Mi amor ~ Camilo Madrigal x oc~

19

There's no way to stop the ups and downs of life. And it seems for every up I have there is an impending down. After Camilo left that night Sofia got sick. It came on out of nowhere and it was rushing on her like nothing Mami had ever seen before. At the same time, Abuela got better. She started to gain back the color in her skin. She got out of bed for the first time in weeks.  I know Mami is afraid just as much as I am as to what Abuela's gift is. We've always been told it made people want to be distant from her. But I don't know what to believe anymore.

Mami refuses to leave Sofia's side. Consequently, I've been stuck with Abuela. Their both afraid if Maria and Ana find out how they will react. Sofia was never sick not even as a child. That's what worries us so much. I made my way up the stairs and down the hall to Abuela and my shared room. I try to spend as little time copped up in the sad place. I flung open the door calling out, "Abuela! Mami wants to know if you are coming down for dinner?" She was gone. The bed was made and most of her belongings were still there. It took me a moment to even realize that she had truly left. 

Then I notice her favorite pearls were missing. The photo of my Papa was gone. And so was her white shawl that hung over her chair. A letter lay in the middle of the neat bed. Abuela never wanted to stay in one place. Let alone here. But she knew Mami was tired of moving. Somewhere in the back of my mind, I knew this day would come. The day I opened to door to find Abuela gone. For a while, I thought it meant she would be dead. But that was the opposite of now. She went from Dying to being a new woman overnight. 

Sighing I reached down for the letter. Unfolding the letter I read it allowed in English, "Dear Valentina, I knew it wouldn't be your Mother finding this. It was always you. You cared for me at my bedside when I was at my worst. Not as a patient but as a person. That is why it pains me so dearly to leave all of you behind. Because you can not brace this journey on your own. Your curse will only grow stronger and the people around you will not be ready. But you can not do this alone. Let the boy help you." 

I paused for a moment tears welling in my eyes, "I have not been completely honest with any of you about my curse. It was never meant to keep people away from me. Solitude was my own choice. When I get so sick I am near death the illness will leave my body and go to another. I never wanted to hurt any of you, Valentina. But I have held on for too long and it is time I let go. Don't come looking for me. You won't ever be able to find me. Your Mami already knows about my leave. She will tell your sisters. But you Valentina must be stronger than I am. Do not let the weakness of fear pull you away. I love you, Abuela." 

Tears streamed down my face mixing with the dried stains of her own. I felt my knees buckle under me. Falling to my knees I read the letter over and over again. I heard footsteps coming into the room. Mami spoke up from the doorway, "Ay mi hija" I felt her hand on my shoulder as she tried to console me. My blood ran hot as my eyes went a milky white. Abuela was like me and she left. Papi was like me and he left. I can not stay here in this house and watch my siblings hurt as I once did. But I can not leave knowing they will lose so much more to the curse. Life is one big up and down. But the downs always out way the ups.