My Mexican Bodega

Part 15

From the Caring and Odd Mind

of

Eric Murphey

Today is the day. Its been a couple weeks and Mario and I are both on pins and needles. Because the worst questions a person can have are the ones they cant get answers to for what seems like forever. We are leaving mass and heading straight to the hospital. Father Lopez said a special prayer. Candles are lit. Every single thing I can think of has been done. I think a lot of it is superstitious hog wash. But I'm not taking a chance with my boys chances. I even threw a few pesos in a fountain for crying out loud.

Like I said no chances. Mario isn't either. When he asked why I was throwing money in the water. I told him you toss in a coin and make a wish. He asked me for a coin. I take out a handful of change and he grabs it and tosses it all in. He loves his friend. His brother. His fruther? No I don't think so. We get in the truck. We are both wearing ties today. We didn't discuss it we just did it. Maybe we wanted to look our best to the Creator when we made our final prayer before we know anything. Its important and maybe we wanted to look important for Him. Mario told me yesterday at breakfast hes fasting. I was making breakfast and looked at him and tossed the food in the trash. I know its sinful to waste food. But you know I'm willing to make any sacrifice for either of these two boys. Not eating is nothing. I'm hungry now. But now that we are walking into the hospital. It is not even remotely important. We go to his room and sit and wait. The doctors stopped giving him the medication and say he could wake up at any time now. I am next to him in a chair holding his hand. Mario is on the bed arm wrapped around his shoulders. Holding him as close as he can with all the contraptions attached to him. His leg they said they will put a cast on when he wakes up. They are the most worried about that after determining if he has brain damage or not. I'm so hoping not. But no matter what I will love him. Even if I have to wipe drool off his face the rest of his life. Diaper changing doesn't sound fun. But I will do it with a smile having my boy with me. But if that happens will he remember how it used to be. Will he be depressed forever?

I don't know and I don't want to find out. All I care about is he is alive.

"Papi. What if he doesn't remember us?" Mario asks me a very worried look on his face.

"Are you kidding me? A boy as cute as you and a man as handsome as me. He would never forget us."

Mario giggles which was my desired effect.

"No but really."
"Well, if that happens then we will nurse him back to health and he will learn to love us all over again. Also a lot of times people with memory loss get it back over time."
He kisses Emilio's head.

"I just want him to be back to normal again."
"I think we all want that buddy." I respond.

He sighs and leans back and we wait forever. I have Mario's hand in mine. Its so soft. Its always super soft. We have been putting chapstick on Emilio so he doesn't get chapped lips. I cant remember who told me to do that. Maybe I saw it on a movie or something. Hell maybe Suzie Chapstick told me. (Wow that tells my age. Stop laughing. If you know what I'm talking about it tells yours too.)

Around about ten Father Lopez and several of the sisters walk in. Father Lopez puts a hand on my shoulder and Sister Carmancita puts one on the other.

"Nothing yet."
I tell them. I feel a couple soft squeezes.

"Have you boys had lunch?" the sister asks.
"Lunch its like ten." Is my response.

"No sweetie its around one."
"Were fasting sister." Mario answers for us.

I feel movement which I am guessing is her nodding her approval. I don't know I'm not looking. I'm not taking my eyes from his face for any sign hes waking up. I don't know how long they stayed. Five minutes five hours. Time isn't relevant to me right now. Nor is anyone else other than Mario.

We wait and stare, and wait and stare some more. Someone came in and asked if want the TV on. I shook my head and Mario waved them off.

They came and asked us if we wanted something to eat. Same responses. Finally after waiting eons. OK maybe not eons I've been told a million times not to exaggerate. But it felt like eons. I see an eyelash flicker.

"Emilio." I say quickly and stand up still holding his hand as I have been for hours.

His eyes slowly open.

"Pa..…" his voice breaks.
"Hes thirsty Mario get him some water."
Mario quickly scurries off the bed and grabs a cup with a bendy straw in it and puts it to his lips. Emilio takes a long drink and looks at Mario and smiles.

"You're OK. I was scared." he gets out with a scratchy voice.

"You saved my life."
He looks back to me.

"Papi why am I in the hospital?"
"Well, you remember part of it, or so it seems. You pushed Mario free of the truck and got hit yourself. You broke you're left leg really badly. So bad that they had to do surgery to fix it."
"Oh."

Emilio is speaking slowly and sleepily. I guess that's what happens when you wake up from a medically induced coma.

"I better go tell the nurse you are awake." I tell him and race of to tell them.

I have one following me back on my heels. She starts poking and prodding him and looks into his eyes. She leaves and about ten minutes later the doctor comes in and does the same thing. Asks him some questions about things. Like what grade is he in. Who his dad is. To test his memory I suppose. I'm not a doctor but I'm not stupid either. When the doctor gets done he looks at us.

"Alright guys you need to go he needs his rest."
Mario said what I was thinking.

"But hes been sleeping three weeks."
But as Mario says this I see Emilio's eyes close and hes asleep again.

I nod toward him as Mario is looking at me. He looks back and nods.

"Can we come back tonight?"
"Sir its already nine."
I'm thinking what? Nine? No way. I glance at my watch and sure enough.

We both kiss Emilio's cheeks goodnight and we head down the truck. Mario has my hand in his. Or his in mine. However that works.

"We didn't tell him you are adopting me." Mario says kind of sad.

"Theres tomorrow."
"Yeah." He says smiling.

We get home and I know we are both really ready to eat. Its been two days we haven't eaten. My initial thought is make something heavy. Then I think no lets start out slow. I make us a nice salad with some cucumbers, bell peppers, carrots and cheese. Topped with dressing. We eat that in no time flat. I get up and put the plates in the sink and look at him.

"Is that it?" he asks.

"Lets give it an hour or so then eat something more."
He nods.

"Are you hungry?" I ask him.

He cocks his head.

"Not really."

"I'm sure in an hour we will be ready for a massive meal. I just thought that we should start kind of easy and something filled with vitamins and minerals. Kind of replenish the good things we need before we eat a lot of heavy things. I don't know for sure. I'm not an expert it just seems like a good idea."

Sure enough an hour later I'm up cooking a steak for each of us some eggs, home fries. We sit down and tuck in and man is it ever the best meal I've ever eaten. We both add hot sauce to the eggs and potatoes. When we get done we clean the kitchen and head to bed. Full as ticks we are.

When I wake up Mario is looking at me with his big brown eyes.

"Good morning, Did my little mouse sleep OK?"

"Yes papi." Ha answers smiling. "But papi your little mouse is hungry. So you suppose he can have a crust of bread?" he asks with a grin.

I tickle his sides and make him scream with laughter. Its a joy to my ears for sure. I love him so much now. I would have loved him as much with Emilio here. But I think it would have taken longer that way. Now we have a very special bond between us. It is truly a beautiful thing. I stop tickling him not because I wanted to. But because he fell off the side of the bed. Sending us both into fits of laughter.

"Ill go pee and start breakfast. You miho need to get showered and ready for school. Because once we see Emilio you are off to learn as a good boy should."
"Papi can I miss just one more day? I got caught up pretty fast, and all my grades are good."
"Ask me again after breakfast. I have to think a few minutes about it. OK?"
"OK." He smiles and I go pee and after as I said I would do I start breakfast. I hear the shower go on and am thinking. You know he did make a very valid point. What is it with these boys making valid points all the time. Its ridiculous they make too much sense.

He comes out wrapped in a towel as I'm getting breakfast on the table for us.

"OK you can miss school."He grins at me and tucks into his food.

The thing is I know he doesn't exactly want to miss school. Its more he wants to be with Emilio. I get that. I'm glad we hired Jamie who is Chuys friend. Who also grew up in the home. But I knew I had to hire someone because I was seriously neglecting the store in the mornings. I also knew that I would be taking care of Emilio for at least a while.

"He seems alright doesn't he? I mean in his head." Mario says interrupting my thoughts.

I think a moment.

"It seems so yes. At least so far. It seems as though he remembers up to the point of saving you. So that's good I think. I'm glad he doesn't remember the impact or the pain though."
He nods in agreement his mouth full. He swallows.

"How long you think until he can come home?"
"Honestly, I haven't asked. I was just so worried about him being OK in his head as you said. I didn't think to ask."
"Ask today."
"I certainly will."
"Its gonna be hard with his leg going into a cast getting up and down the stairs."
"It will. Maybe since Hector is working on Chuys house for another two weeks anyway we can just stay in one of the bedrooms downstairs."
"Maybe. But I bet he will want to see upstairs now its done."
"I know he will. He was super excited about it before the accident. Up there all the time. Helping Hector and his cousin."

"I helped too."
"I know you did. Makes me wonder why I was paying Hector when I got two boys can do it all?"
He shrugs at me. I cant help but laugh.

We finish breakfast I get in the shower and he gets dressed. I dress as soon as I'm done in the shower. We head to mass and do our thing. Then the hospital. I hear him talking to someone.

"No they are like little breads. Panchitos."
I smile as Mario looks up at me smiling.

"I never heard of them. Just eat what we got you please."

"Alright, but I really want panchitos." He looks up and sees us in the doorway. "Papi, Mario!!!"
"Stop giving this lady a hard time. Shes never heard of them because I made up the word. There's no word in Spanish for it."
"HM?" Is his response as he starts eating.

"So you get a cast today."
"Uh huh." He says eating.
I decide to let him eat we can talk in a few minutes. Or seconds the way he is scarfing it down. But I imagine he is hungry. As he finishes he leans back.

"Oh I am so full." He moans.

"Your stomach probably shrunk. We didn't have time to tell you. But you were in a coma for three weeks."
He looks confused. Mario nods at him.

"You hit your head really hard. They had to do surgery because your brain was swelling. You had a big bandage on your head for a couple of weeks.

"Am I OK now though."
"We think so. Other than your leg obviously."
"It hurts sometimes. But they gave me a pill now it doesn't."
"I never broke a leg. Fingers, arms, hands, yes. Leg no thankfully." I inform him.

"How long do I got to wear a cast?"
"Well, see I'm not sure. Because you have been healing three weeks already. Usually you wear one for six weeks. So maybe three weeks. I'm not sure."
Mario sits up next to Emilio and he puts his arm over his shoulder and they start to talking.

"So you member when we used to play we both got adopted and were brothers for real?" Mario asks him.

Emilio's smiles spreads across his face.

Mario hugs him tight a he dares. So they talk about that for a while.

the doctor comes in and he puts a cast on Emilio. With Mario helping he decides he wants purple. Fine with me. Its his cast. I'm not sure I wouldn't have gone with purple myself. It does look pretty cool.

"So yeah and Papi emailed his old boss that knows a man that owns a factory that makes playground stuff and we might put a playground behind the store for everybody. But his old boss hasn't gotten back to him yet. So we don't know nothing about that."
"That would be so cool. A playground in out back yard."

"Oh oh I almost forgot. Juan is being real nice to everybody now."
"What Juan being nice."
"Yeah at church papi walked up to him whispered something in his ear and he went nearly as white as papi and he been nice ever since. Papi wont tell me what he said though. Why not papi?" He says looking at me.

"Its private."
But I will tell you guys. See I'm a people watcher. I notice things people do that most people wouldn't. I would have been a good poker player maybe. But I watched and I figured out that he is the boy that would return the favors to Emilio. I simply told him that I can see into his soul and I know his secret. Now that I know he is being a bully I will tell everyone if he doesn't stop being a jerk. Maybe I threatened to visit him while he slept to and left it at that. Maybe I said that too. Maybe not. But I will say that no one will fuck with my boys, or the children at the home including him.

"Yeah he even came in the store the other day and was talking to me real nice like. Papi gave me and him an ice cream bar and told us to play some checkers."
"No way."
"Really I wouldn't lie to you."
"So are you friends now or something?"
"I don't know maybe? Crazy huh?"
"Yeah."

"Better to make an enemy a friend than keep an enemy boys." I pipe in.

They nod and go back to talking about all kinds of shit I have no idea what they are talking about. In my head I'm planning to make so biscuits for tomorrow morning. Also thinking about the doctor said he can go home in a couple days if everything goes well. So far so good. So that's great news.

Around lunch we are kicked out and told not to come back until around 6. I understand he needs his rest. I want him to get his rest. But I also want to be with him too. But we should do as we are asked. I know its for his betterment. We both kiss him bye and promise to be back around 6.

We get to the truck and climb in. When we get back we say hi to Jamie the new worker. We head upstairs and I make some hamburgers for us. I cut up some onion and mixed it in with the meat so it fries with it. I like it that way. I imagine Mario will too. I make some fries in my little fryer and we have a nice lunch. He swears he needs a Coke. I swear he needs some milk. We compromise. He has milk. OK its not a compromise I used my parental authority. What I really did was say.

"Sure you can have a Coke or you can have milk and a little cake from the store. But with a Coke no cake."

So I gave him a choice. I think I let them drink too much soda as it is. I have them drink at least 2 glasses of milk a day. I know it should be more. But its something. We eat kind of healthy. I make sure they get their 5 a day. Well, most days. Besides I want my 5 a day too. Because I'm kind of old and I want to be around to see these boys grow into men. It isn't going to hurt having more veggies and fruit.

After we both take a nap. It wasn't meant to be a nap. We sat on the couch and turned on the TV and he leaned against me and next thing I know im waking up. Him still asleep. I guess we didn't sleep well last night. I thought I did. But after so many nights of not. I suppose mediocre sleep seemed pretty good. I am thirsty as can be. I grab a Coke from the fridge and look around the new apartment, as I take a long pull off the bottle. I'm thinking man this is nice. Probably the nicest place I've ever lived. I always kept things very simple and cheap. If i didn't I was worried I couldn't make this happen. I wanted so badly to make it happen. I didn't have cable or any extras, I got my internet at work. So why pay for it? Here its different I cant get free internet. That and I want to provide some here for others. Seems the right thing to do I think. Maybe I need nicer furniture now? Seems kind of dilapidated compared to its surroundings. I don't know maybe. I go to the restroom and look at the tub and shower combo. The tub is massive. I'm sure that all three of us can fit in it if we wanted. OK I want. But, it isn't about me is it?

"Papi can I have a Coke now?" I hear in the back of my mind. Bringing me to the here and now.

"Alright. But, then none until supper."
"Cool papi." I hear then the pop top opening.

BEEEEELLLCCCHHHH

"Sorry papi." I hear a little giggle too.

"Its OK." I tell him as I walk back out, and sit on the couch and am joined by him quickly. He seems to need to be close to me at all times. I imagine its due to his mother leaving him. Though its sad to say. It was for the best. He couldn't have been having much of a happy life.

"Do you think we need new furniture?" I ask.

"Why is it broken?"

"Well, no its just it looks kind of junky in here with the furniture. I was thinking maybe some nicer new furniture. Maybe a little brighter?"
"I don't know. This is pretty comfortable. Would the new stuff be as good?"
He answers looking at his nails. His head in my lap.

"Probably.
"Seems silly to me. But your the papi."

I just sigh at him and he giggles.

"Hey go get my computer I need to see if Mr Eric responded yet. I know hes in...…"
"The bear place."
""No its not a bear place. Well, I don't think that Grizzly Valley is a big place bears hang out."
"You don't think?"
"Stop being a smart ass." He laughs so hard as he is going to get my laptop he almost falls down.

I open the laptop and pull up my emails. Still nothing. I know he went to California for some thing for McDonald's. If he told me what I don't remember. But pretty sure he didn't. I think he just said McDonald's. business. Knowing him hes buying the whole company. Hes got the touch that's for sure.

"Still nothing papi?"
"No buddy still nothing. I guess we can wait a little longer than I'm going to just start looking online. I just figured he could get us a really good deal."
"Have you noticed that the boys are playing futball back there now they we got it all cleaned up?"
"Yes I noticed."
"Maybe we could just put in a futball field."he says with hope on his eyes.

"We have discussed this how many times? You know there isn't enough room. Besides it will be better this way. That way the little ones can play as well as the big guys like you and Emilio. We will get different things for different age groups. Of course swings because even my old ass still likes to swing once in a while."
"Oh papi I can just see it." He laughs as he says it.

"What? I do like to swing. I like to color still too."
"I still like to color. I quit cuz people were making fun of me."
"I tell you what. Next time we go to the warehouse lets see if they got coloring books and crayons. I think it would be something new for the store."
"Really?" he asks kind of smiling.

"Yeah really. I wasn't lying I do like to color sometimes. Its relaxing. Lets you just focus on one thing and just lose yourself in it. Its kind of therapeutic I think."
"Yeah its like that for sure. Just think about it. Forget everything for a while."

"Lets watch a movie since we got a couple hours."
"Cool."
So that's what we do and after we have a bit to eat and head to the hospital to visit with Emilio until we get kicked out again. Then back home to sleep. Because he is going to school tomorrow.

I get up in the morning and make us both some breakfast A few panchitos of course. Because Emilio wants some and Mario loves them as well. Not that I don't. So I get him off to school and I go to the medical supply place in the hospital and rent a wheel chair because I'm sure its going to be needed for a minute. At least on trips to say the warehouse or something. Other than that I'm sure he will be on crutches which I also rent.

I go up and see Emilio and hand him a basket of biscuits with butter, honey and some jam he likes.

"Thanks papi." he says grinning at me.

"I think I am going to hire you a tutor because you have missed so much school, and I don't want you to have to go through it again."
He thinks for a minute and nods. Because no way can he speak through the biscuit he has shoved in his mouth.

"So why is Juan nice now?"
"Because he saw that he wasn't getting anywhere being mean."

"So what did you say to him to make him figure it out?"
"If I wont tell your brother I'm sure not going to tell you. I made a deal with him is all. So don't worry about it."
He cant say anything because he is shoving more biscuit in his mouth.

Once he i done eating he yawns and in minutes is out again.

I sigh and lean back in the chair and doze off a little myself. Not for long maybe half an hour. When I wake he is still asleep. But I'm OK with that. I watch as he sleeps. His leg in a cast. He still looks bad but not as bad. I'm just happy my boy is OK. I think and get on my knees and take his hand in mine. I pray giving my everlasting thanks for not only making him better. But for bringing him and Mario into my life at all. I give thanks for the love I never even dreamed I would have. I give thanks for the ability to be here and the wonderful gift the Creator has given me being able to help the orphanage. I thank him for everything I can possibly think of. I am so grateful to Him for everything he has given me. The ability to be able to help. The hope that it will be better for all the children soon. I pray that all the children find loving and caring homes. I pray a long time for a lot of things. I pray I bet an hour and then I get back into the chair. Around 2:30 I go to get Mario from school. When we get back Emilio is still asleep. I guess his body still needs lots of rest. I'm not complaining. Not even a little. I have Mario do his homework and he does so without any complaint. Hes such a good boy. They both are really. Its long been argued about nature or nurture. There is no real answer because its a combination of both I believe. Emilio finally wakes up in time for supper. Just as we are getting kicked out again. We kiss him bye and promise to come back later. This is pretty much what happens for the next three days until he is released to come home.

______________________________________________

Donate to Nifty

ericmurphey1971@gmail.com

Sorry its kind of short. I was sick all week and I'm amazed it makes sense at all.

At least I wasn't sick on my birthday. That would have sucked and not in a way anyone likes.

So the news lets discuss it.

MTG is still insane. Trump lied on CNN for an hour. The Republicans are trying so hard to try and prove Hunter Biden did something wrong. When Trump did much worse things in office they overlook. Like I don't know trying to overthrow the government.

Desantis is traveling the world looking more stupid at every stop. He said that Florida is a state of freedoms now.

Remember when Ronald Reagan said he would get government off our backs? Apparently the new republican credo is to get government into ever aspect of our lives. From the doctors office, to the classroom, and into children's underwear. So the party of individual freedom is about freedoms for the wealthy of paying taxes and the rest of us can fuck off.

A friend sent me an email that said. The right asks whats in it for me? The left asks whats in it for them? Thats why I always tend to lean left.

I thought yeah thats true. We are more community minded and think of what we can do for the community not what they do for us. Remember JFK said

Ask not what your country can do for you. But ask what can you do for your country?

pretty sure he didn't mean to take away peoples civil liberties. To pass laws to legally overthrow valid election results.

Thing is trump has been following Hitlers playbook for years. Watch his speeches and then watch Hitler. Watch the lies Hitler tells then watch trumps. HM seems pretty similar huh? Whose fault is it that you cant get by? Its the Jews. Its the immigrants. Its everyone's fault but yours so lets hate them. They unite in hatred not in love. They divide and do not care to accept. They say they are christians yet follow none of the doctrine. One other thing Hitler said was that only HE can save Germany. Sound remotely familiar? I'm just saying. If it walks like a duck.....

Fascist anyone?
Anyway. Hope you all have had a beautiful week.

I appreciate each and every one of you.

Peace Love and Good Happiness

Eric