And I don’t think Andrea and I have exchanged ten words the whole time. She’s preoccupied, clearly, and I’m lost in the ramifications of our hasty return, trying to take into account every single parameter, every variable. If the man who shot Andrea is really responsible for it, then he’s watching from the shadows, waiting for us to come visit Maria Carmen. This means we don’t even have a few days before danger could strike.
It’s immediate. Prepared. Armed.
As much as I want to believe the four ex-military men I hired will be enough to protect us, I can’t be certain. All it takes is one bullet, and this is all over.
With a steady and efficient pace, we make our way toward the room number they gave us at the front desk, and my eyes scan our surroundings the whole time, much like the men escorting us. Andrea pays no attention, though, steadfastly focused on our destination.
We turn into yet another sterile and over-lit corridor, and I spot a familiar face. Andrea does, too, releasing my hand to run to her father, who’s sitting on a bench. Two of the security guards keep up with her, and the rest of us hasten our steps.
The commotion causes her father to lift his eyes from his phone, and when he sees her, he stands up just in time to welcome her leap into his arms.
“It’s good to have you here, peanut,” he says to her as I arrive.
“Two of you stay with us,” I tell the guards, “and two inspect this floor. Secure it.”
“Yes, sir.”
“What is all this?” Mr. Walker wonders, looking at the men walking away.
“I’ll tell you later. How is she doing?” Andrea asks.
“She woke up about half an hour ago. Your mom and Rafa are inside. We can’t be more than two with her.”
Andrea nods and walks to the door, standing in the doorframe as I shake her father’s hand.
“She looks well,” he tells me. “You took good care of her.”
“I did my best.”
“You, however, you look a little…” He motions at his eye, reminding me of the bruise on mine.
“That’s nothing. How is Maria Carmen? Any new development?”
“She should pull through. We won’t know right away if there’s any brain damage from the swelling. They put her under for the first twenty-four hours to prevent as much of it as possible, but we’ll have to be vigilant over the next few months.”
“And physically?”
“She broke her hip in the fall. They are giving her a replacement tomorrow morning. They wanted to wait before they did it, to make sure she…”
He doesn’t finish his sentence, but I understand what he meant. They had to make sure she’d survive the head trauma first.
“I’m so sorry, Mr. Walker. I know Maria Carmen is very important to your family.”
“Call me Michael. Or Mike. And yes, she’s our cement. I don’t know if Andrea told you, but Isa left me shortly after we had Rafa.”
“I had no idea, no.”
“The pressure my family was putting on us became too much for her, and she decided she would rather do it alone than do it with me. Maria Carmen came to the motel I was staying at, and she gave me the scolding of my life. She’s the one who made me open my eyes and realize what I was doing. It’s thanks to her that I went no-contact with my family. Thanks to her that we had Andrea, and I’ll forever owe her that. That’s why when she offered to sell her house to help pay for a new, bigger one for the kids and come live with us, I didn’t hesitate. Our humble life might not be perfect, but it is to us. And it all happened because of her.”
“You should be proud of what you and Isabella have built. It is a good life.”
Rafael arrives at the door, and he and Andrea exchange in sign language for a moment. I don’t understand what is being said, so I quickly figure they’re conversing in MSL. Then she gets inside while herbrother joins us in the hallway. We shake hands, and I ask him how he’s been doing.
“And your mother?” I wonder after he told me he’s hanging in there.
“It’s taking a toll on her. Two months ago, she almost lost Andrea. And now, this…”
“I’m very sorry.” I can’t help but sigh.
