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“They’re driving down from Paso Robles, Mamá. They’ll be here tomorrow.”
An orderly came into the room, followed by one of the nurses I’d seen by the metal doors of the ICU. She didn’t tell me to leave, but I got the hint that I was in her way as she bustled around me.
“I’m stepping out, Mamá, but I’ll be back.”
There was no privacy in the ICU. As I stood in the wide, white hallway outside the room, I could watch through the floor-to-ceiling glass wall and see everything the nurse did.
In the room next door, a muy papi man gently brushed the silver hair of an ancient grandmother. He set aside the brush and stroked his brown fingers across her cheek in a caress.
I heard Mamá fuss at the nurse and hid a smile.
The nurse came out of Mamá’s room. “She’s doing well. As soon as the doctor approves the move, your mother will go to the regular ward.”
“Tomorrow?”
“I can’t say.” She gave me a curt nod and went back to the nurses’ station.
I followed her. “Can you give me some idea?”
“It’s up to the doctor.” The nurse picked up a chart.
“I’m only asking—”
“And I told you that it’s up to the doctor.”
She moved away before I could say anything else.
Taking deep breaths, I forced my temper down. I turned around and leaned against the counter, my arms crossed.
The man caring for his abuela wore a dark-blue wool suit that hugged his broad shoulders. I loved the crisp line of barbered hair above the stiff collar of his white shirt.
He put a dab of lotion on his hands and spread it over her transparent skin with small, soothing circles.
I bet that felt nice.
He took his time, his touch lingering.
I could use a little of that myself.
When he bent over the woman to kiss her forehead, his pants tightened over his muscular butt.
Frowning at my wicked thoughts, I wondered why I couldn’t simply concentrate on Mamá.
I glimpsed at him again.
A man built like that would look so good walking toward my bed in a tight pair of boxer briefs that hugged his package. He’d look even better with the underwear off.
Dios.
Seven months without a lover was taking its toll. Lately, my blood was in a permanent simmer. It didn’t take much desire to make it boil over.
He leaned over her again.
I sucked air between my clenched teeth.
In a hospital, I scolded myself. Really, you’d think you’d have some restraint.
Worried that I might get caught ogling, I hurried to the visitors’ lounge.
