Loving Vicente

VIII

The next week is filled with fleeting moments, stolen kisses, and sorrowful goodbyes. Almost every night we did the same routine. Sneaking out my window, making my way to his car, and talking til sunrise. I could feel myself slipping in deeper with Vicente and I couldn't stop it.

Waking up this morning, I had this smile that seemed to permanently take place on my lips this last month. Stretching my limbs and getting out of bed, I check my phone. Vicente's good morning text sat unread on my screen.

Replying to him, I head towards the kitchen. Since I had woken up before everyone, I decide to get started on food. It made me feel happy we had our breakfast together. My uncles day's consisted of work, so getting to see him in the morning was always a relief.

As I'm cooking, my cousin comes bounding into the kitchen. "Wow, I'm surprised to see you up early after all those late nights." She teases, playfully. I let out a sarcastic laugh. "Ha ha very funny. Sit down before you get none of my french toast." I say, sticking my tongue at her.

She holds up her hands as if to say she surrenders, and shortly after my uncle walks into the kitchen. Greeting us good morning, he says he'll be home early tonight and wants to take us out for dinner. A huge smile reaches my face, since I had been here we hadn't been able to spend much time together.

"Estoy deseando que llegue, Tio." (I'm looking forward to it uncle.) I reply. Anna looks excited as she goes over what restaurants we should try, leaving us to pick he kisses the tops of our heads with a quick goodbye.

Anna and I talk back and forth for a while before clearing our plates and cleaning up the kitchen. We both stayed in our rooms for most of the day, only coming out every so often to wander into the kitchen or to use the restroom.

Vicente had been pretty quiet all day, his silence always came in waves. I had texted, letting him know I would be out tonight. When I didn't get a response, I decide to take a nap and let the day pass me by.

Waking up to the alarm on my phone, I sit up feeling like I overslept. My head was pounding, making me sick to my stomach. Getting up, I gather my clothes for dinner. My uncle would be arriving soon and I didn't want to keep him waiting.

When I finally heard the sound of my uncle's truck pulling into the driveway, I slip on my shoes and throw my hair into a clip. Leaving my room, I see Anna closing her door. "Are you ready?" She asks with a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. Nodding my head, we make our way outside and hop into the truck.

As we make the drive, Anna's face seems to grow with worry. "A donde vamos?" I hear her ask. (Where are we going?) My uncle looks over, "Te acuerdas de Juan?" My uncle replies. (You remember Juan?)

Anna shakes her head yes, "Tiene un restaurante en el pueblo de al lado." (He has a restaurant in the next town over.) Anna's face pales, making my stomach uneasy. "Estas seguro papa? Sabes lo malo que es." (Are you sure Dad? You know how bad it is.) He waves her off and reassures her everything would be fine.

Pulling into the quaint restaurant, my stomach rumbles with hunger. Grabbing my purse, we head inside to be seated. It smelled amazing, we all looked at each other excitedly. My uncle flags the waiter and orders what sounds like drinks.

After a few minutes, the waiter comes back with three colorful drinks, taking our orders before leaving. My uncle holds up his, motioning for us to do the same. "I'm so proud of you both. You're growing into beautiful young women." He says sentimentally, "I also want to thank Daniella for coming and bringing joy back into my Anna."

Her eyes fill with tears hearing her father's words. I smile and stand, hugging my uncle. We cheered together and sip the strong alcoholic drinks.

When our food arrives, we don't hesitate to dive in. We talk back and forth throughout dinner, as we finish my uncle orders a dessert.

I had felt stuffed to the brim, and so did Anna. "Vamos a llevarlo para ir?" I hear Anna ask. (Let's take it to go?) Nodding his head yes, we wait for the server to bring a box.

TW: Violence

I try to offer to pay half the bill but my uncle wouldn't hear of it, saying that it is a man's job when inviting a woman out. As my uncle pays the tab, we wait near the door gathering our purses and coats. Making our way outside and walking down towards the parking lot, I hear the sound of footsteps behind us.

Not thinking much of it, we continue walking and talking. Anna and I had linked our arms, walking side by side. When the truck finally comes into view, I suddenly see five men making their way toward us. My heart races, sensing that these weren't great guys. "No queremos problemas." (We don't want problems.)

I hear my uncle say in a worried tone. Out of the five men, one of them seemed to stand out. He stood in front, leading their actions. "That's a nice truck, old man." Says one in an insinuating tone. Anna grips me tighter, her nails digging into my skin.

My uncle grows an angry look on his face. "You guys can't just go taking things when you want." He spits out. I breathe in a sharp breath, my stomach growing tight. I knew things were going to escalate and I was terrified. All the men look towards one another, smiles growing on their faces.

"Tio, please," I whisper. Suddenly, the guy who seemed to be leading this whole thing, smashes my uncle's head into the brick wall, causing my uncle to drop to the floor. I let out a cry while Anna raced toward him. "Leave him alone, please!" She cries out.

One of the men grabs her from behind, keeping hold of both her arms. She struggles against him, throwing her legs and head in a flurry trying to land a hit. Seeing her being manhandled, I try rushing toward her but am quickly put in the same position. "Let me go asshole!" I yell out, feeling a surge of adrenaline rush through me.

The guy lets out a laugh. "Such a dirty mouth for a beautiful thing as yourself, no?" He grits out, spinning me around to face him. My chest heaves up and down with anger. Reeling my head back, I swing it forward as hard as I can and land him right in the nose.

Dropping his hold on me, the guy stumbles back in pain gripping where I'd hit him. "You stupid b***h!" He hisses out, I turn to run towards my uncle who was getting wailed on endlessly by two other men. Anna fought hard against the guy who held onto her, he had this look in his eyes that the other didn't, almost like he didn't want this.

When I've almost reached my uncle, I feel a hand wrap its way around my curls yanking me back harshly. I let out a hiss of pain, being faced with the man I had hit. He reels his fist back and knocks me against my cheek.

My eyes filled with black spots, losing focus. I felt my body slump to the ground. Hearing the men telling each other to leave, I try bringing myself back but it takes me a minute.

Once I finally pull myself from the pavement, my uncle is laying limp with blood gushing down his face and body. Anna is slumped over him, her shoulders shaking from her sobs. Running back into the restaurant, I beg the workers to dial for an ambulance. It doesn't take long for the flashing lights to be seen.

Paramedics come rushing out, placing my uncle on a gurney and examining Anna and me. They told us we were fine and gave me an ice pack for my cheek.

I held it to my face as I walk around the area we were robbed, searching for anything left. I spot my phone on the ground, a few feet from where I was grabbed.

It must've fallen out when they took my purse. I think to myself. Thank God all my important documents weren't in the bag, just a few pesos and a lip gloss. Picking up my phone, I slide it into my pocket. Anna and I hop into the back of the ambulance and ride to the hospital with my uncle.

His face was swollen and littered with bruises. It made my stomach ill. I was in such a state of shock, I couldn't believe what had happened. Anna had remained quiet the whole way to the hospital, leaning her head on my shoulder and letting out silent tears. "They took my mother's necklace," Anna says so softly, I almost didn't hear her. "I'm so sorry Anna." I try to console her, but I know nothing I say will help.

When we arrive at the hospital, it's a flurry of doctors. They rush my uncle back into surgery, saying he had broken ribs. Anna and I wait anxiously in the waiting room, the time passing slowly. The fluorescent lights of the hospital make me dizzy, I lean my head against the wall and close my eyes.

A few hours later, a doctor approaches us. We stand quickly, fear settling in my bones. "He's going to be just fine. He asked to speak with his daughter." The doctor says. I let out a sigh of relief as we walked toward his room. Waiting outside the door, I see Anna crying. He reaches over, gripping her hand.

Giving them a moment, I pull out my phone and text Vicente. I tell him to call me as soon as he can. Anna comes out and signals me into the room. Making my way over to his bedside, my eyes fill with tears. He had a cast on and was bruised badly. "Don't cry hija, it's OK." He says gently. "I'm just glad we're all alive and safe."

After talking with my uncle for a while, he decides not to call my parents. Saying he didn't want to ruin their trip. Soon after he slowly falls asleep. Checking my phone, I notice a few missed calls. Stepping into the bathroom, I dial Vicente's number. He picks up almost immediately, "What happened Daniella? Are you OK?" His voice filled with concern. A cry escapes my lips.

Vicente continues to ask what's going on as sobs rack my body. Once I've finally calmed down, I braced myself to speak. "We went out for dinner in the next town over, and a few men approached us. They stole my uncle's car and put him in the hospital Vicente."

Silence fills the line as he listens to my words. "Did they hurt you?" He asks sharply. I let out a heavy sigh, I knew once I told him what happened there was no saying what he'd do. But I had a mark on my face, he'd see it eventually.

"When the guy grabbed me, I headbutted him. I think I may have broken his nose." I say, letting out a shaky breath. Vicente lets out a chuckle, "That's my girl." My heart swells with pride as I hear the words, my girl.

"You didn't answer my question though." He says. Preparing myself for his response, I finally gather the courage to tell him. "The guy grabbed me by my hair and punched me in the face," I answer honestly.

Vicente lets out a slew of cuss words, anger filling his voice. "I need you, Vicente. Please." I plead with him. It takes a while and a lot of begging before he finally calms down. I tell him the hospital and what floor I'm on. "I'll be there soon Hermosa." He says while ending the call.