Bruno's Daughter

Chapter 34

Kristi's POV:

 I stood there in shock. Papa was dreaming about...something that happened when I was only a year old? Why? And who died that papa was so- 

 Then, it hit me. My parents! Juan and Carmen Lorenzo! They must've died! That must've been their funeral! But...Why did he say he was sorry...? That part I don't understand. 

 Well, whether I understood a lot or not, I needed to talk to papa. As I was headed out of my room, I ran into Delores in the hallway. "Delores? What are you doing?" I asked.

 "Oh! Kristi! I was just...well....going to see Mariano...."

 "This late at night??" I stared at her, confused.

 "Well, we wanted to go stargazing, but I had to wait till everyone was asleep.." she answered, looking at me hopefully.

 I chuckled. "You weren't worried about me being awake because you figured I might not tell anyone. Right?" she nodded. "Well, don't worry. I won't. Just make sure you're back before everyone wakes up. Or else it won't matter if I tell the family or not. They're going to know and your mama is gonna have something to say about you sneaking off in the middle of the night."

 Delores and I chuckled. "Si, Kristi. I'll be back."

 "You sure? Cause sometimes you and Mariano, for a couple who's supposed to be going slow, seem to lose track of the time a lot."

 Delores rolled her eyes and was about to say something when her eyes suddenly went wide. A look of shock, worry, and confusion was on her face.

 "Delores? Prima? Is everything alright? Is it Mariano?"

 "No. Tio Bruno." 

 I didn't waste a second. "Let's go." We hurried to papa's room, opened the door, and jumped through the sand. I saw papa near his bed, lying on the floor, motionless. "Delores, what happened? What did you hear? Did he fall out of bed??" I asked, hurrying over to him and scooping him up in my arms.

 "No. I heard him get up, mumbling to himself about getting some water because he couldn't get back to sleep. Then, it sounded like he was gasping and groaning in pain. Then, I heard a thud. He must've passed out," Delores told me, a worried look on her face.

 My eyes went wide as I looked from Delores to papa. "Get me a cool, damp cloth. We need to revive him somehow..." She nodded quickly and hurried off. I looked back down at papa and moved his hair out of his face. "You'll be ok, papa....You have to be....But...what happened to you...? Why were you in pain?" I asked, shaking my head. 

 It wasn't long before Delores came hurrying into the room. Papa was still lying in my arms. "Here," she said quickly, handing me the cloth. 

 "Gracias." I nodded, taking it. I gently dabbed it on papa's face. Wiping his forehead gently. He soon began to groan and stir. "Oh, thank goodness..." I breathed a sigh of relief. "Gracias, Delores. Thank you for your help. I can take it from here if you want to go see Mariano." I looked up at her and smiled.

 "Are you sure?" she asked hesitantly.

 "Si, prima. Go. I promise I'll tell you how he is when you get back. He'll be alright. He's stirring now. And, besides, even without me telling you, I think you'll know by hearing him." 

 Delores nodded and stood up. "True...Alright. I'll go. Thank you, Kristi. I'll see you later." she smiled at me, before hurrying off. Before she left the room, she turned back and waved to me. I watched as she left the room.

 When she was out of sight, I looked down at papa and continued to dab the cloth gently against his face. He groaned and slowly opened his eyes. His eyes wandered about the room before landing on me. 

"Kristi..? What are you doing here..?" he asked, trying to sit up. I only pushed him back down. 

 "You stay down. Delores said it sounded like you passed out in pain. I was on my way to your room to talk to you about your nightmare. Turns out that instead of helping him with a nightmare, I need to revive him, worrying about his safety and health, because my father has passed out in pain!" I declared, shaking my head. He closed his eyes a moment, putting his hand to his head. "Papa, I saw you earlier this evening in pain. And just a few minutes ago, Delores and I had to revive you because you had passed out in pain. I only want to know the truth, papa. What is going on with you...?"

 He groaned looking up at me. "It's a long story, Kristi..." he said softly.

 I sighed, shaking my head. "Come on. I'll help you to your bed." He nodded slowly, gratefully taking my hand. I helped him into the bed and tucked him in under the comforter. "Do you still want some water?" He looked sheepish as he nodded. I only smiled. "It's alright. You don't need to be ashamed to ask me for a water. I'll be right back, ok?" 

 "Ok.." he said quietly, nodding. I kissed his forehead before leaving his room and going to the kitchen.