Chapter Forty-two

Tia sits on the floor while I lay on my bed on my back. My feet rest on the headboard while I sing along to "Let You be Right" by Megan Trainor .

"Who fucking cares about finding the value to f(x)=2. It's not like we're going to use this shit when we graduate," Tia complains as she struggles to solve a problem, cursing under her breath in Spanish.

"Actually, you would use it if you became an engineer, anything that has to do with space exploration, phy—"

"We. I'm talking about you and me.," Tia interrupts before I can finish.

Shaking my head and laughing at Tia, I sit up on my knees. Biting the tip of my pen, I go back to solving these stupid math problems. My head begins to throb as I rub my temples. I hate math just as much as Tia does. Tia's phone alerts her to a text message.

Tia giggles as her fingers text as fast as Speedy Gonzales.

"Why are you smiling like that?" I ask.

"Nothing."

"Mmhmm." Not buying it for one second.

"Ok. It's Ash."

"Really? You guys talking more?" I move to sit on the edge of the bed with one foot tucked underneath my leg.

"Yeah. It's just a bunch of dirty talk and memes. He's sweet though.." She puts her phone away. "What was he like as a kid?" she asks.

"Who? Ash?" she nods.

"Well, he was sweet. Doni was more the protective type, where Ash was more the loving and goofy type, if that makes sense. Not that Doni wasn't loving, but it was a different kind of love. To me, it was more of a brotherly

love. Don't hurt him, Tia. He's not one of those guys you can be with one day and toss aside when you're bored."

"Damn. Is that what you think of me?" she asks defensively.

"No, of course not. I just meant that he is a sensitive soul." Tia needs to understand the type of person Ash is. Sure, now he seems like he's just having fun, but I can tell he's falling hard for her. Tia is not a serious type of person. Being a victim of abuse by a family member tends to fuck with your head. Especially when it comes to trusting a man.

"Yeah, I get it. I could fall for him." She smiles through the Blow Pop between her lips.

My phone rings and a number I don't recognize appears on the screen.

"Hello?"

"Hi. Is this Sadie Ramirez?" the unrecognizable female voice on the other line asks.

"Yes. Who is this?"

"My name is Jasmine Vázquez. I am one of the nurses caring for your mom."

Tia mouths, what is it?

"I'm calling to let you know that she has woken up and has been asking for you and your brother. Would you be able to make it down to the hospital today?"

"Yes, of course. I'm on my way." I end the call. On the way to the hospital, I call Josiah.

"Josiah? Mom's awake."

"Mija. I'm ok." Mom swats my hand away as I tuck her in bed.

"Do you need anything else?" I sit beside her on the bed.

It's been two weeks since Mom left the hospital. Amazingly, Mom made a full recovery. Her bruises are barely visible, her stab wound, and broken ribs have healed. She's been trying to convince the doctor to release her back to work.

"No, mi amor. I'm ok." She pats my hand and gives me a solemn smile. I know Mom's been feeling guilty since she's been home. Josiah has been staying here helping with groceries, running errands, and looking over Mom while I'm at school and work. Now that Mom's not working, I picked up extra shifts to help with the bills.

"I'm so sorry," Mom whispers.

"It's ok, Mom.." I reassure her by squeezing her hand.

"I know, but it doesn't change the fact that he hurt you. My babies." She rubs the back of her finger against my cheek.

"I need you to live your life, mija. You have a beautiful little girl, and good friends. I am so proud of you." She pauses. "Are you still talking to Doni and Asher?"

"Yeah. I am."

"So, how does it feel to see them again?"

"Wonderful. Like my life is whole again."

"You know I never meant to hurt you. I hope you believe me."

"I do, Mom. It's in the past."

"You love him."

"Yes. I do," I respond without hesitation.

"And he loves you. I saw the way he looked at you. I heard he found you, after your father—"

"It's ok, Mom. Let's not talk about that."

She nods. "You need to live your life, mija. Go out with your friends. I'll be ok. Gloria will be here to help me." Gloria is Mom's nurse's aide who comes to the house Monday to Friday, from nine a.m. until six p.m. Then Josiah or I take over. Paloma has also been stopping by during the evenings to help when needed.

"Doni invited me to spend the weekend with him and his family. They stay at the cabin during the holidays. But I'll be going a week early so I can spend Christmas with you." Mom was never big into the holidays, especially Christmas. She would always work double shifts. We had a tree until I was six years old and haven't had one since.

"Of course, mija. Paloma was going to stop by and spend Christmas with us. She plans on taking over Abuela's kitchen." She laughs and it's the greatest feeling to see Mom laugh and smile. I haven't seen that bright light in her for a very long time. It makes me angry and sad how much dad took away from us.

"I love you, Mom." I kiss her on the cheek and give her a hug.

"I love you so much, mija."