Reflecting On Wishes (The Wishes Series) (10 page)

Angel wiped the tears from her eyes and took a deep, calming breath.

“You okay, Angel?” her father asked in a concerned tone.

“I’m fine
, Papá. I’m just tired and need to lie down for a while. Who knew getting dressed and riding home would wear a person out so much?” She tried to keep her voice positive but by the look on his face he knew she was putting on a front to keep him from asking why she had been crying.

Vito reached over and patted her hand, “Nahni said she would have an early dinner ready by the time we get there. Once you eat something we’ll get you settled so you can rest.”

Angel nodded her head and clasped her father’s hand in hers, thankful for the small comfort of his work roughened hand lending her strength.

***

They pulled in the driveway and the first thing Angel saw was a big sign that hung on the garage doors that said,
Welcome Home Angel
in bright pink letters with flowers and hearts drawn around it. Her sister-in-law had to have made it. Her dad and brother were both to manly to have done such a girly thing. The front door swung open just as her dad put the truck in park and Rage came out onto the porch, jogging down the newly built ramp with a huge grin on his face.

“There’s my favorite baby sister!”

Angel rolled her eyes and unbuckled her seatbelt as he opened her door. “I’m your only sister, Rage. I have to be your favorite,” she called out the window.

“True story,” he said, laughing when she swung her hand out and smacked his arm.

“You’re still a smart ass I see,” Angel smirked and patted his cheek, placing a kiss there when he reached in to hug her.

“Admit
it; you wouldn’t want me any other way. If I wasn’t a smart ass, you would think I was mad or somethin’.”

This time it was Angel’s turn to laugh
then say, “True story.”

Rage chuckled and slid one arm behind her back and the other gently under her knees, picking her up and placing her in her wheelchair that their dad had gotten out of the truck.

“Okay, hot-wheels let’s try this sexy ramp out that we built ya.” Rage took off with a jog, wheeling her up the ramp fast, making her laugh.

“Crazy ass,” she replied, still grinning when Nahni opened the screen door waving them inside.

“Surprise!”

The shouts caught Angel off guard and she gasped, slapping her hand to her chest as she looked around at the living room full of people. Tears filled her eyes when she saw the rest of the guys from the shop there, coming up to hug her and kiss her cheeks one at a time.

Next, Ms. Lola came up and wrapped her in a warm hug, “Sweet baby girl, you are a sight for sore eyes. Goodness I have missed you girl. Been a prayin’ for your recovery and I’m just so glad to see you home finally. I told your daddy to bring you up for breakfast in the mornin’. I’m gonna fix you up somethin’ good darlin’. Too damn skinny. That hospital food ain’t fit for no one, I tell ya.”

“Thank you
, Ms. Lola. I’m looking forward to your home cooking. Nobody makes pancakes like you do.” Angel fought to keep the tears that were filling her eyes from spilling over.

“Now, now
, darlin’. Everythin’s gon’ be alright, don’t you worry bout a thing. The good Lord’s got a plan for you, baby. He sho’ does. Now I’m gon’ go fix you a plate while you say hello to everyone. Me and that sweet sister-in-law of yours been a cookin’ all mornin’.” Lola kissed Angel’s cheek and went into the kitchen where Nahni was pulling fried chicken out of the pan on the stove.

“Hey
, Angel,” the all too familiar voice came from behind her. She tried to turn her chair around, wincing when she put pressure on her left hand. Her wrist still wasn’t completely healed after being broken in the wreck. She could move it better now, but turning the wheel on her wheelchair wasn’t something she could do very well as of yet.

“What are you doing here, Dakota?” The least she could have done was sound cordial
. Seeing him there, knowing she still looked like hell even though most of the gashes had healed to red scars, was one thing. But she couldn’t hide the fact her legs still hung from her body like limp noodles, completely useless.

“A
hello
would have been nice, but okay. We have to start somewhere right?” He crouched down in front of her and leaned forward to kiss her cheek. Angel noticed then that everyone had gravitated to the kitchen and dining room, filling their plates and obviously giving her a little privacy with Dakota.

Angel sighed and looked down at her legs
then whispered, “Hi, Dakota.”

“See, that wasn’t so
hard, was it?” He put his fingertips under her chin and lifted her head so she looked at his face.

“I’ve missed you. I don’t really understand why you refused to let me see you in the hospital
. I’m thinking maybe it was a girl thing, ya know, not wanting me to see you hurt and bandaged. But I want you to know I’m here. I’m not going anywhere. I want to be here for you and help you through this.”

Tears burned her eyes and she had to look away. She hated this depressing weakness she felt and the fact she couldn’t go five minutes without wanting to cry. She didn’t want to need anyone. Angel Vega was a tough chick. That’s what she kept telling herself every single time she felt like breaking down.

“I don’t want you here. I don’t need you. I can take care of myself, Dakota. So just go on, live your life and find another charity case.” She tried to turn her chair again and gasped when a sharp pain went from her wrist to her fingers and back again.

“You’re not a charity case. Stop being so damn stubborn
, Angel, and stop using your wrist. You have it in that brace for a reason. If you re-injure it you’ll be back in a cast. We need to get you a motorized chair for now until…”

“No! Dammit
, Dakota—just leave. Go home and leave me be.”

“I don’t want to leave you be. I care about you, Angel and I know you care for me too. Let me help you through this.”

Angel felt herself breaking down. Tears were sliding down her cheeks now and she couldn’t even roll herself away. “Papá! Please take me to my room. Please…I can’t…” her voice was shaking and her face was pale.

Vito was at her side
immediately. “Dakota, why don’t you fix yourself a plate and sit down to eat. Angel is worn out.” Vito nodded to Dakota as he rose up and backed away from Angel. Vito pushed Angel to her room, shutting the door and turning the covers back on her bed. He lifted her gently from her chair and set her on the edge of the bed, kneeling down to take her shoes off her feet. “Angel, you can’t cut everyone out of your life that cares for you and that you care for. It’s not fair to them either.”

“Papá please, not right now,” Angel whispered. Her frail body shook as she gave in to silent sobs of sorrow.

“Oh, mija, I’m so sorry you have to go through this.” For the first time Angel could ever remember, her father cried with her. He sat on her bed with her, held her in his arms and kissed her forehead, wiping the tears that streaked her face while his own tears dripped down onto his shirt.

“You will not let this beat you. You are too strong and special to let this keep you down. Try to remember that those of
us who love you are hurting with you. We all just want to help.”

“I know—I’m sorry,” she cried, resting her weary body against his until the sobs subsided and stroked her hair while she tried to control the hiccups her crying had caused.

“It’s okay. Everything is going to be alright. You need to get some rest but I want you to eat something first okay? I’ll go get that plate Ms. Lola was making you and you can eat in here and maybe watch some television to relax.”

Angel nodded her head, propping her pillows behind her while he lifted her legs on
to the bed and pulled the sheet across her lap. “I’ll be right back.”

A few minutes later there was a knock at her door
. Ms. Lola came in holding a tray with a plate heaped with food and a glass of sweet tea. “Darlin’ I hope you don’t mind but I told your daddy to sit down and eat so’s I could come spend a little more time with you before I head out.” She set up the tray in front of Angel and leaned over to kiss her cheek.

“It’s always good to see you
, Ms. Lola. Thank you for coming over today and helping Nahni. She’s gotten so big with my niece she looks like she’s about to bust.” She took a sip of sweet tea and scooped up a bite of cheesy scalloped potatoes, groaning when the flavorful mixture melted in her mouth.

“Oh
lordy, that girl gon’ be spittin’ that baby out any day I tell ya. Them doctors try they best to predict a birthin’ date but when the baby is ready, she ready no matter what the date is!”

Angel
laughed. The tension and sadness in her face easing in the presence of her sweet, motherly friend. Lola had been the closest thing to a mom she had ever known.

“Now, child, I ain’t tryin’ to butt in your life, but I can’t help but want to be here for you. You know you’re like family to
me. All of you are like my own kids. I hate to see you hurtin’ darlin’. I know you’re goin’ through tryin’ times and it seems your world has flipped upside down. I may not be able to do a lot of things in my old age, but I can sure listen and give advice. I have been round the block a time or two, sugar pie.”

“Thank you, Ms. Lola. You’ve always been like a mother to me. I appreciate you more than you know. I just don’t feel like talking about it right now.” Angel put her fork down and rested her head back against the headboard.

“That’s just fine, darlin’. Just you remember, if’n you needs me, I’m always here for my girl. Alright then?” She picked Angel’s fork up and stabbed a bite of coleslaw, “Now eat up and I’ll get you some of Vivi’s peach cobbler she dropped off earlier for ya.”

“Mmm, Mrs. Cane made me her famous peach cobbler? Do we have vanilla ice cream too?” Angel dug into the food, moaning when Lola nodded
yes
and smiled at her.

“Sho’
nuff, darlin’. Her and Mikayla both came by with food while Dakota was helping make your welcome home sign with Nahni. Cutest thing I ever did see, that big o’ hunka man colorin’ pretty pink letters, flowers and hearts when Nahni told him it was your favorite color. That man got it bad for you, sugar pie. He sho’ do.”

Angel cocked her head to the side, her lips turning up in a slight grin. “Dakota was coloring? Hearts and flowers…?” she started giggling when she pictured him in a crafting session with her sister-in-law
. Ms. Lola joined her, cackling until they were both breathless.

Before she knew it, her plate was empty and she was being served the warm peach cobbler and vanilla ice cream that Vivi had brought over. “This is a slice of heaven. I need to call Vivi soon and thank her for spoiling me.”

“I’m sho’ she would love to hear from you, darlin’. That’s a good family, the Canes. You’d be welcomed with open arms if’n you give that man a chance.” Lola moved the tray from Angel’s lap once she finished her dessert.

“
Ms. Lola, I can’t think about Dakota right now. My entire life has changed and I have to find my way—by myself.”  Angel pulled the sheet off her lap and lifted her legs one at a time, scooting her body so she was sitting with her legs dangling off the side of the bed again.

“Honey child, you don’t need to find you
r way on your own. You have so many people that love you and would move heaven and earth for you. You’ll see. Now, do you need to go to the restroom before you rest or would you like to take a warm bath?”

Angel’s eyes
began to tear up at Ms. Lola’s thoughtfulness. Her bladder was full and she felt like she stunk of the medicinal hospital smell. She wanted to bathe in her own soap and shampoo.

“I’d really like to take a bath after I use the restroom
, Ms. Lola. Can you ask my dad to come in here please? My chair doesn’t fit in the bathroom so…” her face was flushed in embarrassment. It was humbling to have someone carry you to do your business, especially your father, but it was better than having her brother do it.

“I’ll be right back darlin. Don’t you fret none. I have an idea.”
Ms. Lola left the room but returned quickly with Angel’s dad in tow.

“Okay, Vito, you just carry her and sit her on the toilet and I’ve got her from there.”

“Are you sure, Ms. Lola?” Vito looked concerned.

“Honey child, I’ve raised five children that
were always gettin’ themselves into a fix. I can lift her into the tub, I was just afraid to try to wedge my rear-end through that door while holding her, without whackin’ her legs on the door frame. You really need to get that fixed so’s she can get around better,” she chided, patting his shoulder as he lifted Angel and carried her to the bathroom, setting her on the stool.

“Rage and I are gonna work on that this weekend
, Ms. Lola.” Vito kissed his daughter’s forehead and left the room.

“God
, I didn’t think he would ever leave. I’ve got to go.” Angel wiggled from side to side scooting her pants down so she could relieve her aching bladder.

Ms.
Lola chuckled and leaned down to put the plug in the tub and turn on the water. She poured a generous dollop of bubble bath under the flow of the water. While it frothed up she grabbed a washcloth and towel off the shelf.