River’s gaze was searching, and she nodded slowly before squeezing Marina’s hand. “I’m here.”
Marina didn’t relinquish her hand as she walked up the wood steps to the front door. She raised her hand to knock, but it wouldn’t move forward. It just stayed there, upright, refusing to make the next move.
River knocked gently, then her hand wrapped around Marina’s and lowered it.
The door was flung open, and her sister appeared, wide-eyed, her dark hair a tangle of loose, frizzy waves. When she saw Marina, her eyes narrowed. “Why are you here?”
At the anger in her voice, Marina’s natural instincts finally kicked in. She straightened her shoulders. “Dad asked me to come.”
Her sister huffed, looked over River, then turned away and walked into the house without another word. Marina stepped inside, and the scent of café de ola hit her like a hammer. Her parents’ favorite coffee, and one Marina hadn’t had in years. River’s hand squeezed hers lightly, and Marina took a deep breath and made her way into the living room. It hadn’t changed all that much. Her dad’s favorite recliner still sat in front of a wall covered in books. The light tweed couch still had throw pillows on it with cute sayings her mom had sewn into them.
“Up here.” Her sister’s gruff voice called from down the hall.
Marina stepped forward but stopped when River disengaged their hands.
“You go.” She motioned to the couch. “It feels intrusive for a stranger to go see what might be up there.” Her hand gently cupped Marina’s cheek. “Stay open. Stay present. Even if it hurts.”
Marina swallowed hard but couldn’t say anything. She turned and headed up the narrow white staircase.Narrow. Almost all of her nightmares featured a narrow space wherethere was hardly room to breathe. Voices came from her parents’ room and she headed that way, wondering if she could shake apart from the inside without anyone noticing it happening on the outside. She pointedly ignored every single family photo that lined the walls. She couldn’t, wouldn’t, go there.
Her mom was propped up in bed. Sweat dampened her hair, and there were dark circles under her eyes. Buried under blankets, she looked…small. Marina’s breath caught, and she moved to her side. Her dad looked up at her and gave her a weary smile. His face had a million more lines in it than it had the last time she’d seen him. Had life been so hard?
“Mija. I’m glad you came.” He turned to her mom and caressed her cheek. “Look, Gabi. Marina is here.”
Her mom’s eyes fluttered open and took a moment to focus before she looked at Marina. “Oh.” Her hand shook as she held it up. “You’ve come home.”
Marina knelt beside the bed and held her mom’s hand. “I’m here.” She smoothed back her mom’s hair and felt the heat radiating off her. “What’s going on?”
“Do you care?” her sister snapped from where she sat in a chair by the window. “You haven’t before.”
“Kayla.” Her father tapped the table. “Not now.” He looked back at her mom and kissed her hand. “We’re not sure. We took her to the emergency room last week. She said she felt wrong, and she had a bad fever. Chills. Couldn’t keep anything down. They told us it was the flu and to take her home. That she’d be fine.” He looked up at Marina. “But she isn’t fine.”
Marina pulled out her phone. “I’ll handle it.”
He held up his hand. “Wait. Our insurance said they’ll only cover one emergency room visit per month. We can’t afford to take her in again.”
Marina just shook her head, and anger flared bright and hot against the worry and guilt, burning it away for the moment. “I don’t care about insurance. I’ll cover it.”
“Of course. Marina to the rescue,” her sister muttered, arms crossed.
Marina called for an ambulance and then sat at her mother’s side, getting as much information from her father as she could. She got a list of the minor medications her mother was on as well. The whole time, her mom drifted in and out of consciousness.
When the ambulance arrived, she heard River answer the door, and her father glanced up. “Who’s here?”
“Some big stud on a motorcycle,” Kayla said, rolling her eyes. “Your new fling, Marina?”
She glared at her. “River is a friend, and I was with her when I got Dad’s message. She got me here as fast as she could. Not that my relationship is any of your business.”
“Girls.” Her father sounded so very tired. “Not now.”
The paramedics came in, and Marina explained the situation. She used her courtroom voice, the one that didn’t invite arguments, or platitudes, or even input. Her instructions were clear and precise. While they did their thing, she directed her dad and sister to gather a little go-bag for their mom.
She went downstairs and found River staring at a family picture. Five of them, standing in front of a carnival ride. They looked so happy.
River turned to her, and there was something in her expression that made Marina stop cold. “What is it?” she asked. “Have you felt something woo-woo to do with my mom?” The thought that River could know something like that gave her the chills.
“No…no.” River glanced at the photo again and then back at Marina. “Is there anything I can do?”
Marina had to let it go. She didn’t have time for that kind of discussion right now. “I don’t think so. They’ll take my mom to the hospital, and the three of us will follow. I want to be there to talk to the doctors and make sure they understand that my mom won’t be leaving until we have some answers.”
