Page 61 of A Coffee Away

“Fuck, baby. You’re so beautiful.” I kissed him hard.

I shook my head and wiped away my tears. That was the morning of the day I lost him.

“Esteban, hold on a minute.”

I turned as I was about to open Robbie’s door. “Carmen?”

Black hair tied back, Carmen hurried to me from the nursing station.

“You’re still here?”

The shadows beneath her eyes were as dark as usual, contrasting heavily with her porcelain skin. Robbie and I met her while salsa dancing, and she’d been supportive ever since the accident.

She kissed my cheek. “Yeah. It was a long night.” She darted her eyes around the empty hallway, then came closer. “There’s been talk about a board meeting. A fellow nurse overheard Dr. Fernández when he came out. She said he was smiling, that his usual grouchiness was gone.”

She tilted her head toward room 232. “Look, I don’t know what happened, but be ready, and breathe before going in. He’s inside.”

My pulse skyrocketed. I squeezed her hand. “Thank you for the warning.”

Carmen nodded. “Whatever happens, I’m here for you both.”

My stomach knotted, and I grabbed my phone.

Can you make it to the hospital? Something happened.

Dad’s text came instantly.

I’ll be there in ten.

I faced the door and took a deep, cleansing breath. Robbie’s father had been quiet for the last couple of months. Whatever waited for me inside couldn’t be good.

A prickly sensation ran down my spine.

Dr. Fernández stood at the end of the bed, holding the medical charts. The room seemed colder than usual the moment he smiled at me.

“Mr. Miranda.” He closed the file and put it back in the metal bin without taking his eyes off me. “Just who I was waiting for.”

My mind raced, and my thoughts darkened. Had he finally done it? I pocketed my hands. “And why is that?”

He shrugged. “I wanted to be the one to tell you that from now on, we alone will be in charge of Roberto’s care.”

My chest tightened. I tilted my head. “I don’t understand what you’re implying. I won’t leave his side, and I’m still his proxy.”

He chuckled. “Not anymore.”

I tensed. I glanced from him to Robbie, the pounding in my ears increasing exponentially. I stepped toward him. “What the fuck do you mean?”

Dr. Fernández brought his hands up. “No need for that tone. It was bound to happen. You don’t have the evidence to prove the proxy letter is authentic or the means to handle the increasing medical bills. Until the board analyzes with the hospital’s lawyer whether the proxy is legal or not, Roberto’s mother and I will make the decisions from now on.”

I swallowed dryly, trying to make sense of what he was saying. “You can’t do that.”

The lump in my throat made it hard to breathe. Was this really happening?

He grinned. “I can, and I did. It’s only a matter of time till I get the hospital to prohibit your visits.”

I clenched my fists. “I won’t leave his side.” I wanted to wipe that smile off his face.

He shook his head. “We’ll see about that.” He closed the distance between us, stopping inches from my face. “I won’t rest until I rid Roberto of your sinful ways. You turned my son into a faggot just like you.”