by Angel Cole
"Well, every idea starts as a dream, right?" Sherry added. The women all nodded in silent agreement.
Nicki continued her thoughts, "Campaign contributions are great tax deductions I think, so Brandon should love that. Just tell us when you are ready, and we can sit down to talk business and strategy."
After a small silence, Dani cleared her throat, and asked apologetically “I’m sorry to be the killjoy here but what makes you think anybody’s going to vote for the gunslinging señorita who shot someone dead at the age of ten and got off scot-free?”
Before Carmen could respond, Nicki angrily jumped to her defense, “Dani, what the fuck? Carmen’s had your back a million times. And you’re going to step on her dreams like that?”
Nicki’s face took on an unintentionally attractive blush, while her fist clenched in her lap, and her hazel green eyes threw daggers of anger at Dani.
Sherry chimed in, “I’m sorry to say, but I agree with Dani.”
Nicki’s head whipped in the direction of the other woman. Nicki redirected her venomous glare towards Sherry while raising her hand to block her friends’ words, “And you, don’t even get me started with you, Sherry!”
Sherry raised an arched eyebrow at Nicki. “What does that mean Nicki? Is there something you’d like to share?” Nicki crossed her arms and slouched back against the pillows of her lounge chair; lips sealed in a thin tight line.
Sherry calmly continued, “Besides this isn’t about Dani or me or even you Nicki. It’s about Carmen and the realities of what can and will come up when this little Latin woman attempts to run for a public office on the finance committee. She’d be making decisions about money, not parking meters. There’s going to be a lot of folks that won’t want to see that happen. You see the passions running high just amongst family? Now take a bunch of folks who don’t know Carmen and multiply this reaction by a thousand.”
Dani finished the thought with her cryptic humor. “And as we start our campaign we already got one hell of a race on our hands, ladies, and gentlemen. Packed with drama, mystery and intrigue!” She laughed and covered her mouth with her hands, “I’m sorry, but this is my kind of excitement!”
Nicki spoke up again, “That’s not funny, Dani! This is serious!”
“Exactly!” Sherry loudly clapped her hands in time with her words to emphasize her point. “And,” Sherry continued, “in politics, everyone associated with the candidate is a target. Y’all ready to be media targets?”
“Shit yes! Bring it on baby!” Dani punched the air with two fists in front of herself, exuberantly laughing.
Nicki rolled her eyes in annoyance, “You’re so weird girl.”
Carmen had been listening quietly to her friend’s exchange, her head lowered, and her hands clasped in front of her, forearms resting on her knees. Slowly she spoke, “You all could get caught up in my past bullshit.” Carmen rested her chin in her palms and sighed, “I hadn’t thought about you all being affected. Only Anthony and me. We knew we could manage it. We felt we could insulate the kids. But we never thought about anyone else being hurt.” Carmen trailed off
Nicki spoke up again, ”I’m not worried about me. I’m self-employed. And Brandon’s career is going really well. So, you still have my support.”
“Yes girl, nothing has changed for me either.” Dani agreed. “And besides being an ass on the court, Trey’s got a pretty solid public personality. I dare people to drop shit at my front door, y’all know I don’t play that. Try me. And don’t mess with my babies!” Dani spoke with bravado.
All the girls looked to Sherry, “What?” She looked back, “I was just playing devils, advocate. I’m in this with you girl.” She got up and walked over to her friend, gathering her in a solid hug. “I always was!”
Carmen’s eyes watered at the unconditional support her friends were offering without hesitance. “I really can’t thank you all enough for your support,” she said earnestly. “And for not laughing at me for wanting to go back to school at this age, with a husband, three babies, a home and a business to manage.”
Dani chimed in, “Of course girl. We’ve always got your back and each other. Nothing is too crazy, far-fetched, or impossible with our group!”
Sherry and Nicki nodded in agreement.
Reaching over to touch the top of Dani’s hand in appreciation, Carmen continued her thoughts, “It’s going to be a minute before we put everything in motion, but I just wanted to give you all a heads up. The kids are still so small, and I know I can’t take any more time away from them right now. By the time everyone is in school, we should be ready to move forward, I think.”
They all agreed and moved on to lighter topics after that. The next day, the women decided to watch over the kids so that their moms could have their moms' trip together.
In Carmen’s opinion, it was the best Girlz meeting they had ever had. Carmen finally felt like she and her friends were on the mend. This was one of the closest she had felt to Dani, Nicki and Sherry since they were in high school and she was grateful. She returned home happy and content, knowing that her girls had her back.
The more time she had spent volunteering on the city council the more passionate Carmen had become that her community have a say in where the monies in the city were being allocated. She wanted to ensure that the lower income communities were getting their fair share. She never believed all those years ago that Anthony would have been able to pique her interest in politics. He had promised to teach her everything he knew regarding the political and financial inner workings of their community, but also about the importance of her becoming an informed homeowner, business owner and parent to children who would be attending that community’s schools. To her surprise she had found that she wanted to become an integral part of that political structure. As she watched her children grow, it had become critical that her community was fairly represented and that their voices were being heard. The girls trip ended with her being more relaxed than she had been in years, and with a clear focus on her goals. Once she returned home, she and Anthony began to work on their five-year plan.
CHAPTER 14
5 Years Later
“Carmen Maria Vasquez Mendez, Masters of Business Administration!”
Carmen’s heart was filled with pride at her accomplishment as she approached the podium after the Dean’s amplified voice had called her name, echoing throughout the auditorium. She approached the stage, cap tilted slightly askew on her head, with her long, straight black hair flowing behind her. She reached up to settle the cap atop her head as she glanced down and maneuvered the steps, gathering her gown to prevent tripping. She approached the Dean of the school’s outstretched right hand, extending her own in the timeless congratulatory handshake given to all new graduates, while simultaneously reaching for her diploma with her free hand. It was the proudest academic achievement of her life.
She could hear her kids voices distinctly in the crowd, “Mommy! Mommy, we love you!” She resisted the urge to laugh aloud at the excitement in their voices as she excepted her diploma.
“Way to go, baby!” Carmen’s eyes searched the crowd for the owner of that voice that she would recognize anywhere as she turned to exit the stage. She spotted her husband standing not too far away in the stands of the auditorium. He had Mia in his arms, pointing out her mother to her and his face filled with pride for his wife. Beside him were her mother and Father Joseph and behind them were Dani, Nicki, and Sherry.
After she was hooded and the ceremony finished, she stood in her mother’s arms who had tears streaking down her face.
“¡Te quiero hija mia!” ‘I love you, my daughter!’ Theresa whispered to her daughter as she held her tight. “¡Felicidades Carmenita, tu padre y abuelo estaría orgulloso!” ‘Congratulations Carmenita, your father and grandfather would be proud!’
With those sweet words, Theresa let Carmen go to spend time with her friends. They went to their favorite diner as kids, sitting in the same booth, with its now worn lea
ther seating, like they had done fifteen years ago after their high school graduation.
“So,” Nicki started in a teasing voice. “What are we all going to do with the rest of our lives?” she asked, mimicking the question she had asked them in this same booth so many years ago when they had just started their journeys as adults.
They had separated after that for a while but, here they were, together again. The girls all laughed at Nicki’s question, filled with nostalgia. They knew that this time, the question was directed only at Carmen.
Carmen took a deep breath before answering. “I’m ready to run for city council,” she told them. “Officially, this time. No more volunteering.”
“That is great, girl,” Dani said to her. “You own a business; a home and your kids go to school in the district. Of course, you would want to get involved and impact change. As I said before, you have my support, and if I could, I’d vote for you.”
Nicki added, “Yeah, same here. Brandon and I talked when you first told us your plan; we’re on board. He thinks you’d be amazing at anything you chose to do. You’ve always been a favorite of his.”
"Yes, as opposed to the rest of us, who he just tolerates!" Dani jokingly interjected.
Nicki sent an exaggerated glare Dani's way, "Hush! I'm completely serious here!" Turning her attention back to Carmen, Nicki lightly touched Carmen's hand, "This community needs someone with your sincere commitment to making things better. You are exactly what the people need on the council," Nicki ended.
The group sat in a silent contemplative agreement for a moment until Sherry cleared her throat to cover her emotions, adding her words of encouragement, "You have always got my support, girl," Sherry said. "Of course, you know, I still have a lot of family in this neighborhood; a couple of cousins with kids, a few uncles, and aunts. I will let them know you are running; maybe they can help volunteer for your campaign.”
Carmen had not known it then, but she was pregnant with her fourth child, which altered her political aspirations a little while longer. She had to put her bid for a seat on the council on hold, but she and Anthony used the time to enjoy the new baby and to continue developing Carmen’s campaign for office. With the support of her mother and sisters, they put in more effort to gather additional supporters for Carmen from their district.
And although their fourth child was an unplanned addition to the family, they were overjoyed with his birth. Carmen enjoyed this pregnancy and found it was her easiest one. Eight months later, the couple brought home their son, Marco Alberto Mendez, a healthy baby boy. Carmen too was healthy after the delivery and did not suffer any relapses of depression. She and Anthony agreed that they wanted Marco to be their last child, and after deep consideration and based on Carmen’s past medical history, three months after the birth of their son, Carmen had the surgery to make that happen.
CHAPTER 15
The ringing of the phone startled Carmen, who was home with all four kids that day. Fortunately, she had Lydia, her oldest who was able to help her with the baby and keep an eye on Mia and Anthony Jr.; Carmen was in the kitchen preparing dinner when she received the first call. She immediately knew something was wrong when she saw Brandon's name come up on caller ID, Brandon was Nicki's husband and a Cardiologist at one of the larger hospitals in their city. And although she had known him a long time, getting a phone call from Brandon in the middle of the night was not normal. Hesitantly she took the call, "Hello. Brandon?" There was a second before Brandon responded, and she could hear his muffled words, as he had covered the mouthpiece as he spoke to someone in the room with him.
"Hey, Carmen?" Brandon's voice finally came through clearly, but he sounded rushed and slightly breathless.
Now, Carmen was becoming concerned. "Is Nikki ok?" she asked with concern.
"Yes. Nicki's fine. I'm calling because Anthony was brought in through Emergency tonight."
"What?" Carmen whispered in disbelief. Brandon repeated his statement patiently, waiting for his words to sink in. Carmen covered her mouth with her free hand "What…", She swallowed and tried again "What happened Brandon? Is he, is he dead?" She could here Brandon let out a long sigh.
"No, Carmen he's not dead, but he's not good either. Look, this is a quick call I've got to scrub in for surgery on Anthony's case. He's had a heart attack, Carmen. You need to get down here as soon as possible. He needs you." Brandon had disconnected the call on that cryptic message.
Carmen stared at the phone in disbelief. Immediately snapping into action, she placed the next call to her mother, "Mama?" Wiping tears from her face with shaking fingers and not waiting for a reply, "I need to bring the kids over. Anthony's been taken to Emergency."
Ten hours later, Carmen blew out a heavy sigh as she lowered her weary body slowly onto Anthony's favorite recliner. Mentally, replaying one of the worst days of her life. She settled deeply into its cushions and let the warmth engulf her. She inhaled his lingering fragrance, long and slow, taking in the heart-wrenchingly familiar scent of her husband with hints of his favorite cologne. Carmen had bought him that cologne a few years ago when she had gone off for one of her Girlz meetings. She put her palms over her mouth to stifle the sob that threatened to break free. She had cried herself into exhaustion and doubted if she had any tears left. It had been a long day since she had gotten that first call from Brandon, then the calls continued from Anthony's co-workers who had been on-site when he had collapsed. She had panicked but managed to keep calm enough to contact Anthony's parents before rushing to the hospital. By the time she'd arrived, he was already receiving emergency heart surgery. She was prepared for that thanks to Brandon's brief phone call. But she was informed there were no updates and that they were still in surgery.
It was the worry that had nearly killed her. When she saw Anthony's parents there, she attempted to be strong for them, but the fact was she was terrified. She had already lost one of the most important men in her life when she was ten, and she did not know if she would be able to manage it again.
Her breath was still labored from the amount of exertion she had put herself through since leaving the hospital and getting home.
‘Anthony had survived.’ She’d kept repeating in her head.
With a new mission planned, and immediately after getting to the house, she'd made a beeline to the kitchen, frantically yanking the fridge open and sweeping out every single item of junk food they possessed into a large garbage bag. After the refrigerator, she attacked all their drawers and cabinets, throwing out all the junk food that she and Anthony were just as guilty of snacking on as their children. She went into their bedroom next and meticulously searched for every box of cigarettes Anthony owned, even going as far as checking in the pockets of all his coats and jackets and then throwing those in the trash as well.
She couldn't shake the image of her husband lying in that hospital bed, his skin an unusual, ashen hue, and he was almost unrecognizable, connected to more machines and tubing than his skin could support. She knew without a doubt that everybody in her home was about to get clean and healthy. She'd left the children with her mother for the night. It was too late to head over and get them by the time Carmen had returned from the hospital. Her mother had offered to take them to school for her the next day, for which Carmen was eternally grateful. She planned to spend the day in the hospital at Anthony's side. If he continued to do well and his tests came back normal, Anthony was to be discharged in a few days. Carmen could still remember the rush of relief she had felt when she found out that he had survived the surgery.
She did not ever want to explain to her children that their father had died from something they could have prevented. She knew what it felt like to lose a father at a young age, and she knew the kind of devastation that a loss like that would bring upon a household. She and Anthony had thought that going to work every day, taking their kids on great family vacations every year and having lots of presents under the Christmas tree were enough to make them good parents. They
had allowed themselves to become complacent in these traditional gestures and acts; they had forgotten that it was much more than that. They owed it to each other as a couple and parents to their four kids to provide healthy options for long lives. Not what they had been doing- fast food, frozen dinners, and processed foods.
Brandon had been straightforward and to the point when he talked to Carmen about the cause of Anthony's heart attack and how things would have to change for them moving forward. Carmen was aware of how talented Brandon was. Brandon's skill had a lot to do with why Anthony was still with her today. His survival was also partly thanks to the men on the job, who were trained in Emergency first aid and applied their training immediately when he had collapsed. Several of the men who had witnessed him fall face-first into the dirt had rushed to his aid and started performing CPR, using the AED equipment on their work truck to keep him going until Emergency Medical Transport had arrived. Fortunately, Anthony was transported to Brandon's hospital, where he had been on call. After the surgery, Brandon had found Carmen seated outside the operating suites and had informed her of her husband's condition. He had explained to her in that gentle, and calm voice that she had known since they were teenagers, that Anthony had unusually high-risk factors for cardiac disease. That, along with their poor dietary choices, hectic lifestyle and Anthony's smoking habit had compounded an already tenuous issue, resulting in his current predicament.
Anthony was adopted, and he had never had any awareness of his cholesterol issues or any other hereditary health issues. Although he was nearing forty, Anthony had never given any thought to going to a doctor, except with Carmen during her prenatal visits. He had not had lab tests, or checkups to determine his health status since his physical as an eighteen-year-old when joining the army. He'd always made excuses to Carmen, he never had time or that he never even had so much as a cold, but now all that was going to change. She sighed heavily in anticipation of the work ahead. Carmen knew that she was in for the battle of her life. Anthony might not give her too much stress with all the new, healthy plans she had for her family, but the kids certainly would.