(2) OF ADVENTURES THE! (COMPLETED)

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

CHARLIE

The bright fluorescent lights of the waiting room stung Charlie's tired eyes. It was two in the morning, and Charlie sat in between Angelo and Maria. On Maria's lap was none other that Alfonzo, being stitched back together by Maria.

Angelo was sitting silently next to him. He had cried probably more than his tear ducts could produce. Cecelia sat at the end of the row of chairs next to Maria. Cassandra sat solemnly next to Angelo, doing crosswords probably the fastest Charlie had ever seen.

The whole thing seemed so sad to Charlie, even with Cecelia finally back. It reminded him desperately of the scene so many years before, but he fought off the memory, trying to keep his sanity. The hospital had a soccer match televised, and Charlie attempted to focus on that instead of facing life as it actually was.

Charlie leaned over to Angelo. "What are we gonna do?" Charlie asked Angelo, his light brown hair falling in his eyes.

"I don't know. I guess we have to move on, but that will be hard. Most people don't go through things like this."

"Maybe you're right. What would we do, without Julio and Alfonzo around?"

"I don't know, Charlie. I really don't know this time."

Suddenly, a nurse in a bright white lab coat came into the room.

"Miss... Um, Cortez?" The doctor said.

"Yes?" Maria responded.

"Julio Gonzales will be awake soon."

A look of happiness spread across Angelo's face. Suddenly, to Charlie's right, came the long-awaited voice saying,

"ALFONZO RETURNS!"