Bruno's Daughter

Chapter 29

Kristi's POV:

 That night, as I slept, something woke me up. I blinked sleepily as I saw my dream corner blink green. Bruno was having a nightmare....I hesitated a moment. I remembered Delores's words and Andres' words. I remembered my father's words to Tia Julietta. I remembered the vision I saw in his room. 

 "Delores, I don't know if you can hear me...And I know you're mad...But I need you right now..." I said, my heart pounding. To my surprise, it wasn't long before my door opened. Delores stood there, looking at me before looking at the dream corner.

 "Tio Bruno..?" she asked. I simply nodded nervously. I got out of bed and we walked over to my dream corner. I opened the curtain and nervously gulped. Delores and I walked in. I then closed the curtain before turning back to my prima.

 "Hang on." I told her. She nodded and took my hand. I closed my eyes and allowed the stars around us to circle and surround us.

 When I opened my eyes, I looked at Delores. I've never had anyone come share the dreams I've seen before. Delores' eyes were wide as she looked at me. I gave her a reassuring smile before seeing my father. He was having a vision. I wonder....I wonder if he's dreaming about when he had the vision I saw....

 The sand swirled around him, and, I stared, my eyes wide, heart pounding a mile a minute, tears forming in my eyes as I gazed at his vision.

 *Bruno's Vision*

 Bruno sat on the edge of a bridge alone, sadly looking at his reflection in the water. He suddenly fell into the water. He gasped, his eyes wide, as he tried to keep his head above the water. He called for help, terrified. He had never learned to swim. "I love you, Kristi....I'm sorry..." he said before going under one last time.

 By the time his family had reached him, he was under the water, unconscious. Augustine dove in and saved him. Kristi watched, emotionless. The family brought him back to Casita.

 They all took care of him, trying to bring him back from his coma. All of them except Kristi let him know constantly how much they loved him and begged him to wake up. Even in a coma, he looked so sad. Finally, Julietta said there was nothing more she could do. He was gone. As his family stood by his bedside, crying, Kristi stood behind them all, emotionless. 

 "Why didn't he fight...? Why did he have to die...?" Pepa cried, as she and Julietta were hugging their mother, Augustine's and Felix's hands on their wives shoulders'.

 I ended the dream. I couldn't bear to see anymore. I panted heavily, my eyes wide. "What have I done...?" I said in a hushed voice. "Papa's going to die....And it's all my fault..."

 "Now, it didn't say you murdered him, Kristi-"

 "But he would've fought for his life if I actually cared about him and let him know that! But-but I-I didn't even shed a tear!" 

 Delores sighed. I sat down, unable to move. She put her hands on my shoulders, as she sat beside me. "Do you understand now...?"

 I nodded slowly. "I-I think so...B-but what do I do...?! I-I can't lose him! He's my papa! I love him so much! He means the world to me!"

 "Go to him." Delores said softly. "Talk to him. Tell him you're sorry and that you love him."

 "But would he even forgive me after all I said and did to him...? I wouldn't be surprised if he disowned me!"

 "Kristi! Tio Bruno would never do that! He loves you. He's hurting. He's waiting for his little girl to hold him and tell him she loves him before it's too late...." she looked at me, lifting my face to look at her. "So, will you hold him and tell him you love him before it's too late?" 

 I nodded slowly, wiping my tears, not that it helped. "Will you come with me...? I know I need to do this alone, but...Maybe you could...come with me to the door...?" 

 Delores smiled at me and nodded. "Of course, mi prima." she hugged me. We then quickly stood up and left the dream corner. We went to my door and Delores opened my door.

 "Wait!" I said quickly. She looked at me and frowned. I hurried to my bed and kneeled down. I grabbed my papa's ruana from under the bed before hurrying back to my cousin, who was now smiling at me. 

 Together, we walked hand-in-hand to papa's door. When we reached the door, I stood there, nervous and unable to move. Casita moved the tiles under my feet, but I still stood there frozen, like Antonio on his gift ceremony. 

 "Hey," Delores said. I looked at her, my eyes wide in nervousness and, partly fear. I could feel my heart thumping madly. "It'll be ok." she reassured me.

 I nodded before taking a deep, shaky breath. I slowly opened the door and entered the room. I looked at papa before looking back at Delores. She smiled at me and I gave her a small smile back. I closed the door, looking at papa. "Here goes..." I said softly, watching as he tossed and turned in his sleep. I could see tears rolling down his cheeks.