Chapter 7: Veteran’s Day, Recovery CheckMiss Rose was an angel of mercy during the days that followed Alfie’s surgery. When Gustavo went out to try to make money to pay her for the bed she provided, she took over Alfie’s care. She fed the two of them three meals a day, and when Gustavo offered up the few bucks he’d earned, “Keep it for when Alfie gets better,” she said, even though one of her best rooms had been occupied over a month.
“One more step.” Afternoon sunlight pouring in just one window illuminated the stark contrast of Gustavo’s arm wrapped around Alfie’s bare middle. Alfie wore nothing most of the time except bandages on both legs and some around his lower back. Several times a day, they’d have to come off to give the wounds and incisions—a word Miss Rose taught Gustavo—some a
