Page 48 of Serving my Dragon
“It’s not that I don’t want to stay, but my uncle is too old and close to retirement to be supporting us. I need to work, and I do miss some amenities, like shopping and going out. Then there’s socializing. I’m not used to being this cut off from other people.” I struggled to explain my reasoning without coming off as a mama’s boy.
And failed because she guessed.
“You’re missing your family. I miss them, too, but Juan says it’s only just over an hour to drive here when he’s not taking a roundabout route, making it easy to visit.”
“Visit, as in, leave Polly here alone?”
“Let’s be honest, Polly doesn’t need us that much anymore. She can hunt and forage for fruits. She knows how to use the laptop to watch her shows. The biggest issue would be her inability to contact us?—”
I interrupted to say, “We could fix the connectivity problem with a few more solar panels and a Starlink satellite.”
“Really? That would be useful because I would worry about a lack of socialization if we did leave her alone for days at a time.”
“Assuming she allows us to go. I doubt she’ll give us permission,” I quipped.
“Yes, she is rather adamant about that,” Kayleigh said with a laugh. “I wonder if we could create a rotating schedule with your mom and Juan so there’s always somebody popping by to keep her company.”
“Mama doesn’t like to drive and that walk through the jungle is a bit much for her, but…” My lips pursed. “If we brought a few more family members into the secret, say Carmelita and Santiago, and purchased an all-terrain vehicle, a rotating schedule might just work.”
“Now you’re thinking.” Kayleigh beamed as she threw her arms around me.
“There’s still another problem we can’t forget,” I said, hating to pop her happy bubble.
Her nose wrinkled. “I haven’t forgotten the people after me. Juan did say at his last visit that he’d not spotted any drones in a few days. Could be they’ve given up.”
“Or they’re being more subtle.”
“Only one way to find out.”
“You want us to return for a visit.” The idea filled me with dread. Fear that I’d be putting Kayleigh in danger. Trepidation at leaving Polly alone. Anxiety that Kayleigh would change her mind and flee back to Ohio.
“Actually, I was thinking you could go. I can stay here with Polly and start making sure she knows how to care for herself. You could then see for yourself what the situation is, start running our idea of switching in and out with your mom and whoever else you think can be trusted. Start shopping for the ATV and looking into that satellite option.”
I raked a hand through my hair. “I could then return with my car so we’ve at least got some wheels and we’re not stuck.”
The idea took seed, but before it could fully sprout, Juan returned less than a day after his last visit, looking agitated.
“Hey, Tío, what’s got you looking frazzled?” I asked, noting he arrived empty-handed.
“Lola’s been in an accident and is in the hospital,” he exclaimed.
My heart stopped. My blood froze.
“How serious is it?” I whispered.
“Broken ribs, arm. Lots of bruises. She was unconscious when I left to fetch you.”
“What happened?”
“She was walking to the store when a car hit her and took off.”
Before I’d even digested the news, Kayleigh was shoving me. “Go. Your mom needs you.”
“Are you sure?”
“We’ll be fine.” Kayleigh kissed me and whispered, “Go be with your mom.”
Within minutes, I matched Juan’s rapid pace back to this truck. We spoke little, with me mostly asking questions about what happened.
