“Were you very afraid?”
I started to tell him no, then reconsidered it. “Yes. I was afraid. As soon as you showed up, though, I felt better.”
He planted his hands on the end of the mattress and leaned into them. “Where are you from?”
“I’m American. I live in a city called Baltimore.”
“What do you do there?”
“I worked at a news station. I live in an apartment with a lot of plants.” I grinned. “Tropical plants, mostly. I keep it warm in my apartment, because that’s how I like it.”
“And that’s why you’re here?”
“I love Brazil, yes.” I sighed. “Unfortunately, this broken leg will affect all my plans.”
“You should come stay at my house,” he said without a moment’s hesitation.
I gave him a warm smile. “That’s very sweet of you, Sebastián, but I’m sure your parents don’t have time for a house guest. Besides, I have a hotel I’m already staying at.”
“I only have one parent. My dad. He won’t mind. He is at work all day long anyway.”
I chuckled. “Are you suggesting hiding me in your house?”
A wicked grin slipped across his face. “Maybe.”
I shook my head. This kid was a hoot. “Where’s your nanny?”
As if on cue, Melba entered the room. Upon seeing Sebastián, she threw her hands up and began scolding him in Portuguese.
“He’s not bothering me,” I said. “Really. It’s nice to have a visitor.”
Melba hustled to the side of my bed. “I see the doctors fixed you up,” she said in English.
“In two months, I’ll be good as new.”
She clucked. “That’s unfortunate.”
I shrugged, not wanting to burden a stranger with my pain.
There was a knock on the door, and the doctor returned with a card. “For the taxi.” He handed it over before slipping out again.
“You don’t need a taxi.” Sebastián invited himself to sit on the edge of my bed. “You can ride home with us. My dad is on his way to pick us up now.”
“That’s really sweet, but a taxi works just fine for me.” Already, I was using the hospital phone to call the number. Within a minute, though, my spirits were sinking.
“What did they say?” Sebastián asked after I hung up.
“They will send a taxi for me.”
“When?”
I hesitated. “In four hours.”
“That is too long.” Melba waved her hands.
“Really, it’s all right. I don’t want—”
“Come home with us.” Sebastián tugged on my arm.