The Florencia Lozano Homepage - Fan Fiction
AFFLICTION
BY TROG |
CHAPTER
1 |
CHAPTER 1
She walked quickly down the shiny corridor of the hospital as the overpowering, antiseptic scent of pine floor cleaner hit her in the face, disguising the smell of infirmity and death. The floor tiles were of that non-descript, marbled-gray variety that hospitals all seem to have and gave off a cold, clinical sheen that reflected the harsh fluorescent lighting above it--a stark and invasive brightness. Her heels clicked on the waxy surface as she made her way to ICU on the fourth floor. Passing clusters of wheel chairs and gurneys, symbols of debilitation and powerlessness, fear gripped her chest as she got closer to the room that she was seeking, afraid she was too late to see her best friend alive.
Cristian Vega leaned back against the doorframe, his arms crossed tightly, his eyes wandering along the ceiling. He found himself counting the number of squares, then the number of sprinkler heads and the lights, occupying his troubled mind with groups and sums, trying to evade the brutal reality of what was happening around him. The rhythmic tapping of her heels forced him to lose count and he looked in her direction with annoyance, but when he recognized her, his handsome face broke into a beautiful smile.
He hadn’t seen her in over two years, but she looked the same, earthy and warm and beautiful.
“Tea...you’re here,” said Cristian, walking up to her and taking her in his arms. Tea heard him gasping softly into her shoulder as his masculine restraint gave way to his fears in her arms.
Tea pulled away from him and wiped his tears affectionately, as if he was a little boy.
“I was away on a case, but I got here as soon as I got your message. How is she?”
“She’s still out...in recovery...but the surgery went really well...that’s what Dr. Woleck said anyway, but she’s not out of the woods yet.”
Antonio came barreling down the hall, carrying a cup of coffee in either hand, when he noticed Cris talking to a slim, dark-haired woman who seemed very familiar. As he got closer she turned around to face him and he recognized the signature of her shiny, dark eyes and radiant smile.
“Aye, mi hermana,” he said embracing her as Cris took the cups of coffee from his hands to keep Antonio from scalding her back. She smiled at his use of the term “sister” for she had always felt like a sister to them.
“It’s so good to see you, Tonio. I just wish it was under better circumstances,” she said, her voice breaking a little and her eyes misting over. Tea attempted to be strong for them but she was of too passionate a nature to be able to control her feelings, specially when she loved someone. It was her undoing. Her Achilles’ heel.
Tea walked over to the door and looked through the glass. Carlotta was still unconscious, looking thin, lifeless and ravaged, lying there in an ugly, white hospital gown attached to an IV and various monitors that blinked and beeped mockingly.
Antonio came up beside her.
“She came out of surgery a few hours ago...it could be a while before she comes to. Come on, let’s go sit down,” he said, taking her arm and leading her to a small lounge nearby.
The sitting area was a garish mix of yellow and purple wall paper with matching drapes and framed pictures of purple and yellow pansies on the wall. Four purple sofas formed a perfect square around a coffee table cluttered with outdated magazines. Tea looked around at the sunny decor and thought how inappropriate it seemed, almost offensive, in direct contrast with this place, with their moods.
“Here, Tea...take my coffee...I’ll go and get another one in the cafeteria. I could use the walk,” said Cris handing her a cup and quickly walking away as tears formed in his eyes, leaving Antonio and Tea sitting beside each other.
“He’s not handling this too well,” said Antonio.
“He’s young. Tell me about the operation?” asked Tea.
“Well, mommy started getting some severe pain in her lower abdomen, she got checked out, had some tests and next thing I know she’s telling me she has cancer of the uterus--Endometrial Cancer . By the time she was diagnosed it was in what they called stage 3, which means it had spread to her cervix. They gave her a radical hysterectomy, which basically means they gutted her.”
“But...she’s okay now,” asked Tea in a childish, hopeful voice.
“Well...it’s not that simple. They found some cancer cells on her bladder as well, so it‘s ...spreading...so her chances are not as good as originally hoped for.”
Tea put her hand to her mouth and her eyes filled with tears.
“Anyway, when she gets out of here she’s going to have to undergo some serious radiation treatment for a month.”
“And what’s her prognosis?” Tea asked hesitantly.
Antonio shook his head.
“I don’t know, Tea. She has a great doctor, a Dr. Barker who performed the surgery, but Larry Woleck has really been keeping us informed. He and mommy go way back. Dr. Woleck said everything went really well and the prognosis is pretty good. All we can do is make sure she does what she’s told. She’s more worried about the diner than anything else.”
Tea laughed.
“Well, your mother loves that place. Who’s going to be running it.”
“Cris...he volunteered. Maybe it will keep him out of trouble...away from RJ Gannon.”
Tea shook her head as Antonio looked her over. Her hair was longer and lighter, streaked with gold strands, and she was dressed casually in jeans, a red turtle-neck sweater, a black leather coat and black boots with chunky heels. She wore large, thin silver hoops in her ears and he noticed the large, shiny diamond and wedding band on her left hand as she sipped her coffee.
“So...how’s married life, Tea?”
Tea looked up at him and caught him staring at her rings.
“Fine...I mean...good....really good,” she said, forcing a smile.
“Mommy said you made a beautiful bride....it’s all she talked about when she came back from your wedding last month. This man of yours, this gringo...Aaron Blackmoor...is he treating you right?”
Tea sipped her coffee and glanced at her rings again.
“He’s good to me. He treats me better than anyone has ever treated me.”
“Good. You deserve some happiness,” he said, taking her hand.
A nurse came walking over.
“Mr. Vega...your mother’s awake. She’s calling for you.”
Antonio and Tea got up quickly just as Cristian arrived. They rushed across the hall, just as Larry Wolek got to the door.
“Tea...Tea Delgado! How are you?” asked Larry warmly.
“I’m good, Larry. How are you.”
“Fine. Thanks...Look I can’t have all of you in there all at once. She’s very weak and needs to rest. I only want you in there for a few minutes, okay.”
“Antonio, why don’t you and Cris go in...I’m sure she wants to see you two. I’ll go in after...just for a few minutes,” suggested Tea.
Antonio and Cris walked in as Tea watched them kiss their mother lovingly. Carlotta smiled weakly, but her eyes lit up with life at the sight of her two children. “Todd had two children,” she thought as random images flashed through her mind and she shook her head, pushing them away.
“Larry, how is she...really?”
“Well, we did as much as we could surgically...now we’ll have to see how effective the radiation treatment is in stopping the cancer from spreading. As soon as she heals, she has to start an aggressive radiation treatment right away. It’s going to be a long road. She’s going to need some home-nursing and of course, the support of her family is critical...she has to stay optimistic.”
“We’ll make sure of it. Thanks, Larry.”
Dr. Woleck nodded as he walked away and Tea watched the Vegas through the window. Each son held one of their mothers hands as they spoke with her and Tea could feel that powerful bond between them, that blood bond that she didn’t share with them. Family. Children. It all seemed so terribly alien to her--a world that she didn’t belong in. Todd had children...with Blair. Again she pushed these invasive thoughts away by closing her eyes and shaking her head severely.
“Tea!”
Tea turned quickly.
Vicki Davidson was standing there, wearing a soft pink sweater and pearls, with a look of complete astonishment on her face. She gave Tea a quick hug.
“Well, you’re the last person I expected to run into tonight...though I shouldn’t be surprised, I know Carlotta is like a mother to you,” said Vicki, suddenly noticing the rings on her finger. “Tea! Are you married?”
“Yes...but only for a month,” she said with a smile.
Vicki hugged her again.
“How wonderful. Congratulations. No wonder you look so radiant.”
Tea nodded quietly and then there was awkwardness followed by dead silence between them. The Todd silence. It had been Carlotta who had informed her of his marriage to Blair and their new baby...a son. But neither woman brought up the subject.
“So....where are you living now, Tea? And tell me about your husband,” asked Vicki, forcing conversation.
“I live and practice law in New York. Aaron...Aaron Blackmoor, that’s my husband...he‘s an international business consultant....travels a lot.”
“Well, from the look of that ring I’d say he’s doing very well.”
Both women laughed as Antonio and Cris came out.
“Tea, we told mommy you were here and she’s asking for you.”
“It was nice seeing you, Vicki...take care,” said Tea as she disappeared through the doors.
As Tea entered she saw Carlotta turning her head slowly in her direction as a sweet smile spread across her face. She looked pale and exhausted as her groggy and beautiful, heavy-lidded eyes struggled to stay awake, fighting the residual anesthesia in her system.
“Mija...my little Tea,” she whispered, struggling to catch her breath. “I’m so glad you’re here. I feel better already.”
“How are you, mi amiga. You know, for someone who just got out of surgery...you certainly look beautiful!’
Carlotta managed a little smile, but Tea could see she was in pain.
“Can you stay a few days, Mija?”
“I have taken a few weeks off to help with your recovery....you know men are no good at those things. So right now, I want you to get some rest and I’ll be back first thing in the morning.”
Carlotta grabbed her hand as she was leaving.
“Mija...look in on the diner for me...okay?”
Tea laughed, nodded and kissed her goodnight as Carlotta closed her eyes.
As she walked out she noticed Vicki was still there talking to Antonio and Cristian and they all walked toward her.
“She’s fallen asleep. So we should probably come back tomorrow.”
Antonio, Chris and Tea said their good bys to Vicki and walked away as she continued watching them until they disappeared around the corner.
“So, Tea Delgado’s back in town. My, my...,” said Vicki to herself as she headed toward the elevators.
to be continued...
2001 Copyright by Trog
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