Marry Me

Chapter 17

     When we got to Lissie's room, she was asleep. She looked so small in that awful hospital bed. Her faded teal gown just wasn't her style, and I could just hear her wishing she had her more comfortable pajamas.

     The lights were dim, and it was painfully quiet, other than the soft beeping of the machines whose wires snaked around her body. Mario wasn't there, but Mateo was leaned back in a small arm chair against the wall. His eyes were closed, but his foot tapped slowly on the floor. I knew he was awake.

     "Grandpa, Chris is here." Alondra whispered. He stayed where he was for a beat before slowly opening his eyes and looking at me. I nodded once, but said nothing. I knew nothing I came up with would help the situation.

     Mateo stood and slowly crossed the room. He stopped infront of me and studied me, hard. I stood up straight and maintained eye contact as Alondra's favorite person in the world made a new opinion about me.

     I'm sure he knew, or at least had some sort of idea as to what I'd been doing to Alondra the last three weeks. I was prepared for anger, disgust, or at least disappointment.

     What I didn't expect was for him to grip my shoulders and pull me in for a hug. I was stunned. I stood there for a few moments, but slowly wrapped my arms around him.

     "Look how sweet." a quiet voice murmure. We all looked up and saw Lissie smiling over at us. She had bags under her eyes that matched Mateo's.

     "Hey!" Alondra gasped as we all rushed over. Mateo took his place on his chair, and Alondra and I stood on the other side.

     "Hi Lissie." I said with a soft smile. Lissie looked up at me and asked "You didn't come all the way up here because of me, did you?" I shrugged and replied "You gave me a bit of a scare. I needed to see for myself that you were okay."

     She huffed and rolled her eyes. Looking at Alondra she said "You didn't need to worry him about me."

     "We are all worried about you." Alondra said softly. I took her hand in mine, squeezing lightly. She squeezed back.

     Mateo started murmuring to her in Spanish, so I excused myself. I didnt know nearly enough Spanish to understand, but from him tone, I figured they would want some privacy. Alondra followed me into the hallway and wrapped her arms around my waist again.

     I kissed the top of her head and said "She seems to be okay." She nodded but said nothing. I leaned my head back against the wall.

     God this girl was amazing. She has the patience of a saint and is so strong. I knew that she had more tears, but she wasn't letting them fall. She was trying to be brave for her grandparents, even though she was terrified.

     I was scared too. I had never lost someone close to me before, and even though she wasn't my grandmother, I loved her like family. If we had lost her, especially during my ghosting phase, I never would have forgiven myself.

     I kissed Alondra's head again and said "Why don't you go back in there? I didnt bring any clothes so I need to find a Walmart and get some essentials."

     The way Alondra looked up at me, I knew she didn't want me to go. Honestly I didn't either but she needed to be with her family.

     She nodded and whispered "Meet me at my apartment? I'll give you the key." She shakily took her keys from her pocket and pulled the little golden key from the ring. I slipped it onto my key ring and studied it for a few moments. It felt right, seeing it hanging between my dorm room key and the one for my parents house.

     I gave her a long, slow goodbye kiss and made my way towards the front of the hospital. I was stepping into the elevator when I heard Mateo yelling "Chris! Wait a second."

     I stepped back out and turned to my left to see him running towards me. I met him half way and asked "Is everything okay?"

     Mateo took a few breaths to steady himself and said "Si, everything is fine. I wanted to talk to you before you left."

     Dread filled my stomach like a thick oil. I cleared my throat to buy time and said "Okay, um, what's up?" I winced at how ridiculous I sounded.

     Mateo blew out a long breath and licked his lips. He took off his glasses and said "Look son, Alondra... she really likes you."

    "I really like her too." I interrupted. My own grandmother would smack me upside the head if she had witnessed me speak out if turn, especially to my significant other's grandfather.

     Mateo hesitated a moment and said "I know you do. I can see it when you look at her... but I can tell you're holding back. Alondra has been acting off lately, and didn't do a lot of talking about you. So I can only assume things got rocky?"

     I looked away. I couldn't look into the eyes of a man I respected and tell him how much of a coward I had been. My silence would have to be enough of an answer.

     "In any case," he continued with another sigh, "You are here now, and that's what matters. Whatever happened between you two ended as soon as she called, and for that I'm very greatful. I haven't seen her as happy as she is with you in a long time.

     'So, I wanted to thank you. For coming there tonight, and for giving Alondra happiness. I don't know If you two are going to stay a thing, or go your seperate ways again, but I hope it is the first one. You're a good kid, and I think Alondra could make an honest man out of you."

     I chuckled and replied "I'd like that, sir." He smiled at me, and for a moment, it actually reached his eyes. Mateo reached over and hit the call button for the elevator again and said "Alright, get out of here before it gets late and all the tooth brushes are bought up."

     The elevator doors opened with a ding, and I stepped in. Mateo stood and held eye contact with me until the doors started to close. Then he turned away and headed back towards his wife's room.

     I sagged back against the wall and let our the breath I had been holding. I had expected a stern talking to, but now felt even more accepted into the family.

     Ad the doors opened to my floor, I stepped out and rolled around an idea in my head. Once I was in my car I set my GPS to Walmart and came to a conclusion.

     I needed to set everything right.