Chapter Twelve
"Don’t you ever speak to our sister that way again.
If I didn’t have enough reason to be ashamed to call you my brother!" Tony yells from the door, staring Luis
down before looking at me and offering me a reassuring smile.
"Antonio?" Luis questions silently.
Ignoring Luis, Tony steps over to my other bedside and sits down. He cups my hand in his and asks, "are you
okay?"
"Fine." I answer before leaning toward him and whispering in his ear, "you have great timing. Luis
was on his question mode. I almost said something about father."
"I do have great timing then. You just follow my lead." Tony whispers back before breaking our little
chat and looking at Luis, who was studying us with disbelief written on his face.
"Maybe you’d better sit down Luis, you look like you’ve just been punched hard in the gut." I say, in
a slightly worried tone.
"Yes brother, I imagine the shock must be great. Probably something similar to what I felt when I saw Maria
in Europe. I’ve always known you resented her, but I never would’ve thought you’d send her away." Tony scowls.
"I...I never resented her." Luis defends, still in a state shock.
"Bull. You always were harder on her. You resented her because she was the first girl, and I gave her special
attention." Tony shakes his head, and stares intently at Luis.
"Let’s not talk about her any more, where the hell have you been for ten years? You left as soon as I turned
eighteen. Just flew the coop, meanwhile, I’m left to be man of the house, your job." Luis growls.
"I went to search for our father. I could’ve left when you were sixteen, but I decided to let you grow up
a bit more. Luis, you were always responsible. I just figured you could manage the house. I didn’t think I’d be
gone for ten years." Tony argues, a bit of hostility in his voice.
"So you didn’t think to write or call. Dammit Antonio! I was only eighteen. Mama’s been so worried about you.
There’s no excuse why you didn’t call." Luis replies.
"There’s a perfectly plausible reason, I was on an assignment. Contacting home could’ve jeopardized everything."
Tony sighs.
"Assignment? What aren’t you telling me?" Luis demanded.
"Some thing’s can’t be explained right now Luis." I interject, hoping to show my support.
"Maria’s right. One day everything will be explained. But until then, know that I’m watching your every move.
And if I ever see you talk to Maria like that again, I won’t hesitate to do something rash." Tony warns.
"Whatever, I gotta catch my sift. Mama’s coming in later. You’d better be here to see her Antonio." Luis
commands.
"Don’t use that tone with me. I’m still bigger than you. And I would love to see mother. Although we will
have to have a serious talk." Tony says, staring into Luis’ eyes.
"Good bye Luis. Thanks for stopping in." I say in a chipper voice as he leaves the room, his shoulders
hunched over.
"You were right." Tony remarks once Luis is no longer in the room.
"I know. He’s like a blood hound." I comment.
"Well, one of these days that nose of him is gonna get him in trouble." Tony states.
"How come you came and not father?" I ask.
"I was awake, he was asleep. I left him a note. It’s a good thing he didn’t come."
"Yeah. That would’ve totally blown it. Especially with the trial starting. As soon as I get outta here, you
guys are going back. I don’t want you risking it."
"We’ve already made plans. You know I’m always looking out for his safety. It’s my job don’t forget."
Tony reminds me. I smile mockingly at him, hating to be reminded about his job again.
"So, what exactly are you going to talk to mother about?" I ask.
"Just how she lets Luis walk all over her. Tell her that that’s not the same mother I remember. Basically
make her see the error of her ways, and hope she mends them."
"I hope she does. From what Hank’s told me, the family’s beginning to become unhinged. Miguel is barely at
home anymore, the whole family kinda avoids each other."
"That’s sad to think about, considering how close we used to be. We would sit up and talk for hours."
Tony reminisced.
"Yes, and you’d always put Luis in his place for picking on me. You two are complete opposites." I comment.
"Yep."
"Do you blame Luis for the way the family turned out?" I ask, looking into his eyes.
"Partly. I could’ve stayed. But I thought Luis had learned from me. I helped mother make the decisions, but
I didn’t make them for her. I offered my advice, and helped with money. Luis more or less took over control. But
it’s not his fault. It’s partly everyone’s. Mother, father, me, Luis, even you."
"Me? How’d you figure?"
"Did you really have to come that close to doing it in the park? It is a public place." Tony smirks.
"Oh come on! What about the beach. That was yours and Luis’ spot. I had to be different." I defend.
"Yeah, I’ve always noticed you were ‘different’ as you put it." Tony jokes.
"Shut up! Or I’ll tell my nurse you are causing me not to feel well."
"Alright sis, you win." Tony relents. |
