Page 110 of Shadowed Obsession

“César,ven aca,” she cries out, her voice weak.

We pull apart, and he pats my back. “I’m going to check on Sol. Take your time, bro.”

I nod, take a deep breath, and force my feet down the hall to her bedroom.

She smiles when she sees me, patting the bed beside her for me to join.“Siéntate.”

I walk over hesitantly. “Bendición,” I say with a kiss on her cheek.

The bed dips beneath my weight as I sit. I’ve been dreading this conversation.

As soon as I turn to her, my guard falters and my eyes well up with tears. I expel a shaky breath and take the hand she’s holding open for me.

Her dark irises assess me. “What’s wrong, Chuki?”

My lips part to speak, but words struggle to come out. I squeeze her hand and try anyway.

What do I even say? I’m being selfish and she’s in pain.

“What am I supposed to do without you?” I manage.

“You’re going to live your life,niño, and stop hiding behind me,” she says confidently.

She’s right. I do hide behind caring for her, using family and work as an excuse to avoid dating and taking risks in my career.

I’ve grown so accustomed to the way things are that a change of plans derails me, like Deirdre. I resist change instead of embracing it, though I tried with her, until it blew up in my face.

“Is this about the woman you watch when you think I’m sleeping?

“¿Què?” I ask, pretending I don’t know what she’s referring to.

“Cuentame” she urges with pleading eyes. “I need stories to take with me.”

I sigh. “I think I’m falling in love with her, but my job got in the way and I don’t know how to make it right,” I admit. “I don’t think she’ll ever speak to me again.”

Abuelawatches me intently, rubbing her free hand over mine for encouragement. “She will. Riveras don’t give up easily,” she adds with a knowing smile. ”If yourabuelogave up on me,youwouldn’t be here.”

“I miss him,” I sniffle.

“Me too.” She nods. “But I’m going to see him soon. I’ll tell him you said hello.Prométemewhen I’m gone, no more excuses. Make room for love and tell my grandchildren about me.¿Prométeme?”

“I promise I will,” I say tearfully.

“Ora conmigo,” she insists, pointing to the rosary on her bedside table.

I retrieve it, and we recite the final prayer before we fall into a comfortable silence.

“I love you, César,” she says, staring up at me.

I lean over and wrap my arms around her, careful not to squeeze her hard, and she holds on to me for a while.

I never want to let go, and I wish I didn’t have to.

“I love you so much,” I choke, pressing my lips to her forehead. “It’s been a long day, and I’ll let you rest. I know you’re tired.”

“Buenas noches, Chuki. I love you,” she says once more.

“Buenas noches,I love you, too.” I take her in, knowing this may be the last time I see her alive, before shutting the door behind me.

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