SIXTEEN
“How were your auditions, kuya?”
“I think it went well. I got a callback for tomorrow.”
“That’s a relief! I thought I blew it for you.”
One by one, Ramon unpacked the apples and oranges he bought on the way to the hospital and placed them on a wooden tray sitting on Garnet’s bedside table. A bouquet of flowers wrapped in silver foil lay beside it. He glanced at it and saw a note that said “Get well soon, Garns. Love ‘ya. -Charlie.”
“Don’t worry about it.” He turned to his cousin and ruffled her hair. “How are you doing?”
“I’m all right. I think I need to stay a few more days, though.”
“Apple? Orange?”
“Orange.”
Ramon chose the biggest orange from the bunch he brought and began peeling it while asking Garnet questions here and there. Dengue fever might have stolen a lot of
