Page 34 of Always Mine

Jon followed Diego to the bathroom but let him undress himself. Then Jon helped him cover the wound with a plastic sleeve. The nurse had been here this morning, and his bandage was smaller. “Are you steady enough to do this by yourself?”

“Yeah, it’s been two weeks.”

“Good.”

He felt human after the shower, even if he did have to still use the sling.

And truth be told, he enjoyed the time with Jon.

* * *

That night, Diego sat on his living room couch. His shoulder still ached from the PT but ibuprofen kept the streaks of pain away. Will had brought supper—big sloppy hamburgers, fries and onion rings. They’d agreed he didn’t need to come back at night anymore because Diego was well enough to get himself to bed. But he wished he’d asked his friend to stay.

Diego was lonely. Being sick sucked. He wanted…the phone rang. It was Annie. He clicked on. “Querida.”

“H-Hi.” Muffled sounds. “I want to…” Suddenly sobs came. Hard ones, cruel ones.

He raised his voice. “Annie, I’m here. Whatever it is, I’m here.”

Finally, the sobs dwindled. “I needed to talk to you.”

“Is something wrong?”

“We…I…I ended things with Seth.” Now she cried, soft and deep, which was worse than the sobs. “He was so hurt. I’ll never forget the expression on his face when I told him about you.”

“Oh, honey. I’m sorry. He’s a good guy.”

“Why can’t I fall for men like him?”

For a few seconds, that hurt. Then he stuffed it. “Because you still love me?”

“I never said that.” But Diego said the words to her.

“I know. Maybe it’s wishful thinking. You sound so hurt, babe.”

“I know we decided I wouldn’t come to your house anymore, but d-do you think I could come now, just for a little while?”

“It’s too dangerous, honey.”

“How long are we going to wait to see if you’re really in danger?”

“I don’t know. I do think Will’s going back to D.C. soon.”

“You’re feeling that much better?”

“Yeah. Except I’m lonely.”

A long silence. “I’m coming over. I remember how Will got me in that night. Turn off the outside lights for the yard, I’ll go through the neighbor’s lawn. Don’t open the door till I get there.”

“Annie, no!”

“I’ll see you soon.” And she hung up.

He punched in Will’s number.

His friend swore when Diego told him this latest development. Then, “I’ll try to intercept her.” His voice was impatient.

“I’m sorry, Will.”

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