The Refuge

Chapter 40

Being in love is frantic. Fluttery. Falling. It’s nervous sweats and pounding heartbeats and a feeling of tremendous rightness. —Sarah Hogle

                      

Lolita Davenport decided to put her plan to play sooner than expected.  A few hours after the call between the two families, Lolita called the Jaramilos to announce that they should come over the next day for dinner. 

The Jaramillos expressed their surprise but happily agreed to the arrangement. With the positive turnaround of things, the family was excited to come together to celebrate their inevitable victory.   

The next day, the Jaramillos went about their business with the excitement for the dinner bubbling within them. However, Paloma was more nervous than excited about the dinner. While tending to her patients, her eyes kept drifting to the clock.  Even after getting home, she was the first to prepare to head out. 

Her legs bounced in agitation as she sat on one of the armchairs. The sounds of approaching footsteps filled her ears and her eyes perked up and darted to Alexa who appeared at the doorway of the living room. 

"Are we ready to go?" She asked with wrinkled brows. 

"Nope. Iris is still helping Mamà get dressed." 

Paloma withheld a groan. "I should have helped Mamà instead," she muttered under her breath. 

"Pardon, what did you say?" 

"Nothing!" She huffed and twiddled with her fingers.  

"Hmmm," Alexa hummed. "Why are you so nervous?"

Paloma squirmed in unease. "I just want to get there early." 

"I don't believe that," Alexa replied and took a seat on the couch opposite Paloma.  "You have the look you normally have when you are worried for a very sick patient." 

Paloma frowned and turned to her sister. "How do you know what look I have with my patients? You are hardly ever with me." 

"Because that's the look you wear when any of us are ill." Alexa sent her a grin.

Paloma scoffed and rolled her eyes. The bouncing of her legs ceased but she continued fiddling with her fingers. Her eyes kept darting to the clock but time seemed to drag. 

Finally, after what felt like hours, Elena wheeled herself into the living room.  A feeling of relief washed over Paloma. However, it was short-lived because Iris was still doing some last-minute make-up. Her nervousness returned as she remembered what she planned on doing when she got to the Davenports' house. 

Her phone conversation with Gael from last night flooded her mind.  

"Uh… I want to tell you something," Gael declared. 

Paloma's heart sped and she held the phone tighter. "I also have something to tell you," she said barely above a whisper. 

"Oh? That's cool.  So we'll talk after dinner?"

"Yes."

After a few more seconds, the call ended. Unease consumed Paloma and her hands became clammy.  

"Sis, sis!" A voice brought her back to reality.  

Her eyes darted to her younger sister who was staring at her with confused eyes.  

"Are you okay?" Alexa arched a brow.  

"Yes." Paloma meekly nodded and clutched a handful of her dress.