The Slovak family invited Carlos to a festive dinner. Adrian grilled various meats and vegetables, while Dajana mixed sauces and prepared a fruit salad for the special occasion. The father of the family had found a job as a maintenance worker at a hotel. His English skills were sufficient for the position, and he was also given the opportunity to attend Spanish classes. A huge weight was lifted off Dajana’s shoulders. She now saw her own situation differently—having to clean for a few years no longer burdened her. She was no longer oppressed by her resentment toward her employers.
Carlos remained the only person with whom they had a closer relationship. Partly because they owed several clients to the elderly man, and partly because they could never quite shake off the anxiety of being “just” tenants and not owners. True, they didn’t have this information tattooed on their foreheads, but they still feared being looked down upon by wealthier residents like Ludmilla or Ted. They had met and liked Bernard and Noud through Carlos, but even with them, their encounters only took place at the old man’s house. They would have invited them to this dinner as well, but the two young men had seemingly vanished from the face of the earth.
“You could try asking Carlos what’s going on with those two guys,” Dajana suggested to her husband.
“I’m just as curious to know where they disappeared to,” Adrian said, scratching his head. “It’s been three weeks since they vanished without a trace. Apparently, they didn’t tell anyone anything. At least, that’s what Carlos says.”
“That’s suspicious to me. I don’t believe the old man doesn’t know where they are.”
“Why do you think that?”
“Because he was always hovering around them. Haven’t you noticed? I think if anyone knows anything about them, it’s Carlos. Those two couldn’t even go to the bathroom without the neighbors knowing exactly what they were up to.”
“You’re exaggerating, as always,” Adrian said with a smile, shaking his head.
“Alright. Then I’ll bring up the topic, and you just watch the old man’s expression.”
Carlos liked the Slovak family. He respected them for their courage and resourcefulness. Their simplicity and openness were refreshing to the old man, who was always searching and investigating others. He was happy to recommend Adrian as a skilled worker to his acquaintances. He hoped he could provide significant help to his neighbors so they could establish solid roots on the island as soon as possible.
“Let’s raise our glasses to this wonderful place,” Dajana said, holding up her crystal glass filled with champagne.
“Let’s drink to finally being able to sleep peacefully,” Adrian laughed.
“To your health,” Carlos said, touched.
For a brief moment, all three of them sipped their sweet, chilled, sparkling drink in silence. Each of them reflected on everything they were grateful for.
“Thank you, Carlos, for celebrating with us,” Dajana said warmly, gently running her hand along the old man’s arm.
“Oh, dear, I always enjoy spending time with you.”
“We would have loved to share the news with Noud and Bernard too, but it seems they haven’t returned from the United States yet.”
The champagne suddenly burned its way up Carlos’s nose, spilling onto the pristine white tablecloth. The carbonation stung his mucous membranes cruelly, and for a moment, he felt as if the remaining liquid was trying to escape through his eyes.
Adrian’s panicked gaze darted between his neighbor and his wife.
“Sorry,” Carlos wheezed.
“What happened? You don’t like it?” Dajana asked worriedly. “I told you not to buy the sweet one! That’s not real champagne,” she said, turning toward her husband with mock anger.
“No, no, everything is perfect,” the old man whispered in distress. “I just swallowed wrong. Please, go on—what were you saying?”
“Oh,” Dajana waved dismissively. “Nothing important, I just mentioned Noud and Bernard’s trip to America.”
“Right, right,” Carlos nodded. “Yes, I know—they’re there.”
Dajana gave her husband a smug wink and then wished everyone a good meal.
“What the hell was that about America?” Adrian asked as soon as he saw Carlos close the door to his own terrace behind him.
“Well? What do you think?” Dajana grinned.
“You knew they were in the U.S. and didn’t tell me?”
“Of course not! I have no idea where the hell they are. I just wanted to show you what a bullshitter Carlos is. Don’t get me wrong, I like him, I respect him, and we owe him a lot. But I wouldn’t trust him blindly.”
“Okay, but what was the point of all this?” Adrian still didn’t understand what his wife was getting at.
“Nothing, really. Just proving that everyone has something to hide, and you should never fully trust anyone.”
“Fine. We won’t show him our bank statements or give him our PIN codes. Just like we wouldn’t to anyone else. But we still need him.”
“I know,” Dajana smiled. “I feel the same way. But”—her face suddenly took on a sly expression—”now I’m dying to know who Noud and Bernard really are, and why the hell Carlos practically spat out his champagne at the mention of the United States.”