It's You

Eleven

"I don't need rest. I NEED to get back to my restaurant."

"Papa, please!" Rosa cried.

Camila grabbed his hand. "You can trust us, Papa. Rosa and I. Diego and Shawn."

Hector glanced over at Shawn who had the fear of God on his face. "It's okay, son."

Shawn's eyes quickly began to fill up with tears.

"Leave me alone with Shawn for a minute."

Camila nodded and took Rosa's hand leading her out.

"Come here, son."

Shawn slowly walked closer to the bed then sat in the chair.

"Why the tears? I am fine."

"I just got scared. I mean you took me in and cared for me."

Hector squeezed Shawn's hand. "You were meant to be with us. Do you believe in that sort of thing?"

Shawn nodded. "I do. Very much."

Hector smiled at him, beaming with pride.

"Thank you for being there for me and making me feel like I am one of your own."

Hector's expression became quite serious as he squeezed his hand. "You ARE my own. Do you hear me?"

Shawn smiled.

"You ARE my son. Got it?"

Shawn leaned in close to hug him.

Hector held him close and kissed Shawn on the side of the head. "Love you, my boy."

"You should rest, Papa." Shawn said with a smile. It felt right to call him that.

Hector nodded. It did not take long for his eyes to close.

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Raphie noticed that Shawn looked apprehensive about continuing the story. "What is it?"

Shawn hesitated. "It's just what happened after that is something I have never said out loud before. I am not sure I am ready to. It's not easy to talk about, ya know?"

Raphie nodded. "I understand completely. Maybe we could revisit it at another time?"

Shawn smiled in relief then continued on with the story.

"Hector passed away a few days later. This was when things really became difficult for all of us." Shawn explained.

A few months had passed since...you know.

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"We'll, we are never going to be able to dig ourselves out of this hole." Rosa said as she looked over the bills.

"There has to be something we can do."

"Not this time, Shawn." Rosa said.

"What are our options?" Camila asked.

Rosa looked at them with sadness in her eyes.

"No." Shawn said sternly. "Not an option."

"Shawn." Camila said as she rubbed his arm in comfort.

"NO! We are NOT selling away his dream!"

"Either that or we lose everything!" Rosa cried out. "He would want us to take care of ourselves, Shawn."

Shawn shook his head trying to think of options that they hadn't explored yet.

"Why don't we start charging admission?"

Shawn glared at him. "We? Excuse me?"

Camila placed her palm on Shawn's chest. "He means well, Shawn."