Chapter 16
Rainey
This time around, I didn’t have to pick at my thoughts. Leo’s mouth rumbles like a motorcycle on the way to the rehab center. We’re twenty minutes away. I’m excited to see Hector’s progress.
“I don’t see how you can eat that.” Leo keeps gagging when I dip my Cheeto puff into a can of bean dip I bought at the gas station on our way up here.
“Just try it.” I push a Cheeto to him, covered in beans.
And there he goes again. Gagging, then pinching his nose together. Instead, I shove it in my mouth and groan. It really is good. A memory surfaced of my dad, Alejandro, buying me a bag of Cheetos and bean dip at the store. That’s what had me get the combo. I’m glad I did. I’ve been missing out.
“I swear your child is going to have severe gas when it’s born, if you keep eating that.” Leo takes a sip of his fountain drink. “I like beans, but not like that.” He points to the can.
“Dramático.” He can be very dramatic at times.
He rolls his eyes at me, but a small smile tugs at his lips.
We finally made it without Leo spilling his guts out. I lick the remainder of the cheese stain on the tip of my fingers since I can’t find a napkin.
A different woman is at the desk than last time. She gives us a warm smile. “Hello, how can I help you two?”
“I’m here to see Hector Cano, and can someone give me the progress he’s made since I was last here?”
“Are you listed as his primary?”
“Yes, I am.”
She nods, and her heels click down the long hall.
She spins and turns to us. “Follow me.” We trail behind, sitting in the chairs she gestured at.
She clears her throat and then takes a long sip of her glass, the bright pink lipstick staining the straw.
“Hector is doing great, actually.” She clicks the mouse.
“He’s working on decades of alcoholism. We are at the stage of working through grief, guilt, shame, and buried emotions.
It’s a long recovery. Hector is doing very well in therapy.
We need to discuss his support upon release, schedule our outpatient program for him, and find a therapist in his area. ”
We discuss Hector’s plan upon his release. I offered to have him move in with me to support his healing journey. If he goes back to his home, it’s only going to cause depression, and the cycle will start all over again.
“Hector will be ready to go home in three weeks. We will have his after-care set up for him.”
Our shoes crunch on the plush emerald grass, still dewy from the morning rain, as we walk toward Hector.
He stands near the glassy pond. Ducks with green heads dart after their plain brown mates, sending ripples across the water’s surface, while butterflies perch with trembling wings atop a bed of flowers.
Hector pivots in my direction, flashing the same grin I’ve seen on his son’s face countless times.
Something in his gaze has softened since I last saw him.
The hollows beneath his cheekbones have filled in.
He stands differently now—upright, deliberate, like a man who has decided to take up space again.
“Hola, Rainey.” His arms are out without a second thought.
I didn’t expect it, but I step into his warm embrace.
My hormones have been off the charts, so now all I want to do is cry at the progress he’s made.
“Hola, Hector, how have you been doing?” I pat his back, then step back.
Leo is behind me, his mouth slightly gaped.
I jut my thumb back toward Leo. “This is Leo, Max’s best friend, who he sees as a little brother, and works with him.”
“Hi, Leo, a pleasure to meet you.” Hector extends his hand out.
Leo grips it. “Max looks just like you.” He cocks his head. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Cano.”
Hector laughs with a sense of pride. “Call me Hector, Leo, and he’s a lucky guy,” he jokes. Talk about progress.
Chatter fills the cafeteria when we enter. Families spread around playing board games while some enjoy a meal, others a coffee in hand.
A large salad bar sits in the far back, with an assortment of toppings. Next to it, three women work the line, serving burgers and fries. “I feel like having a salad today,” I tell the guys.
“I’ll have the same. A salad sounds refreshing.” Hector stretches his neck to see the cart. It’s jarring that this is the same man he was months ago.
“I’m going to have a burger,” Leo informs us and walks over to stand in line.
I reach for two plates from the stack, pivoting to pass one to Hector.
The snacks I had during our drive didn’t quiet my stomach.
I’m still hungry. At least morning sickness hasn’t plagued me today—Isabella’s herbal tea recommendation actually worked.
I lay a bed of romaine lettuce, then add cucumbers, shredded carrots, diced ham, shredded turkey, hard-boiled eggs, and more toppings.
I guess this is why the facility was top-of-the-line.
And cost me a lot of money, but you know it’s worth it if it helps Hector heal.
“How have you been? Anything exciting happen in the last two weeks?” Hector asks while piling up his plate.
I side-eye him with a knowing smirk on my face. “Oh, I just might have some news for you,” I muse while soaking my salad in ranch.
“You’re teasing this old man, huh?”
“What if I told you, Hector, you’re going to be a grandpa?”
His brown eyes shine like stars; he swallows hard, I assume to hide the tears noticeable in the glassiness of his eyes.
“Congratulations.” His hand trembles holding his plate.
“Marabel and I always dreamed of growing old together and having grandkids.” His gaze falls to his plate as if he’s reminiscing about that moment.
“She would be as thrilled and proud as I am.”
Dammit. Tears fill my eyes, but I wipe them as fast as I can.
I don’t want to be caught crying here. I’ll save that in private.
Words fail to come. I wish I’d met Max’s mother.
I hope she is here with us. It’s sad to think that the passing of a family member can destroy your life.
It’s a hole in your heart that you can never heal.
The woman ahead of me rummages through her handbag, searching for payment while the line grows restless behind us. I turn to Hector. “Thank you,” I say, my voice quiet. “Maybe sometime you can tell me more about your Marabel.”
The line moves up, and I take my card to pay. Since Hector is a patient, his meal is included.
His smile doesn’t waver as our plates settle onto the circular table. “It would be my pleasure to tell you about her.”
We eat quietly for a moment, the weight of it settling between us.
“Is Max excited?” Hector asks the question I wondered if he’d ask.
Setting my fork down, wiping my mouth, I decide to tell him the truth. “Max and I are no longer together.”
Hector’s fork falls to his plate with a clunk. His eyes go wild on me. “Did he leave you because of the baby?”
I shake my head. “Oh, no, Hector. He doesn’t even know I’m pregnant.
” I sigh, and my chest compresses. I tell him we’ve been apart since the last time I came three months ago.
Leo places his plate down, but he doesn’t utter a word as I talk to Hector.
I give him enough to understand without giving him the weight of it. He has enough of his own to carry.
Hector is quiet for a long moment. He sets his fork down carefully this time. “He should know,” he says finally. Not a judgment. Just the words of a man who understands better than most what it costs a father not to.
“He will.”
Hector nods, picks up his fork, and eats his dry salad.
He only drizzles a little salad dressing.
“I hope you two can work it out.” Hector’s voice is low, a slight frown on his face.
Like he’s disappointed. “I know it’s too soon.
Maybe you and Max can allow me to be part of his life.
” He clears his throat. “You don’t need to answer me now. ”
Gingerly, I grip his wrist. “Hector, I don’t know if you know this.
But you’ll be living with me when you leave here.
Of course, if you want to, or maybe you can talk to Max if you would rather live with him.
If you live with me, you will be part of my baby’s life, but only if you are sober.
I want him or her to have a grandfather in their life, and you are the only grandparent alive.
” I don’t include my adoptive father because he might have raised me in a good home, but in the end, he showed his true colors.
He didn’t even try to find a way to get money to save me when Daniel kidnapped me.
His warm hand falls on mine. “You gave me a reason to be a better man for my grandchild and my son. I’ll do whatever it takes for Max to accept me in his life.
I understand if he never forgives me because I’ll never forgive myself for what I put my son through.
” His eyes go glassy. “Thank you for everything you have done for me. When I return, I’ll find a job and pay you back. ”
I stop him before he can say another word. “No, Hector, you will not repay me with money. You can repay me by staying sober. I understand you will have bad days when you feel you need a drink. I’m going to be here for you.”
“Are you good at chess?” Leo asks, pulling out the game piece.
“Heck yeah!” I exclaim.
Hector chuckles with a Styrofoam cup in hand, the steam of the coffee wafting in the air.
“How about you, Hector? Are you good at chess?”
“It’s been many years since I’ve played, but when I did, it was with Max.” His grin widens. “He was a competitive little guy. We played until he won.”
After lunch, we spend our last thirty minutes playing a board game.
A laugh escapes me before I can stop it. And just like that, I’m somewhere else entirely.
Max lies on his belly, and his legs are crossed in the air. “You cheated,” he calls out.
I shake my head, and my hair whips him in the eye.