Chapter 4: Leaving

                                    

                                          
Over the course of the next 2 months since their last encounter, Rafael and Julie talked occasionally, mostly about random themes, music, food, places in New York... It was easy talking to her, she usually had a fun story to tell, or something new that she learned during the day. Barba quickly realized that Julieta was a very intelligent woman. Despite his initial doubts, Rafael tried his best to not let Julie be the only one initiating the conversation, after all, he was the one who sent the first text. 
The text exchange wasn't daily, if you were thinking it was like that. Usually two or three texts a week. The last one was a voice message, where Julie happily told him that her latest manuscript had been accepted, and that the corresponding article was going to be published next Friday. Barba smiled as he listened to his friend (are they friends now?) telling him about the abstract and that she found an amazing program to create illustrations for her methodology. Meanwhile, he was closing his suitcase, making sure he didn't forget anything. 
Iowa. 
He got the call about a week ago. There was an alleged election fraud and needed "the best of the best". He accepted mainly because, when could he brag again that Calhoun called him like that and recommended him?, but also because he needed to change his scenery. New York was becoming too familiar, but not in a good way. 
He called his mother to let her know. He also tried to call Liv, but she never answered. Her nanny told him that work has been specially though these days. He made a mental note to call her once he was installed, her birthday was coming up anyways. Then there was Julie. They hadn't seen each other in months, but she managed to become a part of his life that Barba didn't know he needed. More often than not, he found himself noticing small details that Julie had made him notice. He started listening again to his old records, the ones he heard with his abuelita, the ones that his father didn't manage to break as a punishment. 

There was a part of him that has always resented his Latino side; that name and that last name closed many doors for him and made him visible, not in the way he wanted. But seeing Julie's strong community ties, her pride, and the fact that she still lived in Washington Heights with her pueblo, inspired him to start digging into that side of his life with other eyes. 

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The call took her by surprise. It was late, and she was preparing to go to "La Bamba", a Latino-inspired outdoor restaurant whose main attraction was the dance floor and the drinks. Julie loved to dance: alone, with her girlfriends, with a partner... it didn't matter. Not that she had good luck with the later, it has been a while, much to the disdain of her mother. 
'Hey you! How are you?'
'Better, thanks, and you?'
'Glad to hear that, I'm great.'
'I'm sorry to be calling this late, but I needed to let you know.'
'Everything alright?'
'Yes, yes... I'm... I'm moving to Iowa.'
Julie's stomach sank.
'Oh...'
'I was asked to work on an election fraud case for a couple of months.'
Silence on the other side of the line. 
'Thanks for telling me, I'll try to text you earlier since we are gonna be one hour apart. And well... this is going to sound crazy, but I was just heading out to La Bamba, the restaurant that I told you about, do you want to come? The music is great, also the drinks, and I love to dance there... but you don't have to, though. Just a small goodbye and a celebration for your new job.'
'I'd love that.'