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CHAPTER X JACINTO AND LOLA Before noon, the hunters were back in San Francisco with their loot, which was taken to the "Ripio" of the old Chuc. Some men cut up the pieces others brought the firewood, the stones and dug the holes to make the "piib". In less than an hour, it was all buried and cooking, and except for one man who stayed to look after the cooking, the hunters went to their homes to rest. The piib would be taken out in late afternoon, and the smoking delicious smelling meat would be shared equally among the participants. Jacinto took a bucket and went to the well. From faraway in the light of the declining sun, he could see the silhouette of Lola at the spring where she was filling her clay pitcher. He hurried to get there. When she started to draw up the water and as she pulled on the rope, Jacinto put his bucket down. He felt his heart beat wildly. They hadn’t said a word to each other all day. Then Lola spoke to Jacinto -Did you have any luck in the "puuj"? -I only killed a "K’aambul" I almost had a chance with a deer, any way the "puuj" was a success and we got a lot of animals. -I saw them, when you arrived- interrupted Lola, then she went on –Tonight we’ll eat venison-thanks-she said smiling as she filled her water pitcher, and walked away gracefully carrying the pitcher on her hip. Jacinto didn’t answer, and didn’t move for a while watching her walk toward the house. His heartbeat slowed quickly, as he filled his buckets and went to the house to take his bath. While he was savoring the venison broth, Jacinto didn’t resist the temptation to look at the young girl. He blushed inside when their eyes met. He remembered that in his village, his young friends make jokes about his shyness with the girls. Until now, he had never felt attracted to any girl. Since the young maasewaal girl, was older than he was, he saw her as out of his reach. Never had he felt anything disagreeable and lovely at the same time. His manly instinct, at its peak of development, made him admire the women. He enjoyed her nice, graceful smiles, her black, black hair the tone of her smooth skin, the firmness of her breast, and the sensually of her brown arms. The second night they hardly spoke. In the intimacy of the hut, while everyone was asleep, the young boy daydreamed, thinking about the beauty and loveliness of Lola, the young widow. From the third day, Jacinto entertained himself visiting family, distant relatives now, descendants of the Eks who migrated to this zone in the last century after the Caste War. However, he didn’t desire anything more than company of Lola who in a few days had noticed how attractive she was to Jacinto. Her instinct, asleep since she was widowed, woke up at the innocent thirst of the young boy, and she desired his company as well.
Riviera
Caribe Maya Hotel, Playa del Carmen, Riviera Maya, Mexico She was ashamed of herself for her desire but her hot, young blood drove her toward the young man without remedy. There were unforgettable days for Jacinto. He enjoyed them, as he never had, and not surprisingly, what he enjoyed the most was his relation with the young lady. He feared the moment of his departure and when his godfather made commentaries with respect to the preparations for the trip, he felt a sharp pain in his chest. A few days before, Jacinto was staring at the horizon when Lola surprised him at sundown, when the breezes began to blow off the Caribbean. -Jacinto you are sad - as I am for your return to your home. I know that we will never see each other again, and that it won’t be long before you forget about me and about our days together. - The young man felt a knot in his throat that didn’t let him answer for a few seconds. -Tell me- He finally answered- Why should I go, why shouldn’t I stay and be happy with you? - I thought it would be hard to say, I don’t want to leave you even though I know that I don’t have any right to stay with you. I don’t want to leave you alone and I feel very sad that I am not older so I could tell my father what I want- The boy stuttered slightly. The indian girl put her hand softly on the boy’s lips, to made him be silent, she put her other hand on his arm, tenderly pressing it as she interrupted him. -Stop! You will make our separation more painful. You will forget me because you will find another woman who will be yours forever. As for me, I will never find anyone to love me like you do. You have brought me back to life. You woke me up from a dark nightmare in which I have lived since I became a widow. I will never forget you, even though we will never see each other again. -I won’t go – protested the boy- I will speak to my godfather and if he tries to make me go back, I will tell your grandfather. -You will go – said Lola-That’s the way it should be- Jose Chuc’s arrival interrupted the dialogue. A painful silence was apparent as they separated discreetly. That night, after dinner, Lola spoke to him at the first opportunity. -Before you go to sleep, we will meet next to the ceibo, wait for me when your godfather is sleeping- Jacinto didn’t answer,his heart was beating, too fast. He laid down as if to sleep. He felt the time pass slowly as he waited for his godfather to fall asleep. When he was sure he was sleeping, he silently slipped out of the house, and went straight to the back of the patio. There at the foot of the ceibo, Lola was waiting for him. When he saw her figure in the half light, Jacinto could hardly move. The young indian took the boy’s hands within hers and placed them on her breast. Jacinto put his forehead on her head as she let her soft tears slip onto his young shoulders. Silent moments passed until Lola whispered to the boy. -Hold me !, hold me ! –
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