Chapter 7: First Watch
The first few days of Lito and Capheus with Riley went surprisingly fast. The three were able to pass the time rather quickly playing cards and reading periodicals. The times Will woke up to eat and exercise were the times most cherished, as the three were able to interact together. They talked as they ate, as well as play card games. As other members of the cluster got wind Will was awake, they would check up on him too.
On this particular day, Will was awake, as he sat up and chatted with Lito and Capheus.
"What has it been like, the outside world," Will now asked them.
"Nothing too exciting," Capheus was saying. "My mother is doing well. Jela is keeping an eye on her for me. And Mr. Kabaka, he has been his usual kind and thoughtful self when it comes to her. As for the political climate, well, that has yet to change."
"I can say the same," added Lito. "Mexico is Mexico after all. I do miss my Hernando though. He is my heart. Daniella has been great, but she is not my Hernando."
"I'm sorry," answered Will. "That sucks."
"It is my fault though, and I know it," Lito said back. "I was so afraid of coming out. Of my fans being disappointed their 'action star' was gay. I was wrong. I know that now."
Riley, who had been silent during this exchange, put her cup down and turned to him.
"From what you had said of him," she was telling him now, "he loves you. He left because he hurt and you are the one that hurt him. But he did come back. When you brought back Daniella from that creep. You talk as if he never came back. Something else is nagging at you. What is it?"
Lito looked at her intently, as did Will and Capheus.
"I don't know, really," Lito answered her. "It is like there is a distance between us. If you saw us together you would never have guessed it but it is there. Or something is."
"Have you proved to him that you loved him." Riley now asked, a new thought crossing her mind.
"I think I did."
"Did you come out? Did you really come out? That could be it you know," Riley asked gently.
"That has been a topic of heated discussions, yes. From the three of us," Lito admitted.
"How you can expect to be happy, or make someone else for that matter happy if you are hiding? You need to be free of it. A lot of people have done it and it was because of the fear of living the lie. Hernando loves you but you cannot expect him to live like that forever. You can't expect you to live like that forever. You underestimate your fans, Lito. If they really loved you they would support you."
Lito sighed. "I know you are right but it doesn't make it any easier to do."
"That is when you have Hernando by your side, your heads held high and smiling, proud of who you really are and showing it. That will be enough."
"And you said my mother had all the wisdom," Capheus exclaimed.
"Not really," she answered. "I just learned to let go of my own pain. I have held onto it for so long it became a part of me. The stronger part. The part that just wanted to be still and not move on and live. So I grieved and I let go. That's all."
"That was a lot to let go of, Riley," Will added.
Riley smiled back at him lovingly and then turned her attention back to Lito. "And that is why you will get your Hernando back. Really get him back. But just remember to be patient. That old cliche is true, you know. If you love someone or something, let it go. If it belonged to you it or they will come back. If it wasn't meant to be it won't. I really believe that."
"I just want this to be over," Will went on. He sighed, his frustration evident.
"As soon as I get word we start filming, I will see Kala and the wheel will start turning," Lito answered. "There are a few things first my director has to do first before we start. Nothing big, just formalities."
"Like...," prompted Capheus.
"Just the usual. The official green light from the studio, paperwork for the crew and the actors, clearances for the the location shoots...that sort of thing For the sake of tourism the countries are welcoming our arrival for the publicity. You know."
"When do you plan to speak with your director," Riley now asked. "Will he be alright with hiring Kala for work around the set?"
"If I know my director, so long as she is pretty, she is hired." Lito smiled. "And Kala is very pretty."
"Oh, yes, she is," Capheus agreed. "And she isn't vain about it. Not even sure if she is even aware of it, come to think of it."
"I don't think she is," Riley responded back. "I know she isn't. That is just not her way. But I do hope she does end up in front of the camera. She would be so good."
Will smiled. "She won't," he now added.
"Either way," Lito continued, "I'll be able to get her to Sun. And once she is done there with what she needs to do I will find a way to bring her back home. How to get the pharmaceuticals to you might be another story. I hope someone else can figure that out."
"One of us will," Capheus responded with confidence. "We have the power."
With that comment everyone laughed. Will suddenly stood up straight.
"Riley," he now told her alert, "I feel him."
Immediately she was by his side with syringe in hand. Taking his arm she slowly injected the serum into his flesh. Within seconds his body slumped and Lito and Capheus gently placed him on the couch.
"I wish there was something more I could do for him," commented Capheus after placing a blanket on top of him.
"He knows," Riley assured him. "There is only so much any of us can do, really." Riley looked at Lito and Capheus with concern. "There is so much that can go wrong." She sighed.
"It won't," Lito answered back assuringly. "None of us will let anything happen to hinder our plan. Collectively, we know enough to see it through and our shared skills will help in that."
"He is right, you know," Capheus echoed. "Have faith."
Riley smiled. All three turned to the sleeping Will, still concerned over what may be looming ahead, ignoring the fear.