My brother would stay at the treatment facility for ninety days. I’d be able to visit him after the first thirty, but mostly he’d be on his own since it was four-and-a-half hours away.
I started exiting the car, but stopped when Johnny remained seated. “Do you remember when we were kids and we used to trade off cooking dinner?” he asked abruptly.
It took me a second to process the out-of-left-field question before I guffawed. “Sure. On my days, I’d cook, and you’d sit at the kitchen counter, critiquing me and being annoying. On your days, we ate cereal.” I pushed my crown against the headrest. “Why?”
“I’ve just been thinking about that stuff a lot these past few days. Maybe because Cruz came back, but it reminded me of how you and I used to be. Like, Deck, Cruz, and Eliazar were my boys, but you were myfamily.”
A golf ball grew in my throat. “I remember. I feel terrible that you lost that sense of family when I left. I guess I…didn’t think about it. Not until it felt too late to change it.”
“You didn’t do anything wrong, Sis. That stuff with Chi-chi…” His voice grew hoarse, and he stared straight ahead through the windshield. “I live with that too. Hiding out while…everything happened.”
I put my hand over Johnny’s on the console. “I promise that I never blamed you for any of it. Never. And I’m always on your side. You’re my big brother, and I’m grateful to have this chance to be close again.”
He eyed me directly. “I understand why you had to leave after Mom died. And I can see why you came back now. You weren’t ready before, but things are different.”
I nodded.
He gazed out at the grounds of the rehab. The drab brown wood plank buildings looked like an old-timey summer camp from a slasher film, but the setting was peaceful and beautiful. “I think I’m good this time,” Johnny said. “To get clean.”
“I hope so, J. But no matter what, I’m here for you.”
We got out of the car and Johnny slung his duffel over his shoulder. “I’ll go in on my own,” he said. “They’re expecting me.”
I wasn’t thrilled with that, but figured I could hug him in the parking lot as well as the lobby. “Alright.”
“Make sure that husband of yours takes care of you. I feel better knowing you have each other.”
“Deck and I—”
“If you’re about to tell me you two aren’t together, you can save your breath.” He rolled his eyes. “One of the reasons I let him be stupid and not tell you he was out right away was because I knew he needed to be ready, too. I never doubted he’d figure it out eventually. Deck’s been waiting his whole life to love you, Cori. Even if he didn’t admit it. No need to deny he finally wised the fuck up.”
I smiled. “I won’t.”
“Good.” He headed toward the entrance. “See you in ninety days.”
I wanted to scream at him to work hard, be good, take his meds, pay attention, eat his vegetables, do what the doctors told him, and a million other things. Instead, I said, “I’ll be here.”
When I arrived at the Centerlater that day, Rosa was in the office.
“Rosa!” I exclaimed, running to the side of the desk to give her a hug. “Is everything okay? What are you doing here?”
“Lo siento, nena.”
“You don’t need to be sorry. It’s good to see you, especially today.”
“I knew you were takingtu hermanoto Oregon.” She looked at me fondly. “Tendría que haber sabido que eras demasiado responsable como para tomarte un día libre.”
My lips tugged up into a smile. “Even I’m not that responsible. I know they can handle things without me. But traffic wasn’t too bad. Since I got back into town early, I figured I’d get a few hours of work in.” I hugged her harder. “But dropping off Johnny was tough, so I’m happy to see you. And Marisol and the kids, for that matter.”
“Me alegra haber podido ayudar en algo.”
“My Spanish isn’t great, Rosa, but I know you didn’t just imply that you’re not an immense help to me at all times. Do I need to tell you again how much I appreciate being able to do this for you and the Center?”
Rosa chuckled. “Your Spanish is better than alright,” she said, grabbing my chin gently with her hand. “I really missed you,mija.”
“Me too.” I moved to the chair set on the opposite side of the desk. “How’s Lupe?”
Rosa fingered the faux pearl necklace that lay across her collarbone. “According to the doctors, she’s doing much better than they expected. She may be with us for more than a year.”
