Maya, a woman that has worked for Valerio's mother for years, met them at the door. She let them in and helped with the bags. She was happy to see Valerio and he was happy to see her too. She had million questions for him and Lucrecia could see how Sara didn't like the closeness of the two. Lucrecia didn't spend much time with Sara or Sofia when she would visit with her dad, but she remembered both women not being very warm toward Valerio. She understood why they didn't like her or her dad, but she could never understand why they didn't love Valerio. She couldn't understand how someone could not love him at all. In her eyes, he was the sweetest person ever. That was why she was glad he had Maya and love she had always given him. Maya's hands were on Valerio's face and his were over hers. They both had huge grins on their faces and Lucrecia loved seeing him that happy.
''Are you hungry Valerio?''
''If you made your famous chili, then I am…''
''I made it. You know I always make it when you come… AND I even baked you bread… It's still warm.''
''Mmmm….I love it… Right now, you are my favorite person Maya.''
He turned to Lucrecia and smiled.
''Her chili is the best thing you have ever tasted!''
''Even better than your pancakes?''
He knew she was teasing.
''Those pancakes are work of art young lady! This one taught me how to make them and I've been making them since I was twelve.''
''Wow! That is impressive!''
''Ha…Ha… Very funny Lu.''
Valerio turned to Maya and smiled at her.
''I want you to know that you are free to go home. You don't have to be here. We will be at the hospital for the most of the time and there is no need for you to sit here. Go home! Be with your family.''
''Valerio, you might need me.''
''No, I will not. If I need you I will give you a call.''
''But…''
''No, Maya… Listen to me… My mom will probably need a lot of attention when she gets out of the hospital. Go home and rest until she needs you. I am sure that Lu and I can manage to survive without you.''
She looked between them and finally nodded.
''Ok. But call me if you need something.''
''I will… Now, Lu and I will eat your chili. See you soon Maya…''
''See you Valerio… You too Miss.''
Lucrecia smiled at her and thanked her for everything. Valerio was looking at his aunt Sara waiting for her to leave too.
''Aunt Sara, we will eat some chili now and I think maybe take a short nap. See you at the hospital later. Ok?''
''Ok, Valerio… Take care.''
''We will.''
He closed the door and waited for his aunt to get into her car and leave. As soon as the car left he pulled Lucrecia into him and kissed her.
''I've been waiting for the entire day to do this.''
''Me too…''
''Let's eat Lulu.''
He took her hand and took her to the kitchen. He tried the chili and took some out of the big pot to warm it for them. They ate in the kitchen from the same bowl and Lucrecia was amazed at the fact that they were doing something so simple and normal and that to her it was one of the biggest things ever. For the first time in her life she wished she and Valerio could stay away from the world that knew them and could live this love to the fullest. Yes, he was her half-brother, but to her he was never family in that way. She never saw him as Guzman saw Marina or Samuel saw Nano. There was something between two of them…some spark…from the moment he moved in with them for the first time when they were fourteen and fifteen. He put his fork down and just watched her.
''Where did you go Lu?''
''To a better place…''
''Care to explain?''
''I just wish we could be normal…like the others….''
''Normal? What is so appealing to you in that?''
''We are in love…and we share a father… It's not normal…''
''Many things happened and society doesn't see them as normal…''
''I know….''
''Until recently interracial marriages were not normal… Same sex relationships were not normal…''
''This will never be normal…''
''Lu, love is not normal…''
''This is madness Valerio.''
''Maybe, but I love you… I am in love with you.''
''I am too, but…''
''But what?''
''I am scared…''
''Of what?''
''Anyone knowing… Being judged… We could never have a normal life together…''
''Lucrecia… We have here and now… let's not rush into thinking about too distant things.''
''If anyone finds out…''
''We have to be careful.''
''Dad will…''
''He can fuck himself Lucrecia…''
''How can you be so calm about this?''
''I am not… It's just that you are such a mess that I look calm.''
She laughed at that.
''I know that it will be hard and messy when someone finds out. I saw the look on Nadia's face…and I see how she looks at us when we are in the same room. I am aware that how she feels, many would feel and we would get more than disgusted or dirty looks…But to me you are worth it…''
''We are sixteen and seventeen… We have many years ahead of us…We are going to hell Valerio.''
''Oh, Lu… We already live in it.''
Their conversation was interrupted by the phone ringing. Valerio answered and it was his aunt.
''I am sorry to wake you up.''
''We were not asleep. We were still in the kitchen eating our lunch.''
''Oh… Well, I am calling to tell you that Sofia just passed away. Uncle Tomas and I will take care of the paperwork at the hospital. You are under aged so you can't do much about those things.''
''What should I do?''
''Call Maya to come back. People will come to the house to express the condolences and your uncle and I will come soon too to talk to you about the funeral.''
''Ok…''
Valerio put the phone down and turned to Lu.
''She just died.''
She hugged him and held him for some time. She didn't say anything because she had no idea what to tell him. He broke the hug and wiped his eyes.
''I have to call Maya and change… My uncle and aunt will come soon to talk funeral and other things.''
''Why don't you go and change and I will call Maya to come back?''
He just nodded and went to the room. Lucrecia found Maya's number and called her to tell her the news. When they were done, she called her mother and told her about Sofia's death.
''Do you think we should come?''
''I have no idea mom. Maybe dad should show up… Valerio will need help with everything that comes after the funeral. All the inheritance things.''
''I will call your father now. He is not in Spain.''
''I will call him mom.''
''As you wish. Send my love and condolonces to Valerio.''
''I will.''
She ended the conversation with her mother and called their dad. He answered after third time and didn't sound happy.
''I am in a meeting. Why are you calling?''
''Sofia died.''
''Oh.''
''Yes, oh…and it would be nice of you to come here.''
''Why?''
''To be with your son!''
''Lucrecia, I have so much work.''
''I don't care… You also have a son who needs you now. So, stop being an ass and come here… Forget about the work for a few days and remember how to be a father and a decent human being.''
She hung up on him so angry that she started crying. She felt so bad for Valerio. Their father really didn't care about him. He provided everything that money could buy, but not any affection. Watching how her brother lived, she realized she was the lucky one. She actually had some love and affection from their dad, but Valerio had none. He showed up at the door dressed in black pants and dark purple shirt.
''You ok Lu?''
''Yes, I am. Maya will be here soon. Her son will drive her. I am going to change too and I'll be here in a minute.''
She was walking to the room when he got her hand.
''Thank you Lu.''
''No, thank you for letting me be here.''
She put her hands on his face and tried to give him a smile.
''I love you Val and I am not going anywhere… You are not alone and I will always have your back. I promise.''
She gave him peck on the lips and went to the room. She opened her suitcase and got a dark purple dress that matched his shirt. She didn't think black would be appropriate for her to be in. Maybe for the funeral, but not now. For now she had dark purple and navy blue dresses. She got the black dress from the suitcase and hung in the closet. It was the dress she was in at Rebeca's party. She was still a bit pissed that Samuel had to ruin the only good part of that shitty day. When she got downstairs, his aunt and uncle were already there and Maya was bringing them coffee. At the dining room table, she could see papers from the hospital and his aunt's notebook where shew as taking notes for the funeral and all that had to be done. She took a seat beside Valerio and put her hand on his tight just to let him know she is there for him. His aunt got up from the table and went to the study. From there she brought a big black phonebook.
''Lucrecia, I will mark you inhere who needs to be invited to the wake and the funeral. Can you take care of that when we finish here?''
''Yes, I can.''
''Thank you.''
''You are welcome.''
She really didn't like aunt Sara, but she choose to be civil and polite for Valerio.
''How are you feeling Sara?''
''I think I am still in shock… We have so much to do and I feel like I am on some sort of auto pilot… I think it will hit me after we are done with all the planning and arranging things…When the loss becomes real.''
''I understand… One of my friends was killed recently. My ex boyfriend's sister actually… We grew up together and went to school together for years… And weight of the loss caught up with me weeks after she died. I still have weird dreams about her and wonder if I could have done something to change what happened.''
''My sister was a bad driver… We knew there was a risk of this since the first day she got her license.''
Sara started laughing.
''She really didn't know how to drive and I think she is the only person I know that got worse as the time went by.''
Now Tomas and Valerio laughed too.
''I agree… She was really bad and every time she said she would drive somewhere I think we all prayed for her to be safe. Her driving got prayers and God back to our home.''
Valerio wiped his eyes.
''I was glad when she had a boyfriend. I was sure then that she would not be driving and she would be safe. I didn't like many of them, but she was happy and safe.''
When Sara was done with marking the phone book and giving notes to Lucrecia about the time and dates she had to give the people she would call Lucrecia went to the study to make those calls. She knew they needed to make some more arrangements so she left them to talk and she went to make those calls in the other room where they wouldn't bother each other. It took about hour and a half to call and inform everyone. Many people were really surprised and shocked to hear what happened and Lucrecia felt bad for being the one to deliver the news. Just as she finished her last phonecall, Valerio got into the study and closed the door.
''I am done.''
''Thank you Lu.''
She just smiled at him and gave him a peck on the lips.
''How are you holding up?''
''I don't know.''
She didn't press him for more. She knew him well enough to know that he needs time to process things and then tell her what is on his mind.
''I spoke to dad.''
''Oh, and what did he say?''
''I told him to come and be there for you.''
''Oh, Lu…''
''Was I wrong?''
''No, you had good intentions…BUT being here is not something you should tell him to do. It should be something he feels he should do.''
''I am sorry he is such a dick.''
''I know, but at least he did one thing good Lu.''
''What?''
''He helped create you. At least he didn't fail there.''
''I am flawed.''
''You are… But I know your flaws and love you with them.''
''Well, then he did good in creating you too Val.''
''You are one of the few who believes that. Hell, even my own mother didn't believe that.''
''I didn't really know your mother, but I can tell you that our parents are missing a lot if they don't see how amazing and special you are. We raised ourselves and somehow we didn't turn out that bad.''
''You think so?''
''I know so…At least one person loves and accepts us.''
Before the talk could go any further, Sara entered the room.
''I just came to tell you that guests are coming.''
''We'll be there in a minute. Thank you aunt Sara.''
''See you in the living room Valerio…Lucrecia.''
They just nodded at her and she left the room.
''You ready Val?''
''I have no idea who half of these people are.''
''When it becomes too much, you can always take a moment in this room or your room.''
''I know.''
He took her hand and looked at the door.
''Let's get this over with…''
She followed him out of the study and closed the door. She knew it would be a very long night for them.