Miss Bala

Chapter 27: Silently Muted

"Chava, come set the table. Dinner is almost ready." I heard Suzu call from the kitchen.

"Yeah, sure." He sat up straight, his eyes still fixed on the t.v as he sat right next to me.

Nudging him with my elbow, I said, "don't worry, I got it,"  before getting myself off the couch.

Lately, I've been trying to keep myself a lot more busy around here. It's already been almost 2 months since the incident or since I last seen Lino.

"You know, I really think you should still be trying to take it easy." Suzu commented, watching me as I grabbed some plates from the cabinet.

"Please, not this again. I'm pretty sure I'm capable of setting the table." I told her, getting a little agitated.

"I know, but the doctor said it's gonna be a few weeks til your body can resume normally again."

"Suzu.." I stared blankly at her, "that was weeks ago. I'm fine."

"But-" she tried to push again.

"Stop!" I snapped, "yes, I lost a baby but you constantly treating me like this isn't helping!"

"And not talking about it is any better? Gloria, you haven't said a word about what happened."

I ignored her as I continued setting the silverware on the table.

"So that's it? You just plan to keep everything bottled up til this guy comes back for you?" She scoffed, shaking her head.

"He's not coming back." I said quietly, "and it's taken me this long to finally accept that."

I let out a small laugh, blinking back the small tears that were building up.

"You know, months before everything happened, it was me fighting to stay. He saw all of this coming-"

I didn't even get to finish before my voice cracked. Suzu walked around the table and wrapped his arms around me.

I was tired, and right now I was letting everything out. The last time I cried this hard, I was still at the hospital in Puerto Rico. I had just kicked Lino out of the room.

"Thanks, brother." Lino hung up his phone as he walked through the door but I didn't bother looking at him. My eyes were heavy, my stomach was in pain, but I couldn't tear away from the ceiling as the machine beside me kept on beeping.

He sat in the empty chair beside my bed.

"Tell me what I can do for you." He grabbed my hand.

"Nothing." I shook my head, still refusing to look at him.

"Please-, please get mad at me, scream at me, something," he begged, "I know this is all my fault."

"No, it's my fault."

"What are you talking about?"

"I should have told you," I turned to look at him, "and I should have known better to think we could bring a baby into all of this.."