Still own only the grammar errors.

Enjoy!

Almost visiting

I sat on the back deck after my morning run watching the sun rise. I love this house. I bought it with my first big salary from the army. Back then the plots were bigger and only a few houses were built. Now we're packed like sardines. If I could, I would pack this up move it to a private island. I thought about swimming in the canal, but the water was far from clear, as it once was. The pool would have to do. My left leg is definitely not what it used to be. It actually hurts like a SOB. It needs to be iced. It's been five days since the birthday party. I hadn't mustered up the courage to go visit her yet. Today would be the day. Thanks to Lester, I had food at the house and after sleeping ten to twelve hours a night I started feeling like myself again. The nightmares weren't as horrible as they've been over the years. I had, sort of, figured out what to do with the rest of my life. Running black ops or sanctioned missions was definitely over, the knee wouldn't hold. And the mental recovery was taking longer and longer. Running RangeMan would have to be enough, maybe training new recruits could be an option. That would mean leaving Miami and, at the moment, that wasn't possible. Not if I wanted anything to happen with Stephanie. And I did. That she had a kid didn't really bother me, the boy was cute. Darker-skinned than his mother, with nearly black curly hair and bright blue eyes. Those were exactly like his mothers. She must have hooked up with someone right after I left and gotten pregnant. She seems to be doing ok as a single mom, the kid looked healthy and good mannered. And knowing Tia Ella was looking after him, I knew he was well fed. It's strange that they call her Gabby while she's been Tia Ella all my life. Speaking of the devil, I just know it's her calling.

"Hola Tia Ella!"

"Hola sobrino. ¿Por qué no la has visitado todavía? Why haven't you visited her yet?

"Today, Tia, today."

"See to it that you'll be here, otherwise I might have to call your mama and tell her you're home."

"I promise Tia, I'll be there today. Please, don't call mama. I promise, I'll call her tomorrow."

"That's what you said yesterday and the day before. Carlito, I'm worried about you. Are you ok?"

"Yes Tia, I'm getting there. All the resting and sleeping this week is helping. I gave myself tomorrow as a deadline to join the living."

"Well, all right. Do you know what time you'll be here? Would you like for me to make you dinner?"

"I'm not sure I'm invited to dinner quite yet. Maybe just coffee and some of your Tres Leches Cake?"

"I don't have Tres Leches and don't have time to make it properly, but I could make a pineapple and coconut cake. I know it's Estefania's favorite."

"That's fine Tia, I'm not that fond of sweets anymore."

"Since when? When you were kids, we had to pry from the dessert."

"Yeah, and remember I was quite a heavy kid."

"You've grown into a handsome young man Carlos. I'm sure you'll have novias running after you in no time."

"That's not my first priority at the moment."

"But you need to settle down and have a family. A nice Cuban girl from our community would make you a wonderful wife. As a matter of fact, I know a woman I would like to introduce you to. Her name is Regina Martinez, she has her own catering company."

"Tia, you know you invited me to see Stephanie and now you're setting me up with some other random woman?"

"You need to see Estefania to apologize for your behavior. You could date Regina."

"Why couldn't I date Stephanie? She seems like a nice woman."

"Carlos, she is a lovely woman, but she's not Cuban. And she has a child, I think she's still hung up on the boy's father."

"Has she ever mentioned him to you?"

"No, nothing much. All I know is that he was a one-night stand. And even though I love Theo like family, he is not."

"Well, I'm not sure I'm up for dating anyone now. I need to get my head rapped around being a civilian again."

"You can't wait too long. All the good girls get snapped up pretty quickly."

"Thank you, Tia, but twelve years in the army and it'll probably take me a while before I'm ready to commit to a lifelong relationship."

"Regina might be your last chance, or you'll end up a grumpy old man. You're not getting any younger you know. You'll need a wife who can still make babies."

"Ok Tia, with all due respect, please stop."

"I will, but if you're not here by six pm I'm calling your mama."

"Yes Tia, I'll be there!" Sheesh! Woman, let it go!