Greetings Trilogy: Book Two
Originally Known As: Rosalynna
Can be read alone but still makes references to the first book.
Updates: Every Sunday at 11:00 p.m.
Life always comes in full circle, you have babies, those babies have babies and so on and...
"I know you're shining down on me from heaven . . .
Eventually I'll see you in heaven."
One Sweet Day // Mariah Carey - Boyz II Men
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Being in this hospital after all these years has been a surreal experience. These past 24 hours have been the most gut wrenching experience I've ever had. I never expected to see my daughter that way, pale skin, her vibrancy gone, her presence gone.
It was even harder seeing the effect her passing has had on my other children. Enrique has been in this constant stage of regret and everytime he dozed off it was like he was being attacked in his sleep. He was hit severely in his knee, he has injuries to his femur, tibia, and fibula. She had practically shattered his knee. But Enrique wasn't focusing on that, he was focusing on his sister being gone.
Ansel on the other hand, I can tell he was taking it harder than any of us ever could. Valentina and him were so close growing up if I seen one I was seeing the other. I couldn't even stand the idea of Ansel not having his partner in crime anymore. Ansel turned into the overachiever when he was hurt. He would take on as many tasks as possible so he didn't have to feel.
Ricardo just stared blankly. It seemed like he was trapped in his thoughts. He was watching us all knowing when to smile knowing when to nod. I know it will inevitably hit him and I hope I'll be the shoulder he can lean on when that day comes.
The day stretched ahead and it was an endless struggle, I had to plan the funerals of both Dallas and Valentina. Nobody came for Dallas so I thought it was only right to plan them both. We tried contacting his parents and his sister Josephine but nobody answered any of our calls.
Ansel had already been ripping and running this morning. He knew where Valentina kept some important documents and brought them to me. "Val left this about her burial wishes." He said handing me a binder of papers. "I also got ahold of Josephine. Is it okay if she comes in here?" He questioned. Everyone was still asleep except for Samuel.
When Samuel wasn't talking to anyone and was just sitting there he'd , "I could've saved them. If she hadn't followed me they'd be here." Samuel was in a trance, we told him that we'd always watch over him but like Enrique he was filled with regret. He covered his pain with acting cheery when we'd speak to him but I saw the way his eyes flashed with sadness once the conversations were over.
Who I'm assuming is Josephine walked into the hospital room. We were in a huge hospital room so we were allowed to have many guests especially because Ricardo paid to have Samuel and Enrique moved to a bigger room than before.
Josephine came in reaching for a hug. I held her tightly and when she released I continued to read my daughters wishes, "Do you have any idea of what Dallas would have wanted?" Ansel asked her as I read.
"Dallas wanted to be next to Val. Side by side, forever." I couldn't help but feel a knot tighten in my chest.
"She wanted to be buried and have fruit bushes planted around her tombstone." My voice barely above a whisper.
Josephine nodded, her eyes mirroring the melancholy. "That sounds beautiful."
"This is dated May 10." I could feel my heart beginning to clench as I seen her handwriting. "Why was she planning her funeral?"
"Dallas and her they were planning their lives together their wedding, moving away, and uh what their final resting places would be." Ansel explained, "She told me about it but I just I guess I didn't read too much into it."
"I don't think I can do this." I said I could feel my tears beginning to well up.
"It's okay ma I got it. Don't worry about it okay." Ansel said now kissing my forehead. Josephine was now standing near Samuels bed doing an introduction. "Josephine I have some calls and runs to make can you come with me." Josephine turned her attention away from Samuel who was doing his almost genuine smile at her, and she nodded giving Samuel a hug before leaving the room. When she left he was still smiling as he laid down to get some more rest.
I sat there watching as the twins slept on Ricardo's chest as he laid on the hospital couch. I had been so busy with thinking about the funerals that the fact my son actually had babies completely left my mind.
The door creaked open, and I was shocked by who came in. My family began to enter one by one. Daniel, my 21-year-old nephew, carefully carried a tray of coffee cups, the aroma of warmth filling the air. As he navigated the room, a cup lightly bumped against the tray, creating a soft clink. He shot an apologetic glance, his cheeks flushing.
"Easy there, Danny boy," Julian, my brother, whispered with a faint smile. He held a bouquet of flowers. "Figured we could use a bit of color in here," he added, placing the flowers on Enrique's bedside table.
Rosalía, my sister, entered with an armful of balloons, her eyes sparkling mischievously. She was the one to bring life to every party but she knew when the time was right. She moved towards the bouquet of flowers and secured the balloons down with the flowers end.
Alison, my mother, moved gracefully towards the couch. She laid a gentle hand on Ricardo's shoulder, she wanted her chance with the babies giving me a smile as she reached in to grab them. Ricardo moved quickly as if trying to protect them, "I see you still got it huh?" My mom let out a small laugh as Ricardo tried to fake a laugh.
It was a relief to see my family. I just wish that it didn't take these circumstances to make it happen.
