He shook his head. “¿Era que?” he asked. Was it? With a grin at Daisy’s surprised look, he included her father in the conversation and asked, “Get you a coffee or tea? Anyone?”
Marcus nodded. “Coffee, please. And, if you can, find some food? Neither of us have eaten. We’ve been here for hours.”
Ken checked his watch and said, “It’s nearly eight. I’ll see if the cafeteria is still open. If not, I’ll work something out.”
Daisy walked to the door with him. He put a hand on her cheek, and she raised her lips for a kiss just as naturally as if she’d done it a thousand times before. “Thank you. You’re my hero.”
With a wink, he left. When she turned back to the room, both of her parents watched her with interest.
“Something to tell us?” her mom asked.
Blushing, she said, “You knew I was seeing him.”
“No. I knew you went to a party at his house on the Fourth. I did not know you were kissing him in front of your father.”
The laugh choked out of her. “I’m sorry, Papi.”
He waved a hand in her direction. “I think you’re old enough.” He rubbed her mom’s shoulder. “The doctor said it was good that I brought her when I did. She had a very dangerous blood pressure, and it wasn’t coming down, so they admitted her.”
“I’m so sorry, Mamá.” She grabbed one of the chairs and brought it closer to the bed. “Is your head better now?”
“I don’t know. They gave me something.” She put a shaking hand on the top of her head. “I have medicine head, and I think the headache is still there, just masked by the painkillers.”
“Well, tell me what I can do for you. Do you want me to call Diego?”
“Your father called.” She held out her hand, and Daisy took it. “It’s not anything you need to worry about. They said they’ll do the IV drugs, and once it comes down, they’ll get me a prescription that will keep it down.”
“And we need to change our diet,” her dad said. He pulled a pamphlet out of his shirt pocket. “I have a list.”
Daisy took it and glanced through it. “This isn’t too bad. No pork. We don’t eat a lot of pork, anyway. You like papaya and guava, so that will be a treat.”
“I’m considering a radical diet change until everything is fully under control.”
She handed him back the pamphlet. “What do you mean?”
“Nothing but plant-based foods until we get everything regulated.”
Daisy smiled, thinking of her parents’ preference for beans and rice over meat and cheese. “With your diet, that would hardly be a change.”
“But some change. Here and there.” He rubbed her shoulder. “It will be okay.”
Daisy could see the distress in his eyes. Clearly, her mom had given him a scare today. She stood and walked around the bed. “Papi,” she said, putting an arm over his shoulders, “You did a good job getting her here, even if she didn’t want to come. Let me know how I can help you with the new diet. I’m here for you.” He leaned into her, and she squeezed him. “Now, have you taken time to pray?”
They called her brother, and while they had him on the phone, the three of them held hands. Daisy bowed her head and said, “God, we love you. And we know Mamá loves you. Please guide the doctors, give them wisdom and understanding, and help Mamá and Papi process everything to understand what’s happening. Bring Mamá’s blood pressure down to a perfect level and let her healing be a testimony to everyone who has anything to do with her for Your healing power. Give them both the strength to make lifestyle choices that will help her. We love You. Amen.”
After each member of the family prayed, they let go of hands, and she took a step back, using her shirt sleeve to wipe at the tears in her eyes. When she looked up, she spotted Ken in the doorway. He held up some aluminum containers. “I just ran over toBon Manje.Hope that’s okay.”
Daisy asked, “How did you get back so fast?”
Ken shrugged. “My friend Calla met me at the door with some beans and rice and a plantain dish.”
“That’s perfect,” her dad said, taking the containers from him. “What do I owe you?”
“As many times as you fed me when I was a kid? Not a thing, Marcus.” He looked at Daisy. She felt overwhelmed with emotion for him that she didn’t quite know how to label. “You good for a ride? Want me to stay?”
Before she could answer, her dad squeezed the back of her neck. “Can you take Daisy home?” Daisy tensed. Her father met her gaze. “I’ll call you if we need you.”
With a frown, she asked, “Are you sure?”
