"What? Is he OK?" I was eager to know; just then the idea there could actually be a funeral and he wouldn't want me to attend troubled me.
Bruno tightened his hand on mine. "Is something wrong?"
I looked at him but had no answers to give.
"Calm down, he's fine. What I'm trying to explain is, because of the chest pain, the doctors put him on nitroglycerin, and more tests discovered Tomás has low blood pressure. That, with the medication he already takes for his prostate issue, means his beloved Viagra is off limits."
After her words sank in that Padre would be just fine, I chuckled. "So, you're celebrating that medical intervention will make him keep his promise of being faithful?"
"The Lord works in mysterious ways."
I sighed. Father was basically neutered, and leave it to Mother to turn nitroglycerin into a divine gift. My crazy family deserved their own reality show.
"Madre, you think God gave Padre chest pains and a prostate issue all to keep your marriage together?"
"What?" Bruno said beside me, but I shook my head.
"I'll tell you later."
"Who is that?" Mother asked, and briefly I thought of doing what I've always done, telling her nothing, but the words were out before I knew it.
"Bruno. We're heading home."
Silence.
"God is working for you too."
God? I wasn't even a believer, but my mother ignored me telling her I was an atheist. That woman had a skill at forgetting things that made her uncomfortable.
"Tell Bruno I said hi, and maybe you guys can come visit forViernes Santo(Good Friday)."
Me in church next to Padre probably praying for his beloved Viagra.No thanks. But then I remembered Bruno was a fairly religious man, and he often visited his family back home.
"I'll ask him and let you know."
"He won't say no. Bruno is a good man…nothing like your father…he's the sort I naively wish every day Tomás could be."
My throat tightened as I processed her words, all of them hitting deeper than I expected, and for a moment, I couldn't speak at all. Then, the line went silent, and I realized Madre hung up, leaving me alone with everything she'd just made me feel.
"Are you OK?" Bruno asked next to me when his eyes should be on the road ahead.
Quickly, I assured him so he could look ahead. "Never better."
FOURTEEN
Behind Closed Doors
When we finally arrived home, I was determined. Since Bruno returned to my life, it felt like all I had done was take. I wanted to do something for him, especially after the pancake disaster at the lodge. The groceries I had ordered on the drive were already delivered, so I started working. Bruno got into the shower, and I set to work on paella. After all our years together, he still doubted I could cook, though the real issue was never ability, only interest. I planned to show him.
A sharp, demanding sound disturbed my movements. I squinted as I crossed the room to the intercom on the far wall and picked up the call. "Hey, Jarvis."
"Mei is here. Should I send her up?"
Mei? She was never a pop-up sort of friend, so panic filled me. "Yes, send her up. Thanks."
After lowering the fire under the pot, I grabbed two wine glasses. Whatever she needed to share might need either celebrating or cheering up, and for both occasions, wine would do. As soon as the doorbell rang, I stepped out of the kitchen. One look at Mei's face when I opened the door told me we would not be celebrating.
"What's wrong?"
