There Is an Answer by Rev. Luis Cortes

Author:Rev. Luis Cortes
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Atria Books

PART 5

* * *

More Bad News

Delia was on the phone to Sandra as soon as she heard. “We are here for you,” was all she wanted to say. She knew she might get a double dose of rejection hurled back at her, but she would not risk leaving anybody alone with this thing. At least people had to believe she could understand. But Sandra was angry.

“This is your fault,” she told Delia, almost spitting through her sobs at the other end of the receiver. “If you guys had kept this to yourselves, the rest of us would never be going through this now. We were fine, and now we have to deal with this.”

The other day, Grandma had arranged HIV tests for the entire family. Hector had not wanted to do it, but Sandra, who was tired of being harangued by her mother and the rest of the family, had insisted. “What’s the big deal, anyway?” she had told him. “Neither of us has it.”

However, Hector and Sandra had both tested positive. Follow-up testing had shown that Hector’s white blood cell count was very low.

“I’m so mad,” Sandra snarled at the other end of the phone. “I wish I was over there just so I could spit in your face. I hope you get it, too, Delia. You are so . . .” She couldn’t finish the tirade because she had started sobbing.

“Delia . . . I’m sorry,” Sandra said, regaining her composure somewhat. “I know it’s not your fault. I just don’t understand. Why should I have HIV? Why? And Hector . . . he’s so advanced. He’s got it bad and it could break out into something serious any minute. They’re not even sure the medicines will work. As it is, we’re living paycheck to paycheck. We’re about to be grandparents. I just don’t know how we’re going to do this.”

“Sandra,” Delia said softly, “I just want you to know I am here to talk, to help you, to walk along with you. At least you won’t be afraid of us anymore. I want to be your friend. And besides, we’re family. We have learned so much.”

Marc came up behind his wife and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “Who are you talking to?” he whispered.

“It’s Sandra.”

“Give me the phone.” Delia handed him the receiver. “Hey, little tia. How’s it going?”

“Marc, Marc . . .” she answered her nephew. “I am so sorry, Marcus. I love you, little boy. Can you forgive me?”

“Sandi, calm down. You know I’m a guy and crying makes me nervous. Of course I forgive you. And you’ll stay forgiven if you do one thing for me.”

“What’s that, Marcus?”

“Keep talking to me and let us help you guys in whatever way we can. Tell Hector I am coming to see him this weekend, whether he likes it or not.”

Hector told Marc to meet him at the diner near the construction site around lunchtime. Hector didn’t want to miss dinner at home. He liked to keep things as routine as possible—at home, at work, everywhere.

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