“Your father and I came as fast as we could,” her mother finished, her eyes still swollen from tears. Lord help anyone who made her mother cry.
“Daddy is here, too?” Okay! Don’t panic Angelina. Nobody knew to call Lorenzo. Her internal dialog was interrupted by a gruff cough from behind her. She squeezed her eyes shut, wincing at the pull to her swollen face.
“But of course I am here. Where else would I be?” Eduardo Rugiero stated. Her father was a typical Cuban man, very passionate and hot-tempered. The sparks that seemed to shoot from his eyes let her know he already knew the whole sordid story.
She tried to keep the pain from showing as she talked. “I’m okay, really.”
Her father’s hands fisted at his sides. “I’ve spoken with my lawyers, and they are drawing up some paperwork. I know you still have a couple months on your contract as a dancer and choreographer, but they believe with the events that occurred today, that burro will sign happily.”
Her father rarely cursed, so to hear him call Andrew an ass was a clear sign of his anger. She really wanted to ask more questions, but the medicine was making her drowsy again.
“Thank you both for coming here. I’m sorry…” The dang waterworks were threatening to burst again. Her father wrapped his arms around her, and when her mother stepped up beside them, joining the hug, she buried her face in her father’s neck and cried like a baby. While her parents murmured soothing words, they led her back to bed and tucked her in like when she’d been a child.
Several hours later, her mother woke her, insisting she eat crackers and take another dose of meds. The room was shrouded in darkness, with only a sliver of light peeking from between the thick curtains of the huge window that took up half the wall. A light touch to her face proved most of the swelling had gone down. Her mother had most likely been in several times, applying ice packs and keeping watch. She was truly blessed. Thinking if she got up and took a shower she’d feel more human, she swung her legs over the side of the bed, hoping she didn’t fall over. “You’re gonna be fine,” she whispered to herself.
After a long hot shower, she felt marginally better. The cobwebs disappeared to be replaced by a slight ache. She smoothed moisturizer on, grimacing at the rainbow on her hip. It was time to face the wolves, she thought. Her mother would’ve heard the shower running, and was probably in the kitchen tapping her dainty foot in impatience. Leaving the sanctuary of the bedroom before anyone came to get her, she braced herself for what was to come.
Her mother turned from the refrigerator. “You look much better, Angelina. Sit down and eat something.”
She was grateful to have her mother taking care of her. Did that make her a baby? If it did, Angel decided she didn’t care. She finished the cheesy eggs her mother made, happy when they didn’t send a knife-like pain throughout her face or make her stomach revolt.
Seeing the pill bottles next to the glass of juice, she shook her head. “Mama, I’m just going to take the one for swelling and a couple of ibuprofens for pain. The other one makes me too tired, and I really want to go back home today.”
The expression that lit her mother’s face could only be described as exuberant. She wondered if her parents had thought she’d never call Miami home again, and instantly felt guilty. Angel had spent the last five years making excuse after excuse why she couldn’t come home. She’d even signed another contract after they asked her not to, all because she was a coward. But she was done running. Now, she planned to grab onto what she wanted with both hands. Poor Lorenzo wasn’t going to know what hit him, she mused with an inner smile.
“Where’s Dad? I’d really like to get going.” Angel planned to gather a few things, hoping to leave California behind for good.
“Your father is going to meet us at the airport.” Her mother banged dishes around, not answering directly.
Angelina nodded her head, not questioning where he had gone.
“So, are you going to kill me?” Renee asked as she stepped into the living room.
“I have decided to give you a stay of execution,” she said, getting up to hug the other girl.
“Whew! I was a little concerned for my welfare, but your mother said she’d protect me.” Renee laughed.
“Huh. Well I guess it’s your lucky day,” she sobered. “Thank you for taking care of me yesterday, and for calling my mom.”
“Hey! You would’ve done the same for me, and, besides, you were in no shape to do anything. I’m just glad I didn’t stay at Mike’s this weekend.”
Angelina visibly shuddered.
“I’m going home to Miami today.” Still holding onto Renee, she waited to see what, if anything, she said.