Jesus Helguera He stepped back and looked on at the fine table laid next to boxes of cabbages. He looked on again at Marta who’d now resumed eating.
“And this is good, madam?”
“Very good, chef. You are a lucky chef.” She stood up to shake his hand. “Marta del Toro.”
He took her hand and shook it gently. He bowed again and clicked his heels.
“Max Von Mayerling, madam. I am the chef on this vessel. At your service, madam.”
“Well, Max. Why don’t you join me?” She looked on at the cook. “Señor, would you have enough for the chef?” He did and ran away, back to the galley. He returned in short order and put the plate in front of the old man and they dined together as the sun set. He was a nice man despite his severe and military bearing. The Mexicans all wandered off, except for the cook who stood by to pour wine as required.
The German looked on at Marta, into her eyes and asked, “Madam…”
“Marta.”
“Marta, the boys are afraid of me. Why is this?”
“Are you serious? Come now, Max. Look at yourself. You look like you swallowed two of them for lunch. You’re so, so big. And your name is Max. You’re bald. You look like a holy terror.”
He grinned. “But I am not.”
The Mule Tamer III, Marta's Quest
Published on January 19, 2013 16:25