Chapter 16
After my parents’ departure, I stay in the hospital for two days during my next infusion. I spend the two days in bed without any energy. Luckily, it is Chema who sees me like this, and he keeps Rory at bay as much as possible, though the weasel sneaks in here and there.
On the third day, I have a burst of energy that Dr. Ramirez takes as an excuse to finally discharge me.
When we get to my apartment, I see Chema has made himself at home. He upgraded a bit of the decor so everything isn’t so cream and beige. There are burnt orange cushions on the sectional sofa and several clear food organizers on the kitchen counter displaying oats, nuts, and shredded coconut. A few abandoned takeout containers sit on the coffee table, and Chema’s many pairs of tennis shoes litter the carpeted floor. It’s a mess, and it feels more like home than it ever has.
We settle on the couch, and I grab the remote.
“Wanna watch a movie?” I ask.
“No. Actually, my telenovela is on now. Mind if we watch it?”
Telenovelas don’t appeal to me quite as much as they do to Chema, but I owe him too much to say no. “Sure. Which one is it?”
Chema takes the remote and fills me in excitedly. “It’s calledCurvas Peligrosas. With Erica Moran. She’s that new actress who’s really popular right now.”
“The curvy one who looks like she just stepped out of a fifties movie?’
“That one! It’s so good.”
We are watching the show, and I soon realize she is an anti-hero. She uses men as boy-toys, and they call her the man-eater because no man can tame her heart. I can see why Chema loves the show so much. It breaks away from every telenovela trope I’ve ever encountered. The actress is stunning, and she is also plus-sized. Not that there aren’t gorgeous plus-sized actresses, but they usually play the best friend, not the main character.
I’m going over this character analysis in my head when I get a text from Rory.
Rory:Please don’t kill me.
Me:What? Why?
Rory:I swear it’s not payback for making me meet your parents.
Me:What did you do?
Rory:My parents want to meet you.
Me:Um, okay.
I don’t say I think it’s too soon to meet the parents or that him meeting mine was a fluke thanks to my sister, but fair is fair, after all. I take a deep breath.
Me:Okay. Set it up.
Rory:Already done. Open up.
Me:What?!
Rory:We’re downstairs. I’m so sorry. They insisted.
My heart races.“I’m going to kill him.”
Chema’s eyes don’t tear away from the screen as he asks, “Who?”
I snatch the remote and shut off the television.
“Hey, what gives?” Chema’s annoyed glare pins me.
“Pay attention. Rory’s downstairs.”
“So?”