Oral Care

Chapter 31: Bookstore Confessions

*** Rafael's POV ***

I am miserable, but trying to make a good show of it. Between the fucking group chat where they decided to bombard Evelyn with pictures and messages about what she is missing and the radio silence on her end, I am constantly reminded of her absence. I want to drive over and check up on her, but Mom reminds me that Evelyn is an independent woman who probably just wants to be left alone while she convalesces. She tells me Evelyn will text if she needs anything from me.

I don't fucking like that answer. I am curious if Miguel ever dealt with a sick Evelyn while they were together. I know it is kind of cruel to seek advice from him about his ex, but he has a girlfriend now. Problem is that Miguel never showed today.

"I thought you two invited Miguel." I prompt Joel and Liam.

"He changed his mind. Said something came up." Liam answers, stealing a hot roll from a basket, shoving it in his mouth, and chewing obnoxiously.

Damn. Guess I wouldn't be asking for Miguel's advice tonight. After we eat more than our fill and folks retreat to their post-dinner activities of watching football and planning Black Friday shopping, I am itching to leave.

My dad is helping clean up the kitchen with a few of my other siblings. He plunks two leftover containers in front of me. "Would you mind finding someplace to store these? We can't possibly fit anything else in our fridges."

"Is this your crafty way of sending me home with leftovers?" I quip, more than happy to take them.

"No, yours are here. These might store well in Evelyn's fridge." He slides over two more containers and acts like he isn't giving me permission to go see her now. He glances up at me when I don't say anything and winks. "Chances are she isn't even contagious anymore."

I grin at my dad. "Thanks, Pop."

I snatch up the containers and leave without saying goodbye. I don't want anyone else trying to sway me from the mission I am on. Traffic is thick due to holiday travel with some folks preparing to begin their holiday shopping the second Thanksgiving dinner is cleared from their tables. It lets up once I am past the major shopping districts.

I pull up in front of Evelyn's building and am just about to hop out when I see someone familiar walking out the front doors. What the hell is Miguel doing here?!

Then it hits me. The sudden change in his plans. Did he really just spend the day with her? Is that why she was so adamant about me staying away today? Is she even sick?

My mind is trying to invent a rational reason for Miguel to be here. Maybe it is just a coincidence. Maybe his girlfriend lives in this building. Maybe he was just checking in on Evelyn. I want to know, but I am so dumbfounded that I just drive off.

Before I know it, I am pulling back into my parent's place. A few folks have stepped outside on the front porch and are enjoying steaming beverages and what looks to be a joint or two.

"Where'd you run off to?" Marco calls to me.

"He probably went to check in on his girlfriend. How's Evelyn?" Liam asks, taking a hit and holding it in his lungs.

"Where did Miguel say he was going?" I blurt out.

"He didn't. Just said that his plans changed. Maybe his girlfriend was willing to let him tag along with her. Apparently she was pretty standoffish about them spending the holiday together originally." Joel explains.