Chapter 10: Please review

Michael woke again to sunlight on his face. He was still hot from the fever and the headache and pain in his lower body returned moments after his eyes opened . . . Looking around the modest room he found it to be neat and sparsely decorated. Two heavy wood chairs sat along the far wall and small windows dotted the stucco walls. Looking up, the ceiling was made of old planks of wood that looked like they had been there for hundreds of years.

It seemed to be a nice and neat modest home, but his mouth was dry and thirst was his main thought for the moment. He needed to find water. He knew that dehydration had set in and he wasn't sure how long he had been lying on the mattress below him. Pushing back a thin wool blanket, he realized that most of his clothing was gone except for his boxers. With no one around, he could not offend and began the long process of sitting up.

The bed beneath him creaked and moaned as he raised to a sitting position and the entire room spun. Closing his eyes he waited for it to subside and pushed himself to a half stand still leaning against the bed. Moving to the end of the bed his legs burned with each step and he feared the chills returning. He inched along and crossed to the far wall leaning against its cool surface. From there he could see a door way and he unsteadily headed that direction.

After a long hall he entered into a larger room with finer furnishing. A table and chairs of remarkable craftsmanship. Off to the side, another entrance into a large, old but well equipped kitchen with a large dark set of doors that opened up to a courtyard. Another entrance led into a living room with comfortable couches, several small seating areas and a small table and chairs with a chess set built in next to a large stone fireplace. Here too there were three large doors that opened up onto the same courtyard. All the doors were open as a breeze passed through the home. Inside he could not see a TV or other electronics and there certainly wasn't a phone.

In the kitchen he found the sink and let the water run, washing his face and neck before filling a thick glass with the cool fresh water and drinking until he could not hold any more down.

"Be careful. I don't want you to get sick." A male voice said behind him.

Michael spun to see the man behind the voice. He was tall with jet black hair and Latin features.

"Did you help me? I mean, bring me here." Michael asked still unsure of many things.

"I did. My brother and I found you yesterday. You were in really bad shape, and you still are. Maybe you should sit."

"I am fine. Thank you, but I need to get back to town."

The man smiled. "You are not as fine as you think you are. When those chills start again you will have a whole new outlook. You should return to bed. My abuela will cook you something."

Michael's stomach churned at the thought of food. "I am not really hungry. Just thirsty. Your Abuela? My Spanish is a little rusty.

"Abuela is grandmother."

"So you live here?"

"Sort of. My family is the caretaker of this country home. They have been for generations. We live in a small home just at the edge of the property. Close to where we found you."

"Caretaker? Your English is excellent."

"The Medinas, the family that own this home gave me a rare gift. They paid for me to go to University in California. That is where my English is from. In exchange, I was to come back and help them run their company. They were not fortunate enough to have children of their own."

"Can you help me get back to town?"

"My sister and my mother have taken the truck for the house to visit some family in the valley. They are not due back for several days. I am afraid until you are a little better you won't be able to walk there."

Michael stood at the sink, holding the side. The exertion seemed to zap his energy. "I'm feeling a little better." He lied. "Maybe you can walk with me. It isn't far, right? My friends will give you a ride back."

"No, not too far. Just over four miles, but you won't make it. The Dengue has a strong grip on you."

"Dengue, like Dengue fever?"

"Yes, my grandmother has seen a lot of it in her life time. She is sure that is what you have. It will get worse before it gets better."

"I need to get back to town. It is important, how about a phone?" Michael said stepping away from the counter and losing his balance."

Miguel caught him and put his arm around his shoulder. "Sorry, no phone. I do think you need to go back to bed."

Michael was too tired to fight and accepted the help. He could feel the chills beginning again. "I would pay you to make the trip for me, what do you think?

Lying back in the bed Michael watched the face of the young man in front of him. He was definitely considering his options.

"Two hundred American dollars." Michael said to sweeten the pot.

"Three." The young man said.

Michael smiled. "We have a deal! Can you give me paper and I will write down the information you will need?"

The man hesitated. "If I leave you, you could be in danger."

"Why?" Michael said confused.

"It is Harvest Season here. Sometimes they send men with guns to come and look for labor. They will take anyone they can find. Sometimes people don't come back."

"They?"

"The ones that grow the plants for drugs. Sometimes they pay, sometimes not and sometimes the workers disappear. It can be a dangerous place."

Michael thought for a few minutes. "If you leave here soon, how long will it take you?"

'Maybe three hours, maybe sooner if your friends are where you say they are."

"Go. I will be fine. What about your grandmother?"

"No, they won't bother her, but maybe my younger brother. I am supposed to watch him for my mother. Make sure he is safe while she is gone."

Michael looked at the young man. He knew his strengths and his weaknesses and he knew how he felt. He knew he would have a hard time defending himself, never mind this family.

"I don't know what to say, but it is important. My friend's life is in trouble by those same people. I think I have a shot at saving him."

Miguel looked at Michael. He didn't have to think long. Michael already knew that this young man was of good character and he could be trusted to make a difficult decision.

"I'll get the paper." He said leaving Michael to his thoughts.