Together Again

Chap 5

Miguel looks up as the doctor explains that marias awake. He and his parents rush into the room to see marias eyes slightly open and looking around. Her eyes land on sonething and she smiles.
"I knew I could feel you." She says to nothing. "You look just like I remember you. I think I'm cursed."
"Maria, who are you talking to?" Luisa asks.
"She's not in this world, shes seeing somone whos dead." The doctor says and maria coughs up more petals and dust.
"Its hector." Miguel says gaining the attention of his father.
"Hector? You mean Imelda's husband?" Enrique looks at his son in disbelief.
"They're not married any more. Hectors here for Maria." Miguel looks at his best friend as she grips the air as if holding a hand. He's here, he's with her.
"I missed you so much." Maria smiles again and a tear falls down her cheek. Miguel walks over and wipes her tear away.
"Do you still sing?" She asks and her eyes struggle to stay open.
"I dont think shes alright. She needs rest. I think its best you all leave. Shes not in her right mind." The doctor says.
"Sing me something?" Marias eyes close as she asks this question and miguel swears he hears the faint sound if singing. He closes his eyes and grips the bed sheets. After sitting there for a while he stands up and leaves. He walks to the car and sits in the back seat. Enrique starts the car and drives the three hone, awaiting the dreadful time to explain to the rest of the family what happened. Miguel runs to his room and digs through his chest at the end if his bed. He grabs out an old shoe box and pulls out an old picture. Maria and miguel are holding each other shoulder to shoulder, maria holding up a medal for winning first place in girls wrestling, her front tooth missing. Miguel holds the picture before placing it in a fitting frame and walking downstairs. He stands outside the doorway as Luisa and Enrique explain the situation to the rest of the adults. After they're done, miguel walks up to his mother and places the photo in her hands.
"Miguel, whats this for?" Luisa asks with sadness in her voice.
"Its just in case. I wanted you to have it, so you could put it up, if we needed to." Miguel bows his head in depression.
Luisa looks at the photo before placing it back in miguels hand.
"If we need this, I'd feel better if you put it up. you were closer to her than any one of us. You should be the one to place her photo on the ofrenda." Luisa pulls her son into a hug and kisses his forehead before joining her husband in the ofrenda room to tell the news to the dead family members. Its dark already and miguel is waiting for the good news or the bad news. He doesn't want to hold her photo for this reason, but if he needs to, he will put her photo on the ofrenda, so she can join the family with the dead.
The night drags on, the supposed happiness Dia De Los Muertos is supposed to bring not effecting the  Rivera family at all. Miguel knows his dead family is there and probably knows what happened to maria because dante and Pepe are at his side. Both in a depressed and worried state. Especially Pepe. She probably doesnt know what to do without her master.
"Please, dont take her away from me." Miguel pleads as he grips the frame of the picture. "Dont take her from us." Miguel's thoughts are interrupted as Enrique quickly picks up the phone after one ring.