Caballeros

Pink Elephants (Edited)

    

Joaquin

I feel as if all the air just left my body entirely. Jules looks at me concerned when I don't respond right away. I can't I am fucking mad as hell. I look over at her and she pleads with me to say something. I take a deep breath as I unclench my teeth; fucking Arnie Vega is still haunting me.

"What kind of surgery will it be and how long will it take to recover?" I say flatly.

"Well, we can do an arthroscopic surgery where I make an incision and put in a tiny camera and it helps me repair the tear. This surgery takes some people about 4 months to recover from." He says.

"Four months!"

"I wasn't finished Joaquin, you are young and healthy so if you wear the sling and follow my rules after surgery you can recover in about four to six weeks. But compliance is the key word Hijo."

"Okay, I can deal with that," he says.

"Joaquin even if you feel like you are recovered sooner than that, I don't want you bull riding for eight weeks."

"What? You just said four to six weeks Doc!" I groan out.

"I know what I said but trust me Joaquin, you want to wait in case of re-injury . I'm not trying to be a dick here I am trying to help you stay healthy. If you get hurt again I will have to do a more invasive surgery and cut you all the way open; If I do that chances that you will bull ride again are slim to none."

"When can we get the surgery done?" Jules says.

"We?" I ask, I know I am being a big baby.

"Oh hush up Joaquin," she says firmly. I love my sassy girl. "I start work next week at the school."

"Oh yeah? Will you be teaching ?"

"Yes sir," She says quietly. "Kindergarten in my mama's old classroom."

"I think my grand baby is in your class. I wouldn't want you to miss the first week of school. Did you eat today Joaquin?"

"Yeah about maybe five hours ago on the road back from Houston but I was going to take my darlin' wife out to dinner."

"Let's me see something," he says pushing the intercom. "Mi Amor can you please call the surgery center and see if there is an available OR this evening?"

"Yes honey," his wife answers back.

"Wait today?" I ask.

"If there is room, yes, the first few days are the hardest so it's best that Juliana not miss her first week."

"Are you okay with that baby?" She asks touching my arm.

"Dr. Reyes is right; I don't want you to miss your first week of school. How will it look if the new teacher misses school on the first day?" I say with a chuckle. I am trying so hard to hide my fears from her. The intercom buzzes.

"Honey they have one available in one hour shall I book it?" she asks.

"What do you say Joaquin?" he asks me and I nod. "Yes love, please book it."

"I guess this is it huh Dr. Reyes?" I say.

"Well we knew one day you would need to have surgery on something; Bull Riding is a tough sport. I have always told you I think you're fucking crazy."

"Yeah you do tell me that and it's kind of true too."

"You are just like your dad; I miss that man." He says with a smile. "He was my best friend."