The Fountains of Silence: A Novel

Puri takes time to play with the older children who have less chance of being adopted. She overhears Sister Hortensia talking to a couple; the woman is pregnant, and Puri hears the husband say that his wife has grown tired of wearing a pillow over her stomach. He demands a newborn rather than Clover, who is too large, and reminds Sister Hortensia that they’re paying a significant amount of money to adopt. Puri, however, is not alarmed; the nun told her that some women feel ashamed that they cannot conceive, so they fake a pregnancy and then adopt. Sister Hortensia also reminded Puri that it “is a sin to reveal someone else’s secret” (148).

Puri is glad the couple did not want Clover, as Puri does not like the father’s discussion of money. Puri wishes a matador would “adopt the child. A notable Spanish family adopting an orphan would be incredibly touching” (149). This reminds her of the dream she had the night before of a tall matador in a sapphire suit. The man was not a matador, but Daniel.

When Daniel tries to speak to his father about the telegram, his father misunderstands and thinks Daniel wants to discuss his break-up with Laura Beth. He reassures Daniel that Laura Beth will change her mind.

Daniel’s father then reveals that he and Daniel’s mother “have had a bit of a tough time lately” and asks Daniel to give his mother “a little extra room if [he] can” (151). Daniel is more confused than ever, but he realizes now is not the time to tell his father he read the telegram.

Daniel and his parents attend a fashion show at the embassy. Daniel wonders if the beautiful women at the event are truly happy, and he feels thankful for his mother, who maintains Spanish customs at home even though that puts her at odds with Dallas society.

Daniel is entranced by the model in the pink dress and wishes he could “photograph the subtle curve and gentle hollow” of her back; she “glows, as if lit from within. Her black hair is swept away from her face, with a few spiraling pieces left to framer her high cheeks, dark eyes, and full mouth” (155). When the woman walks down the center aisle, he realizes it is Ana.

Nick and Daniel congratulate Ana, and then Nick’s father approaches them with a few people, telling them that Ana, “this showstopper, she’s just a maid at the Hilton, can you believe that?” (156). Both Ana and Daniel are embarrassed, but Nick is furious and calls him “an ass.”

Daniel apologizes to Ana for upsetting her earlier, before Shep and his parents interrupt again. Daniel is embarrassed that his mother doesn’t recognize Ana.

Ana finds another note in her purse and ignores it, just as she ignored her sister’s warnings. She “does not regret the evening” and allows herself to enjoy the memory of the “beautiful dress” and speaking to “a handsome boy alone in a courtyard” (159). She cannot even tell Julia about her evening, as much as she wants to, and has the embassy driver drop her off far from her home so as not to arouse suspicion. The note says “[t]his will be the end of you” (160), and Ana tears it to pieces, crying.

Daniel asks Nick if he and Ana are involved, and Nick says no. Nick tells Daniel to go to Ana’s house. He says that she lives in a unique part of Madrid and that she’d love Daniel to visit.

Later, as Dan is about to leave the nightclub, Ben stops him, and tells him that Nick needs his help. Behind the hotel, in an alley, Nick “writhes on the cobbled ground while two men hover above kicking and punching” (164). Daniel tries to get the men to leave Nick alone, but one of them calls Daniel a nendaza, a sissy. Seeing red, Daniel finally puts his boxing lessons—the ones his father forced him take—to good use. 

At the hospital, Shep wakes Daniel from a dream about Ana. He tells Daniel that Nick will be fine and expresses his gratitude for Daniel’s assistance. Daniel envies Nick and Shep’s relationship, despite the tension between them. Daniel thinks, “Shep seems reasonable and would probably pay for J-school or any school Nick wanted” (167). He then snaps a picture of Nick’s battered face.

Back at the hotel, Carlitos asks Daniel about the fight. Daniel realizes that the story has already spread, and he “dreads his father’s reaction” (167). In his room, he finds a note from his father, who knows about the fight but doesn’t seem angry; he says they will keep the information from Daniel’s mother. He also tells Daniel that he and his mother will be traveling to Toledo later that afternoon.

Daniel is happier to see a newspaper, “strategically folded and propped next to the coffeepot” (168), displaying a photograph from the fashion show the night before of Daniel, Nick, and Ana.