Chapter 33: Adverse Result

Fernanda and Ted were not progressing as quickly as Val and Abel, but they were finding quiet corners for kissing. To his credit, Ted was respecting Nan’s distraction over the condition of her sick mother.

“Right now, Nan, I’m here to support you. When your mother is better, things will be different.”

She reacted to his warm smile.

“I hope so. I don’t feel like I can relax right now. I appreciate your patience.”

As it happened, Nan would not feel normal for a long time.

The discharge paperwork for Beatriz Soares ran for several pages. She was prescribed anti-clotting blood thinners and advised to limit her physical activities. Once she was back home, it was noon, and she made herself a sandwich and was checking that the bedrooms would be ready for her three children to come home after school.

“There’s enough laundry, I’ll start a load.”

With the laundry basket in front of her at her waist, Bea walked down the hall towards the laundry room.

She didn’t make it.

A blob of arterial plaque broke loose from her carotid artery. The result? A stroke. She fell face-first into the pile of laundry and never moved again.

Carolina found her, fortunately, instead of one of her three children. She needed to act fast because Nan already knew that her mother was being discharged. Her first call was to Leah.

“You need to sit down, I’m serious. My friend, oh, my friend Bea, is dead. I need to track down their father, the lawyer, and figure things out. I need you to keep hosting Nan, and I’ll keep hosting Diego and Danilo.

“Oh, wait, that won’t work. I need to deal with the police, and coroner, and so forth. Leah, maybe you should pick up and keep the boys, and I’ll come get them after dinner. For now, we won’t say anything to any of them, OK?”

“Got it.”

“Later, Thanks.”

Now, talking to herself.

“I should call the cops, but, Bea’s ex is a lawyer, I want his advice first. Then I will call 9-1-1, because she is already ice cold.

“Oh, here he is. Calling his number.

“Soares, Cleveland, Harrison, and Cleveland, how may I direct your call?”

“Felipe Soares, please, this is Carolina Santos on an urgent personal matter.”

“One moment, please ... Ma’am, I’ve been asked to take a message.”

“I’m sorry, no, it’s about his sons, Diego and Danilo. It’s very urgent.”

“Please hold.”

After a full two minutes, Felipe came on the line, abrupt and testy.

“What do you want?”

“I found Bea’s dead body fifteen minutes ago. Is that enough of a reason to interrupt you?”

“Alright, what do you want from me?”

“I am no lawyer, but don’t you have custody of your children now that their mother is dead?”

“I guess that’s true. So, you are taking care of my children?”

“I have the boys, and a friend has Fernanda. They don’t know yet. We need to discuss this face-to-face. By the time you get here, the body will be gone. I can tell by your warm enthusiasm that you aren’t interested in talking to or taking care of them right now.

“So, drop whatever you’re doing and meet me at Bea’s house. Goodbye.”

“9-1-1, what’s your emergency?”

“I just found my friend’s dead body in her house...”