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THE HOSPITAL
Gabi made her way down the corridor to CICU. It was almost dawn and the hallways were quiet. She had been exhausted after the night’s events and fallen asleep in the chapel. She wondered if anyone had been looking for her. Gabi approached the nurses’ station and asked for Antonio’s room. The nurse motioned to the last door on the left. As Gabi neared the room, she could see Ricardo sitting in the chair next to Antonio’s bed. The wall of the room was entirely glass and she stood quietly watching Ricardo stare at his brother lying in the bed. Ricardo turned around quickly sensing someone’s presence outside. He stood up, looked back to Antonio and headed into the hall. "Hey, Gabi. Are you feeling better? I came looking for you in the chapel and you were stretched out on the pew fast asleep. I was going to wake you, but after everything that happened, I figured you could use the rest." Ricardo was searching her eyes with his. "Thanks, Ricardo. Actually, I do feel a bit better." She stepped to the glass to look at Antonio. "How is he?" "He’s stable. They said it could be awhile before he wakes up. His heart rate and blood pressure are strong – it’s a miracle, Gab. It’s a miracle." Gabi looked to Ricardo and seeing the tears fill his eyes, she reached out and touched his hand. He was surprised by her touch, grabbing her hand with his other. They stared at each other for a brief moment before Gabi dropped her eyes and let go of his hand. "Where are Maria and your mother?" Gabi asked quickly. "They just left a little while ago. The doctor said all we could do know is wait, so they went home to get some rest." Ricardo stifled a yawn as he stretched his arms over his head. "Ricardo, you look exhausted, too. Why don’t you go home and get some rest. I’ll stay here with Antonio." She wanted desperately to be alone with him. "You sure, Gab? I’m okay, really. I don’t mind staying..." Ricardo was anxious to be alone with Gabi, too. He wanted to stay, but had promised he wouldn’t push her into discussing their situation. "Ricardo, really. You need to rest. I’ll be here." Gabi smiled gently at him and rubbed his shoulder softly. "I’ll be here when you get back." She knew the reason he wanted to stay. Ricardo took her hand in his and kissed her knuckles tenderly. "Call me if anything changes." Gabi shook her head at him and he walked away down the hall. Gabi walked quietly into Antonio’s room. He looked like an angel sleeping under the glowing white hospital lights. She set her purse down and took the chair next to the bed. She reached for his hand, entwining her fingers with his. His face was still without expression, but she could see that there was life in him once again. Antonio’s cheeks were rosy, but not hot with fever as they had been before. His thick, dark hair was tousled on his head and she smiled at how boyish he looked. He was still connected to machines with wires and needles, but the sound from the machines was steadier now. Gabi leaned in and whispered softly near his ear, "Antonio, I know you can hear me. You scared me to…" She couldn’t make herself finish the old expression. "You really scared me earlier, you know? I hope you didn’t think it was funny…I know your sense of humor!" She had to make herself joke to avoid being overcome with emotions once again. "Antonio, please wake up. I need to see your beautiful eyes looking at me. Oh, Antonio, I have so much to tell you." She placed her hand gently over their child in her womb. "I need you to wake up, Antonio. Please." She caressed his cheek with her hand and kissed him tenderly. This was the man she wanted to spend her eternity with. This was the man who was her soulmate. This was the man who loved her like no other. Gabi fell asleep with her head resting on his chest. It felt as if she had slept for hours when she awoke. She looked around sleepily trying to rub the exhaustion from her eyes. Antonio was lying peacefully, his soft breath exhaling into her hair. She checked the heart monitor and was pleased to see the strong, steady rhythm. As Gabi was overcome with nausea, she jumped out of the chair and ran for the bathroom. She tried to be sick as quietly as she could, which was not an easy task. She threw up rather violently for a few minutes before sitting down on the floor with her back against the wall. She hadn’t been this sick before…must be the lack of sleep, she told herself. She stood after a while and checked her appearance in the mirror. Gabi opened the door and was shocked to find Maria heading for the door. "Gabi, are you okay? I came in and heard you in the bathroom. Is everything alright?" Maria was concerned, but Gabi didn’t sense that she suspected anything. "Yes, Maria. I’m just exhausted. When I don’t get enough sleep or eat anything for too long, I get sick to my stomach." Gabi thought the lie sounded believable enough. "Have you been here all night?" Gabi stretched her arms. "Yes. I fell asleep in the chair." "How’s he doing?" Maria asked hopefully. "I think he’s doing well. The doctor hasn’t been in yet, but he slept peacefully last night and his heart rate has been near 95 since they brought him in here." Gabi nodded to the heart monitor. Maria walked over to the bed and held Antonio’s hand. She pushed his hair off his forehead and smiled at Gabi. "He knew you came back for him," she said pensively. Gabi didn’t know what to say in response. She felt her eyes sting with tears. "He loves you very much, Gabi," Maria paused. "He knew what it would do to you, to us all, if he left." Gabi marveled at how strong Maria was. She loved her brother, both of her brothers, so strongly. Gabi was saddened for a moment thinking of how miserable her family life had always been, how she had directed the hatred for her father at her sister. Gabi wished she could have known a family bond like that of the Torres’ family. "Why don’t you go get something to eat, Gabi? Maybe that would make you feel better. I’ll stay with him for now." Maria smiled gently at Gabi. Gabi just shook her head, grabbed her purse and headed out the door. She was waiting for the elevator when a sharp pain rippled across her stomach. It took her breath for a moment and then disappeared. "I really need to get some rest," she said to herself as she stepped onto the elevator and headed to the cafeteria. THE CAFETERIA Gabi sat at a small table at the back of the café. The coffee tasted suprisingly good as she nibbled at the oatmeal muffin on the plate. She looked up to see Ricardo heading in her direction. "Morning, Gab." He pulled out a chair and sat down with his coffee. "Hi, Ricardo," she said rather distractedly. "Are you okay?" She could hear the concern in his voice. "Yeah, just a little tired, you know?" Gabi tried to sound casual. Ricardo stared at his coffee and twisted a napkin around his finger. The silence was growing uncomfortable and Gabi wished that annoying pager of his would begin beeping furiously. "Gabi," Ricardo began cautiously. Gabi felt her shoulders tensing up already. Not now, she thought, I can’t do this now… "Gabi, what happened with us?" Ricardo gazed at her with his deep, dark eyes. "What really happened with us?" "Ricardo, I thought you said we wouldn’t do this...You promised me this could wait," Gabi said impatiently. "I know, but you know, T is doing fine now and..." "He’s not FINE, Ricardo," she spat angrily at him. "He hasn’t even woken up yet. Things could still…" she couldn’t finish her thought. "You’re right, Gabi. I’m sorry. It’s just that being so close to you again...I can’t help but want to work through what happened with us," he paused. "There is still an us, isn’t there?" Ricardo waited patiently for Gabi to look at him. "Ricardo...not now." Gabi jumped up grabbing her coffee and left Ricardo sitting alone.
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