Two adolescents joined them. The boy bounced a basketball, oblivious to the vista. The girl leaned against the car, gyrating to head-phones. I moved to the edge of the property for a better look. House hunters, I presumed; the Project, gentrified now, was crawling with them. But when returning to the car, the man glanced my way. There was no mistaking that stain. It covered one eye like a splotch of paint. He seemed to recognize me, although I can’t be certain. He appeared to nod his head, but that also might be interpretation. I could have made some calls and verified his identity, but I didn’t. I preferred to believe it was him. Returning to a place that had meant something once. Because it’s what I did. It’s who I had become.
That was just like Infante, to find a way to turn the tables. So I was being accused of insensitivity, failing to honour the memory of my slain friend. “Exactly what I was trying to do when you interrupted me, Infante,” answered Losada. “It is not the place of Friar Salvador to decide the security of this city,” Infante said. “That is my job. I am sure, Friar, you would take equal offence if I was to start leading us in prayer.” There was a good deal of chortling at this remark. I was appalled by Losada’s lack of control. What was going on? Why did Losada accept such a tone from his subordinate? “Friar Salvador, please tell us why are you so sure they are seeking peace and not our demise?” Losada said. “I told you. Their morale has been shattered. I can assure you they are convinced they cannot win. They want to secure the survival of their people. Some have opted for peace. Others are staying away.” “Where? Away where?” “I told you I didn’t come here to lead you to their villages. I couldn’t if I wanted to. I don’t know where they are.” “But you know their language, I presume,” Infante intervened. “I do.” “I, in the captain’s boots,” Infante said, turning to the others, “would interrogate the caciques with Friar Salvador’s aid to secure the safety of the people in the city.” A murmur of approval spread among the onlookers. “I will do as I must, don Infante,” answered Losada, indicating his leniency for insubordination still had its limits. I didn’t like Infante’s obsequious tone or Losada’s conciliation to it. There was something going on between the two. “We are sure you will, don Diego,” Infante conceded. “Our lives are in your hands.” Infante bowed and the others followed. It was mockery rather than respect. This bode ill. I left Losada disappointed and afraid. Not one day among the Spaniards, and already I smelled unshed blood.
Leader from Western Libya In general, Alexandria liked the Prince from Western Libya Aristomenis, the son of Menelaos, who stayed there for ten days. Like his name, his attire is fittingly Greek. He gladly accepted the honours, but he did not seek them; he was modest. He bought Greek books, mainly historical and philosophical. Above all, he was a man of few words. He was profound in his thoughts, people said, and for such men, it is natural not to talk a lot. But he was neither deep in his thoughts nor anything else. Just an ordinary, funny man. He took a Greek name, dressed like the Greeks, he learned how to behave like a Greek, more or less, and his soul trembled as if he would to ruin the somewhat good impression he made by speaking Greek with a few barbarisms, and the Alexandrians would make fun of him, as it is their habit, those awful people. For this reason, he restricted himself to a few words, being careful with the conjunctions and pronunciation, and he was so terribly bored having all those unspoken words piled up inside him.
Letter Thought of writing you a letter to say that I loved you but soon I recalled people don’t write letters anymore and grabbing the mobile phone I texted that I wanted to see your playful eyes when you turned on your phone and you appeared on the screen with your laughing eyes and you laughed, and laughed and said that I was a student of the old school and I agreed and sent a kiss to you from the other side of the planet
Manolis Aligizakis 