It was a lovely day, weather warm on their skin, skies heavenly blue, the trip to Malaga full of chatter and sharing, Did you go to school in Antequera?

Actually, I went to school in San Agustin on Palma de Mallorca. Its an island off the northeastern coast of Spain. Elena and I went together to the Baleares International School till I was twelve. I started school at three, so Elena and I were able to go together. Then we went to high school and college in Switzerland, at Mont-Fleuri. We finished when I was twenty. Not long after that, I came home to work for my father in the gallery.

You started when you were three and you went away during the school year all your life

Yes.

This didnt fit the image Jenny had of Ana and Marina, it left too much distance between them. She questioned, Is that the norm here in Spain? To start so early? To always go away?

Ana, realizing the association Jenny has made, Adn wanted Marina to be exposed to multiple cultures and languages, of course, the best education he could make available to her.

The chatter drifted into silence fading into private thoughts Jenny began to understand how Marinas parents never realized her love of women, how they had come to create a vision of her, a vision without the gift of knowing who she really was.

Ana reflects on the distance forced by their society and their standards, the expectations of her and Adn as parents, their expectations of Marina.

While Marinas memories crept into her consciousness once again

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Marina, whats wrong. Why are you being so mean? Elena had resolved to the loss of Marina as her lover, but refused to give up the special friendship between them. Although there were times, when Marinas self-imposed seclusion, would come between them.

I dont know what you want from me. Sometimes, I just want to be alone, to be left alone. It had been three weeks since she last heard from her, they had quarreled about love, as usual, but for the first time Marina began to understand Francesca would never change.

If you want to be alone, then why are you going out? Elena missed Marinas touch and the tenderness their lovemaking had possessed. She hated the days without Marina near, her warm heart, her soft touches, and her faithful ear.

Soon Elena and Marina would be returning to Antequera to live out their lives. Marina wasnt looking forward to the common life left to her whenever Francesca was gone, the hiding they would do whenever she returned, and the constant reminders from her father that she needed to be married.

Elena, you know youre special to me, but you know you will marry a man someday and I will not. Your jealousy is misplaced. It was Nicolas that Elena loved not Marina. Marina knew this even if Elena had not yet admitted it, but Nicolas was who her father had chosen for her. He had accepted Adns invitation and had begun working at the gallery. Marina did not look forward to the constant contact between them, especially at the risk of hurting Elena or inciting the ridicule from Francesca.

Im leaving, I wont be back for a few days. Im going to Madrid.

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When she arrived the house was empty, as usual. This time it had not been planned for her to be there to ready the house for Francescas return. She had gone on her own for herself, without Francesca, done with waiting. She showered and headed to Rosas.

Wheres Francesca? Rosa was surprised for the young beauty to be here alone.

I dont need Francesca to come see my friend do I? Marina feigned a smile but Rosa could see her hurt.

Tell me, Marina, what troubles you? Rosa placed her hand comfortingly over Marinas.

Marina stared into the dim lit club, across the room and into the eyes a lovely dark haired girl, Nothing anymore.

She went to the girl, never speaking, taking her hand and led her to the dance floor. Marina did not hesitate to pull her close, and with her body held tight against her, she kissed her. The soft kiss turned hungry and demanding. The girl was defenseless, swept up in the beauty of the woman attacking her mouth, enflaming her body.

I have a house, with that they left.

There was a wild gentleness in Marinas touch, suited to that of the wild tiger. The girl was fascinated and thrilled by her.

She stood watching, leaning on the door. Marina saw her as she turned onto her back, away from the girl. Theirs eyes locked, oh, and I have a girlfriend.

The girl was startled, finally aware of Francescas presence, numbed by the piercing stare, and humiliated by the coolness in Marinas voice.

Its time for you leave. Francesca remained as the girl dressed and slipped quietly out the door.

Marinas defiant glare unarmed her and thrilled her, I see you decided to find a little pursuit of your own. Well, I guess thats fair, just dont do it when Im home.

Marina, in all her naked beauty, got out of the bed and walked to her. She proceeded to undress her, never once looking into her eyes until finished with her task. Then, her eyes clasped onto Francescas, as she shoved her body against her pinning her to the wall forcing her hand between her legs. She entered her hard, continuing with a slow hard deep rhythm. Never once did they kiss, not a single caress, the grind simply continued until Francesca had been sated. Marina left her leaning against the wall as she headed to the shower, alone.

It was this day, that all had changed for Marina. This day was the beginning of countless encounters with anyone fated to be chosen, favored for a night, for a while, and for their entertainment satisfying their need to unnerve the other.

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Ill find your father, let him know were here, you two go ahead and look around.

No, well come with you, we want to say hello. They worked their way to the back towards his office.

Adn was surprised and pleased theyd come, hed had no idea they were coming, let me change a couple appointments, we should go to El Palo for lunch, he steps out to speak to his assistant.

Jenny mulls about looking at some of the artwork in Adns office, some stacked around some hanging. Marina, this piece looks a lot like your work, come look.

Just to the back and side of Adns desk, it rested against the wall. Marina is stunned, recognizing it immediately she thought he had destroyed it. As Adn walked back into the room, he realized what they were looking at, Marina, I

It is Marinas work. They all turn, shocked at hearing her voice, Its why Im here.

She turns to Adn, Thank you for finally offering to give it back to me. I wonder have you given Marina her book yet? El hacedor?

No one says a word, completely stunned by the entire situation as Jenny turns back to the painting. Its done very similar to the one on their wall at home only this one is of Marina and Francesca. Her words, the meaning of all thats not being said, the painting and the book, all are about their relationship.

She turns to Adn, Why would you do that? You dont even know me, why would you try to hurt me, to hurt us?

Jenny, I think you misunderstand. My father isnt trying to hurt anyone, hes Marina turns to Adn as Jenny walks past them, past Francesca, and out the door of the gallery, are you?

Shes rushing down the street, uncertain why, just knowing the air was thick, choking, strangling to her. She hears Marina call, turning her head back to see as she continues, Jenny! Stop!

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Well, well, you did a great job! I think maybe the two of you were made to have babies, the doctor turns to the man in the brown suit. Back turned, hes of average height with strong shoulders and slim waist. Hes gazing upon their baby in the crib next to him, Jenny, shes beautiful like you, do you want to hold her?

Jenny lifts herself in the bed, Yes. He gently lifts the baby from the crib and takes her to her mother. She has a soft golden tone to her skin, dark brown eyes, dark brown almost black curly hair, full and wild. Jenny looks to him lovingly, She looks like you, dark and handsome Like you…

He sits on the side of the bed, near her, his hand tenderly resting on her arm. As Jenny kisses the baby, so he kisses her. What shall we name her? I like Elizabeth, do you?

You know, in Hebrew, Elizabeth is Elisheba meaning God is my oath.

Elizabeth in Spanish is Isabel.

Ohh, yes, Isabel. She turns her eyes once again to the baby girl in her arms, You are our Isabel. Jenny reaches for his hand. He removes his hat as he leans to kiss her lips.

No, no dont, theyll know, theyll hurt us. Dont let them hurt us. As she begins to wake, the words continue in a whispered chant, dont let them hurt us please

Marina has a tender hold on Jennys hand, while her other hand strokes back the hair from Jennys face, near to her own, I wont. They wont. No one is going to hurt us. No one.

Gradually her eyes begin to focus, fading in and out, We have to protect our baby girl. We have to make them understand. I wont let them send Isabel away, I want her near us always. Jenny falls back into her sleep.

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Does she have any family here? Does anyone have any documented rights to approve treatment or tests?

Why, whats wrong?

Cant you at least tell me if shes okay?

Ive already signed papers to pay for all the medical bills. Doesnt that indicate to you of our relationship? I have civil union papers from Tahiti, why wont those work?

They love each other, theyre partners. Tell her what she must know. Please, its not fair to them to refuse. Anas soft insistent voice, the voice of a loving mother, affected him.

Look, he pulls her into Jennys room, Im sorry. Its the law. But, I understand, I really do and shes okay. She took a hard blow to the head, theres about a three inch cut just to the back of her head behind her left ear. Theres was a lot of bleeding, but thats stopped now. It took several inside stitches and about twenty outside, shes going to have headaches for awhile but shell most likely be okay. Thats not what Im concerned about. Did you know she was pregnant?

Yes, of course I did.

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Sweetheart, its lovely. Apparently, your view of us, she smiles as she reaches for Marina, caressing her back, brushing the hair from her shoulder replacing it with a soft kiss. You do have lovely fantasies, as lovely as you, she continues to kiss her, her neck, her ear, her face, working towards the thick lush lips of her desire.

Francesca is all that escapes her as she surrenders to the object of her desires, the object of her painting. Especially tender, Francesca renders soft strokes across her *****, small wet kisses down her stomach. My beautiful prodigy, my lovely Marina

Marina submits to her, to the soft probing of her tongue, rare is the time she is not the ravager, rare is the time she is not the pursuer. Lost in her fantasy, delirious in her dreams, she surrenders to her lover.

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What is this? This pornography youve created Why? Adn had discovered the painting as he had walked through the studio curious to the vision that had monopolized his daughters time, innocent to the inevitable discovery it would proclaim.

Its not pornography. Its its Francesca, my lover… There shed said it, Francesca had been badgering her for months now, constantly irritated by Adns insistence Marina marry.

What are you talking about? Thats insane, ridiculous! Its against Gods will! You would give away your immortal soul for this filth, for lust? She had never seen such rage in this gentle man, this man she loved and respected.

Marina was in shock, she couldnt move, she couldnt speak. Answer me!

Ana came rushing in, What is it? Whats has you so upset Adn?

His look filled with disgust, Your daughter lays with other women. The words spat like a bad taste he was desperate to be rid of, She even has the gall to put it to canvas for the entire world to see.

You call her and tell her shes never to return to this house. Shes never to call you again, never! And I will destroy this monstrosity. Marina reaches for the painting, but Adn is quick and he moves past her determined in his mission.

She calls out to him, Its for her. I love her. I wont stop seeing Francesca.

He turns, eyes cold and a lethal stillness in his voice, Then, you will leave, tonight.

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Marina, I was trying to make amends. I would never want to hurt you and Jenny. Please, tell me you understand that.

I guess when you put the pieces together it looks odd. But, then weve had an odd life havent we. I have no reason to believe you were trying to hurt us. But, in case, you should know, no one will come between me and Jenny.

Ive never wanted anything more than to be loved. But there came a time, I gave up on that. I was a possession to Francesca, but I loved her so much I accepted it. I became like her, it almost caused me to lose Jenny. Twenty years, do you realize that, twenty years I was with Francesca, in a loveless relationship? Jenny loves me, as I love her. You must know, I wont allow anyone or anything to come between us.

Ana turns and heads back down the hallway, having heard her words. Ana mourns for her daughter, the daughter she had thought happy, the daughter left alone with no one to love her for so long.