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Raquel nods. “Rest. After dinner, I’ll come by your house, and then we’ll call Papá.”
When my sister and her husband leave, Eric’s car drives up. Seeing the state I’m in, Tomás quickly leaps out to open the door.
“Are you all right, miss?”
“Yes, don’t worry, Tomás. It’s not as bad as it looks.”
Once inside, I close my eyes and lean back in the seat. I’m in pain and very tired. Eric gives me a kiss on the forehead. I open my eyes.
“Is your headache better?”
“Yes, love. Don’t worry about that, or about anything. The only thing that matters now is you. Just you.”
His words and the tenderness in his voice tell me yesterday’s argument is forgotten. I smile and touch his face.
“Did my sister call you?”
He takes my hand and kisses it.
“I sent you a message, and she called me back.” He brings his forehead close to mine. “I don’t think I’ve ever had a bigger scare, love. When your sister called me, crying ... all I could understand was ‘Judith ... ambulance ... accident ...’ I thought I was going to die.”
“You’re exaggerating.”
“No, I’m not exaggerating. I love you, and I don’t want anything to happen to you. The time waiting to see you has been horrible. Disconcerting. If I hadn’t sent you away, none of this would have happened.”
“Eric, this is not your fault at all.”
“I feel absolutely terrible.” When he sees me sigh, he gives me a delicate little kiss on my lips. “Are you OK?”
“Yes ...” I try to smile.
His lips begin to curve, but he’s much too tense.
“From now on, I’ll take care of you.”
That afternoon, after I’ve rested all morning, my sister and brother-in-law come over with my niece and a whole mess of food. My sister puts it away in the fridge and gives Eric instructions. He just stands there and says yes, although I know he’s not following any of it.
After we call my father and explain what happened, I finally relax. In spite of his initial fright, after talking with me, with my sister, and with Eric, he’s much calmer. My sister and Jesús are chatting in the kitchen. Eric is watching a basketball game on TV, which surprises me, because I didn’t realize he likes basketball. My niece, Luz, is seated between us.
“Are you my auntie’s boyfriend?”
Eric looks at her.
“Yes.”
“And are you going to marry her?”
“Well, we haven’t talked about it,” he responds, clearly surprised.
“And why haven’t you talked about it?”
“Because we haven’t.”
“Why not?”
“Maybe someday.”
“Don’t you want to marry her?”