Author's note: I have been to Saltillo, my brother-in-law was born and raised their. Kel's memories are some of my own.

An Act of Friendship

Chapter 16

Kel stopped inside the doorway to Johnny's ICU room. He had come to check on Johnny, but as soon as he entered the room, Marco Lopez bowed his head. In deference, he also bowed his head. A small smile played across his lips as Marco's deep voice started a prayer Kel had not heard in many years. He joined in,

"Dios te salve, María, llena eres de gracia,
el Señor es contigo.
Bendita tú eres entre todas las mujeres,
y bendito es el fruto de tu vientre, Jesús.
Santa María, Madre de Dios,
ruega por nosotros, pecadores,
ahora y en la hora de nuestra muerte.
Amen"

Marco looked at him in shock. "I never knew you spoke Spanish," he stated.

Kel smiled as he explained, "I don't know much. But many years ago when I was an intern, I spent a little over six months in Misión San Francisco de Saltillo in Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico. As you can well imagine, I heard Hail Mary repeated many times during the day." He shrugged his shoulders. "Until you started saying it, I quite honestly thought I'd forgot it.""

Marco chuckled. At Kel's questioning look he responded, "I have several cousins that live in Saltillo and I've been their twice myself." Marco smiled sagely, "Besides Dr. Brackett, some things you never forget."

"Too true my friend," he replied as he traveled back to the eye opening experience. He had met some wonderful people on that trip, some he still kept in contact with. The courtesy and kindness they had extended to a young man who didn't understand the language or culture made a lasting impression.

He recalled the beautiful mountains that surrounded the city, their jagged peaks reaching up to the vivid, blue sky. The yucca and creosote dotting the dry, sandy soil, a sea of browns and greens as far as the eye could see. Agave lechuguilla plants with their spiky leaves raised to the sun. He could almost feel again the dry, arid heat that soaked deep into your bones and the crisp coolness when you went in the shade.

Marco could see the distant look in Kel's eyes. "Tell me…what do you remember most about being there?"

Kel thought for a few moments. His mouth watered at the remembered taste of the fresh mango and avocado that were a staple at every meal. And to this day, the smell of fresh cilantro reminded him of the pico de gallo that was generously spread over the tender, juicy barbacoa. A gentle smile played across his face as he recalled, "Mostly, I remember the people and the food. The thrice daily routine of the women, their arms coated in flour as they pressed and rolled the dough flat, creating fresh tortillas that were immediately heated and eaten. How warm and tender and fresh they were. I've tried on several occasions to get them here, but it's just not the same." He shook his head ruefully. "Once I even decided I'd help the women make the salsa. They let me crush the tomatillos and jalapenos in the heavy mortar and pestle." He blushed and looked down as he continued, "They laughed at me when I forgot and rubbed my mouth. My lips burnt so bad, I thought my skin would blister and peel off. Until then, I had never realized how potent jalapenos were." Kel laughed in embarrassment.

Marco chuckled then gave Kel a sympathetic look. He knew how much that hurt. "Don't worry. I've done that a time or two myself," he replied. Marco was amazed at the connection he felt with the good doctor at that moment. He looked closely at the dark circles under his eyes. He looked beyond tired and Marco decided he wanted to do something to thank him for helping his friend. He knew that part of it was his job, but Dr. Brackett had gone over and above what was expected of a doctor in caring for Johnny. Smiling, he announced, "When Johnny gets better and I have your okay, I'll have Mama bring a feast for all of us to share."

Kel was startled and touched by the offer. "No…that's not necessary," he replied.

Marco shook his head, "I know it's not necessary, but that is what friends do and that is what we're going to do. Besides, Mama has already been cooking up a storm for when Johnny gets well. She knows he loves her cooking and she'd be thrilled to share it with you too."

"If you're sure," Kel responded. Marco's eager nod sealed the deal. He patted Marco's shoulder as he said, "Alright, I would be honored to share a meal with you." Looking over at Johnny, he affectionately said, "But first, we have to get this guy feeling better."

He walked to the end of the bed and pulled Johnny's chart, quickly scanning the most recent notes. He replaced the chart then started his exam.

Marco sat quietly, praying there would be some positive news. As Dr. Brackett finished, he questioned, "Well…how is he?"

Kel put his hands in his pockets. "Well, his fever seems to be hovering right around 103.7. I was hoping that by now it would have started to come down." At the crestfallen look on Marco's face, he clarified, "That's not entirely bad, Marco. His fever hasn't risen in the last hour, either, which might seem like a small step. But at this point, we'll take what we can get." He watched as Marco relaxed slightly. "Well, I'm going to head back down to the ER. If you need me, just have me paged."

"Thanks, Dr. Brackett," Marco responded.

Kel smiled and walked toward the door. At the last minute, he turned, "Oh…and Marco?" At Marco's curious stare, he responded, "Thanks for bringing back good memories and keep saying those prayers."

XXXXXXX

Joanne paced anxiously in front of the living room window. The kids were due home at any time and she couldn't wait to see them. Two and a half days without them had seemed like an eternity. Hearing the sound of tinkling laughter, she raced to the front door and threw it open. Jenny was skipping up the sidewalk followed a short distance behind by Chris and Roy, deep in conversation. Jenny saw her first. Her sweet little face beamed with a huge smile as she ran to her screaming "Mommy!"

Joanne bent down and was almost bowled over by her 7-year-old dynamo of a daughter. Sucking in her breath at the ache in her ribs, she tightened her arms and felt tears of joy trickle down her cheeks. "Oh baby, I've missed you so much," she half-sobbed to her little girl.

Jenny placed little butterfly kisses all over her cheeks and wiped the tears with her little fingers as she prattled on, "Mommy, we missed you…Aunt Lini told us you were coming home today…I told teacher all about your accident and she had the whole class make cards…I have them in my backpack…and I made you the bestest and most specialist of cards…I put Daddy and you and Chris and me and Uncle Johnny…and Uncle Cap…and Uncle Chet…and Uncle Marco…and Uncle Mike on it…you should see it…let me get it out…and Tommy at school said you're lucky you only broke an arm cause his dad had an accident and he broke his leg and his arm and his collard bone…but I don't know where a collard bone is…I meant to ask Daddy…but I kept forgetting…"

Jenny was still talking up a storm as Joanne laughed at her exuberant little girl. She loosened her hold on Jenny as her 9-year-old son walked up. "Jenny…Jenny, let me give Chris a hug," she said as she set the little girl to the side. She saw the big smile Chris had on his face as he stood patiently waiting for her. He looked and acted so like Roy, that it brought a lump to her throat. "Hey little man, do you have a hug for your old mom?" she asked teasingly. His grin grew and he threw himself into her arms.

Squeezing her tightly, Chris said, "I missed you so much, Mommy. Every night Jenny and I said a special prayer for you and Uncle Johnny." He pulled away and looked around, "Is Uncle Johnny in his room?" he questioned.

Joanne felt a twinge of guilt at the innocent question. She looked up at Roy. He gave a subtle shake of his head. "C'mon, let's go get comfy on the couch," she said. Grabbing one of Chris's hands and one of Jenny's, she pulled them into the living room and sat them down on either side of her on the couch. Looking at her two beautiful children that she loved so much she said a silent prayer, thanking God for letting her see them again. Once settled, she looked Chris straight in the eye she said, "Chris, Uncle Johnny's still in the hospital. He got hurt worse than I did."

Jenny piped in, "Can we go see him?"

Joanne turned and kissed the top of Jenny's head. "No baby. He's too sick for you to see right now. Mommy isn't even allowed to see him," she explained. Glancing at Chris, she saw the concerned look that passed across his face. Knowing that of her two children, he was the worrier, she tried to ease his mind. "Daddy's been in to see him, but Dr. Brackett thought that maybe I had something that he didn't want Uncle Johnny to catch."

Chris visibly relaxed when he heard that his dad was able to see Uncle Johnny. At first, he'd thought he must be really bad…like dead kind of bad…if his mom wasn't allowed to see him. He looked over at his dad and saw the reassuring smile. "If I make him a card, will you take it to him?" he questioned.

"Me too…me too," Jenny begged.

Roy nodded his head, too choked up to speak. The love and concern his children had for his wayward partner never ceased to amaze him. From the moment they all had first met, there was this instant connection between the three of them. At times, Roy thought that if his partner had just been about 5 years younger, he would have adopted him. Reining in his emotions he responded. "I'll make sure Uncle Johnny gets whatever you want to send."

Jenny squealed, "Oh…I better go get my bestest crayons so I can make the prettiest picture." She jumped from the couch, took three steps then turned and ran back to Joanne. Giving her a big kiss and hug she announced, "I'm glad you're home, Mommy. I'll be up in my room making Uncle Johnny's card." And with that, she flew up the stairs.

Chris put his arms around his mom and gave a big hug. Reaching up, he placed a gentle kiss on his mom's cheek. He looked into her eyes seriously and asked, "Mommy, how come Uncle Johnny got hurt worse than you?"

Inwardly, Joanne cringed. She knew this question was coming. Knowing that Chris was very sensitive, she picked her words carefully as she didn't want to scare him. She grabbed both of his hands and gave a gentle squeeze before explaining. "Well, Chris. You know that Uncle Johnny was already hurt before we had our accident." As he shook his head, she continued, "He reinjured his leg trying to get us free so he's gonna have a cast on for a while." Chris smiled as if he thought that was cool. "He also got banged up pretty good when we rolled down the hill. We didn't know it at the time, but he hurt his ribs. Mommy was hurt and I hit my head so I wasn't awake. Uncle Johnny had to get me out of the car. He was swimming to the surface with me when Daddy and Mr. Brice got there to help. The water was really cold and that with all his other injuries made him really sick." She looked intently at him, making sure he was satisfied with the answer. "Does that answer your question?'

Chris nodded. Thinking over how sick his Uncle was, made Chris anxious to make him a card. Giving his mom a big kiss he told her he'd be upstairs and trotted off.

When the kids were gone, Roy pulled Joanne into a big hug. "They'll be okay," he promised.

She nodded, glad that was over with. Giving Roy a quick kiss, she suggested, "Why don't you come help me make something for dinner." Roy gave a quick nod and they walked arm in arm into the kitchen.

After a quick and easy dinner, Roy and Joanne helped the kids with their homework. The rest of the evening was spent as a family, laughing and talking and playing games. They both took the kids up to put them to bed. Gathered around Jenny's bed, they said their prayers and at the very end, Chris added, "Dear God, please take care of our Uncle Johnny and bring him home to us soon. Amen." Roy and Joanne both teared up at the heartfelt plea and added their own prayers for their dear friend.