Inside the bathroom, I turned on the shower waiting a few seconds for the hot water to come through, but slowly the mirror started fogging up as the steam floated across the room. As soon as the water fell on my skin, I felt myself relax. I wanted to forget today ever happened, but every time I tried, I saw the lifeless body lying on the operating table as
my father tried to revive her. I didn’t realize I was crying until I tasted my tears on my lips. Vigorously, I rubbed my face before turning the water off and climbing out.
With a towel wrapped around my waist and another to dry my hair, I walked back into the bedroom.
“I’m sorry, baby, I just got paranoid that I could be the reason why we never have kids.” Samantha sat on the bed, grabbing a tissue off the nightstand.
“Seriously, Sammy, you need to stop listening to your sister. When the time is right, the time is right. I don’t want to talk about this. I’m exhausted and just want to go to sleep.”
My phone started to ring. I walked over to the desk, leaning over to see Adriana’s name flashing on the screen. I answered the phone abruptly which didn’t deter her as she rambled on about some issue with her Mac.
The girl never shuts up. I told her I was busy. Fuck! Why couldn’t she get Elijah to help her out? Then she said she was at Charlotte’s.
I don’t know what came over me because in a heartbeat I agreed to go over.
Like a rainbow after a storm, it was exactly what I needed. Trying to disguise my enthusiasm, I told her I’d be over in fifteen minutes, then hung up the phone. Sammy watched as I changed into my jeans.
“What’s going on?”
“Adriana’s Mac died, and she needs it for tomorrow night.”
I left out the part about going to Charlotte’s. I don’t know why—I had no reason to feel guilty.
“Oh, I thought we could climb into bed together. It’s been a while, Alex.” She curled her arms around my waist and started kissing my chest.
“What do you want me to do? She needs help, and you were the one who agreed for us to chaperone this stupid party.”
“Fuck, Alex, it’s always an excuse with you.” Sammy pulled away, storming off with the bathroom door slamming behind her.
I quickly got changed, not wanting to deal with the drama that is my wife. We weren’t fucking anymore because I was either exhausted when I got home from the hospital, my shifts were on rotation, and well, I didn’t trust her. The whole baby thing was warping my mind.
I needed to get out of here, so I grabbed my keys and closed the door behind me, ready to chase my rainbow.
***
My finger pressed against the doorbell, patiently waiting for Adriana or Charlotte to answer. With my hands in my pockets, I stood there rocking back and forth, willing the nervous energy to disappear before someone answered.
I hadn’t done anything to be ashamed of, though I knew it was only a matter of time, unable to rid my mind of impure thoughts despite my commitment to Sammy, but they were just thoughts.
So what if I enjoyed Charlotte’s company? She made me laugh, made me forget the world existed for a few moments. She’s uncomplicated. My vows were still intact. No, there was nothing to feel guilty about.
Then she stood in front of me like I was in some dream. She captivated me, her beauty leaving me speechless.
“Oh hey, Alex. You okay? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
“Hi, Charlotte… I uh…”
Fuck, I had nothing to say. Now wasn’t the time to be giddy. Man up. Okay, so I want to see her naked, every inch of her spread out in front of me. Okay, shit, no more manning up.
She grabbed my hand and pulled me to the living room where her parents sat. She introduced me to her father who simply said, “Hello.” Her mother stood and walked over to me, then she placed her hand on my cheek. How odd, I thought to myself.
“Un ángel camina entre nosotros,” she chanted as she touched my face.
An angel walks amongst us? What an odd thing to say.
I replied in Spanish, saying ‘thank you.’ Thank God, I understood and didn’t look like a complete moron in front of her. Though, I am surprised to see her mother here considering her parents are divorced.
“You understand Spanish?” Charlotte asked with a wide grin on her face.