My Mexican Bodega

Part 12

From the Very Odd Mind of

Eric Murphey

Wish it was edited by Zero

I wake up and feel lonely in my bed by myself. But its OK I know where my son is. He is having a sleep over being a boy. Like he needs to be. Like I want him to be. Having fun with friends. Living life to the fullest. Because as they used to say YOLO. I want him to have everything that's good. I check my phone and see the time. Plenty of time. I get out of bed and take a shower and have another wank thinking about whatever the boys were doing last night making them moan. I cum hard and fast. I get out and brush my teeth and think about trimming my beard. I decide I don't want to and that's as far as that got. I do keep it short. But I hate doing it all the time. Its a chore I don't like. Its almost but not as bad as shaving. I get my hair combed and put on some clean shorts and go to figure out breakfast for the boys. I look and decide just an omelet and toast sounds good. Before I know it I'm making biscuits and hash browns. I don't know what has gotten into me. But a country breakfast sounded really good today. I hear one of the boys if not both in the bathroom as I'm pulling the biscuits out. They look and smell great. I get the potatoes fried up and they smell and look wonderful as well. I see Mario strolling out and think if I should hug him or not. I mean I have kind of decided to adopt him. But I am not positive its the best move for both of us. I still have to think about it. I don't have to think about the hug as he walks up to me and hugs me.

"Good morning Mario. Did you sleep well?"
"Very well. What are those?" He asks pointing to the biscuits.

I have no idea what to call them in Spanish.

"I don't know the word. Hold on." I google it and put in biscuit. It pops up galleta. Or cookie. I'm thinking this is not a fucking cookie.

"There isn't a word for it. I say its a panchito. Its really good with butter like this." I break one open and put butter on it and hand it to him. The butter is already melting its so warm still. He takes a bite.

"MMMM."
"Or you can put jelly on it." I smear some jelly on the other half and hand it to him.

"MMM. I don't know which is better. But I think I like the butter better."
He says and quickly polishes them off.

"Is Emilio up yet?"
He blushes.

"Oh so yes he just had to take care of something first."
Mario blushes even more red.

"Its nothing to be ashamed of buddy. All guys try to pull it out by the root when they are younger. It feels good why not."

"It does feel nice."
"Yes it does."
I start in on the omelets and without asking Mario gets the table set. Hes a good boy for sure. I know I have already decided to adopt him as well. If I can that is. But I have to convince myself I haven't decided yet. I'm not sure why. But its what I keep doing.

I get the first omelet done and put it on Mario's plate with two more 'panchitos'. He looks at me and grins.

I hear the toilet flush and know Emilio will be here soon.

I get his started and he comes out just as its done. I'm sure he wasn't peaking around the corner. I put it on his plate with two biscuits.

"What are these?" He asks holding one up.

Mario without missing a beat says.

"Panchitos. You never had them? They are good with butter or jelly."
I turn so Emilio doesn't see me laughing.
"No I never heard of a panchito before."

I turn around and get my food ready and see him slather some butter on it and take a bite.

"Papi these are good. We need them a lot."
"We can have them often. They aren't hard to make. Not easy but not hard either. In America you can buy them in the cooler section and they are made and you just bake them."
I grab the honey from the counter and pour some over the butter on my biscuit.

"Oh I got to try that." Emilio says and quickly takes the bottle when I'm done and Mario gets it after.

"So I'm guessing if I just made panchittos for breakfast you would be good with that?"
"MHM." I get two heads bobbing with mouths full.

"Well eat your eggs today." I tell them and point to their plates.

They start in on them. When they get done they put their plates in the sink and rinse them off. Then go to get dressed for school. I put 6 of the remaining biscuits in a bag for the boys to take to school. I figure they will like them at lunch too. I put some butter packs in with them and set it on the table.

"I put a bag with some panchitos on the table for you boys. I got to open the store!!!" I shout at them.

"Kay papi. We will come for hugs before we go to school." Emilio shouts back.

That's just what they do. They come get hugs and off to school they go. I spell it in my head. e-s-c-u-e-l-a. Its one of my spelling words this week. The day is going by fine. Nothing good nothing bad. Just a regular nondescript day.

Sadly that is about to change very fucking quickly. I'm pricing things and putting them on the shelves when Bob walks in to start his shift.

"Wheres your helper?" He asks me.

"I'm betting they went to the home for a few minutes before they head back here. Or they are fiddling around at school."
"Yeah to be that age again. Not a care in the world."
"Well, maybe for us when we grew up with a family. But I think its different for the orphans."
He thinks a moment.

"You are probably right. I see Emilio in constant thought. Hes a good kid you got boss."
"I got the best boy."I say grinning.

Bob takes over and starts ringing people up as I finish my project. I tell you what the sales have really gone up lately. Not sure why. But they have a lot. I'm humming away thinking I have tons of time until Christmas to save a shit ton of money and really make a GREAT Christmas for all the children. I'm thinking I will have to take several trips with the truck for all the gifts. Its going to be great. I hear my name being screamed from outside and then the door bursts open.

"Esteban you have to come quick. Emilio has been hit by a truck!!!!!!!!!!!" Mario shouts as he grabs my hand and pulls me out the door. We are running back to wherever they were and when I get there I see several people milling about. A truck stopped and I break through the crowd and see my boy lying on the ground. His beautiful body twisted in an unnatural way. I see a pool of blood under his head.

I'm in shock instantly as I kneel next to him. I gently touch his cheek.

"Oh Emilio.: I scream out looking to the heavens.

I can hear the ambulance coming the woo woo of the sirens wailing. I feel his neck and he for sure has a pulse. But I can see my son is badly broken. The medics arrive and I am quickly shoved out of the way. I have no strength to fight them as I look on helpless to the situation. They quickly load him into the ambulance and Mario and I get in behind them as we race to the hospital. I look at Mario who looks like he is in as bad of shape as I feel. Tears streaming down both of our faces as the EMTs work on Emilio. We get the the hospital quickly and they unload him and wheel him in. Mario and I left standing in the cold. OK its not really cold. But it could be 50 below zero right now the way I feel. We make our way slowly into the waiting room and sit down. We sit an hour which feels at least like 6 years. both silently crying for Emilio.

Father Lopez comes rushing in worry etched on his aged face.

"How is he?" He asks.

I cant even speak I just shake my head.

"No news is good news right?" He tells us trying his best to put a positive light on this situation.

I just look at the floor and Mario takes my hand in his. It feels comforting to me. I know his grief is just as much and as real as mine. We both love Emilio very, very much.

Father Lopez walks away and comes back a few minutes later with some drinks and hands each of us one. I take mine and take sip not even tasting it. Mario just sits his on the floor next to his feet.

A few minutes later a doctor walks out with a grim look on his face.

"Are you the young boys father?"
"Yes." I answer without hesitation and stand up.

"He is very badly injured. We have to perform surgery to relieve swelling on his brain."
"Is he going to be alright though?"
The doctor looks at the ground then looks back up at me.

"We just don't know. We are doing everything we can. He is being prepped for surgery now. I need to get in there. I will let you know something as soon as I can."
I fall into the very hard and very uncomfortable seat and Mario is now in heaving sobs. Father Lopez is trying to comfort him running his hand up and down his back saying soothing words to him.

I need to hold someone and he needs someone to hold him. I pull him onto my lap and wrap my arms tightly around him. He buries his face into my chest and cries into me. I cant help the tears falling from my eyes like they have been for as long as I've been alive it seems. The sorrow and the fear are overtaking me. I cant stand it I want to explode and maybe implode. I cant handle this. But like many times in life you simply have no choice.

We sit and wait. Mario eventually finds some peace in sleep. I wish I could.

After an hour of holding him I have to pee. I slip him onto a couch that's there and go relieve myself. When I return I sit back down and wait in fear for word to come. Hope for the best and prepare for the worst I suppose. Around 6 Father Lopez takes his leave. He is apologetic about it. But he has other duties he must take care of. I understand the world hasn't stopped for most people. A bit after that Mario wakes up and rubs his eyes looks around and I can see the second he remembered.

"Hear anything yet?"
"I wish. But nothing yet."
He starts crying again. I scoot over to the couch and pull him onto my lap and hold him tight. I think I need it as much as he does. Through his tears he says.

"Its all my fault."
"No way is this your fault."
"I have to tell you even though I know you will hate me. I ran out in front of the truck and Emilio ran after me and shoved me out of the way. I wasn't paying attention. I got him killed." He starts sobbing at last words.

I pull his face up by his chin so he can see me.

"First he isn't dead yet. Second its not your fault. It was an accident. You cant tell me that if you saw Emilio about to get hit you wouldn't have tried to save him. Even if you knew that you could die."
"Of course I would. Hes my best friend. I would do anything for him."
"So Emilio isn't allowed to do anything for his best friend?"

"Its not the same. I don't care if I get hurt."
"I'm sure he thought the same thing. So put that its your fault out of your mind. Because I would probably have done the same exact thing. Its our nature to protect people we love."

"But I should have been paying attention."
I know nothing I say will convince him at this time its not his fault. But you got to try.

"Mario we all fuck up. Most the time its no big deal. But other times things happen. But Emilio knew what he was doing. You didn't make him do it."
"May as well have."
"I'm as worried and scared as you are. We both love him very much. But trying to blame yourself isn't making him better. Just making you feel bad. So this is the last I want to hear of this. You are a smart boy and in time you will figure out that it wasn't your fault. That sometimes shit happens we have no control over."
"Yeah but...…"
"Yeah but shit. We wont talk of it again because its not worth even thinking let alone talking about. Trust me I don't blame you an I know Emilio wont either."
He just crumples into my chest and cries some more. After a while he stops and I think hes sleeping. Its around 7 now and Sister Carmancita comes walking in with a basket.

"I brought you some food and to take Mario home."
His head snaps off my chest instantly.

"No please I have to stay here." He begs her.

I stand up and turn and put him on the couch. I take the sister by her arm and walk with her away from him.

"Sister he is miserable here, but he would be even worse if he wasn't here. To be honest I think I would be worse too."
"HM I understand. Its fine if you want him with you. Its best when we are having problems to have someone to share them with."
"Yes I think so."
We turn and walk back over to Mario.

"Esteban has asked for me to allow you to stay. I'm going to allow that to happen. But you need to listen to him."
"I will sister. Thank you."

"Now you two boys need to eat." She says opening the basket.

I sit down.

"I'm not really hungry sister. But, thank you." I tell her.

"Me either sister."Mario tells her as well.

"No you need to eat Mario." I tell him.

"You do too." He throws back.

"Fine I will eat if you eat."
"OK."
Sister Carmancita just watches the exchange and smiles slightly when we agree to eat. She pulls out some bowls of things and we start eating. I tell you what its pretty tasty. We both eat more than I would have thought. Both eating nearly a full portion of what we would normally eat.

When we get done she packs the bowls and things back up.

"Call the second you know something. I want to stay. But I have others depending on me. They are all praying for him and you two as well."

"I understand sister, and I will."
She leaves and Mario and I are alone once again. I let him have my phone and he fiddles with it playing games and whatnot. Anything for him to keep his mind off of reality for just a few minutes. After another two hours the doctor finally comes out. He looks exhausted. I stand up and shake his hand.

"Well?"
"We are cautiously optimistic.

What the fuck does that mean. Is he a fucking lawyer or a doctor?

I wait.

"The surgery went well. We did a few things while we were in there. First of course was to relieve the swelling on his brain. After we had to put a few plates and pins in his leg as it was severely broken in several places. We also had to do a bit if surgery on his shoulder. But overall he seems a strong boy. Everything went well."

"So can I see him?"
"Not at this time."
"Can I just peak through a window or something? Just for a second. I kind of need to. I know his friend will too. Just a few seconds."
"I will agree to it with one stipulation."
"Anything."
"That after you both see him you go home and rest. Do not come back until the morning around 9. You need to rest or you will both get sick then wont be able to be in the room with him at all."
"Is he awake?" Mario asks.

"No young man. We have him in a medically induced coma for now. It helps him a lot because he can relax and heal and not have the pain."
"When will you be stopping that?" I ask.

"A few days at least. He is in very serious condition. Even if he pulls out of this he may not be the same."
"Meaning he could have brain damage?"
"Yes. He could have some very serious issues from now on. Or minor things may change or no changes at all. We just wont know for a while."

"Thank you doctor." I tell him.

"Follow me and you can see him for just a few moments. I'm talking a minute or two at the very most."
We both nod and follow him. We walk for 800 miles I'm sure of it. We walk into a room and Emilio is on a bed and he is uncovered and I see how bad of shape he is in. His leg is in a metal thing holding it in place as well as one of his arms. His head is bandaged. He is bruised from head to toe. Oh my lord. I walk over to him bend down and kiss his forehead.

"I love you so much Emilio. Mario is with me and we are both very excited for you to get better. He told me that you are a hero. Saved him from getting hit. You are a good boy. The doctor is making us go home. He is probably right. But we would both love to sit here with you. I love you miho." I kiss him again. Mario is shaken seeing him. Well I am too. But not as visibly. He kisses Emilio's cheek and cant find words.

"We love you buddy. We will see you tomorrow." I tell him and kiss his cheek."
I lead Mario out and the doctor follows us.

"I will let you see him a little more tomorrow. Lets say half an hour or so."
"Anytime or do you have a set time?"
"How about 4?"
"How about 8 and 4?" I ask hoping.

"OK but only half an hour each time."

I smile at our small victory.

"Thank you doctor."
Mario and I head back to my house. We got a taxi outside the hospital. I don't know about Mario but I didn't feel much like walking the 10km back home. See getting a little metric in me.

When we get back I make a sign for the door of the shop.

Due to Emilio being in the hospital we will be opening at 9 Sorry for any inconvenience.

I grab some candies, cakes and chips for Mario and me. Its not really what we should eat. But I can sure eat some garbage easier because it tastes great and I need to eat something more. I know Mario does too. I grab a couple of sodas from the fridge and sit our haul on the coffee table.
"We have to eat something. I know its not the best things for us to eat. But its something. I find it easier to eat junk when I'm upset then good food."
He reaches up and grabs a cake and a coke.

"I don't get to eat much of this kind of food. Sure we have cookies and stuff the sisters cook while we are at school. But snacks like this cost lots."
"They can."
I make a mental note to take snack cakes and things to the children.

I turn on the TV and we start watching as we munch away. After a while we have both had our fill. I'm thinking the empty cellophane wrappers littering the table seemed excessive. But such is life. We are both content now. Well, as content as we can be at this time. I see Mario is scooting closer to me slowly. Why he is going slowly is beyond me. He was on my lap at the hospital I guess it was a different reason. I just reach out and pull him to me. We both want it. So why not just speed shit along. He snuggles into me and In kiss the top of his head.

After a while the show ends. I have no idea what it was. I bet Mario doesn't either. For me it was just being close to someone. I need that right now. I think he does too.

"We should get to bed."
"Yeah." He agrees softly.

He gets up and I follow. He goes into Emilio's room and I head to mine. I get undressed and slip under the covers. I put my phone on the charger and flip off the light. I pray silently for Emilio to recover completely. After I say my amen I open my eyes and see Mario standing in the doorway.

"What can I do for you buddy?"
"Can I um..…"
"I was hoping you would ask." I say throwing back the covers. He bounds into the bed and I slide the covers over him. He sidles up against me and sighs contented.

I hold him and even though I'm exhausted I cant find sleep. My mind is going everywhere. As it has been all day. What will I do if the unmentionable happens? What if Emilio comes out of this and is severely mentally handicapped? I'm sure going to take care of him. I'm still going to adopt him. But what changes will I have to make to accommodate a severely handicapped boy? What if he is wheelchair bound? All the time and effort we have spent making an apartment upstairs would be fruitless. I guess I can rent it to someone. Stay downstairs. But if I do that then the little restaurant will be done before it starts. If that happens and we do adopt Mario then what? I suppose they can share a room. I had 3 bedrooms put upstairs. But that was for a guest room not for Mario. Though it seems as though its going to be his room. Yet I don't know at this time if that will be or not. The constant barrage of what ifs is bothering me. Because I have no answers to any of them. I don't know whats going to happen. I have zero control of anything. I wish I did. But its all in the hands of the Creator. I am used to having some control over things in my life. Though I suppose that's a false thought because do we ever really control anything? Or is it all providence? An argument I know I wont settle anytime ever. Scholars have been arguing it for thousands of years. I'm sure my feeble mind wont find the answer either.

"Esteban?" Mario whispers softly.

"Yeah buddy?"
"I was wondering if you were asleep or not."

"No. My mind wont shut up and let me sleep."
"Yeah. Me too."
"I'm pretty scared and worried." I tell him.

"I love him more than anyone. What if he dies?"
"I don't know. It will be really hard for us. I know that much.'

He doesn't say anything for a while.

"Why does God hate me?"
"I'm sure he doesn't hate you. Why would you think that?"

"Everyone I love dies."
"Everyone dies buddy. Its part of life. If we don't die then there wont be room for new people. We wont ever get to go to heaven and get our reward. Having people die is hard that's for sure. But its part of life."
"It sucks."
"Yes it does. Like you I love him more than anyone. But one way to see it is that if he does die at least we had him in our lives for a while. A time to love him and to get to know him. What we cant do is shut ourselves off from love from other people or to shut off our love for other people. It wouldn't be right to do that. Plus Emilio wouldn't want that for us either. For us to jut shrivel up and wither away not loving anymore."
He again thinks about what I say.

"I used to have a family." he tells me.

"What were they like?"
"My mom she was kind of fat. But she was real nice. I know she loved me lots. But she did bad stuff and got killed for it."

"I'm really sorry about that."

"Yeah."

"How old were you when it happened?"
"Five almost six. When I moved to the home I didn't talk to anyone. I was just too sad to do much of anything. But Emilio wouldn't let me be alone. He would bring toys in where I was staying at the time and play. At first I didn't want him there. Then after a while I would long for him to be there when he wasn't. Then he was just always there. When you started to adopt him I was excited, sad and jealous. I was scared I wouldn't see him anymore. But I was still happy that he got his wish to have a family. To have someone love him."

"But you felt abandoned?"
"Yeah selfish isn't it?"
"No I don't think so. I think its normal to want to always have someone you love in your life. Like when he gets older and goes to college. I will be really sad he leaves. But that is part of being a dad. If you are good at it they leave you and start their own lives. But if you did a good job they will always be in your life. Just less. But then they will get their own family and you will have more people to love."
"Do you think that if he dies you will adopt another boy?"

"I hope with all my heart he doesn't. But either way I am still thinking of adopting another boy. If he dies it wont be to replace him. Because you cant replace people. It will be because I love the boy I want to adopt."
"Yeah. I'm sure he will be happy if you do adopt him. You are a nice man."

"I'm sure you will be, and I don't know if I'm nice or not. I just try to do the right thing."
He thinks a minute at what I said.

"You are going to adopt me?" he asks softly.

"I have been thinking about it yes. Because I think that Emilio and you will be great brothers. You two already love each other and act like brothers. But it would be up to you, him and the courts to decide if its the best idea. Would you want to be adopted by me?" I already know he does. I know he wants to be real brothers with Emilio.

"Maybe."

"I don't want to pressure you. You think about it and let me know when you decide. I will let it be your choice."

I take him into my arms wondering why he didn't just say yes. But time will reveal it to me. This I know.

We hold each other a good five minutes.

"Buddy I don't think I will ever find sleep. How about I give you a massage and relax you so maybe you can find some sleep."

"OK." he says a little excited.

I'm not sexually excited. But I do like the thought of touching him. I don't think I could do anything now anyway. I'm too worried.

"Turn on your tummy. Ill get some lotion."
"Emilio says you give great back rubs."
"I try."
I start softly rubbing his neck, the his shoulders, and work my way to his back. I take my time as I do with Emilio and about fifteen minutes after I start I hear a snore. Mission accomplished I suppose.

I turn off the light and cover him back up. I lay back down and about an hour later finally find some fitful sleep.

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Well, now what do you think of the tragic turn of events? Sorry it wasnt my idea the muse made me. Oh and I know Im a huge dick for leaving cliff hangar like that. But it would be way too long for one chapter.

So my goodness the surprise of finding not one but TWO chapters of Transitions New Adventures. Wow right two chapters at once.

So I have been reading a really good story. The author says he isnt done with it. I havent finished what hes posted yet. But most of it. So far its fantastic. Unless he has aliens come to earth and like blow shit up and turn people into zombies Im going to like it. But I bet even if he did some shit like that it would be well written. Nifty Archive: aging-out Its not my usual genre but its so good I dont care. So hope everyone is doing fantastic.

Peace Love and Good Happiness

Eric