Chapter 4

“Brandi? Is there a quiet place that I can call home from? It’s been a few days since I vanished, and I’m concerned about how my mother is taking this.”

“I can go sit outside on the deck, if you want. I have a chair in my room that you can sit in while you talk. That way you can relax. Or get up and pace. I won’t bother you.”

“Gracias.”

A few minutes later, Brandi was outside with a book, enjoying the slight breeze as the heat of the day started to fade. Even outside, with the sliding glass door shut, she could make out faint snatches of heated conversation.

“¿Por qué es esto tan difícil de entender? ¿Por qué no puedes aceptar esto? ¡No tienes derecho a tomar esa decisión por mí!”

There was more, but it was muffled. Lupe eventually came out and was clutching her phone and weeping. “They told me that I am dead to them. I betrayed them. They no longer want me as a daughter.” She dropped into the sofa and lay over to one side, crying into a pillow. What am I going to do? My sisters, my mother, they were not allowed to talk to me. Papa said that I will never talk with them again! Oh Mama, I’m so sorry!” Turning, Lupe wailed into the pillow, her fist pounding the cushion under her. “¡Solo! ¡No tengo nada, no soy nada!”

Brandi quickly knelt on the floor next to Lupe and placed a hand on her back to softly rub in slow, soothing circles. “You are wrong. You are someone. Someone very brave, and strong, and wonderful. Your family is wrong to do this and I’m sure that one day they will realize it.” Standing, she ran to the bathroom and returned with a facecloth that had been moistened in cool water. Lifting the crying woman, Brandi softly applied the cloth to wipe away the tears and sooth red eyes. “And you are not alone. Remember, you can stay here with me for as long as you wish or need. No strings. Just let me help you to get back on your feet and figure out where you go from here.”

“You are too generous,” Lupe sobbed. “I could be a horrible person, and you will end up hating me!”

“I’m willing to risk that, mi amiga. And I don’t believe you could be horrible. I think you are wonderful and one day you will meet someone who will appreciate all you have to offer. You will fall in love and he will be a very lucky hombre!”

“I really don’t ever see that happening, but I appreciate you feeling that way.” She gave Brandi a gentle hug. “Now what?”

“Now? Well, I had figured you would sleep out here tonight. But I have another idea if you wish. I have a big old queen sized bed that is perfect to snuggle in. We can just relax as you drift off to sleep. Trust me on this, you will feel calmer and sleep better.”

“Gracias. I feel drained, emotionally as well as physically.”

The two were soon under the blankets, wearing long t-shirts. As Lupe drifted to slumber, Brandi softly kissed her forehead and whispered; “Dulces sueños. Los ángeles te cuidan.”

The following morning at the shrill sound of the alarm clock, two sets of brown eyes opened and smiled at each other. “How are you feeling?”

“Better. I’m sorry that I had a meltdown last night. But thank you.”

“Lupe, you were upset. No need to apologize. I’m just glad that I could help. And if you want to, you more than welcome sleep in here with me, unless you prefer the sofa or somewhere else. It was nice. Honestly, it has been many years since I had a sleepover!”

“That would be wonderful. I miss my sisters and we would all pile in bed together when we were little. It’s ... Eeeek!”

Crunchy had decided that this would be the perfect moment to launch himself onto the bed, landing directly on Lupes stomach. Jumping out of the bed, she ran for the bathroom. Biting her lip to keep from laughing, Brandi looked at the confused cat. “You jumped on her bladder, you goofball!”

Bright and happy music could be heard playing as Brandi walked up the stairs to her front door. The sounds of Tejano music were heard through the open window and she heard Lupe singing.

“Goodbye Joe, me gotta go, me-oh-my-oh! Me gotta go pole the piroque, down the bayou. My Yvonne, the sweetest one. Me-oh-my-oh! Sun of a gun, we’ll have big fun, on the bayou!”

Brandi remembered hearing the original version of the song, growing up, since her grandparents loved Hank Williams’ music. This was a more up to date version, complete with a happy accordion and fast beat. What made it unique was that the singers were all female. Hanging her purse on the coat hook behind the door as she closed it, she saw Lupe working at the counter, singing and swaying along with the music coming from ALEXA on the table. Slipping up behind her, Brandi took Lupe’s hand and started a 2-step. Singing and laughing, they moved to the music.