- Sebastian -
“I thought they said this wouldn’t take long?” I asked, checking my watch.
“Don’t be impatient, cariño,” my mother said, squeezing my arm. “I’d rather they were thorough.”
I leaned back in my chair and gazed at the middle of the room where my dad (and the bed he’d been rolling around on all afternoon) was supposed to be already.
“Has Dad had an angiograph before?” Javi asked, his arms folded across his chest.
My mom nodded, averting her gaze when there was a knock on the window to the hall.
My stomach dropped when I saw her.
She lifted a brown bag in the air, and I recognized the logo instantly.
What the hell was she doing here?
Javi wheeled towards the door and pulled it open.
“Did someone order Philly cheesesteaks?” Lily asked, looking nervous as hell.
“Lily!” My mom sprang out of her chair and went to give her a hug.
I looked at Javi, and I could tell instantly from the sheepish look on his face that I had him to thank for this awkward moment.
I stood and shoved my hands in my pockets, watching from across the room as my mom made a fuss over how great it was to see her, going so far as to touch her hair and squeeze Lily’s cheeks between her flat palms.
Wonder if she’d carry on that way if she knew most people had to pay to manhandle her like that?
Of course, as soon as the nasty thought entered my head, it was replaced by self-loathing. Not only because this was no time to be uncharitable but because it hurt me. Thinking unkind things about her actually caused me physical pain.
“You’re the best,” Javi said, hoisting the bag she’d brought onto the table and pulling a bundle of wrapped sandwiches from it.
I was comforted as soon as the familiar smell of greasy beef filled the room. Damnit. How did I end up being the one getting ambushed?
Sensing Javi was about to make a mess, my mom intervened and began organizing the food on offer.
“I have more napkins in my purse,” Lily said. “If there aren’t enough in the bag.”
“How did you know I was here?” I asked, stepping up to her.
“Javi answered your phone and told me what happened.”
I patted my jacket and back pocket. He must’ve still had it.
“Said the cafeteria was lousy and that you guys would be grateful for refreshments.”
“I thought you visited Paige on Tuesdays.”
She shot me a look like I wasn’t making sense. “I went yesterday.”
I stared at her, wishing the right words would come, but I honestly didn’t know whether I was happy to see her or not. I mean, of course I was, but things still felt so strained, so uncertain.
“You’re growing a beard,” she said, her dark eyes sweeping across my face.
“No. Just not shaving.”
“Oh. Okay, well, I’ll leave you guys to it,” she said. “I’m sure you all want to—”
“At least stay for lunch,” Javi said. “Since you went to all this trouble.”
I clenched my jaw.
She raised a palm. “No, really, I have to—”
“I didn’t know Dino’s did salads?” Mama Rod said as she pulled one out of the bag.
Lily shifted on her heels. “I didn’t think your husband would be allowed to eat anything else from there.”
“Good thinking,” my mom said, smiling.
Javi laughed. “I can’t wait to see the look on his face when we give him that while the rest of us have grease dripping off our chins.”
Lily smiled in his direction, but her expression dropped with the volume of her voice when she turned to face me. “I’m sorry for the intrusion. Javi made me feel like I couldn’t say no.”
“You had no problem saying no to me on the Fourth.”
She hung her head. “Sebastian, I—”
“Save it,” I said. “This isn’t the time or place.”
“I do owe you an explanation, though,” she whispered. “Or at least, I’d be grateful if you’d give me a chance to explain, and then if you don’t want to see me anymore—”
I sighed. “I never stopped wanting to see you.”
She raised her eyebrows.
“I just can’t bear to see you like that.”
“Like what?”
I glanced over my shoulder, confirming that my family was too busy chowing down to hear over their smacking lips. “Vulnerable,” I said. “Victimized.”
Her lips fell apart.
“You’re better than that.”
“I know,” she said, her eyes pleading.
“Good.”
“And I know my choices aren’t the easiest to forgive.”
“Or forget,” I said.
She nodded.
“All righty,” the nurse said as she pushed the door open. “The guest of honor has returned.”
Lily and I jumped to the edge of the room as two men wheeled my dad in and hooked him back up to the equipment on the far wall.
“Lily,” my dad said when he saw her.
I waited for him to notice the Philly cheesesteaks in the corner since Dino’s was his favorite, but he didn’t take his eyes off her. And I couldn’t be sure, but I swore they grew a bit glassy as they smiled across the room.
“Hi,” Lily said, a sheepish look on her face. “I’m glad you’re okay.”
The nurse’s eyes darted around as if she, too, sensed the strange tension in the room. “The doctor will be in as soon as he’s had a chance to look over the pictures so—” She backed towards the door. “I’ll leave you to enjoy your lunch.”
“Thanks, Darlene,” my dad said, nodding in her direction. “You know where to find me.” Then he raised his hand and summoned Lily over to his bedside, reaching for her hand as soon as she got close. “It’s good to see you looking so well.”
“Thanks, Mr. Rodriguez,” she said.
“That’s Papa Rod to you,” he said, pointing a finger at her. “Now, would the rest of you take that heavenly smell outside, for the love of God?”
“Don’t worry, Dad,” Javi said, covering his mouth while he chewed. “There’s a salad here for you.”
“Watch it,” my dad said, shooting him a look. “I’m not too weak to give you a smack.”
Javi rolled his eyes, pulled his sandwich bag onto his lap, and headed for the door.
“We’ll be right outside, mi amado,” my mom said, focused on her half-eaten sandwich.
“Go on,” my dad said, tilting his head after them. “Don’t be a martyr.”
“I’m happy to wait,” I said, grabbing the rail at the end of his bed. “I don’t want to leave you right after—”
“Go eat your lunch,” he said, his expression stern. “I want to have a word with Lily.”
I furrowed my brow. “What?”
“You heard me,” he said, shooing me towards the door.
Lily glanced at me with wide eyes like she was just as confused as I was.
“You really want me to go?”
He nodded.
I looked at Lily and then back at him. “Dad, I—”
“Are you really going to argue with me now?” he asked. “When I’m in a paper dress? Jesus. Cut me some slack, would you?”
“Sorry,” I said, stepping backwards towards the door. “I guess if you need me—”
“Yeah, yeah. Stop acting like this is my deathbed. I’ll be eating Dino’s again by this weekend.”
My eyes bounced between them as I lingered in the doorway.
“By all means take your time,” my dad called when I left the door ajar.
So I closed it, more confused than ever about what the hell was going on.