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“Maybe I can.”
“Awesome.”
“We have some positive news to share.”
Ina leans in closer to Carlos’ side, giving Mathis a hopeful gaze. Grace gets up, lugging her huge purse off the floor. “I’ll wait outside.”
“No, don’t go.” Carlos sits up, laying his fingers on her arm.
“Are you sure?” She directs her question to Ina who immediately nods.
“Okay, but my tear ducts are acting up today. I may need a tissue.”
“Your tear ducts are broken from what I hear.” He tries to sound macho, but I notice his hand curling on her wrist.
I nudge Mathis to get going before we have an all-out bawl from this boy’s newfound adoration of Grace.
He takes my hint. “Your reports are looking well. I’m pleased with the treatment plan and your body’s response. We’re going to continue to fight the leukemia aggressively. Nothing is set in stone, but I think you can go home in a few days. I’m going to continue to oversee your care and monitor your treatments.”
Typically, when any doctor delivers this news, there is a wave of excitement and relief. However, there’s a quiet stillness that hangs on. I catch the quiver of Ina’s lips right before she presses them into a tight line, her expression a mix of fear and dread. Carlos is staring ahead, his own expression blank.
“Talk to them, baby.” Mathis is barely audible, gripping my shoulder encouragingly.
“Ina, this is terrific news,” I speak softly. “This is the best news.”
“I suppose,” she replies flatly.
A rush of understanding hits me. Since the day Carlos was misdiagnosed with meningitis, he’s had nothing but inconsistent care and me
dical upheaval. He and Ina have no idea what this means.
I slip out of Mathis’s hold and scoot to sit next to Carlos on his bed, taking his hand. “The reason why this is the best news is that your body is fighting hard. There’s a ton of medical mumbo-jumbo that goes along with that, but the point is, you are stronger. Being in the hospital was never a long-term option. When you’re discharged, you will continue to have the same care without being hooked up to all these machines and IVs. It’s a progressive step.”
His eyes slice to mine, and I know he’s fighting something deep inside.
“What’s on your mind?”
“Stefan’s gone.” His voice cracks, and I know what he’s thinking without vocalizing it. Stefan stepping in was the catalyst to getting him the correct diagnosis and right care. There has been no trace of Stefan since he fled. The police did find a ton of legal paperwork and discovered the house we were in was paid in full, and Ina’s name is on the deed. There was also an account opened in her name with an absurd amount of money for her and Carlos. She took the news hard, calling me last night and crying through her mixed emotions. Ina loves her sons and felt she failed when Stefan got mixed up in the drug and gang world. She tried her best to make him see reason but lost him for many years as he progressed in the ranks. It was when Carlos became sick that he stepped back into their lives, almost full time. Ina had no idea what he was planning, but she resisted his ideas, thinking he was going to drag them down.
There’s a lot of missing information, but the police are pretty certain Stefan knew what was coming with Carlos’ illness. He’d already made plans to disappear the morning I begged him to get us to a hospital. Whether or not he knew about Jay beforehand is a mystery, but obviously, he somehow figured out Jay was in the building to save me.
The pieces are still fitting together. Ina shared most of this with Carlos, who is also torn. Regardless of the monster people think of Stefano Martinez, to Carlos, he’s his big brother and his hero. Going home and facing this without his brother by his side is terrifying.
I choose my words carefully, moving my gaze between Ina and Carlos. “Stefan may be gone, but he didn’t leave you helpless. He knew you’d have what it takes to fight this. He brought me into your life for a reason. You’ve lived in hell for a long time, but now, you’re in a new place. The most important thing is you are no longer alone.”
“He didn’t know everything, but he knew how to help me.”
“Now, you have a network of people to help you. Qualified people by your side.”
“Last time we were sent home, the reports were grim,” Ina speaks up.
“Things have changed. Now, you’re my patient. I agree with Claire; Stefano brought us into your life for a reason,” Mathis adds. “You have a fight ahead, things are going to remain tough, but the good news is we’ve found a treatment that has a chance. You haven’t had continuity of care, but the way this works is we keep fighting, keep testing, keep finding what works. If we think something isn’t effective, we change it. I think it’s important to get you on a normal schedule and routine. It’s one day at a time, but there is no reason for you to remain hospitalized.”
“How will the new process work?” Ina directs her question to Mathis.
He explains the next few days. Continue to evaluate Carlos and what happens after discharge. Dr. Cross will be taking over Carlos’ care for the weeks we’re gone for our wedding and honeymoon. They continue to talk over us, but my eyes remain on Carlos. He’s slowly processing all that’s being said, his face clearing of uncertainty.
“Hope.” He squeezes my hand. “You gave us all hope.”
