Paint It Yellow by López Andrés G

Author:López, Andrés G. [López, Andrés G.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781771802758
Publisher: Iguana Books
Published: 2018-12-07T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 25

Gabriel dreamed. He was flying to Minnesota to see Helene. He looked out the window at a great expanse of clouds, a white billowy ocean, but instinctively he knew that below were the Great Lakes. He sat back and checked his seat belt again, feeling that at any moment the plane would plunge into the water. He began to sweat. Why had he gotten on this flight? Why was he going to Minnesota? He hadn’t been invited. He wasn’t expected. He’d known Helene for less than two weeks. Why would her parents want a visit from him, from a New York City cab driver their daughter had met in the most bizarre way? He felt dizzy and unworthy, and yet he missed Helene terribly, wondered if maybe she wouldn’t be happy to see him, welcome him with open arms.

Rrrrring … rrrrring … rrrrring …

Gabriel tossed in bed several times before the telephone’s seventh ring dissevered him from his dream. Reluctantly, he opened his eyes and grabbed the phone.

“Hi Gabriel,” said Helene sweetly. “How’ve you been?”

Gabriel sat up. “Helene! Oh, I’m fine. Everything’s great here. I love your place, only it’s a bit empty without you.”

“That’s so sweet. I miss being there.”

“You do?”

“Well yes, a little.”

“Just a little?”

“Okay, a lot,” she whispered. “I’ve been trying to reach you for two days. I wanted to hear your voice. That’s why I didn’t leave a message.”

“I’ve started working nights — six to six in the morning. That’s why it’s been hard to reach me. Everyone says the money’s better and since you’re not here, I might as well make some cash and good use of my time.”

“Isn’t it more dangerous?” asked Helene, not particularly thrilled to hear of Gabriel’s decision.

“Nah. Pretty much the same. The people are just rowdier. More adventurous would be a better way to describe them.”

“Aren’t you nervous?”

“I keep my partition closed after midnight and only open it to collect my fare, so I think it’s pretty safe.”

“I’m sure your brother and father aren’t happy.”

“I haven’t told them. But there’s no traffic at night. I can cruise the town at light speed. The police leave us alone and most people are in a better mood. The money’s better too. Only bad part is I can’t stop thinking about you. Hey, how’s Edward James?”

“He’s wonderful. Loves his mommy and will not leave her side. Not for a moment.”

“You know that’s how boys are,” said Gabriel. “When you come back, I plan to be near you night and day. Treat you like a queen. You’re gonna have a hard time getting rid of me. So I can understand Edward’s behavior.”

There was a long silence.

“Is anything wrong, Helene? You are coming back, aren’t you?”

“Yes, but … maybe not for a while. Dad’s been in the hospital. Two days ago he woke up in the middle of the night with chest pains. The doctors say he has a weak heart and may need bypass surgery.” Helene began to sob.

Emptiness filled Gabriel; he lost his breath, upset that he couldn’t be there to hold Helene and reassure her.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.