“Don’t be so hard on yourself, son. You’re good in your own way, and he’s good in his. There’s nothing you wouldn’t do for your family or friends. You’re always there when we need you. I tell Mommy every day that I don’t know what we ever would’ve done without you kids during her illness. Look at what you’re doing for Sofia and her little boy. You’re a good person, Nico, and I’m proud of you.”
“I’m so sorry, Dad.” Sobs rack me as I think about what could’ve happened if Joaquín and his cousin had better aim. “I’m going to make this up to him and you and the family. If it’s the last thing I do.”
“Nico, I want you to hear me on this. You have nothing to make up to any of us. A terrible thing happened, but you had no way to predict it or stop it.”
“They’d been coming at me and Sofia. I knew they were out there and blaming her for Joaquín being locked up. I didn’t know he’d made bail until later, or I never would’ve let Milo take my rides last night.”
“Which would’ve left Sofia at the restaurant without you there to keep an eye on things.”
“Miguel was there. I should’ve gone to work.”
“And then you’d be lying in that hospital bed instead of Milo.”
“I wish it was me. It should’ve been me. I was the one they were angry with because I’m with Sofia.”
“In situations like this, it’s easy to play the what-if game, but you know I believe everything is preordained by a higher power. Milo was the one who was supposed to be shot. Not you. We may not immediately understand the why of it, but eventually, it’ll make sense to us.”
“This will never make sense to me.”
“Where are you, son? Maria said you left.”
“I’m on my way home to tell Sofia the latest news about Milo.”
“That’s good. That’s what you should do. Go be with her and take comfort in each other. The two of you are as much victims of this senselessness as Milo is.”
“No, we’re not.”
“You are because you’re blaming yourselves when both of you would’ve given your own lives to keep this from happening to him.”
I shudder at the thought of Sofia giving her life to save Milo’s or mine. God forbid.
“The good news,” Dad adds, “is Milo is doing better, and the men who hurt him are locked up. If we can stay focused on the positives, we’ll get through this. You will get through this.”
“I’m going to be better. I’ll be better for Milo.”
“You’re more than enough already, but you do what you need to, son. You know you’ll always have my love and support.”
“I love you so much. All of you.”
“We know that, and we love you, too. Go be with your lady. She’ll make everything better for you.”
“I love her, Dad.”
“I know, son. We can all see that.”
“I’m so afraid I’m going to mess it up.”
“Then don’t let that happen. Be there for her and her boy every day. Show her what she means to you and never let her wonder how you feel about her.”
“I will.”
“Are you going to be okay?”
“Yeah. Eventually. Don’t worry about me.”
“That’s like telling me not to breathe.”
“You’ve got enough to worry about. I’m okay. I’ll see you at the hospital later.”