Bab 28: Veintisiete
Kit gave me a list of solo Halloween costume ideas because he and Rona will be in a couple costume. I wonder who suggested it first; Kit or Rona?
I glance at the list for a moment, before I shove it back in my backpack. I still have three weeks till Halloween.
Sighing as I look down at my homework in my room, I feel the start of my weekend. It's become a curse during the time I'm grounded. Two months can't come fast enough. "Hija! Nando is here!"
I close my untouched textbook for what is the fourth time this Saturday morning. Going down the stairs, I wave at my cousin. My cousins still come over, but unfortunately I haven't been running with Mirabella or her sisters since my punishment started. Mom let Flora know that for two months, I won't be running with them. Even though Flora was sad about that Mirabella still insisted for my mom to tell me that she'll be running with her sisters till I can join them again.
This also means I haven't been running in the mornings myself. It's not like I was planning on running in any marathons, but if I was, I would've been set back from my running regime for two months. My mom wasn't really sympathetic when I explained it to her like that.
Her answer was, "Then sign up for marathon's in the future and I might feel bad about it."
I answered back to her, "Then I will!" before acting my age and running up to my room and slamming the door.
Smiling at Hernando I said, "Good morning, Nando."
"Good morning," he gruffly replies as he sits down on the couch. He looks down at the coffee table and the rug which still covers the blood stain. "So, uh, I came here today because Alejandro from El Leon is out of the hospital."
Mom raises her eyebrow as she asks Hernando, "Oh. And you are on speaking terms with El Leon because?"
"More like, Alejandro just saw me and spoke with me for the first time ever," replies Hernando casually. To my dismay Hernando has yet to tell my mom he's joined El Leon. In his own defense he has told me he's technically not a member yet. He's a trainee.
In my own defense, I don't believe a word of it. "What about Alejandro?" I ask my cousin.
"Well, he--" he looks at my mom before adding, "Tia Talia, he'd like to stop by to express his thanks to Kat for saving his life."
Mom shakes her head as she replies, "He can do that outside of my home, but he will not enter in here. In fact, tell him no member of El Leon is welcome in my home." At those words, Hernando nods solemnly. "I can tell by your look though that he's going to stop by whether I wish it or not."
Hernando nods and my mom woefully sighs. Then, she stares intensely at me. "Mija, when he comes, you can speak with him outside of the front door. Understand?"
"Yes mama, I do," I reply. I fight not to roll my eyes as I don't want the two months to turn into two months and one week. When there's a knock on the front door, we all jump. "I-I'll get that," I reply as I head to the front door.
When I open it, there is Alejandro. He's leaning on a cane, but he definitely looks better than the last time I saw him which was also, the first time. "Hola Senorita," he says with a smile. "May I come in?"
I step outside and close the front door as I say, "Actually, I was heading out but...how have you been?" I ask him as casually as I could in Spanish. "You are the one who was injured, yes?"
Alejandro's smile is warm and welcoming. "Yes, I am. Sorry I couldn't talk when you were taking care of me. My name's Alejandro. What's yours?"
"Kat, but I'm sure my cousin told you that already." After I tell him that his warm smile turns into a smirk. "I'm glad you're okay though, but the carpet of my living room has seen better days."
Alejandro pulls out an envelope from the inside of his sweater. "Well, that's part of why I'm here, Kat." He hands me the envelope that says, 'To: Senorita'. I laugh and look up at him. "What are you waiting for? Open it," he replies.
When I open the envelope, I see a blank check and in the Pay to Order line it says, 'El Jefe's cleaning service.' "Oh, thank you?"
"No, thank you. I'm sorry for leaving your living room in that state. Any cost for the carpet clean I'll take care of it." Alejandro starts to walk away and waves. "Buenos Dias, Kat."
"Buenos Dias, Alejandro," I reply as I wave back.
He's so friendly that I forget for a moment he's the leader of the local gang. I'm about to go back inside when I look down at the envelope with the blank check again. My mom would never accept the check, I know that. She'd probably tear it up in front of me. Which is why I fold the envelope with the check and tuck it in my bra before going back inside.
"What did Alejandro want?" asks my mom.
"Nothing mama, he just wanted to say thank you." I feel terrible about lying to her, but it's the only way for now. Looking at Hernando I already know he know's the truth.
My mom shrugs as she says, "Well, that's nice of him. He's still not welcome in our home though, mija." I nod as I sit down on the couch next to Hernando. Two silent co-conspirators trying to pretend we don't know anything about anything.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone