Out Like a Lamb

Rafael launched into the trailer, nearly ripping the door off, like he does every morning.

"So my uncle from France, he gave my brother a Rolex for his birthday."  he said, as if he was continuing a conversation instead of beginning one.

"But my brother, he didn't want it!  He already has an Apple watch.   He didn't want a Rolex!"  

We all laughed a little, listening to Rafael's stories about his rich uncle from France.  

Eduardo clicked on his computer, which of course wasn't doing what it was asked.

"Pinche weyyyyy"  he mumbled, trying to get the page to load.  

Shortly before Lola's eleventh birthday, we found another lump on her.  I called the vet to move up her twice yearly tumor check and X-rays.  I was surprised when they said Lola's vet had left the practice.  Lola's vet that helped us through her malignant tumor and radiation and performed another surgery for an additional tumor.  She has guided us through all of this and I felt an awful sense of dread as I booked Lola's appointment with another vet.  As the date approached, I felt extreme apprehension.  Would this be the visit when they say there is nothing they can do?

Rafael launched into the trailer, nearly ripping the door off.  He was hiding something behind his back and all of the boys were smiling.  

"Close your eyes."  he instructed.

"IT"S A...!"  Jaime called out, attempting to ruin Rafael's surprise.

"Mamón wey!"  Eduardo hissed, stopping Jaime from continuing.

"Pendejo."  Danny seconded.

Rafael pulled a large box from a jewelry store bag and produced a golden bracelet with a black magnetic stone on it.  He pushed it onto my wrist.

"Rafael....wow, that is so nice of you...how did you....?"  I sputtered, not knowing what to say.  

"My uncle from Francia."  he responded, smiling.  

I smiled back.  Though I had doubts that this was a priceless French jewelry piece, I found it sweet, yet horribly uncomfortable and I wondered if his mom knew that one of her bracelets had left the house.  

Eduardo spun the globe, slowly.  

"It took a month for me to get here."  he mentioned.

"I didn't really see Mexico, we just went from pueblo to pueblo."

"One night, we were sleeping outside and my arm felt weird.  I pulled off my jacket and there were these bugs all over it and red marks."

I stared back.

"But I'm here now so it's all okay."  he continued, and smiled. 

"Did you know that Mexico used to extend to here?"  he said, pointing up near Colorado on the globe.

"Yeah, before the United States lo robaron."  I answered, smiling too. 

"And Colombia, it was all of this..." he continued, pointing to parts of South America.  

"Panama, too"  he continued.  

"And the Mayans were here."  he said, pointing in Central America.

"But they're not gone."  I responded.

"You're Mayan, so they are still here."  

"That's right."  he answered, smiling broadly.  

They kept Lola for a long time at the vet, sedating her, scanning her.  The vet called me with the results, though Alec was the one who took her to the appointment.  I held my breath.

"The new bump is not malignant.  And her scans are all clear.  There are not mast cell tumors."

I exhaled slowly.  

"So, we will see her in six months!"

"Thank you."  I responded.

"Thank you so much for taking care of her."