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Lang was able to fly in one of the best neurosurgeons in the country from Oregon. He’s here to ensure there’s not too much damage to the cerebral cortex, or was it to the frontal lobe? I tried to pay as much attention as possible, but with Rumi fussing in my arms it was almost impossible.
Once Anya was taken to the OR, I brought Rumi back home. I wish I could’ve stayed with Siobhan, but someone had to be with this sweet girl.
“Are you doing okay?” Myka says, entering the house. Then she smiles when she sees me playing with blocks with Rumi on the floor. “You look good.”
I frown. “O-kay?”
“As a dad,” she says, as if trying to answer my silent question—what is she talking about?
I press my lips together and nod a couple of times before focusing on Rumi. This isn’t the best moment to discuss parenthood or the fiasco that is my love life. I aced at fucking up my relationship with Siobhan. She barely wants to see me.
“Sorry,” she says.
“About?”
“I heard you guys lost the baby.”
“What?” I cough, almost choking on my own word. “Where did you hear that?”
“The tattoo parlor.”
I give Rumi another block. “This is why we should live in the city. People in this town just make shit up.”
“Don’t say bad words in front of her,” Myka chides me before sitting down next to us. “So, it was a lie? Because I heard you and Siobhan were crying outside the clinic after Nathalie gave you the bad news.”
I don’t know how to respond because part of it is true.I was sad, Siobhan was crying.
“Is that why she left town?” She’s not letting things go.
I cock a brow, trying to feign anger, but I can’t. “You’re asking too many questions,” I say, annoyed.
“This is the only way to get you to answer at least something. It’s simple math. For every twenty-five questions, you answer at least one. If I keep this pace, I might get two grunts, a nod, and some juicy story.”
“Ba!” Rumi says, handing Myka a block.
“That means shut up and play,” I say.
“Language!”
“Ba!” Rumi hands her a second block. Myka looks at her. “I like you, kid. You know what you want and demand it.”
“Please, don’t encourage her. I don’t need another one like you on my hands.”
“I’m not your problem.”
“Of course, you are. You’re my sister.”
“Ugh.” She sounds like she’s in pain.
“We should give you a few lessons on how this whole family dynamic works. Nando, Mane, Efren, and I aren’t your children. We’re your siblings,” she says slowly. “You should treat us more like buddies, pals, compadres. This isn’t the first time I have had to explain that to you. Maybe I should make you some graphics or a pamphlet.”
“You’re my biggest pain in the ass.”
“I’ve worked hard for it. So… if things don’t work out with the surgery, are you guys adopting this beautiful girl?”
“We don’t know what’s going to happen.”
Her husband might be able to claim Rumi. Apparently, the tumor can cause hallucinations, mood changes, and a lot of the strange behavior Anya said was happening to her.
