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Reality was in stark contrast to Steve’s perception. Carlos’ pain was unrelenting and one afternoon, particularly severe. He stretched out on the couch trying not to moan, while Liz cared for him. When he could stand it no longer, he asked for his painkillers.
She brought them with water and touched his clammy brow.
“This doesn’t seem to be going away. Come on, let’s go to the doctor.”
“Maybe later,” he groaned, swallowing a pill. “Right now I need to get some work done in my office.”
Rising unsteadily to his feet, he limped over.
Liz asked the dreaded question. “Can I get your cane?”
“No thanks. I’ll manage.”
About an hour later, Liz found him asleep with his head on the desk. She gently roused him.
“Go to bed, honey. No more couch.”
He was too drugged to resist. Liz helped him over and he reclined on the comfortable mattress.
“It’s good to be back home in our bed,” he yawned, quickly falling into a deep sleep.
With the pained expression gone from his face, Liz did not want to disturb him. She called Jack to let him know that if Carlos remained asleep for the night she was going to let him be.
“I know he’s hurting and it’s for the best,” Jack replied. “With Tyler waking up early and me getting in late from work, he hasn’t been getting much sleep here. The guy’s getting bags under his eyes.”
However, Liz knew that after Carlos aggravated his old injury, Jack had offered him the bed. Carlos would not hear of it.
“Jack works hard,” Carlos told her. “He’s on his feet ten hours a day. He needs the bed more than me.”
After a while, Liz took Carlos' place on the couch and fell asleep as well. She rose early the following morning, to prepare a bacon and egg breakfast. The inviting aromas mingling with that of fresh coffee woke Carlos. He came to the kitchen to kiss Liz and take the coffee she offered.
“Thank you for letting me stay, darlin’. That was the first good night’s sleep I had in a couple of weeks. Maybe it is all I needed. The pain isn’t as bad.”
Liz snuggled against him and he wrapped his arms around her. Her hair and housecoat contained breakfast’s homey aromas.
“You don’t need to thank me for letting you stay in your own home,” she said, looking up at him, sad-eyed.
“It’s our home,” he assured her. “And soon I’ll be here for good. Only ten more days and we’ll be married.”
Meanwhile, while boarding a plane in New York, a blissful Rosa was counting the hours until she would see Jack. After he spent Christmas with her in New York, then returned to Florida, it was as if a part of her had been ripped away. It was all she could do, not to let him or Liz know she would soon touch down in Florida.
Rosa’s children and grandchildren were anticipating the trip for their own reasons.
The little ones, Olivia three and Noah, two, bubbled with excitement about taking their first airplane ride. Their mom, Laura, was happy to have time off work and envisioned herself lounging at the pool and beach. Sure, it was February and there would be cool days. However, considering it had recently dipped to zero in New York State, she could take Florida’s fifty and sixty degree temperatures.
Like his sister, strapping young, Cpl. Raúl Ramirez had known Liz all his life and thought of her as family. Her fiancé sounded like a decent guy and Raúl was glad she had found him. He was looking forward to attending their wedding and having some fun in Florida before returning to duty. He had seen pictures of his mom and her boyfriend Jack, on his motorcycle, with the U.S. flag and Army insignia on its fairing. Raúl hoped he would let a fellow soldier ride that awesome machine.
The plane was soon taxiing down the runway and Rosa leaned back in her seat. She had the day planned out. After landing in Florida, they would pick up their rental car, then drive to St. Augustine and check into the hotel. By that time, it is likely Jack will have begun working. Next stop for Rosa would be the restaurant where he tended bar. A smile came to her face as she thought of sitting on a barstool, asking for a drink and watching his look of surprise.
That very moment, Fern Costello was stationed at her window in St. Augustine’s Castle View Condominiums. She adjusted her binoculars and scanned the parking lot.
“Hey Harold!” she called to her husband, who was trying to drown out her voice with the television. “That guy in the white car is back. He’s been coming and going for the past couple of days. I would swear he’s watching Carlos’ condo.”
Below in the car, Steve tapped his fingers on the dashboard and agonized about his Rolex watch, as well as what unspeakable intimacies might be taking place inside the condo, in full view of his Rolex.
Helping his son make renovations in the emerging bed and breakfast, gave Steve an excuse to be in St. Augustine, away from his wife’s suspicious eyes and accusations.
The bed and breakfast, now christened The Casa Martín, was becoming habitable, allowing Steve to sleep there on occasion. Furniture was starting to fill its rooms and the plumbing was in working order.
Steve had listened grudgingly as Tony told him about Jack and his biker buddies installing central air and heat. Carlos had funded the project and hired a professional landscaper for the grounds. There was also the covered walkway that Jack built, connecting Tony and Steph’s home with Casa Martín.
None of this lessened Steve’s hatred for Carlos and his “retarded” brother. Nor did that humiliating encounter with Officer Green, who again warned of “legal consequences” if Liz and Carlos were not left alone.
It all fanned the angry flames, as did Carlos teaching Ashley Spanish, a language Steve did not understand. It made him feel locked out of a part of his granddaughter’s life. The child was jabbering in it all the time and to Steve’s consternation, her parents were delighted! It also galled Steve to hear Ashley talking like a hick, saying “y’all” and “I’m fixin’ ta” do this or that, just like Carlos and Jack.
I need to speak to Liz about this, Steve fumed. She should be concerned.
However, foremost on Steve’s mind was his “disappearing” Rolex watch.
Back in Harold and Fern’s condominium, no matter how loud he turned up the television, he could not tune out his wife. She stormed over and switched it off.
Her New York accent became more pronounced. “Listen up jabroni! Ya think I should notify the building’s manager or call the cops about that creep watching Liz and Carlos?”
All Harold could think of was that his wife had switched off the television in the middle of an interesting news report.
He scowled, his New York accent matching hers. “Can’t you shut ya trap and mind your own business? You’re blowin’ this out of proportion. You’ll make a fool of yourself by calling the cops. Besides, Carlos and Liz have a big dog. If that guy tried anything, don’t you think it would protect them?”
Fern relented some. “I hope so. Carlos isn’t looking good these days. He’s limping again.”
After Steve went to gulp down a quick lunch, he returned to his place in the parking lot and a cool rain began to fall. With every passing moment, he imagined more graphic details about what must be going on behind Carlos’ closed door and drawn curtains.
It was about 3:30 when Steve spotted Jack riding from the parking garage on his motorcycle. Steve had Jack’s work schedule pretty much figured out and knew he was leaving for a ten-hour shift. This left Carlos vulnerable. Although Carlos had a muscular physique, he did not have the aggressive nature to back it up. Steve thought he could get the better of Carlos in a fight. Jack, however, was a powerhouse of brawn and bad temper he did not want to tangle with. Steve crouched in his seat as the menacing figure roared by, then sat up when the sound of the motor faded away.
Steve’s eyes darted back and forth. The next instant, he was out of his car, taking long, angry strides toward the building.
That watch is mine, he steamed. I want it back. Is that asking too much?
Meanwhile, Rosa and her family were just up the road, checking into their hotel rooms. Fern Costello was still stationed at her window.
With furniture being delivered, the building’s door was propped open.
Watching Steve walk right in, Fern gasped. She lost track of him as he entered the lobby and rode the elevator to the top floor. The next time she saw him, he was walking aggressively along the outdoor passageway—making a beeline toward Carlos and Liz’s door.
“Oh no! Harold!” she cried out.
This time, the fear in her voice alarmed him. He rose from his chair and joined her at the window. Even from a distance, the couple could see Steve pounding on Carlos’ door.
He and Liz had just sat down for a snack, when the banging startled them. King, nearby waiting for a morsel, sprang to all fours and bounded to the door, barking.
Roused from his sleep, Pickles stared down wide-eyed from atop the hutch.
Liz clutched her chest. “Dear God. What’s that?”
Carlos quickly stood and limped to the door to look out the peephole.
“It’s Steve,” he growled.
Before Liz could say, “Carlos, don’t,” he flung open the door, yelling.
“What the hell do you want now?”
While King barked at Carlos’ side, Steve yelled back.
“I wanna talk to Liz. This is between me and her. Get out of my way!”
When he stepped forward, Carlos pushed him hard.
“You’re not coming in here!”
It was now raining heavier and after stumbling backwards onto the wet passageway, Steve regained his footing.
His face burned with rage. “I’ve been looking for an excuse to kick your ass.”
“You’re gonna need a lot more help,” Carlos snarled, raising his fists.
Steve threw the first punch, which Carlos blocked. Carlos threw the next punch. It landed square on Steve’s mouth, drawing blood.
Running to the doorway Liz, shouted into the ruckus. “Stop it! This is crazy! You’ll kill each other! Someone help!”
Her cries, combined with the men yelling and cursing, along with King barking, ricocheted through the development, alarming residents. King lunged at Steve, sinking his teeth into his leg. Steve tried to kick and shake him away. At one point, he managed to kick King loose. The dog yelped, but latched back on.
Fern had already called the police and others were doing the same. Residents were starting to gather on the passageways. Faces peered out of windows as fists flew and blood spilled, mingling with rain on the cement.
Suddenly, Carlos was knocked off his feet. Grabbing him in a headlock, Steve slammed his head repeatedly into the iron railing along the edge of the passageway.
The crunching bone rang in Carlos’ ears.
Despite the iron colliding with his skull and warm blood oozing down his face, Carlos’ only thought was to keep Steve away from Liz. He wrenched himself free and shoved Steve backwards, charging at him, beating at his face. Steve pulled Carlos down again and the men rolled around the passageway, punching each other—all the while, King biting Steve, whenever and wherever he could.si
Time melted into a blur of cursing, fists pounding, blood flowing and Liz yelling, until Carlos became aware of strong hands pulling him and Steve apart. That is when it all began to feel like a dream. He was lying on the passageway with Officer Jason Green bent over him and Liz kneeling beside him, sobbing and calling his name. A dazed Steve was nearby, propped up against the building. Liz turned to shout at him.
“Why couldn’t you just leave us alone?”
He looked at her in a stupor while blood dripped from his nose and he spat it from his mouth, managing a whisper, “My Rolex. Where is it?”
“So that’s what this is all about!” Liz yelled. “I know what you’re thinking! I didn’t steal your precious watch. After finding it in our house, I sent it by courier to your family’s lawyer.”
“The lawyer in Utica?” Steve gasped.
“Yes, idiot,” Liz shouted, turning back to Carlos. A woman officer rushed to care for the injuries on Steve’s face and those on his legs, visible beneath pants torn by King’s teeth.
At some point, King was restrained on a leash and brought into the apartment. In a gray streak, Pickles ran out the door and disappeared.
Officer Green checked Carlos’ cognition by asking him questions.
“What’s your name? What’s today’s date? Who is the President?”
Carlos could not piece together the words. Feeling the warmth still oozing down his face, he reached to wipe it away, leaving his hand red with blood. He held it up to Liz, who heaved a sob, then tried to clean the blood with a tissue. The next thing that came through Carlos’ mental fog was someone turning him to his side. Officer Green said something about Carlos vomiting. Neighbors, including Fern and Harold, were starting to gather around. Hearing the uproar, Jack’s daughter Stella joined them, holding Tyler on her hip.
Carlos heard Jack’s voice thundering down the passageway.
“I told that s.o.b. to leave my brother alone. I outta kill him!”
Carlos looked up to see Jack running toward him, with Rosa close behind. He and Rosa had taken the motorcycle to get around heavy traffic. Jack had insisted that Rosa use his helmet and rain gear, leaving his hair wind-whipped and his clothing soaked. This added a wild look to his already rugged demeanor.
It all confused Carlos. Why is Rosa here? Where am I?
Rosa dropped to her knees beside Liz and slipped a comforting arm around her.
Liz had a moment of clarity. “What? Why are you here so soon?”
Rosa could not believe the scene before her. “We flew in early. I wanted to surprise you. I first went to see Jack at his job. Our eyes had just met when Jack’s phone rang. It was the police calling about the fight!”
When Carlos moaned, Liz leaned close. “Oh baby, say something to me.”
Her words registered. He tried to respond, but could not.
That moment, Jack lunged at Steve, raising his fist. “I warned you!”
Cringing in fear, Steve squeezed against the wall.
The officer moved in front of Steve. “Back away” she ordered Jack. “Calm down.”
He stopped short, but with his fists clenched and his anger at the boiling point.
Then there was the wailing of ambulances. As sirens drew closer and louder, a news team burst from the elevator.
“Did one of these men work for the President?” a young woman reporter asked, while a young man with a news camera hurried behind her.
Carlos stared up at Officer Green and finally managed to speak. “I have a bad headache. My ears are ringing. Where are Mama and Papa? I need them to help me.”
As if through a mist, Carlos saw his father and his sister in the crowd. They smiled and he smiled in return.
Maria seemed to speak into his thoughts. I’m glad my journal was found. You and Jack keep reading.
Carlos saw his father holding out his hand. It was closed over something. Then he opened his hand and glanced down at it, as if trying to direct Carlos’ attention there. Seeing a tiny object, Carlos tried to make out what it might be.
This is a gift, his father seemed to say.
The next thing Carlos knew, EMTs had him strapped onto a gurney. Liz told them his name and to the best of her ability, answered a couple of basic questions. She rushed behind the gurneys as EMTs wheeled Carlos into the elevator.
On the way down their eyes met and Carlos struggled to speak.
“Liz, Liz, Papa gave me an acorn.”