Chapter 315 - That bullet wasn't for you - mdtres
Alfredo
I don't want to say anything, I move from Aníbal to Patricia. There's an hour left to get to San Antonio, they're already waiting for us, helicopter, ambulances, and the cars Any sent us. The Boss has been by the side of his friend's stretcher, a man I've admired for his tenacity in leading a cartel and having a second, equally successful life.
Seeing him with an expressionless face but moist eyes, holding back tears. Inés, on the other hand, has sat at the head of her bandaged son with her rosary, counting the beads over and over, and I see her crying.
I'm a man of science. I speak of Him because my mother used to pray to Him, I grew up with that, but I'm not devout, I don't go to church, I don't practice any religion, though I respect the faith of those who have it.
The surprising thing was seeing the Boss's human side; today he wasn't a leader as I've always known him. Now, more than ever, I'm proud to be part of this group of friends who call themselves brothers, and by the looks on their faces, I can tell it's true. The Boss closed his eyes and a couple of tears ran down his cheeks.
"Daddy."
It was five in the morning. I didn't know the Boss's children, didn't know one of them had Down syndrome, which made me admire him even more. The child ran into his father's arms, and at that moment, we heard the capo's sobs.
I looked at the others. Arnold was crying, clinging to his wife, who had been stroking his hair for a while, pausing only to nurse their children before resuming her comforting.
Simón discreetly wiped his tears, Gustavo was the same, though he stayed by his sister's side, stroking her hair and holding her hand. I saw him talking to her. Lobo and I were the newcomers to this brotherhood, just observing how they understood the situation.
It was true that his brain hadn't exploded, but that didn't mean it wasn't damaged inside due to the swelling. I didn't want to say anything to avoid making it real. Carlina slept beside her boyfriend.
"This is your pilot speaking," said Miguel. "Please fasten your seatbelts; we are approaching landing."
I had asked him to try to land as smoothly as possible to avoid further brain damage to Aníbal. The Boss entered the room and brought his daughter with him, sat down, buckled up, and held his children. Arnold and Lupe each sat with a baby; the good thing about a normal delivery is that it doesn't incapacitate a woman.
Arinka did the same with her son. Inés clung to Aníbal's stretcher. Gustavo did the same beside his sister. Kevin, Carlina, Simón, and I sat in the front seats.
The landing was imperceptible; my respects to the pilot. Due to the complexity of the two patients and everyone’s decision, they were sent to the clinic in Blanco. Given the time constraints, the Boss decided they would go in the helicopter with their children and Inés, who refused to leave Aníbal's side.
As he told me in the apartment in Germany when he arrived, now Lobo and I were also his children. I can see he takes that role with love. Lupe, the twins, Lobo, and Arnold had to go in ambulances to be checked. The rest went in federal cars.
I was in the helicopter, holding Patricia's hand. I'm not a gynecologist, just an internist specializing in emergency and combat medicine, but I know that bullet must have wreaked havoc on her reproductive system. We'll have to wait and see what the tests show.
……
Roland
I'm having a heated argument with God, thanking and cursing Him at the same time, and the worst part is that I'm answering myself. You can't have everything in life, but that bullet was meant for me, not one of my brothers.
We arrived at the clinic's rooftop. I already told Jones to buy whatever was needed to keep Aníbal alive. They didn't let me in, only Rino because he showed his medical credentials. I stayed with my children in my arms and Inés by my side, watching as they took my brother and Patricia inside.
"My head hurts, son."
Inés said. She can't be suffering; I hugged her. She didn't have her pills, so we had to buy more. We waited at the clinic for the rest of the staff to arrive.
"You need to calm down. If they see you broken, you'll destabilize the rest. I'm sorry, son, for putting more weight on you, but you know they rely on you. Besides, Aníbal isn't dead. Even if they say his brain is split, he's still alive, and I believe in miracles. I've witnessed many in my life. So cry now when no one can see you, but you must be strong."
"That bullet was meant for me." I finally said it.
"And Aníbal saved you. He always said it would be an honor to die for you, for Simón, for Miguel, or for me. He always told me that."
"Old lady, if I had listened to you about leaving when I got my kids, Patricia and Aníbal wouldn't be here."
"Things happen for a reason."
"How do you expect me to tell Shirly 'things happen for a reason' when she's expecting her first child? Oh, old lady!" Victoria stood on my leg and hugged me, kissing my cheek.
"No, daddy." She wiped my tears away. "No cry, no hurt, no." I kissed my little girl, and she smiled at me. "Love you, daddy."
"I love you too, sweetie."
My friend, my brother, won't live this, won't experience this. He was so happy because he was finally going to be a dad, and now this? The rest of the staff arrived an hour later. Lobo and Lupe stayed with Arnold to get checked and have the babies examined in pediatrics. Two hours later, Jones and Alfredo arrived. From Rino's look, I knew there wasn't good news.
"Doctor."
"Aníbal's case isn't my area. All I can say is he's in intensive care now. He's still alive, but his brain is very swollen. The best neurologist is on the way. I decided to bring him, and I know money isn't an issue."
"Thank you," I said, now calmer. "And Patricia?" Alfredo lowered his head.
"Did something happen to my sister?" Gustavo was hit doubly hard.
"She's out of danger. They treated her as best as they could given the circumstances. She lost one of her ovaries. We'll move her to a room in the afternoon. She's recovering from anesthesia."
"Can't I see her now?" Gustavo was waiting for an answer.
"You can go in if you want, but this time I'll be the grumpy doctor. Everyone will be under observation. There's not much you can do. You all look exhausted, starting with this young man here." She referred to Alfredo.
"So leave, rest, and come back in the afternoon. Only Lupe, the twins, and Arnold will go with you. The rest will stay. Get some sleep, eat something, rest, and tell Shirly to think about her baby."
That damned recommendation from Dr. Jones didn't sit well with me. We waited for Arnold and his family.
"They're waiting for us at Renacer. I called Luisa and told her everyone should be waiting for us."
"Alright, Simón."
In the saddest silence, we headed out in three black SUVs from Any's agency. The SUVs we left at our airport stayed; there would be time to pick them up later.
I haven't let go of my kids. I feel they give me strength. I have to be brave when I look at Shirly. We arrived, and Verónica ran to meet me. She took the kids from me, kissed them with tears in her eyes, and then kissed me, but I didn't respond as I should have.
"Honey…" She looked at everyone getting out one by one, then at me. "Where are Aníbal, Patricia, and Lobo?"
"At the clinic. We'll be able to see them in the afternoon."
I saw her sigh. My mother and father-in-law came to meet me, took the kids, and left with them. Verónica stayed by my side. I squeezed her hand before reaching the terrace, amidst the contrast of happiness in some families and pain in others.
Jacinto hugged his daughter, whom he hadn't seen in over eight months, kissed his grandchildren, and thanked Arnold for everything. My sister was in Simón's arms with Sergio in her arms, and the twins at their feet, hugging their legs.
Miguel held Augusto, and Diana held Isaac, all hugging. Gustavo kissed his son Jacobo while Gladis, Enrique, Mrs. Josefina, and Yadira cried over Patricia's situation.
Daniel was the same, surrounded by his three children and his little cabbage, Claudia, holding Daniela. Alfredo, Carlina, Arinka, and Ezequiel stood to one side, looking at our family for the first time. And when I looked at Shirly, my heart sank.
"Roland… just tell me if my Blackie is still alive." Behind her was Karen, crying with her three children.
"For now…"