To Love Preciado

I couldn't move. I simply stood there with my mouth open and the inability to do anything. In that moment my whole world stopped. It feels as if my blood has stopped flowing, I cannot breath, I'm unable to speak, and I can't even begin to think of the possibilities here.

As much as I wanted to look away, I could not pull my eyes away from the scene. There she was, lying in her bed. Her face drained of color and her mouth slightly open, leaving her lips chapped and dry. Around her neck there were faint blue and purple markings, taking the form of large fingers. Her limbs look heavy, they seemed to be sinking into the sheets and blankets. Her body: limp, discolored, shockingly still, and bruised. She lied there motionless, from here I can't tell if she's even breathing. I just kept staring. I kept staring at her as she lied there, lifeless.

I took a step forward, my first movement since laying my eyes upon her. "Mom?" I whimpered. I'm not sure why I was calling out to her but it was all I could manage to do. I threw my hands up to my head, my fingers clinging onto my hair in distress. My lip began to quiver and I'm now at the brink of tears.

"Rosaline?" I could hear someone calling out my name from downstairs. Although I may have heard it, it did not process. I didn't respond to my name, all I could focus on was my mother.

"Rosaline, Honey?" the voice called out again. This time it was much louder and coming from behind me. Once again I could not respond. I continued to stare at my mother.

"Holy shit!" he exclaimed, his voice booming. Then someone ran into my field of vision, allowing me to see who it was. Once I saw who had shown up, I snapped back into reality.

Jaime was kneeling next to my parents' bed. He grabbed my mother's hand, checking for any sign that she is still alive. As he checked for a pulse, I noticed he was trembling like a chihuahua. He's probably just as scared as I am, but instead of freezing like a deer in the headlights, he took action after seeing her.

"She still has a pulse. We might be able to help her!" He looked at me with worry in his eyes. "Rosaline, call 911!" he demanded of me.

I quickly pulled out my phone. I dialed the number and held the phone up to my ear. Seconds later I heard a voice on the other end. "911, what's your emergency?" the operator asked.

"My- My mom, sh-she's-" I couldn't spit out the rest of the sentence because I began to hysterically weep.

"Miss, I'm going to need you to calm down." the woman said.

"My mom, she-she's unconcious. She n-needs help!" I cried out.

After giving the operator the address to the house she said, "Stay calm, the paramedics will arrive shortly."

After tucking my phone away into my pocket, I looked over at Jaime. He was now on the floor with his face in his hands. "Jaime." I called out for him.

He looked up at me with tears in his eyes. He then picked himself up off the floor and hurried over to me. Within seconds I found myself crying into Jaime's chest. My arms weren't wrapped around his neck like usual, instead I flung my arms around his torso. My hands were stretched out over his back at first, but as I began to cry harder, I started to clutch onto his shirt. With one hand he was rubbing circles into my back, with the other he held my head close to his body. Even with my mother in the state she is in, I still feel safe in his arms.

As I continued to cry into Jaime, several men came bursting into the bedroom. Three men were paramedics, the other two were police officers. I looked up to see the paramedics rushing my mother out of the room and the policemen walking towards us. After they left with my mother, the two officers dragged Jaime and I outside to the front yard.

As we stepped out front, I watched the ambulance speed away. Damn they're fast. The policemen separated Jaime and I and started to ask us a series of questions. The last question hit me hard: "Do you know who might've done this to your mom?"

Yes, my father. "No, I don't know who would've done this." I replied to the officer. He nodded then walked away.

I looked over at Jaime who was already looking at me. I knew he overheard me telling the officer I didn't know who it could have been. He gave me a look of disappointment mixed with judgement. I know he understands why I had to lie though.

Seconds later I heard Jaime answer the police officer's final question. "No, I don't know of anyone that was after Mrs. Garcia." That's my boy.

After answering, Jaime shot me look that said, 'you're lucky I love you and lied for your ass.'

After the cops left my parents house, Jaime and I headed home. The drive home was silent; no conversation, no music, nothing. I probably shouldn't even be driving considering I can't stop thinking about my mom. What if she doesn't make it? What will I do then? I mean, who knows what will happen next.

Focus, Rosaline. She'll be okay.





After we arrived at his house, Jaime and I sat across from each other in the giant living room. We did not speak, we didn't even make eye contact. Instead, we sat there quietly, waiting to get the news.

After waiting for what felt like forever, the ringing of my phone broke the silence. Jaime practically jumped up from his seat immediately and began to stare me down.

I pulled out my phone and answered it quickly. "Hello?"

"Hello, may I speak with Rosaline Garcia?" a male voice asked.

"This is her."

"I have some news about your mother, Diana Garcia." he paused, "I'm sorry to inform you that she passed away durin the drive to the hospital."

Notes

Sorry if this chapter sucks, I had to rewrite it because it didn't save the first time. I'll try updating as soon as possible, I might not be able to get back to you guys until Friday though because this is a busy week for me. I hope y'all are liking the story! Love you guys!