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“Or I can arrange a residence for you two. I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to stay with your parents on account of Macy’s health, but the final decision is yours.”
“I thought no one could leave . . . I mean, I thought we’d stay here.”
“I can’t stop my life. You are not a prisoner, but you have no deadline to leave. I only ask that if you are to leave again, this time, let me know face-to-face.”
Zoe
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
“Mom?”
“Zoe, my sweet baby, I can’t believe you’re awake! I’ve been calling every day.”
“Ask Dad to connect to video call. I want to see you.”
“I’m all disheveled. You’re going to be scared.”
Against all odds, I start to laugh. Macy has always been very vain. Even though cancer took away almost half of her weight, she makes a point of keeping her growing hair tidy. She also never forgets her lipstick.
After Christos left me, the nurse came to see me with a phone in a box. My previous line was transferred to the new device. The man simply thought of everything.
Being with him again is like riding a roller coaster—exciting and a little scary. His mood swings confuse me. When I saw him, he gave me a lecture and then seemed to want to stay by my side. A few minutes later, he said I could move if I wanted to.
The Zoe he knew would run off without a second thought, but that’s no longer how I face my problems.
We have to talk, but now is not the best time. However, I don’t intend to go anywhere. When Bia is released from the hospital becauseGod willing, it will be soon, I’ll ask him to bring her here. As for me, I won’t budge until we clear up everything about the past.
I’m tired of being afraid to live.
I left Barcelona because I thought he was involved in the incident with Pauline. But if I’m being honest, I would probably have run away when I got that money in the envelope, anyway.
Not anymore. I almost died and lost my family and friend because of that sick man I married. The time has come to face adversity like an adult.
Dad shows up behind Mom on camera, waving.
“I love you both. I can’t express how much. Forgive me for what happened.”
They are so old. So fragile.
“We only found out that it might have been Mike who set our house on fire when the policeman came to interrogate us at the hospital. You’re not to blame for anything, sweetie. If Bia hadn’t been so smart, the worst could have happened.”
“I promise I’ll work hard to give you another home, Mom.”
The insurance is supposed to cover the damage caused by the fire, but as the house has already been mortgaged twice, it won’t make any difference to my parents. My goal is to pay off their debts and buy them a new home.
“It doesn’t matter, Zoe. Houses can be replaced, but lives cannot. I would like to hear news of Bia. I’m worried about leaving her alone in that hospital.”
“Me too, Mom, mostly because she has no family but us. I plan to call Miguel later to confirm that, because if it’s not so, we need to let whoever they are know.”
“How are the burns?”
“They were superficial. The one on the hand might leave a mark, but I can correct it with surgery. And you?”
“We and Ann had nothing but a little smoke inhalation. Our only concern now is your and Bia’s health.”
“What about your . . .um. . .other pains?” I hate the wordcancer.
“I think I’ve been through so much emotionally these past few days that God spared me everything else. I hardly needed the medication.”
