Free Happy That It's Not True by Carlos Alemán Page A

just like you. The thought that she might marry a violent man—” The doctor sighed and lightly patted Adriana on the shoulder.  “She’ll be all right—we’ll take good care of her.  Here’s my card.  I’ll be by again later.”
                  The doctor left the room.  Cara and Alex felt lost, not knowing what to do.  Cara became animated by a thought.  “Hey, we should call Dad.”
    ...
     
                  Alex and Cara moved along a walkway underneath shady palm trees, the sky was perfectly blue, the breeze concealing the sting of the sun.
                  “Dad?”
                  “Hello?”
                  “Hi Dad—it’s Alex.”
                  “Who?”
                  “Alex!”
                  “Alex who?”
                  “Your son, Alex.”
                  “Oh—oh! Alex.”
                  “We’re with Mom in the hospital.”
                  “Hospital?”
                  “Luciano almost killed her.”
                  “My God—are you and Cara all right?”
                  “We’re fine Dad.”
                  “You mind if I come by?”
                  “Of course, Dad—of course you can come.”
                  “Mind if I head over right now?”
                  “Yes Dad—come.”
                  “I’ll meet you at the hospital.”
                  “Sounds good Dad—we’re at Memorial South Regional.  We’ll be right outside the emergency room.”
                  “Say hi to Cara.”
                  “Yeah, see you in a bit.”
                  The next few days, Cara and Alex would see a lot of Octavio.  The kitchen was unusable and presented him a purpose—food delivery.  He also changed the lock on the door.  Octavio took Cara to South Beach where they both got matching tattoos.  Alex declined, out of fear of infection or allergic reaction.
     
    ...
     
                  One evening, Octavio came to visit Adriana.  He walked in the hospital room with his hands in his pockets, biting his lip, unsure whether or not to look directly at her. 
                  “Hey,” Adriana said with difficulty, her tone conveying affection.
                  “Hey girl—glad to see you awake.  How you feeling?”
                  “Not so bad—hard to talk—my jaw—.”
                  “The kids are good—brought ’em some food.”
                  “I see—Thanks Octavio—for helping us out.”
                  “Don’t mention it.”
                  “I’m sorry about everything.”
                  “Sorry—what are you sorry about?”
                  “You know, Tavi.”
                  “No, what?”
                  “You never hit me.”
                  Octavio nervously wiped the bed rail.  “You’re never going to see him again—are you?”
                  “No.”
                  “Good.”
                  “When are you going back?”
                  “Very soon—I’m actually looking forward to it.”
                  Adriana looked at him for a while. 
                  Octavio sat down and crossed his arms.  “What I’ll never understand is why you married him.”
                  “I don’t know.”
                  Octavio shook his head and spoke softy.  “Damn girl, he really messed you up.  Want me to take him out?  It would only take me a second.”
                  “Don’t get into any trouble Tavi.”
                  “All right—we’ll let him