Unwrap My Heart

Capítulo 15

WILLY

I took a long, hot shower and it washed away the day’s grime but did nothing to soothe my aching heart and raw nerves.

I’d almost walked across the street to see Ruelle. I missed her and I absolutely hated the way things had ended up between them.

Missing having Andrés underfoot didn’t help, either. It was hard to separate the boy from his mom, but I needed to try harder. Andrés needed a man in his life and there was no reason I couldn’t be that for him.

Like one of those Big Brothers or something.

But missing Ruelle was harder. I dreamed of her sometimes, my heart breaking in my sleep when she smiled that sweet smile of hers and I knew it wasn’t for me.

When I opened my top drawer for a pair of underwear, my gaze fell on the photo of Delores that had been on the dresser since shortly before I proposed to her. She’d been laughing, with the ocean behind her, and it had always been one of his favorite photos.

What if I’d known I would lose her?

It was a question that had been hitting me at random times over the last few days. If I’d known I would lose my wife and our daughter, would I have walked away without looking back?

I would have missed out on the pain, but I also would have missed all the love we’d shared and the wonderful memories we’d made. I wouldn’t trade a single day with Delores for anything.

But I was missing Ruelle simply because I feared the pain if I were to lose her.

I got dressed and walked down to see my mother. She was clipping coupons and she smiled when she looked up.

“Cariño, you look nice.”

Confused, I looked down at myself and realized I’d put on a button-down shirt. A casual one, but still not a T-shirt.

And I’d tucked it in.

“Going courtin’ clothes, I guess” I muttered.

“Ay, really?” her face lit up, but I watched her rein it back in. “Who are you going to court?”

“I need to talk to Ruelle. Can I send Andrés over to help you?”

“Tell him I need help reading the tiny expiration dates.”

Then she set the scissors down and gave me a 'Mom look'.

“On one condition though. Promise you'll spend some time with the little one when you’re done, no matter what happens. At least play a game of cards with him.”

“I promise, Ma. No matter what happens with Rue.”

“Then go. And don’t hold anything back.”

I almost chickened out halfway across the street. Maybe I should turn around and think about what I wanted to say to her. Not a script by any means, but at least an idea of what might come out of my mouth.

But if I started overthinking it, I might chicken out and say nothing at all. After taking a deep breath, I closed the distance to her front steps and rang the doorbell.

Rue’s expression was so neutral when she opened the door, I knew she must have seen me coming.

“Hello, Guillermo. Did you have another sugar accident?”

“Not today. Can I come in and talk? My mother said she could use Drés’ help with the coupon clipping.”

As if me saying his name had summoned him, Andrés ran full bore into the kitchen.