Chapter 342 - It will be another blow for them - mdfour
Gladis
I listened to the voice message Vero left us in the women's chat again, and I couldn't believe it. It's stuck in my head now, and if I connect the dots... I think they did everything to hide the evidence. These men are very capable! But I won't be the one to stir up trouble, I'll act like nothing's wrong, but I'll keep an eye on everything Gustavo does outside his usual routine.
I left the room, and on the first floor, Jacobo was playing with Patricia and Enrique. My baby's laughter was contagious. When I reached the living room, my youngest son ran to greet me. I picked him up and showered him with kisses. We want another child, but we won't be desperate to get pregnant. If it doesn't happen, it's okay; we already have two, and Gus has his own son. The sound of a truck horn echoed.
"They're here for me!"
Pato got up from the floor and grabbed her suitcase. My mother-in-law and I went out to greet Alfredo and say goodbye to my sister-in-law.
"Mother-in-law!"
Mrs. Josefina made a gesture as if to say, "Stop being so flattering," but she was smiling. She adores Alfredo. He got out of the car.
"Aren't you going to have lunch at Consuelo's house today?"
"Mom, I have a lot of work. I want to get there early to finish what I started here. Besides, they know I work." Rino put his arm around his girlfriend's waist.
"And I'm just the hired driver."
"Stop teasing, I know what you're up to."
I love my mother-in-law's honesty. She doesn't interfere in anything; on the contrary, she only steps in to support me, and in the case of her daughters, she spoils her sons-in-law and daughters-in-law. Her philosophy is that if she treats us well, we will treat her children well.
"Look at you! So you imagine Patricia and I up to something?" The slap on the arm was loud, and everyone burst into laughter.
"Travel safely on that road, and don't start kissing until you reach the apartment. Call me once you get there."
"Of course, mother-in-law."
He kissed her on the forehead while they received her blessing. Pato also said goodbye to everyone. They got in the car, and we watched them leave.
"I like that boy a lot; he's the love of Patricia's life, but I see turbulence ahead for them."
"What do you mean?"
"Let's hope you're wrong."
"I need you to listen to something." I played Vero's voice message for her, and she frowned.
"That smells like a poorly made up story."
"At least I'm not the only one who thinks so."
"Yes, but that doesn't mean you should take it out on your husbands. Don't stir the pot."
"They're lying to us!"
"They're covering for their friend; that's not lying to you. Now, what Roland did to Vero, that's a different story, but even so, you shouldn't seek revenge."
"I don't agree with you."
"Gladis. If one of your friends came to you, let's say Carlina tells you she's pregnant and asks you not to tell anyone in the family until she's ready. Would you be lying?"
"That's different!"
"No, dear, it's the same. You're just giving your friend time to gather the courage to face the family with the news."
"They made it look like he was dead..."
"They saved their friend's life!" I looked at her. "Every action has different angles. Shirly didn't give them another option, so they acted."
"And what would be the reason for doing such a thing?"
"Faith, dear. Roland has developed a direct connection with the Creator that any religious person, pastor, or priest would envy. He begged not to be disconnected, and when he couldn't convince the only one who could prevent it, he orchestrated this whole charade.
"Now, why would you be angry if one of you came back to life? You should be happy. But yes, Shirly and Inés, who are his wife and mother, should give each one a good scolding. But no one else should be angry or feel offended. For me, it's the opposite."
"I'm not so convinced. I'll think about your words. If that's the case, what they did to Vero isn't fair."
"That's why I said they're two different things. The problem with us humans is that we don't separate issues." Jacobo wanted to get down from my arms.
"Enrique!"
"Yes, mom!"
"Take your brother, I'm talking to your grandmother. Now, Mrs. Josefina, explain yourself."
"There's nothing to explain, dear. If they acted that way with all of you, it's because the man woke up, and they feel obligated to protect his wife because he's probably not strong enough to defend his territory. Sometimes I don't understand my mother-in-law's wisdom."
"And if he woke up, why haven't they said anything?"
"You know Aníbal's blow wasn't just any blow. They must have a very good reason, and I dare say they're just waiting for him to want to see us. You need to make sure the girls don't turn against their husbands."
"They're not doing anything you wouldn't have done already! If one of you asks for help?" He looked at me. "Yes, Guadalupe asked for help and you all ran off like wild cattle and ruined an operation." I said nothing; he hit the nail on the head.
"Is it any different? It's the same act, a friend asked you not to say anything until they were ready to face us."
"But... we're their wives?"
"So? Did you tell your husbands you were going to that party? Knowing we were under threat. I sense a bit of poor feminism in all this." I looked down again.
"I see. Because they're men, they owe you deference, but if it were the other way around, then it must be accepted because women are always right. No, dear! You're barking up the wrong tree."
"Are you taking their side?"
"I'm taking the side of whoever is right, and in this case, you can't condemn them when they haven't ruined anything, whereas you..." My mother-in-law was right again. "Let's wait; it's a miracle if Aníbal returned from that state."
"They've just stood by a friend, like you did. Their act hasn't caused anything severe, just a collective discomfort of jealousy, but you unleashed a series of events, good, bad, and excellent."
......
Clarisa
Gladis asked us to visit her this afternoon because she wants to tell us something. I told her I'd come after I got back from the clinic. I was supposed to accompany Inés for her semi-annual check-up and to pick up some tests she had done two weeks ago that no one knew about.
That's why we scolded her. I honked the horn to let her know I had arrived. I remembered this morning's delicious orgasms with my husband; it's not vanity, but our intimacy was on the rocks, and not because of him.
It was because of me. Daniel never stopped desiring me, but I avoided daily sex, and I preferred to keep my top on most of the time. My husband never rejected me; I suppose love is what kept him going.
That's why, despite my fear, I decided to get breast implants, and since I've been able to use them, my self-esteem has returned. Now I'm the one who wants to devour him all the time, and he's happy about it.
"Good morning, Clari," said Inés as she got into the car.
"Good morning, Inés."
"Thanks for coming with me."
"It's always a pleasure."
We arrived at the clinic, checked in at reception, and our appointment was in about twenty minutes. I saw Inés looking nervous.
"Something you want to tell me?" Her expression was one of absolute sadness.
"You'll find out in a few minutes." I didn't like that, and we stayed silent for a few minutes.
"Inés Pérez!"
She stood up. Isn't it Gutiérrez? I... God, I didn't know how to react, and from her look, I understood she was hiding something. When we got to the doctor's office, the plaque said oncologist, not neurologist, and my heart raced.
"Hello, Mrs. Inés, welcome. And you are?" The doctor looked at me.
"I'm one of her daughters-in-law."
"Come in." We sat down; my pulse was still racing, and I felt like crying. "Well, as you requested, I'll be direct and offer solutions."
"Yes, I have another set of tests in an hour."
I remembered. Pérez is her maiden name, but she's a woman who never changed her last name after marriage.
"Well, we can start with a treatment that will guarantee a better quality of life, but it won't stop the bone cancer."
My ears were ringing. I hate cancer; I detest that damn disease, and it shouldn't exist.
"Who would have thought? I'm going to die from something other than the tumors in my head."
"Mrs. Pérez, you need to start treatment as soon as possible."
"Let me think about it, process it, and I'll give you an answer next week."
"What?! How can you think about it? This isn't something to think about, Inés," I looked at the doctor. "What needs to be done? Even if she doesn't want to, I'll drag her here."
"This cancer has no cure, dear."
"They're talking about a better quality of life and it will extend..." A lump formed in my throat, preventing me from speaking again.
"Clari!" I stayed silent. My heart was racing, my hands were trembling. Daniel is going to die of sadness when I tell him his mom now has an incurable disease. Not just him, this is a low blow from life.
"Next week, Wednesday, she needs to come in to start the treatment."
"That's too long."
"The medication arrives between Monday and Tuesday; I've already ordered it."
"You know, once Roland and the guys..."
"They won't know!" Her eyes almost popped out.