Luis July 2011
Lilly and I are settling in to watch a movie when we hear a scream outside.
"What was that?" Lilly asks.
We hear it again and I recognize Vanessa's voice. I look out the window and see her getting pulled into a van. I instantly run out the door, Lilly on my heels. By the time I get out there, the van and Vanessa are gone. I look for Usnavi and see him laying on the sidewalk ten feet away. Lilliana has already seen him and is at his side. I get over there and there is a small pool of blood on the sidewalk. I pull out my phone and call 9/11 as Lilly frantically tries to wake him up.
"Baby, wake up! Come on Usnavi, wake up!"
He groans in pain but never opens his eyes.
The next evening, we are in the intensive care unit with Usnavi. He had to have surgery to relieve some pressure on his brain. They only had to drill some holes to let it drain, but they need to keep a close eye on him. The doctors think he was hit in the face, and he hit his head heard when he fell. He cheek and eye socket are cracked.
In the last day, we have told Vanessa's moms and the police what I saw. The found video footage but we're unable to identify the men who took Vanessa. There is currently an amber alert out for her.
Around noon, Usnavi finally starts to wake up. He is extremely agitated as he is waking up.
"Usnavi, son, everything is okay. You are okay," Lilly says, stroking his head.
"Where am I?"
"You are in the hospital. You were attacked."
"I don't remember."
"Thats okay. You just rest. Everything is taken care of."
"Mom, where is Vanessa?"
"Don't worry about that right now. Just rest and we will talk later."
He tries to rest and then his eyes pop open and his face turns to pure panic.
"Mom! They took her! They took Vanessa!"
"Shh! The police are looking for her now. I'm sure they will find her soon. Now, rest."
"Mom! They took her. They took my Vanessa!"
He begins to sob. I walk over, get on the bed, and hold him in my arms. Lilly also tries to comfort him but neither one of us are able to. The nurse has to come in and give him a mild sedative. Long after he is out, I continue to hold Usnavi. I am worried for my son. Not only does he have a brain injury, but the love of his life is gone.
Luis December 2012
It has been almost a year and a half since Vanessa was taken. This past year and a half have been rough for Usnavi. He graduated but lost his valedictorian spot. He still graduated top ten, but the stress of Vanessa missing caused his senior year to be mostly c's and b's.
Usnavi is currently attending Columbia and is doing okay. He spends his free time looking for Vanessa. This week, he is home for Christmas break. He has spent most of it looking for Vanessa. At nights, he spends time with us and with his siblings.
The twins are in bed and we are watching a movie when my phone goes off. I take a look and see that it is Daniella. I step in the hall to answer.
"Hey, is everything okay?"
She is crying on the other line and my heart sinks. I am now terrified they found Vanessa's body. It has been over a year and I have given up hope that Vanessa will be found alive.
"Dani?"
"They found her Luis. They found her and she is safe now!"
"Oh my god! Really?"
"Yeah. Camilla was actually on the team that found her. My babygirl is still alive! They found her yesterday."
"Oh thank god! How is she?"
She brings to cry again and I give her time to compose herself.
"She is alive. If you guys can make it, I would like Usnavi to come see her. She has been asking for him."
"Of course we can come. We will be there first thing in the morning."
Luis, before you get here, you should know something.
I finish my conversation with Daniella and head back into the living room.
"Guys, we need to talk." I tell Lilly and Usnavi, pausing the movie.
"Dad, is everything okay?"
"Usnavi, take a breath. That was Daniella who called me. It's about Vanessa ."
"Oh god!" He says, fear full in his voice.
"They found her. She is alive. She is safe Usnavi."
I emphasize the safe part, because he looks like I just told him the opposite.
Lilly looks at Usnavi worried when he doesn't answer.
"Sweetheart, did you hear your dad. Vanessa is safe."
"I... I need a minute."
"Okay. We are here if you need to talk." I tell him.
He gets up and walks to his room.
"I need to go check on him," Lilly says impatiently.
"Just give him time. The last 16 months have been hard on him. He has held so much guilt and shame."
Lilliana nods and snuggles up into me. After a moment, she looks at me stunned. "I can't believe she was found alive after this long. I honestly never thought we would find her. At least, I never thought we would find her alive."
I nod. I go to reply when I hear a thunk. A second later we hear another thunk and a scream. I am running to Usnavi's room, Lilliana on my heels, before any of us say anything. I open the door and Usnavi is throwing items and crying. I walk up behind him and wrap my arms tightly around him.
"Usnavi, it's okay. Everything is okay. Vanessa is safe. Vanessa is alive."
He struggles and then crumples into me sobbing.
"Mommy, Daddy, is Bubba okay?" Mari asks.
"Mari, Baby, go back to your room and give us a moment. Daddy or I will come talk to you in a little while."
Instead of listening, she walks over to Usnavi and wraps her arms around him. He falls to his knees and holds her close to him.
"It's okay Bubba."
He doesn't respond. They just hold each other, Usnavi crying until I can see he is close to following asleep. I then scoop up my son, carry him to bed. As I lay his down, he looks at me.
"Dad?"
"Shh, it's okay son. She is safe now."
