Per Dr. Vargas' suggestion, Julia made a special effort to spend more time with Maria. The two went to the beach together, tanning and reading. They took classes on knitting and collaborated on creating a blanket in the design of the Paraguayan flag, an accomplishment of which they were both proud. Louis was thrilled.
The sun was blinding bright as they lay next to each other on their beach blankets enjoying the sound of the ocean splashing against the shore. Both of them lay with their faces covered with their sun hats. Julia wore a modest one-piece swimsuit to hide what she thought were imperfections. Maria wore a yellow bikini that showed off her tanned and toned physique. Julia shared stories from when she and Louis were younger, before he came into power. They would sit under the moon and talk for hours. Once Louis stole ten cents from his father's jar to buy her empanadas from the local market. Back then they were so poor she would steal her brother's shoes and give them to Louis, even though they were too small.
Maria enjoyed these stories. She loved love and dreamed of the day she would be swept from her feet and marry her knight in shining armor.
She dug her feet into the sand and wiggled her toes. Through the tiny holes in her hat a shadowy figure approached them. At first, she thought it was seagulls, but when she removed her hat, she was pleasantly surprised to see a handsome, six-foot man with pleasant brown eyes and hair standing over them.
"Please forgive me for disturbing you, but I wanted to offer you a Tereré," he said.
Julia removed her hat and did a double take as they both sat speechless.
"I didn't mean to startle you," he said. "The sun is hot, and I thought you could use a cold drink."
"Thank you very much. That is very kind of you, young man." Julia said as she peeked over the top of her sunglasses. She glanced over at Maria. "Isn't that nice of him?"
"No, I mean yes! That's very thoughtful." Maria stuttered.
"What is your name?" said Julia.
"Victor Bordón."
"Thank you very much for the refreshments, Victor Bordón. Myself, as well as Maria, really appreciate it."
Victor glanced at Maria and smiled.
"No problem," he said.
He leaned over and sat the drinks next to them. "Me and a few friends are playing volleyball up near the beach house if you want to join us." Julia looked at Maria.
"Maybe another time," Maria said.
"Ok, perhaps another time." Victor smiled and jogged back towards his friends.
"Oh my God!" Maria blurted. "I almost died. Did you see how gorgeous he was?"
"I sure did."
"Did you see his eyes? His body?"
Julia smiled. She remembered when Louis made her speechless and shy - but that was many moons ago.
Maria stared in the direction that Victor ran hoping that for some reason he would reappear.
"He did ask you to join him. It's not too late," Julia reminded her.
"Do you think I should go?"
"Of course. Why not?"
"It's not attractive for the woman to chase the man. Looks desperate."
"But you are desperate, sweetheart."
"Yes, but I don't want him to know that."
They burst into laughter as the water angrily beat against the shore. Victor was very attractive and charming, but so was Michael.
"He's probably a jerk like the rest of them," Maria said.
"You're probably right. Most of them are. You just have to find the one with the least amount of jerk in him. Which is sometimes not an easy task."