Summary

The neighbors were unsure how the widow and Andrés met. According to rumor, “it happened through mutual relations from the capital” (69). Andrés was from New York. His “brambly, chaotic Spanish” seemed to charm the widow (69). The neighbors studied the new couple’s outfits when they went out on their first date. They came home late. The widow’s laugh rang through the building. The following day, Andrés sent her flowers. She put them in her sewing room (69).

Over the following weeks, Andrés played guitar and wrote poetry for the widow (69). She shared some of the poems with Gladys.

Like the widow, Andrés was 30. Unlike her, he “was boyish and relaxed” (69). After observing his behaviors, the neighbors decided they liked him.

When they heard Andrés had “proposed to her,” the neighbors were glad she was “on the right...