Chapter 2
1746 Words
ALFREDO Menchaca thought that he was in front of a young woman who seemed younger than what appeared in the file, although it could also be that she was
just as he used to say. He didn't have to cheat on something unimportant.
But she could also be a minor. Although the minors usually went to the family planning clinic.
She had read the contents of the card, as she always did. And he had it in front of her eyes, on the table, in case he missed any detail.
According to Marta, she was her last customer. So she would give him all the time he needed. She saw in her bewildering eyes a hint of sorrow or sorrow.
melancholy, and in her beautiful, fresh mouth, a certain tension.
Her lack of guidance produced such mischief. He always thought, in cases like this, that offices should be organized that would make young women aware of many things they did not know, since orientation had always been taboo and at that time everything had to be taught quickly and quickly.
He too thought she was almost offensively attractive. The very black hair, straight and carelessly combed, but there was not so much neglect, because it shone; he could tell that he was very well cared for. He was used to receiving many women every day, but like that one… it was the first time. For her slenderness, for her blue eyes, for the contrast of her black hair and for something that emanated from her like a special halo.
-He sit down,- she begged him. That's it. Let's see. -And he looked at the card. She is single and
she comes alone.
-Yes.
-Does her parents have knowledge of her alleged pregnancy?
-I don't have a father and my mother lives a bit far away.
-But… does she know?
-No,- briefly and with a certain indifference.
-Are you planning to have an abortion?
-Do not.
-Good. She wondered why we don't perform abortions here. But we are not opposed to it either, assuming the client has that intention.
Only that we do not practice any treatment that is aimed at stopping the pregnancy.
-I'm telling you, I'm not going to do it.
-Does your boyfriend agree?
-Doctor…- Alice steeled herself.
—Menchaca. Alfredo Menchaca.
-Well, I'll tell you, Doctor Menhersel- without arrogance or anger, but sharp; I do not come here to examine my conscience, but to have my pregnancy confirmed.
-I don't like to give practical acknowledgments to the person.- I usually use from ultrasound. You yourself, through it, will be able to see the embryo, yes, like
Suppose there is a pregnancy. -He stood up. Come here.
She opened the little white door and turned on a reddish light.
-Take off your clothes.- It is enough that it uncovers the belly. Call me when she is lying on the stretcher and with her belly in view- he pointed out. Smear your belly with a little of the cream that she will find on a support on the table.
Alice thanked him for her discretion. He was a young man and had the patience to calculate his age. Twenty seven years old? They could also be more. Her glasses
they gave a mature appearance. Anyway, he wouldn't have many more.
She entered the poorly lit room with the red light and proceeded to lower the
jumpsuit zipper. Then she stretched out on the stretcher and rubbed the cream on her belly.
-I'm done,- she said.
The doctor came in and sat down at a small screen.
-Look at the one in front of you,- he told her. I will show you the important places from here. Look at that little white line that I use and that is reproduced on the little screen in front of you. That's it. Yes love? Here's the embryo. -He stopped the hairline. It is a safe pregnancy. There is no doubt.
At the moment he is very subject. There is no fear of abortion or detachment. Me
I'd say it's a safe pregnancy. -He turned off the screen and got up from the little boy.
stool where he had sat. There he has a cloth to wipe his belly.
Get dressed and go out. I will measure your blood pressure and prescribe some vitamins.
Alice cleaned herself, got dressed and left the room, which already had the central light on and the red light off.
on and the red one off.
-Alice said, -Sit down here and roll up your sleeve.
The tension measuring device was very powerful. It only had one rubber band
and what was fastened around the elbow.
Afterwards, there was a very clear ticking sound.
-All right,- he took the rubber band off. So far there are no problems, and I don't think
and I don't think there needn't be. I'll just give you some vitamins, which you'll take twice a day.
twice a day. After lunch and after dinner. Healthy and quiet life
and after three months, that is, in a month's time, come back here. We will have to do
some tests. Otherwise, everything is going well. Come to my office.
* * *
He sat down behind the desk and indicated an armchair in the corner.
-Well,- he murmured, -we are in the habit of counseling our clients.
If they want it, of course. We don't belong to the Social Security,- he added with a frankness that was
a frankness that puzzled Alice. And not for the fun of it. We simply
because they haven't given us the opportunity. That's why, among six friends from the same
the same graduating class, we have set up a private plan. I tell you this
I say this because, as I see in your file, you do not have Social Security either, which at the time of delivery may
you may have to pay a lot of money for childbirth, assuming that the childbirth may
complications. We operate in a private sanatorium, but I can tell you that it is very expensive.
I can tell you in advance that it is very expensive.
-I will be able to afford it.
-Well, well. But, tell me, and think that at this moment I'm like a priest, because it's our mission to keep everything secret.
priest, because it's our mission to keep secret everything related to our clients.
our clients. Do you have a boyfriend?
-No.
-But... do you know who the father of your son is?
-Yes, I do.
-Do you... take responsibility for him? -No.
-Apparently not. When I told her I was going to be a mother, she went crazy with happiness.
happiness. He was very happy. Very happy,- she kept repeating it like a stubborn woman.
So much so that he went out to buy a crib.
-A... crib?
-Yes. -Daniel stuff. He's a young, emotional man. I never thought he
he wouldn't come back.
Alfredo raised an eyebrow.
-He didn't come back... from buying the crib?
-No.
-And how long ago was that?
-Fifteen days ago.
-Oh, my! They must have had it made to order.
-I've been very disappointed, doctor.
-Of course, of course. But... didn't you call him? Didn't you ask for him?
-We used to work together in a private salon. A -esthéticienne- salon.
Massages, waxing, saunas... You know!
Alfredo only knew that behind these businesses there are sometimes many other things, that some of them are not decent.
other things, that some of them are not decent, and that they often cover up some form of p**********n.
of p**********n.
He already understood why the girl did not have Social Security and why she went to his clinic, which was actually very expensive.
clinic, which was actually very expensive, and that she didn't even mind giving birth in a private sanatorium....
a private sanatorium...
There were, and he also knew this, legally organized, with a hairdresser's salon attached, and who paid for their services.
and that they paid all the tax rates and were not exactly cheap.
cheap. But that did not prevent others from being set up in apartments, and that, in addition to paying no taxes, they hid their business from the public,
in addition to not paying any tax, hid brothels, where there was everything,
except saunas.
They were, no doubt, very skillful businesses, where great fortunes were made and everything stayed at home.
and everything stayed at home. And if a tax inspector came to poke his nose in, the owners used to
their owners used to do the comedy, demonstrate a hypothetical ruin and also pass for decent.
and also pretend to be decent.
-I know,- she said, looking at his face, -what you're thinking. Mine is not
is not like that.
Alfredo Menchaca distended his mouth in a subtle smile.
-As you understand, that's none of my business. Your business belongs to you and
and you can do with it as you please. I receive you as a doctor and guide you as such.
If I ask certain questions, it is always out of my desire to help. Tell me -
he added without transition, were you partners?
-No. I met Daniel Fanjul about six months ago. He came in for a service, confused me and tried what is usually tried in such cases. But I
I told him that I was exclusively dedicated to massage, make-up, sauna and electric waxing... Daniel came back several times and I ended up falling in love with him.
Daniel came back several times and I ended up falling in love. He was
my first boyfriend. I had never had s*x. Daniel wanted to learn and
helped me as much as he could. I don't quite understand how he had me so fooled.
-Deceived by what?
-He seemed to love me. We were making plans for the future, even he was thinking about
finish veterinary school to get rid of the business, get married and go far away.
He was also thinking of taking the competitive exams and getting a position in some town....
town...
-Does he have a family?
-Of course.
-Do you know her?
-No. I know her address, but I never called. Surely, his family was unaware of
my existence, and it seemed absurd to me to ask about someone who had gone away for
her taste.
-Can I have that address?
Alice twitched. So much so that her breasts swayed beneath the thin fabric of the
jumpsuit.
- Writer
