For Shits and Giggles [2024]

Chapter 39

There was a heavy silence in the air. The tension was palpable.

Somewhere deep inside of her she knew. Gracie knew this day would come, where she'd have to face Fior. But she never imagined it would happen like this, in a hospital room in front of all of her closest friends. Or, after this, former friends.

Paola spoke up first. Her relationship with the hospital was love-hate; sometimes it was clean and sterile, with gloves and hand sanitizer at every turn. Other times there was coughing and sneezing and puking and bleeding. She shuddered at the thought.

Paola walked up to Gracie's hospital bed and dropped the flowers gently into her lap. She averted her eyes as she did so, the entire situation felt sticky and uncomfortable. Gracie was grateful for the lack of eye contact.

"I'm glad you're okay," Paola said softly before turning to Santiago. "I'm sorry I didn't believe you. You were right about Camilo."

Santiago only nodded. He knew this moment wasn't about him. If it were about him, he'd have Felix dangling by his throat just outside the window. But he restrained himself, stood dutifully by Gracie's bedside. She hugged the flowers to her chest, looked down at them so as to avoid facing the rest of the room. Her fingers poked and prodded the hydrangea petals.

"Thank you," Gracie mumbled.

Felix coughed to interrupt the settling atmosphere. Gracie finally spoke up.

"Fior, I–"

"Don't," Fior interrupted. "I forgive you."

The entire room turned to face her; everyone shocked, in disbelief. Especially Gracie, whose fingers were now crushing the hydrangeas in nervousness.

"I don't forgive you for you," she said, her voice quiet and apprehensive. "You don't deserve forgiveness. But I forgive you for God, for myself. For my marriage. You hurt me. And I want to let go of that hurt. I have to. Just know... after this, I never want to see you again. Either of us."

Her demeanor was calm and direct, betrayed only by the slight trembling of her hands. Felix looked down at his feet in shame and embarrassment.

Santiago glanced at Gracie, whose gaze was still fixed to the flowers in her arms. Her eyes glossed over.

"I understand," was all she could whisper. She wanted to cry, beg, plead for true forgiveness. But her body was stiff. Santiago reached over to lay his hand on her shoulder.

All of a sudden, Fior let out an alarmed gasp. Everyone's eyes turned to her, and then to the door behind her.

Camilo.

Felix wrapped both his arms around his wife, pulling her to his chest and away from the door. She hugged him back, hiding her face in his shirt. Paola stepped behind Henry, whose broad and sturdy shoulders hid her well. They all glared at Camilo, but Santiago was the one to speak up first.

"You must be out of your fucking mind," he snarled, taking a step forward; ready to strangle Camilo with his own intestines. It wasn't ideal; Camilo would just come back to life afterward. But beating the everloving shit out of him would be satisfying nonetheless. Silver lining: he could do it over and over and over again.

But Santiago stopped in his tracks, feeling a tug on his jumpsuit. He turned to see Gracie's hand gripping him tightly, pulling him closer to her. "Don't go," she whimpered. He saw that her entire body was shaking, her eyes wide and unmoving. Gracie was petrified. He didn't move.

"What the hell are you doing here," Paola spoke up. "I'm calling security. Or the sheriff, or someone."

"No need," Camilo said, smiling sheepishly. His eyes were set on Gracie. Still, she didn't move, didn't blink. Santiago sat on the bed beside her, hugging her body close to him. She was still shaking violently.

"I'm turning myself in," he said. "Giving up. It's clear she doesn't love me anymore. I just came to say goodbye to my love one last time. Then I'll be out of her life for good."

There was another pause, the entire room waiting.

"If you think I'll let you off that easy," Santiago spat again. "Just wait. I'll find you, no matter what jail cell they throw you into."

Camilo shook his head, "Santiago, you really are an idiot. Why are you protecting her if she's so clearly in love with Felix?"

At this, Fior turned her head just enough to see what was going on. She felt Felix's arms tighten around her shoulders.

"That was a long time ago," Felix frowned, his fingers digging into Fior roughly. She winced. "We've been done a long time."

"Is that why you kissed that night in the facility? How long ago was that? A few weeks?"

"What," Fior peeled away from Felix.

"You low-life, lying, desparate son of a bitch," Santiago growled, feeling Gracie tense in his arms.

"It's the truth," Camilo raised his hands in defense, a wry grin crawling up his cheeks, "Just ask Paola. She was there."

All eyes turned to her, including Henry's. She hesitated, chewed her lip.

Reluctantly, Paola nodded in agreement.

Fior gasped again, her hand flying over her mouth. Felix tried to apologize.

"That's not true," Santiago insisted, standing up. "That fucker must've forced himself on her, I swear to God I'll kill h–"

Felix backed up, Fior began to hyperventilate.

"Oh she wasn't forced," Camilo egged. "From what I heard it was quite passionate! It didn't escalate into something more because there were people there, otherwise," he laughed. "I'm sure they would have gone all the way."

"SHUT UP!"

His eyes were glowing red, but he contained himself. Santiago turned to Gracie, "Tell me he's lying. If Felix forced himself on you—."

Gracie stammered. All it took was one look into her eyes, into the color of her eyes, for Santiago to know the truth. Camilo wasn't lying.

"So it's true..." his voice came out in a hushed tone.

"Oh," Fior choked out, sobbing. "You're awful. You're both just awful." She shoved past Camilo, running out of the hospital room with her hands over her face.

"Fior, wait!" Shouted Felix, running after her.

The room fell into silence again. Gracie could feel her own heartbeat thumping in her ears.

"I think we should go," Henry said softly. Paola nodded. Then they were gone too.

Santiago stared at the floor, his mind both racing and numb. He didn't say anything for a long time.

"Goodbye, my love," Camilo said with a satisfied grin. He let himself out of the hospital room, but not before offering Gracie a wink. A wink that said, this is only temporary, my dear. I'll be back. He closed the door behind himself.

Then, more silence. The seconds passed like hours.

Finally Santiago blinked. He stepped toward the open window.

"I need some air," with that, he flew off. Gracie was alone—in what had once been her sanctuary, completely alone.