, I bought us some snacks, and something special just for you." He held up a pennant, which she took out of habit, still reeling, then looking back saw Enrique Tilve scowling as she had only imagined before. She tried to speak, her voice failing her all at once, and then Juan was guiding her back to their seats, slinging his arm around her, and whispering in her ear as if they were ... as if they were a couple or something!
Catalina shuddered, ashamed and miserable and unable to even show it, for fear it would make the Aguirres feel bad when they were waving and chatting with everyone, clearly happy all were having such a good time. She couldn't quite see Sr. Tilve from where she sat, which was just as well, she couldn't bear to see him again, she was sure he must think her the most stupid girl alive. She certainly felt it. It was so obvious now, when she looked back at it, just like in a telenovela, and yet she had not realized at all that Juan had been trying to date her! She thought it must be something like at home, when she would tag along with her brothers and their friends, and they would all take turns partnering up. But none of them had ever talked to her as Juan was now doing, no one at home kissed her that freely (and in public!) None of them ever bought her so many things. Oh, she felt cheap, and stupid, angry, and then depressed, all at the same time, and barely noticed when everyone cheered at the scores being made.
"What!" Juan interrupted himself, scattering food as he flung himself to his feet. Catalina looked up to see a player being taken from the field on a stretcher, obviously injured.
"Oh no, what happened?" she asked, feeling stupid all over again but too concerned to care, fear for someone else's health overcoming her self-pity.
"It's Ismael, he's been hurt!" Angela wailed, blowing kisses to the injured player. "Oh, Mamá, can't we go lower down? He can't see us from here!"
"But is it serious?" Catalina asked, nervous, remembering when her brother Antonio broke his arm at a game and had to stay in a cast for months. "What's going on?"
"Who cares, he's not scoring anymore tonight!" Juan snapped, angrily snatching out his phone, then cursing as his call didn't go through. "Everyone's trying to get in at the same time, what a disaster. Excuse me, I've got to go talk to some people." He shoved his way out, barely apologizing to Sr. Aguirre as he hurried away without further explanation. Javier looked concerned and started to go after him, but Isabel grabbed his hand.
"Let's go down farther in the stands, we'll see better," she suggested, and the other girls eagerly agreed. Javier escorted them out, leaving Catalina alone with the adults as the game stalled, spectators across the stadium chatting and moving around.
Standing up and stretching her legs, Catalina was able to see a better, and turned almost involuntarily toward where Enrique Tilve had been. He was still there, also standing, staring down toward the pitch like everyone else, talking excitedly to someone beside him. He wore a white polo and khaki shorts, his tall frame showing to great advantage, and looked very excited about the game. She kept watching, nervous but unable to help herself, almost willing him to look at her as she edged closer to the enclosure's glass. As if hearing her thoughts, he did turn, looking straight at her. But she couldn't tell what he was thinking, his expression was too guarded. Finally he bowed his head just the slightest tilt, a mockery of his previous flamboyant gestures.
"Catalina!" Tía Lola called, dragging her attention away. "Ruy is feeling poorly, could you come here?"
"Of course." She hurried over, not able to face looking at the opposite stands anymore. Catalina helped Tío Ruy move toward the aisle, and kneeling rolled up his jeans to examine his bad leg, even as he protested.
"No, no, I'll be fine." His wince belied his words, and Catalina saw the ankle was very swollen.
"We must get your socks and shoes off, and your foot propped up, at once!" she said, alarmed, looking around for something to use. "Señora Eva, could you ask someone to bring a wet towel? Or anything we could use to wrap his ankle? I think these shoes were too tight."
"New," Tío Ruy muttered with some asperity, attempting to raise his leg as Catalina helped him. "That'll teach me to be vain."
Tía Lola was crying, and Sra. Eva in hysterics, but Catalina couldn't worry about them while she tried to make the hurting man comfortable. She was struggling to keep his foot raised all on her own, when strong arms reached down to help. "May I?" Enrique asked, and Catalina nodded in gratitude.
