Tiago Cartel: Dahlias Story

Love

"That girl with the knives. What is her name? How did you get all these cuts? How did they heal?"

I was being interrogated by a close coluge. He actually went easy on me, which I expected. Any other person in the department would have treated me like a criminal.

"I told you. I was working undercover, I ran into someone who was good with knives, we fought, I lost, and here I am." I replied. I was tired from the flight here. My body ached only because of the flight, so don't think she beat me up that bad. Had it not been for the knives I think I would have had her. 

He looked at me with a look of desperation and 'giving up' mixed together. I shrugged my shoulders.

"Ok." he said.

"Ok what?" I asked.

"You've told me the same story over and over again. So, ok." he said.

With that he exited the room and I didn't see much of him the rest of the time I was there. Someone new came in with my badge and my belonging. 

"Thank you." I said getting up from my chair.

The same question kept repeating in my head over and over again.

"Why was I protecting him?"

I finally made it home and I couldn't have ran to my bed faster. I checked to make sure my gun was loaded, slipped it under the pillow and forced myself to go to sleep. 

"So, what happens with that cop?" Maria asked Diego as they sat at the kitchen island.

"Nothing." he replied.

"Nothing? You know she's a cop right. She could-" Diego cut her off before she could start speaking Spanish.

"She won't." he responded.

"She won't what?" 

"She won't say anything." he said.

"How do you know?" she asked puzzled.

"Because I know. Don't you have something you need to do?" he asked. She gave him a look and he looked away. Diego didn't intimidate Maria not what bit and he knew it but he also did not care. 

Maria took off and made her way to Karinas home. She made it a priority to know where Karina lived. She also planned on seeing a few cop cars outside her home so she went through a blind spot allowing her to sneak in quietly and unseen. 

She made it to the door of Karina and Karina hopped up quickly with her gun pointed at Maria.

"Whoa." she said with her hands up.

"Not here to hurt you." she continued. 

Karina put her gun down and laid back on her bed.

"Please leave. I didn't tell them anything." Karina said in a tired voice. 

Maria took off her jacket and laid in on the long dresser in the room. 

When Karina put her head up she seen Maria come towards her. She was going to reach for her gun but her body was too tired and to her surprise, Maria just laid next to her without saying a word. 

"Hey Kevin." Dahlia said as she entered her establishment carrying more flowers. 

"Hey Ms. Dahlia. Are you alright?" he asked.

"Yes Kevin I'm fine. I should be the one checking on you asking you if you're alright." she replied smiling.

"Im alright." he said as he blushed.

"So, about the Christmas tree-"

"Yes you can help me put it up." Dahlia said with a smile.

"There also will be other children that will come and make an ornament or something that can be put on the tree. So you will have a chance to make new friends." Dahlia said with a smile. He smiled back.

"Ms. Beulah?" Dahlia turned around to see a child wearing a navy blue short with a collar and three buttons at the top that were not buttoned. His shoes were a little beat up and his pants looked a little too tight for him. His hair was not done but still his young face gleamed with love. 

"Hello. What's your name?" Dahlia said turning to face him. 

"James." He replied.

"James Hardy." he continued. Dahlia nodded.

"And how can I help you?" she asked.

"I know it's not time yet and I'm not sure if y'all are doing it today but may I have breakfast?" Dahlia made sure not to make any facial expressions with her face, she did not what him to feel uncomfortable for asking to be fed. 

"Absolutely." she said with a smile. She went to lock the door of the establishment so she can feed him.

"Kevin, are you hungry as well?" Dahlia asked. Kevin nodded. 

"I didn't want to say." Kevin said, looking at the other boy. 

When they made it to the kitchen, Dahlia reached into the refridgerator to see what she could find. 

"What about some chicken and fries?" she asked. They both nodded happily. She laughed a bit.

"So James, where are you from?" she asked, making conversation as she stared to cook. 

"Southside." he answered. 

"How did you hear about this building?" she asked.

"I come for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The food is really good here and I like it. Its so warm in here." he answered, she smiled. 

"I agree. Well, we are going to put a Christmas tree up if you want to come and make an ornament or something special to put on the tree. Id love for you to come. It will be us and the neighborhood kids." Dahlia seen his smile disappear when she mentioned the neighborhood children.

"Uh. No thank you." he said. 

"Sometimes they could be a bit.. mean." he continued. She seared for an answer.

"Ok. Well come after they leave." she said, he smiled. 

She started to plate their plates with fried chicken and French fries that she'd put in the fryer. 

"Ketchup, hot sauce, chick fil a sauce or-" 

"All of them Ms. Dahlia." Kevin said with a smile. She smiled back and let out a little laugh.

"Is that what you really want to do?" 

Diego was sitting across from Laraine. He knew he would eventually have to come talk to her about the woman he was inlove with. The woman he was to see and be around for the rest of his life. He wanted to take care of her, love her correctly, and gain her trust. And most of all, he wanted to be loved by her. 

"No. But, what other choice do I have?" Diego answered.

"I see. You're conflicted." she replied, trying to make him laugh but he didn't budge. 

She took a deep breath, sat beside him and grabbed his head gently so he could lay on her. She knew that words wouldn't help him at this point. He knew what he needed to do, what he wanted to do and what he had to do. All she could do was comfort him while he went through the motions. 

He rested his head on her and took a deep breath.

"It won't get easier. Don't try to cover it up, its okay to express it. Even if that means sending her flowers or gifts every month, or week. For you, maybe everyday."

He laughed.

"Make sure you express it. Allow her to know that you love her. I won't give you an answer, but I will say love, especially black love, is something worth holding onto. Well, you're Puerto Rican and just a tad bit black." 

He laughed again and took a deep breath while resting on her chest as she put laid her head on top of his.