I do it no less than a hundred times. It’s better than any workout at the gym. By the time I deposit him on the side of the pool, we’re both exhausted, but in a good way. “We have to get ready to go see my brother, Milo, at the hospital.”
“Why is he in the hospital?”
“He got shot.”
His cute little eyebrows come together as he thinks about that. “How come?”
“We’re not sure. It was an accident, but he’s getting better.”
“Are you scared?”
“Not as much as I was before we knew he was going to be okay.”
“I’m glad he’s going to be okay. He’s nice.”
“Yes, he is. He’s the nicest person I know.”
“You’re nice, too.”
The compliment means the world to me. “Thanks, buddy. Let’s go get dressed so we can go to the hospital.”
“Can we swim again later?”
“Maybe.” Maria has a pool, but I don’t want to make promises I might not be able to keep. “We’ll see what happens.”
Forty minutes later, the three of us arrive at the hospital and make our way to the ICU, where Maria, my parents, grandmothers, aunt and uncle are gathered.
“There’s my pal Mateo,” Nona says, reaching a hand out to him.
Mateo crosses the room to her and gives her a hug.
I always love my Nona, but I appreciate her more all the time when I witness the way she and Abuela have opened their hearts to Sofia and Mateo.
“How is he today?” I ask my dad.
“He’s good but starting to get sick of being stuck in bed. Jason says a couple more days, and then he can start to move around a bit.”
I feel for my brother. That would drive me crazy, too. “Could Mateo stay with you guys for a few minutes?” I ask. “Sofia would like to see Milo.”
“Of course,” Nona says. “He’s fine with us. Dee is in with him now, but they’ve been letting us go in bunches now that he’s doing better.”
“Okay, thanks.” I take hold of Sofia’s hand and lead her toward Milo’s room.
From the hallway, we hear laughter coming from him and Dee.
“What’s so funny?” I ask them.
“Dee is making me laugh even when I told her not to.”
“She never has done what she’s told,” I reply.
“Look who’s talking,” Dee retorts.
I glance at Sofia and catch her eyes going wide at the sight of the halo surrounding Milo’s head and realize I should’ve prepared her for what she was going to see. “Jason says that’s so he can’t move his neck while it’s healing. He says it looks much worse than it is.”
“Easy for him to say,” Milo says. “He’s never been imprisoned in one of these contraptions.”
“Milo,” Sofia says softly, her voice wavering with emotion. “I’m so, so sorry this happened to you.”