I smiled. “Si, I want Rex’s ass.”
He laughed then, slowing the car as he turned onto a quiet residential street up in the hills. He pointed out the windshield. “The ‘ouse is right over there.”
I nodded. “Mars…maybe Rex no want me because I say I love him.”
Mars parked and turned to me as I unfastened my seatbelt. “You told Rex you loved him?”
I nodded, feeling embarrassed. “Si. I love Rex. He’s good man.”
Mars smiled and reached over, squeezing my bicep. “Yeah, ‘e is, but maybe you shouldn’t ‘ave told ‘im you love ‘im yet. Ya ‘ardly know ‘im.”
I put my hand over my heart. “Mi mamá, she say I have too fast love for persons, pero, Rex…he good man.” I felt tears burning behind my eyes.
“Aw, shit. Don’t cry.” He reached into the console between us and handed me a tissue.
“Thank you, Mars.” I wiped my eyes. “You tell Rex he be strong, okay?”
He smiled, nodding again. “I promise.” He started to open his door when I reached out and grabbed his bicep. When he turned around again, there was a question in his eyes.
“Who takes care of Lola?”
He frowned. “Well, Napoleon ‘as been assigned doggie duty this week and we’ll all take turn about until Rex gets better and comes ‘ome from the ‘ospital.”
“But Rex, he no can take Lola to backyard in wheelchair and when she makes a poop, someone must take her.”
Mars frowned. “Ya know, ya right. I never thought about that.”
“You need I help to make ramp for backyard?”
He smiled and I watched as his eyes got bright and shiny. “No, we’ll take care of that, Cachi.” He swallowed hard. “Don’t worry about it. Thank you for offering, though, mate. That was very thoughtful of ya.”
I cocked my head to the side as I shrugged. “I love Lola. She’s a good girl.”
He nodded. “Yeah, and Rex really loves that little dog.” He paused as he thought about something. “You should be a animal doc, ya know.”
I smiled sadly. “Si.” I unlocked the door, getting out as he did the same. We walked up to the house and I knocked on the door. When it was opened by an agent I didn’t know, I hesitated. But then I saw Tio Francisco, I smiled and flew into his arms. He hugged me tightly, telling me how happy he was that I was there and that everything would be okay now my mamá had her boy back.
Mars introduced himself and showed his ID to the agent looking after us, then I heard, “Cachi? Mijo?”
Mamá came into view and Tio let go of me. I ran into her arms as Tio Francisco shut the door behind us. He spoke to Mars as I hugged Mamá, and Tia who came out of the kitchen holding a dishtowel.
Mamá looked at Mars and smiled. “Please. Come in, have some chicken enchiladas. I just cook a big pan.”
“Oh, no, no. Thank you, though, ma’am,” Mars said. “That’s very nice of ya but I ‘ave to get back to the ‘ospital.”
“Oh?” Mamá looked at me. “How is Rex?”
I felt my stomach turn but I didn’t answer. All I could do was shake my head to stop myself from crying all over again. I definitely didn’t want Mars to see any more of that but ever since Rex had been hurt, it felt like that’s all I did.
“’E’s awake, ma’am,” Mars said.
She smiled, putting both hands together. “Please…I give you food for him?”
“Great. I’m sure ‘e’d love that.”
“Good.” She turned and spoke to Carlotta in Spanish, asking her to box up some enchiladas for Rex. Carlotta smiled, and we watched her go before Mamá turned back to Mars. “Please, you sit down for a minute?” She swept an arm out for him to come into the house.
“Oh, I shouldn’t. My boss will be waiting for me.”
