Memories of a Life That Never Happened

Chapter 56 - Affliction

While they waited for their parents, Mica watched Julian play with his toy truck on the floor of the health center corridor. Several minutes had passed since Jacira and Escobar had walked into the doctor's office. From the bench just opposite the closed door, Mica sat and stared at the wall, wishing she knew what was going on inside. 

Her attention was drawn by the sound of footsteps at the end of the hallway. There was no hurried racket of an emergency. No stretcher rushed through double swinging doors. No wheelchair came in, thrust in haste by some flustered soul.  

Rather, Jean-Pierre strolled in. His aura of serene nonchalance contrasted greatly with the grim hospital environment. The moment he laid eyes on Mica, his jaw dropped and his face brightened. 

As surprised to see him as he was to find her there, Mica could not begin to imagine what had brought him to the health center.  

Jean-Pierre veered toward Mica, his pace a little faster now.  

"Mademoiselle Mica." he purred and, in his usual show of chivalry, took her hand to place a soft kiss on its back. 

"Jean-Pierre," she replied, smiling at how funny her voice sounded as she said his name. 

Right that second, Joana and Virginie walked in from another corridor. The first sporting her customary resolute, impatient air. Virginie, on the other hand, seemed terribly tired and weak.  

"Hi Joana. Hello Virginie. What are you doing here? Everything ok?"  

"Well, technically, Alan was the only one harmed last night," said Joana. "Though I'm under the impression the rest of us will be forever traumatized."  

"I'm sorry for what happened." Mica took Joana's hand. The unexpected gesture put a tiny wrinkle of bewilderment in Joana's brow. "I know it must have been awful, especially to them." Mica glanced at the siblings before turning back to Joana.  

"Apologies accepted." The stoic mask had returned to Joana's face. "Besides, it was your birthday that was ruined. It was bad enough when that intolerable girl-what was her name? Blanca-" 

"Bianca," Mica corrected. 

"Same thing, different language," Joana said with a flick of her hand.  

Mica could tell that knowing how to make friends was not Joana's strong suit. 

"What was I saying? Oh, yes." Joana shook her head in reproach. "So unnecessary-that horrible birthday wish-not yours, of course. Hers."  

And then it was Mica's turn to be surprised when Joana squeezed her hand, pulled her close and patted her back.  

"Anyway," she went on. "We are here because Virginie's feeling nauseated. She's diabetic, you know, so I wanted to make sure she was ok." 

"I didn't know she's diabetic. Is that why she passed out on the beach?" 

"I'm afraid so. These two are under my care. You cannot imagine what my parents would do to me if anything bad happened to either one of them." 

"You should try to do something relaxing today. Maybe some sightseeing. Tonight there's live music at La Bodeguita, if you like Brazilian music." 

"Sounds interesting, but Nicholas invited us for dinner tonight, at his house. Were you invited?" 

"Me?" Mica let out a wary laugh. "Last time I was there for dinner, it was a complete disaster. I doubt they'll invite me a second time." 

"Is that so?" Joana blinked curiously at Mica, but was polite enough not to press for further details. "You know what? I know for a fact that it'll be much less adventurous than last night. And I don't meant that in a good way." 

Mica giggled. "Why did you agree to go if you don't want to?"  

"Because that's what I was raised to do. What I'll waste my life doing. Attending parties that I don't want to go to, dining with people I do not care for. All for the sake of keeping the great connections my family has," vented Joana.  

"Can't you ditch it?" Mica though she ought to suggest. "Your parents are not even here." 

Her response was a snort. "You definitely do not know my parents. Besides-." Joana looked at Virginie. "She says Nick saved her. It seems he shoved her down on the sand to protect her when the gun fired."  

Voices burst out of the doctor's office as the door swung open. Jacira appeared first, perched on a wheelchair.  

"Well, we must go," Joana said hurriedly. "I hope you have a better day today, Mica."  

"Thanks. I hope you don't have another traumatizing night ahead," the girl taunted. 

Joana let out a scoff as she set off down the corridor.  

A young nurse with platinum angel hair pushed Jacira carefully into the corridor so that Escobar and the doctor could follow them out of the room.  

"Come, Julian," Mica called, sticking her hand out for her brother. 

Julian grabbed his toy and gave his free hand to his sister. The string he used to push the truck dragged on the floor as they walked. 

"Everything all right?" Mica asked. The wheelchair was not a good indication. 

"I'm ok honey," Jacira said, but her smile was unconvincing. "I will spend the night here. They'll give me stronger medicine so I can go home faster." 

Julian climbed the wheelchair to sit snugly on his mother's lap, sucking his thumb. 

"Mica," Escobar said, picking up the truck that Julian left on the floor. "I'll need you to go get a few things at home and bring them here. Is that ok?"  

"Sure!" Mica kissed her mother's alarmingly cold cheeks. "Whatever Mom needs." 

"First, we need you to take Julian to Sandra. I know it is far, but it is better than dragging him around. The hospital is no place for kids. Tell Sandra what happened. Ask her if Julian can spend the night there again. Then-." Escobar handed her a piece of paper. "Go home and put these on a bag. Bring it here."  

Mica opened the note. It was a list of clothes and personal items, both for him and Jacira. 

"If you want to, you can sleep at Sandra's too," he suggested. 

"That's ok," Mica replied. She did not want to burden Sandra even more. In truth, she still felt bad for what had happened at the restaurant. "I can manage on my own. I'll be back as soon as I can," she promised. 

On the bustling street, the sunlight accentuated the colorful walls. Life vibrated on the cars driving by, sharing the road with kids playing soccer. Not even that bright Sunday morning, however, was able to bring joy to Mica's heavy heart. She walked up to the bus stop, holding hands with Julian and dreading the hours ahead. Another night alone, she thought. Another night when Theo's soothing kisses would be denied to her, just when she needed them most.