Miss Bala

Chapter 24: Mother Not To Be

It's been about 3 days since the dinner outburst. Things haven't gotten worse since then, but everyone knows it's bound to happen soon with all this tension. Alex was doing a lot better, he was removed from the critical list and should be released from the hospital soon. Carlos was already out, back on his feet.

Gemma apologized about what happened with my work claim and I was in no position to hold grudges and now I was helping her find some old letters and we started looking through the guest house where she had stored some old boxes.

"Where's my five-eighth socket?" I heard Ortiz from inside.

"I got it." Tucán replied back.

I stopped going through one box and saw Gemma leaning against the door frame, looking outside. It was Ortiz and Tucán arguing again in the last 5 hours.

"Hey, those aren't your goddamn tools." Ortiz pointed out.

"Blow me." Tucán rolled his eyes and kept using whatever was in the toolbox

"What?"

"I said blow me, shithead."

"I need that socket." Ortiz continued on.

"I don't have your goddamn socket."

"What is up with those two?" I asked Gemma as we both looked on.

"I'm not sure but they better get their shit together," she sighed, "I'm going to head inside, give another look around my room again."

I nodded.

Walking out onto the lawn and away from the guys arguing back and forth, I noticed a car pull onto the driveway. It was Valerie. And I have yet to apologize for what I said the other night.

I waved her down as she got out the car. She started walking towards me and I decided to meet her halfway.

"I just wanted to say sorry about what I said that night." I told her straightforward.

"It's okay. But thank you for that, the apology."

She looked hesitant but continued,

"Um, can I ask you a favor?"

She seemed on edge, shoving her hands in the front pockets of her jeans.

"Sure.." I told her, hiding the fact that I was a little taken back for her need to ask me for anything, seconds after I just apologized for my first impression towards her.

"I don't know Irene. I've never even talked with her but, um, I was kinda wondering if you could ask her something for me."

I motioned for her to continue.

"I need a good clinic for an abortion. Someplace quick, where I can pay cash."

I spoke too soon, this one definitely threw me off but I remained neutral about it.

"How far along are you?" I asked without thinking. It wasn't my business.

"Not far, about eight weeks."

Something got me thinking and I answered her a few seconds later.

"I'll ask her. Let you know."

She nodded, "cool, thanks."

Her whole demeanor changed after. That's when I noticed it was Chivo, a few feet behind me, waiting on her. Lino mentioned they were just hanging out. I can't tell whether that's a good thing or not, it hasn't even been that long since Adriana but he also seems more happy than he has been the last few weeks. We both departed from each other. The heat from the sun was making me feel sick.