10 Years • Joel Pimentel

Chapter 23

It's been a month since our wedding day and as the days go by, Amelia seems to get worse. I gulped as my tears began to form. I looked down at her small lifeless and fragile body. Her parents and I have stayed day and night at the hospital hoping she would get better. We prayed, we cried and we waited but no result.

I hold her soft hand into mine and kissed the top of it. "Please," I whispered in her ear. "For us." I said holding back my tears. I looked at her precious face and my tears began to fall, she was so pale.

"Joel, I think you should go home and rest." Alfonso placed his hand on my shoulder giving me a warm smile.

I shook my head no and looked back at Amelia. "I promised that I was going to be with her through tick and thin. I'm not leaving her side."

Her father patted my shoulder and nodded. He looked up at his daughter and placed his hand on her leg. He studied her as if figuring out what was wrong and how it'll stop this nightmare. But he did know, he just didn't don't know how to get rid of it.

"Lo que pase, pase." He said looking up at me. His eyes were dark and his bags were bigger and deeper than ever. He had more wrinkles making him look older than he was. His hair was starting to turn gray and his hands had cracks from his work.

I looked away and took a deep breathe. There was a window behind me that showed the hallway. There sat my mother with Leticia both tired and in pain while nurses rushed back and forth.

I rested my forehead on the cold glass and breath in. I closed my eyes a little just to get away from reality.

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I felt something poking my side and at first I brushed it off until it began to hurt more. I open my eyes and saw it was nothing. "Was I dreaming" I whispered to myself. The pain started to hurt more so I dig into my pockets and found a folder paper. How did this get here?

I unfold it and as soon as I recognized the writing, my heart stopped. I looked up at a sleeping Amelia. Confused I got up and got closer to her. I looked at her face for some signs that'll give it away and also hoped she'll open her eyes and laugh. No movement was made so I began to read her letter close to the window since the light came in from the hallway.

Mi querido Joel,

If you're reading this right now, it means I'm gone or I'm about to. I told the kind nurse if she could give you this letter for me once it happens.

My heart sank as I tried to be positive but questions such as 'why did the nurse give me this if she's still breathing?' 'Does the nurse know she's going to die any minute now?' I hold back my tears and continued reading.

I wanted to write you a letter telling you how blessed I was to have you in my life along side with your whole family. Ustedes fueron como mi segunda familia. You stood there right beside me no matter what. Remember that time I had a racist teacher? You were there making me feel safe.

There's been big and small events where all I needed was a hug and there you were. When I moved to Hesperia, the thought of not having a friend scared me. But I'm glad I moved because then I wouldn't have met you.

When I was on my way back to Jalisco, I felt so guilty leaving you confused and hurt. It killed me. I'm glad that lady did what she did. It made me realized that I was lucky to have you in my life and that I can't live without you.

These ten years have been the best years of my life because I shared them with you. You are the best thing that has happened to me. Thank you for everything and for loving me.

One thing I want you to promise me, is that you won't let my death stop you from going after your dream. I know how much you want it. Therefore, I want you to call La Banda back and tell them you'll fly out to Miami to audition. I know you're hurt because everything seems to be a nightmare, but please go for your dream don't let it go to waste. Because who knows what that opportunity can do. I'll always be watching over you.

Love,
Amelia

At this point I couldn't hold in my tears. I run up to her and cried on her. "Please don't leave me!"

I felt her hand moved and play with my hair. I looked up at her and eyes were closed but she was smiling. "I love you Joel."

"Amelia please fight for us." I begged her. She shook her head and said, "Ya me tengo que irme. Just know that I'm proud of you."

And with that, she stopped running her hand through my hair. The machine made the long beep sound and the doctor's came rushing in.

"Amelia!" I shouted as one doctor tried to pull me away. Her parents rushed to her side and cried loudly. The whole room felt like it was spinning as the sun began to rise.

Last thing I remembered was Emanuel grabbing me and taking me out of the room.