by P. Macias
“Si, primo, estas loco (you’re crazy),” says Christian, furiously. “Never have we not been there for each other, que te pasa (what’s wrong with you)?”
“Primo, react and think. We only want you feliz,” says Alex, shaking his head.
“Tony, you’re not thinking,” says Javier in a low growl, furious with how unusual he’s acting.
Tony hears them and feels like hell. “Ayuda my (help me),” says Tony, through clenched teeth.
Los primos look at each other, shaking their heads. Jose Enrique looks at Tony’s face, recognizing the anger and pain.
“Hermano, you need to listen to reason. You’re a grown hombre and not a niño. You need to stop being stubborn,” says Ricky, anxiously. He fears for his hermano.
Tony hears them, but doesn’t care. “Si, I will wait until manana,” says Tony. He smiles at them in agreement.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Jessy turns to look at Monique and Veronica to tell them the news. “It was my Amor. He’s at the hospital with Tony. Tony was beaten up and is unconscious. It appears he has a mild traumatic brain injury, M.T.B.I.” says Jessy, looking at las primas. “We need to pray that he wakes up.”
“Oh, dios mio!” says Monique, with concern. “We need to tell Cynthia.”
“Si, we do,” says Veronica, looking at Monique and Jessy. “We need to pray that my hermano wakes because he can fall into a deep coma. Jessy, I need to go to the hospital and be there for my familia.”
“Oh, dios mio, of course you need to go,” replies Jessy, hearing the possibilities and praying that Tony wakes up. “How can we tell Cynthia?”
“I can visit her and tell her,” replies Monique, looking at Jessy. I pray that she will be okay if I go now, thinks Monique.
“Si, Monique, I think you should go now and tell her what’s happening,” replies Jessy, nodding.
“Okay, Jessy, I’ll go now,” replies Monique, smiling, thankful that Jessy thinks the same way.
“Prima, make sure to let us know what’s happening with Cynthia,” says Veronica. “I will call you if there is any news on Tony’s condition.”
“Si, I will, I will return in a couple of hours,” says Monique, smiling.
I need to get to Cynthia and tell her about Tony. I know she will be devastated. This is surreal. I hope Cynthia can leave her casa, ponders Monique.
Monique arrives at Cynthia’s casa. She knocks at the door, praying that her padres still don’t know about her marriage to Christian.
Cynthia’s Mama Melba opens the door. “Mi hija,” says Mama Melba, smiling. “Cynthia is in her room. She’s not feeling well.”
“Oh señora, I hope she starts to feel better,” says Monique, smiling. What’s up, thinks Monique. “I will go to her room.”
“Si, my hija,” replies Mama Melba, going to the kitchen to start lunch.
Monique knocks on Cynthia’s bedroom door. She hears Cynthia unlock it. Hmmm, I wonder why she locked the door, ponders Monique.
“Amiga, come in,” says Cynthia, looking down the hall. She closes the door and locks it.
“What’s up?” asks Monique, wondering why she’s acting like that.
“Amiga, I’m locking myself in my room because I don’t want to look or talk to my padre,” says Cynthia, with anger. “He will not allow me to leave the casa and I need to see Tony.”
“Amiga, that’s why I’m here to tell you that Tony is sick in the hospital. He’s hurt. Jessy got a call from Jose Enrique this morning. Tony was found on the street this morning and he was beaten up badly. Tony has a concussion and is unconscious. He has a mild traumatic brain injury, M.T.B.I.,” says Monique, watching as Cynthia grows pale and starts fainting.
“Cynthia!” yells Monique, pushing Cynthia onto the bed before she faints. What should I do? Monique goes to the restroom. She looks for some alcohol to have her smell. She returns with a bottle of alcohol and moves it under Cynthia nose.
Cynthia opens her eyes. She looks at Monique. She starts to cry. “My Baby is hurt. I need to go to him. I need to escape,” says Cynthia, with desperation, anger, and fear. “What if he gets worse?”
“Amiga, you need to calm down. We need to pray that he wakes up. Tony needs to wake up or he will be in a coma. Then we will not know when he will wake up. The longer he’s unconscious, the longer his rehabilitation will take,” says Monique.
“Amiga, I will try to leave now and if I cannot leave I will escape,” says Cynthia, thinking of how to get out. “What did my Mama tell you?”
“Your mama says that you’re sick,” says Monique, looking at Cynthia. “You look fine.”
“Si, amiga, I’m fine. I think that’s what they are telling mis hermanos,” says Cynthia. “How did Tony get hurt?”
“Cynthia, we’re almost certain that it was your padre’s guards,” says Monique, looking at her amiga get paler.
Cynthia stands and starts to pace, thinking of how to get out. “I will try to leave after you leave. I don’t know if I will be allowed to leave. I will find a way to escape, even if it takes me hours. I need to be with Tony,” says Cynthia, wiping her tears off her face looking at Monique. “Please tell Tony I will be there soon.”
“Si, I will go to see him at the hospital,” replies Monique, looking at her amiga. “Try to stay calm. Try to escape in the safest possible way.”
“Si, amiga, I will,” replies Cynthia, smiling.
“Okay, I’ll see you later. If you’re not out by manana in the morning, I will return to visit you,” says Monique, smiling at her.
“Okay, amiga and gracias,” says Cynthia, looking at her amiga. “We’re familia now.”
“Si, we’re primas,” says Monique, smiling. “Adios, Cynthia, I will see you later.” Monique leaves Cynthia’s room, walking down the hall towards the door.
“Adios,” says Mama Melba, smiling at Monique.
Monique returns to the office. She calls Veronica to advise her that Cynthia was well, but was still locked up in her casa.
“Vero, Cynthia is still locked up by her padres. She wants you to tell Tony that she will be with him as soon as she can escape,” says Monique, looking at Jessy walk into the office. “She fainted when I told her the news. She loves Tony.”
“Si, I know, we all know it. We saw it in her eyes on Friday,” replies Vero, nodding. “They’re both in love.”
“Si, Vero, they’re both in love,” replies Monique, contemplating the design on the table.
“Oh, Dios mio, I hope everything will work out. We need to pray that Tony wakes up,” replies Veronica, walking down the hall. “I’m going into his room now. Talk to you later.”
“Si, adios,” replies Monique, looking at Jessy. “What do you think?”
“I know that they’re in love and I also know that something is keeping them apart. We need to pray for Tony,” replies Jessy, looking at Monique.
Jose Enrique walks out of the hospital. He calls Jessy to get Cynthia’s address from Monique.
“My amor, I need you to please get Monique to give me Cynthia’s address. I’m going to get her out of her casa,” says Jose Enrique, with anger and frustration.
“Si, my Vida,” replies Jessy, looking at Monique. “Give me a minute.”
“Monique, can you please give me Cynthia’s address. Jose Enrique wants to go and get her,” says Jessy, looking at Monique nod.
“Si,” replies Monique. She quickly writes down the address. “Here.”
“Okay, my Vida, it’s 10140 Sea Shore Drive,” says Jessy, looking at Monique smile. “I will pray that you’re successful.”
“Gracias my amor,” replies Jose Enrique, smiling, sending her a beso.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Today is the double wedding of Christian’s hermana Erica and his primo, Ricardo. Christian is talking to his hermanos, Nicolas and Alex.
“Damn, hermano, you pulled a fast one,” says Nicolas, laughing at Christian. “I thought that I had all of you locos beat.”
&nb
sp; “I still think that you were the sneakiest of all. You played us all for how long? Yeah, years,” says Christian, laughing at Nicolas.
“Well, I bet that Alex will beat us all. He never talks about anything about any mujer. I know he’s messing with someone. He’s always gone,” says Christian, laughing. He turns to look at Nicolas smile.
“Yeah, I have been meaning to talk to him about this,” says Nicolas.
“Nick, have you noticed that he’s never en casa. My mama wants to know what Alex is up to,” says Christian.
“Yeah, I noticed, but you know that I have been busy with all of my issues. Daniella and I are finally good. I have to talk to Alex,” says Nick, nodding.
“Baby, hold Angel Nicolas. I need to go to our room,” says Daniella, giving him a beso.
“Si, my amor,” answers Nicolas, grinning. He takes Angel Nicolas into his arms.
“Wow, Nick, Angel Nicolas is totally you,” says Christian, laughing. “We never noticed.”
“Si, my bebe is identical to me,” says Nicolas, smiling, hugging the bebe closer.
Erica and Bella walk into the sala and the entire familia is waiting for them.
“My hijo, do you know if Alex is running late,” asks his Mama Maria, fixing Erica’s veil.
“No, mama,” replies Nicolas, turning to look at Christian.
Christian pulls out his cell to call him. Hmmm he doesn’t answer. Maybe he’s delayed at work, thinks Christian.
“Mama, Alex doesn’t answer. Maybe he’s at work,” says Christian, looking at his padres.
“Okay my hijo, maybe he’ll meet us at the chapel,” replies his Papa Jose Arturo, walking towards Erica.
“My hija, your mama and I are muy feliz. We know that you are going to have a wonderful esposo. I know both of you are in love and I know that it’s a true love. Que dios los Bendiga siempre (god bless you always),” says Papa Jose Arturo, giving Érica his bendicion.
“Gracias, Papa,” responds Erica, trying not to cry and ruin her makeup, hugging her padre with lots of amor.
Erica turns to her mama and hugs her close. “I love you, mama,” says Erica.
“My hija, I love you and I know that Gabriel is un gran hombre. Dios los bendiga siempre,” says Mama Maria, hugging her little niña.
“Gracias,” replies Erica, hugging her mama with all of her corazon.
“It’s time to leave. It’s getting late and Gabriel is calling me,” says Christian, with an evil glint in his eyes. “Erica, I’m telling him that you changed your mind.”
“Christian, you best not!” screams Erica, getting hysterical. “I’ll get you, Christian.”
“Si, Gabriel, we are on our way,” says Christian, grinning, looking at Erica’s relief on her hermosa face. “Are you sure you want to marry Erica?”
“Mama!” yells Erica, with frustration, wanting to hit her hermano on the head.
“My hijo,” scolds Mama Maria, shaking her head at Christian. He will always torment his hermanas.
“Just kidding, Gabriel,” says Christian, laughing, walking out of the casa with Monique at his side.
“Baby, you’re being mean,” says Monique, shaking her head.
“I’m just playing,” responds Christian, taking Monique to his carro, assists her into the seat.
The limo is waiting for la familia. “Let me help you mi hija,” says her Papa Jose Arturo, feliz that his niña is getting married.
They arrive at the chapel and exit the limo. Gabriel is at the front of the doors with his familia, waiting.
Damn, this is worse than going on a mission, thinks Gabriel. Finally my Baby is here. Now I can start to relax. Christian was just messing with me. Damn!
“Mi hijo, Erica has arrived,” says his papa looking at Erica exit the limo.
The priest meets them outside and asks the wedding party to get ready to start the ceremony.
Chapter Thirty-Four
“I wonder where Alex is, ponders Mama Maria, with concern. She turns to look at her esposo and knows that he is also concerned. This is not right. Thank you, dios mio, the wedding ceremony is finally over. She smiles at the couples, observing the couples start to walk down the aisle.
They then go down the aisle after them and out of the church. Mama Maria turns to her esposo when the cell phone rings.
“Hola,” says Papa Jose Arturo, looking at his esposa.
“Hi, is this Mr. De La Cruz?” asks the Medical Assistant on the phone.
“Yes,” replies Papa Jose Arturo, getting nervous. “Who is it?”
“Mr. De La Cruz, I’m calling from the ER. I’m sad to inform you that Dr. De La Cruz has been in a car accident and is hurt,” says the Medical Assistant with some empathy.
“Oh, dios mio, we will be there in a few,” says Papa Jose Arturo, looking at his esposa. “Maria, Alex was in a car accident and is in the ER, hurt.”
“No!” yells Mama Maria, trying not to faint. “Oh, dios mio, please take care of Alex, mi niño!”
“Calamate, Maria,” says Papa Jose Arturo. “We need to go to Alex.”
“Si,” replies Mama Maria, sitting down on a bench and looks around. “Oh, dios mio, what are we going to do about the wedding?” The familia will just have to continue without us, thinks Mama Maria in anguish.
“Jose Arturo, you need to go and tell la familia. Tell them to go on ahead to the reception,” says Mama Maria, wiping her tears with some tissue.
“Si, mujer,” says Papa Jose Arturo, walking over to his hija and sobrino. They look so happy and I’m truly feliz for them. I still need to be with Alex, thinks Papa Jose Arturo.
“Mis hijos, Alex has been in a car accident. He’s in the ER, hurt. Maria and I will be going to him. Please continue with your reception. We will keep in contact,” says Papa Jose Arturo, trying to keep the tears at bay.
“Papa!” cries Erica, going to her padre with a torn heart. “I want you to go to Alex. We will be okay. I will tell everybody. We will be there later.”
“Si tios, we will be okay. We will all be there in a little while,” says Ricky, nodding. He looks around at la familia as they start to learn of accident.
“We’re coming with you,” says Christian, looking at Monique and la familia.
“Si, we think that’s a good idea,” says Jose Enrique, looking at la familia. “We will be showing up later.”
“Si, tio,” agrees Ricky turning to look at Jacki, nodding.
“Okay, mis hijos, try to enjoy your day,” says Papa Jose Arturo, looking at his hermanos. “Take care of our hijos.”
His hermanos nod in agreement. “Si, hermano, go to Alex. We will be praying for his recovery,” says his hermano Francisco, going to give him a hug.
“Papa, we’ll be there later. Danni and I will be taking care of the guests,” says Nick, giving his mama a hug. “I will pray for my hermano.”
“Gracias, mi hijo,” replies Mama Maria, giving Nick and Danni a hug.
La familia De La Cruz is devastated with the news of Alex’s car accident. La familia emotional state is low. The concern for Alex’s condition is overpowering the party mood.
Alex’s padres, Christian, and Monique immediately go to the ER to search for Alex. They were able to go into the room. “Mi hijo!” cries out Mama Maria, going to inspect Alex.
“I will see if I can get the doctor to talk to us,” says Christian, leaving to talk to the medical assistant.
He approaches the medical assistant and asks for the doctor. “Excuse me, I’m Dr. De La Cruz’s brother and we would like to speak to the doctor attending him,” says Christian, smiling, flashing his dimples.
The medical assistant, Ms. Adkins, looks at Christian admiring how gorgeous Dr. De La Cruz’s brother is. “Yes Mr. De La Cruz, I will call him,” replies the medical assistant, Ms. Adkins, smiling. She walks anxiously, looking for the doctor.
“Dr. Petersen, Dr. De La Cruz’s family is here and requests to speak to you,” says Ms. Adkins, smiling.
“I’ll be rig
ht there,” replies Dr. Petersen, reviewing Alex’s chart.
“I will inform them,” says the medical assistant, Ms. Adkins, nodding.
Dr. Petersen goes into the ER room where Dr. De La Cruz is. He’s a little sad on the news he has to tell his family.
“Mr. De La Cruz,” says Dr. Petersen. He realizes that several members are also waiting for the news. “I’m Dr. Petersen and I have been attending Dr. De La Cruz. Dr. De La Cruz’s vitals are now stable. He has a mild concussion, several broken ribs, and mild internal trauma to some organs. We believe that he will return to consciousness because he’s responding to stimuli. He was awake when the paramedics were attending him.”
“Dr. Petersen, my son will be okay? He will regain consciousness? The internal organs will heal?” asks Papa Jose Arturo, looking at his son.
We need to pray for mi hijo and I know that dios will heal him, thinks Papa Jose Arturo, with faith.
“Yes, Mr. De La Cruz. We have every reason to believe that Dr. De La Cruz will regain consciousness when his body is ready,” replies Dr. Petersen, nodding. “We will keep Dr. De La Cruz in the ER until he does. Then we will transfer him to a regular room for some additional observations.”
“Gracias, Dios Mio!” cries out Mama Maria, stroking her hijo’s cheek. “Mi hijo, you need to wake up!”
“Thank you, Dr. Petersen,” says Christian. He observes his padre walk towards his Mama Maria to give her some support.
“You’re welcome,” says Dr. Petersen with some compassion when he sees Dr. De La Cruz family’s pain. “Excuse me. I will be back in a few.”
Christian turns and pulls Monique into his arms. He buries his face in her hair. He tries to control his pain and tears.
“Baby, we need to pray, let’s go to the chapel,” says Monique, rubbing Christian’s back.
They go to the chapel to pray for Alex’s quick recovery and also light a candle.
Alex’s padres try to get him to regain consciousness by talking to him, describing the wedding ceremony, and how feliz the familia is. They also tell him about his familia’s love and prayers.