Dorada La Jaula

By Di

"I cannot believe I'm standing in line for this. What is holding this up? C'mon people - let's move!", I muttered to myself as I glanced around the bookstore.

Sighing resolutely I shifted from one foot to the other. I knew why I was standing in line. Even though she reportedly lived in this area, this was the first time my favorite author had ever done a book signing within driving distance of my home and I wasn't going to miss it! In fact, I had taken the day off work thinking I would get to the store early and be one of the first in line. Evidently several hundred people had the same idea and here I was, stuck halfway back in line, wishing I had some type of magic wand that would make all of those in front of me simply disappear. But at this pace it appeared it would be at least another hour until I made my way to the table where she was seated.

I glanced down at the hardcover book I held in my hands and read the title, "The Moon Prince" by Antonio Campos. After several best-selling novels, it was certainly a shock when 'Antonio Campos' turned out to be a woman! I remember wondering what Antonio Campos looked like when I read the novel the first time and was surprised that the book jacket didn't include the customary picture of the author. I guess they were just saving the biggest surprise for later!

This bookstore had always been one of my favorites with separate areas cordoned off for special interests. There was an area toward the back with several small chairs where volunteers would sit and read stories to the children. Another area had several tables and chairs where you could purchase coffees or teas and spend time relaxing and reading.

It was this area that caught my attention as I glanced around the store. Seated at one of the tables was a young man who appeared to be staring in the direction of the book signing with total disdain. Not wanting to be obvious, I continued to look around the store but found my attention being drawn back to the coffee area and the handsome man seated there. I have to admit, his striking good looks were what originally caught my attention, however, I couldn't help but wonder what his interest was in the people gathered to meet the author.

Finally I was standing in front of the author and handing her my book to autograph. Signing quickly, she smiled as she pushed the book across the table towards me and turned her attention to the person standing in line behind me. Disappointed that she hadn't even taken the time to say a few words to me after all the time I had spent in line to meet her, I stepped away from the table and opened the book cover to read what she had written, "To my biggest fan, Antonio Campos". Not very original for a gifted author, I thought. She hadn't even signed her own name.

As I turned to leave the bookstore, I glanced once more to see if the young man was still seated at the table and found that he was staring directly at me. What was with this guy anyway? I decided to find out and strode across the bookstore stopping directly in front of his table.

"Apparently you are no fan of this author, so why are you even here?" I demanded.

Suddenly his head snapped up and our eyes locked as he sneered, "You think she is a good author? You are her 'biggest fan'? Well, her 'fans' would be amazed to know all that Marisa isn't telling them!"

With that he pushed back his chair and stood all in one motion catching me off guard as he made his way toward the door. Dodging the browsing customers, I finally caught up to him just outside the store and grabbed his sleeve.

"What did you mean in there? Everyone knows Antonio Campos is only a pen name and that Marisa is actually the author. What more do you think we don't know?"

"Do you have paper and a pen?" Nodding, I dug through my purse until I came up with a pen and an old deposit ticket which I handed to him. I watched as he wrote quickly and handed the pen and paper back to me.

"Here's my name and address. If you really want to know the truth about Marisa, come to this address tomorrow. But do not come before 2:00 in the afternoon. That's important - not before 2:00." And with that he turned and walked down the sidewalk, disappearing into one of the stationery stores down the street.

Unfolding the note, I read, "Antonio Lopez" and an address about five miles outside of town in an affluent subdivision. "I don't even know you, I'm sure I'm going to just waltz out to your house on some trumped up story you think you have to tell me," I thought to myself as I got into my car and headed home.

Once home I found I couldn't forget the look on Antonio's face as he watched the fans standing in line. It was a strange mixture of hurt and contempt. What could be the reason for such a strong reaction? "Guess I'll never know because I'll be damned if I'm going out to that guy's house tomorrow!" Having made up my mind I crawled into bed and opened up the latest Antonio Campos book I had purchased at the bookstore.

The next morning I was amazed to find that I was still wavering on whether to drive out to meet with this 'Antonio Lopez' or not. Each time I decided not to go, I couldn't help remembering the hurt in his eyes and wondering about the cause. So truthfully I guess I wasn't surprised when I found myself stopping my car in front of the address he had written down at precisely 2:00.

Just as I reached to ring the bell, the door was flung open to reveal him standing there dressed in a tank top, shorts and white athletic socks.

"I didn't think you would really show up! Come in, I was just getting ready to start my workout but that can wait."

Stepping into the foyer, I glanced around at the opulent furnishings. "You must do well at whatever it is that you do," I commented.

"This? This is not mine. The people who own this house have gone on holiday for the weekend. That is why I didn't want you to come until after 2:00," he said as he started toward the staircase. "Come, I live upstairs," and he reached down to take my hand, leading me up the steps like a child.

As we reached the top of the stairs we stepped into a large open room lit by several windows. As I looked around the room, I heard myself gasp as everything fell into place; the house, this room, Antonio, Marisa. It all made sense now. Over by the window was the large trunk they had used to hide Antonio from the movers. And there was the bar and exercise equipment. And the work desk.

All this time Antonio had remained silent, allowing me to discover the realities of the situation.

"It's true, isn't it? Everything that was in the movie, "La Mujer Feliz". It was all true! Marisa isn't Antonio Campos, you are! No wonder you looked so upset at the book signing! She has stolen everything from you, even your identity!"

Nodding sadly, he said, "Yes, yes, it's true. It wasn't always this way. In the beginning I think she really was trying to help me when she hid me from the police. But all of that changed when she found out I had been cleared and didn't tell me. She continued to lie to me about the books, the movie, everything! Now she has everything - the money, the fame, the lifestyle. And I have nothing except this room. No one even knows that I exist."

With that he walked over to the window by the work desk and, placing his hands high on the windowsill, he leaned to look out at the lush patio with its pool and cabanas.

My heart broke at that moment for all the hurt Marisa had caused him over the years, using him, then ignoring him and then coming to him again only when it appeared he could put her back into the limelight. Never once had she considered what she was doing to him. It simply wasn't fair! It was his talent that wrote the books! It was his heart that brought the stories to life!

Moving to stand behind him, I slowly wrapped my arms around his waist and was surprised when he didn't pull away. Looking under his arm toward the lawn below, I commented, "It's beautiful, isn't it?"

He straightened and turned to face me. "Yes it is. But even a gilded cage is nothing more than a prison."

Wrapping his arms around my shoulders he brought my head to his chest and tenderly kissed my hair. We stood that way for several minutes before I broke the embrace and tilted my head back to look into his face. Seeing my desire mirrored in the warmth of his amber eyes, I slowly moved to pull the tank top over his head and tossed it across the room, leaving little doubt as to what I wanted to happen next.

With our arms wrapped around each other, Antonio slowly lowered us to the floor and settled his weight on top of me. Supporting himself with one arm, he brought his lips to meet mine. I heard a low moan in my throat as his tongue began to tease my lips into opening to allow him access. As our tongues met and began their explorations, I felt Antonio's hand close over my breast. At the same time I could feel the proof of his desire as it pressed against my thigh. Miraculously our remaining clothes seemed to disappear as we used both hands and tongues in our quest to discover everything about each other. Feather-like kisses turned more insistent as the need to fulfill our yearning intensified.

Suddenly Antonio's hand settled at the very entrance to my womanhood and confirmed my readiness to accept him. "Are you sure?", he whispered. "Oh yes! Yes!", I moaned as I reached down to guide him. With one thrust Antonio quickly brought us together as one. Over and over he would quicken the pace, bringing us to the brink of ecstasy only to slow the rhythm, not allowing our pleasure to end too soon.

As he brought us once more to the pinnacle of desire, I heard myself moan, "Now, Antonio! Please!" and with one last thrust he sent us both spinning out of control as we met our glorious release together.

After several minutes Antonio rolled to one side, keeping me in his arms. As I settled my head on his chest in total contentment, I felt my body quiver with remembered pleasure. Mistaking this for a chill, Antonio reached toward the couch and brought down a blanket that lay folded there. Shaking it quickly with one hand he was able to cover us both and we quickly fell asleep with our arms and legs entwined in each other's.

It was already getting dark when I finally woke. Raising my head slightly I could see that Antonio was still fast asleep and I moved carefully to untangle our arms and legs without waking him. I spent several minutes standing there watching him sleep before finally reaching for my clothes.

Dressing quickly, I picked up my shoes and purse and knelt down beside Antonio once again. I could see that all of the stress and confusion that had been present in his face earlier was gone in sleep and he was, if possible, even more gorgeous. "This is the peace I want for you, Antonio," I thought, and leaned over to kiss his forehead as I pulled the blanket up to cover his arms and chest.

At the top of the steps I turned once more to survey the room, my eyes finally resting on Antonio once more.

"You have to make the decision, Antonio," I whispered quietly. "You don't need Marisa - you never have. But you also don't need me to push you in another direction. You have to make that decision for yourself." With shoes in hand, I silently walked down the steps and let myself out the front door.

Four years have passed since that day at Antonio's. I always remembered the time we spent together, not as a 'one night stand' but as the beginning of major changes in both of our lives. Four years and here I stand, once again, in line for a book signing at another bookstore in another town. I had arrived late this time, hoping to be one of the last fans in line to meet the author. In fact, I allowed several people to move in front of me until I was the very last person in line as the bookstore closed it's doors. I tightly gripped the newest book by the author and glanced down to read the title, "Knight Dreams" and the name of the author, Antonio Lopez.

Reaching the signing table at last, I silently handed the book to Antonio who took it without looking up. As he signed the inside cover, I stood silently, all memory of what I had planned to say gone. Handing the book back across the table, his eyes raised to meet mine and I saw the instant flash of recognition. Standing quickly he almost knocked over the chair as he moved around the table to stand in front of me.

"I can't believe it! I can't believe you are here!" Grabbing my hands as if he were afraid I might run off, he shook his head and stared into my eyes. "For four years I have hoped I would find you. I looked for you for months after that day we spent together but all I had was your first name! Do you know how many book signings I've done just because I thought maybe this would be the one you would come to? And now, here you are! We have so much to talk about! Where did you go that day? Why did you leave without waking me? Why didn't you contact me? Why . . ."

Placing a finger on his lips I stopped him in mid-sentence and smiled. Leading him over to the small coffee area, I waited until we were both seated before I spoke.

"Antonio, I left that day without waking you because I knew you had some big decisions to make in your life. You did not need another 'Marisa' in your life making those decisions for you and you didn't need another emotional involvement with anyone else until you figured out what direction you wanted to take your own life. It wasn't fair to you and it wouldn't have been fair to me. So I left knowing that way any changes you made in your life would be because they were what you wanted, not because you were influenced by either Marisa or me."

"But where did you go? Why couldn't I find you?", he stammered.

"I took some time off work and came here on an extended vacation. Eventually I decided that I liked the quiet in this small town so I quit my job back in the city and moved here permanently. You see, that day together four years ago brought changes into both of our lives! I'm very happy with the choices I've made and the life I've built for myself. And you, Antonio? I followed all of the news articles when it was revealed that Marisa was a fraud and when everyone learned that Antonio Campos was really Antonio Lopez. It was so exciting to see the rave reviews of your books and watch them climb one by one onto the best seller lists. I was so proud of you and all that you had accomplished! And your personal life, Antonio? I know you've never married - is there a girlfriend somewhere?"

"No, no girlfriend. That is one regret I have about what has happened in my life. Each time I meet someone, I can't help but wonder what it is they want from me, if it's the money or the fame or what else it could be. After Marisa I can't stand the thought of being used again. The last person I felt I could trust was you," he stated matter-of-factly, all the while staring into my eyes and holding my hands. "I regret that we didn't have more time together. I understand now why you left and, yes, you were probably right. At that point in my life I think I could easily have transferred my dependence from Marisa onto you and that wouldn't have been fair. But things have changed…", he started just as there was a burst of laughter from the play area.

Glancing to his right he watched the children wistfully as they listened to the woman seated in the center of the circle reading to them. "That is possibly one of my greatest regrets. To be married and have children was always one of my fondest dreams. Did you know that I was on my way home from Germany to get married and start a family when that woman got stabbed at the train station? That's when I met Marisa and all chance for having a family of my own seemed to disappear. What joy it must be to have a child of your own."

Suddenly the woman in the center of the circle closed the book and, smiling, shooed the children off to meet their parents. Watching them scurrying through the store, I looked at Antonio and said, "Excuse me for a minute. I'll be right back."

When I returned a few minutes later, Antonio looked quizzically from me to the small boy who held my hand tightly. As I brought him to stand in front of Antonio, I knelt beside him, brushed a stray curl from his forehead and said, "Tony, this is a good friend of mine that I want you to meet." Glancing up at the man standing there, I smiled at the look of realization on Antonio's face as he gazed down into the smiling amber eyes of his son.