BELONGS TO ME

Chapter 42

Lauren

Two days turn into four, and four turn into a week and still, Camila's memory hasn't come back. That's twenty-two days in total, and with each passing hour, my days grow a little darker.

The subconscious memory about orientation is the last and only comment I've caught that holds any kind of proof her memories are still in there somewhere. As far as I'm know, it's the only time she's referenced before, not that she realized it. Again, as far as I'm aware.

A cold bottle of beer slips Into my view, and I look up to find Mrs. Cabello.

Not wanting to be rude, I plan to take it, but I hesitate a moment too long and a low chuckle leaves her.

"Yeah, I know that face." She lowers into the seat beside me, takes a slow swig.

My mouth curves slightly and I look to the wooden deck beneath my feet.

Mrs. Cabello flashes a small grin, but it doesn't meet her eyes. Her features tired but she nods. "Lauren do You think you can be straight with me?" she wonders.

"I have no reason not to be, Ma'am."

She waves me off. "I like that answer, but no Ma'am. No Mrs. Cabello. Just Sinuhe or sinu. I am too young to be called Ma'am"

"I might choose not to answer based on the question, but only out of good intention. Nothing more."

"What kind of question would you choose not to answer?"

I open my mouth, but she laughs it off.

"I just want to know how you're doin', how you're really doing."

"I'm not really sure," I answer honestly. "All things considered, I'm fine, but all things considered and uh..."

"And you're a fucking mess?"

My eyes snap her way and she grins, drawing a chuckle from me.

"Yes, Ma'am." She lifts a brow and I raise my palms. "Sorry, curse of an athlete.

"It's a good problem to have." She nods. "About that whole athlete thing."

I look away. "This might lead to one of those 'choose not to answer' questions."

"Because you don't want me to tell you not to walk away from your dreams."

"If that's what you said to me right now, Ma'am, I'd thank you for understanding why I'm here and not anywhere else."

Her jaw clenches, and she looks away with a slow nod, attempting to shield the moisture building in her eyes. "Sinu, Lauren. Not Ma'ma." She takes a long drink from her beer, and when she looks to me, she nods again. "How you doing? Truly, Lauren. I know your mother is still healing, you've got your last semester coming up, and football is up in the air. And with everything happening with My Hija, it's worries me for you. I know how your mother would be feeling. It's a lot for anyone to handle, but where my daughter is concerned, I imagine your position is the worst to be stuck in."

"I don't feel stuck, Ma'am, or Sinu. A bit helpless, a little overwhelmed, yeah, but not stuck."

"I know it's hard, and I don't know that I necessarily agree with her choice to keep all our mouths closed like this, but I appreciate you going along with what she's asked." She scoffs, shaking her head. "Pretty sure I'd have locked my husband in a room with me and broke down every detail that first night."

My laugh is low. "Yeah."

I'd love nothing more than to do exactly that. It's on my mind all the time, how I would start and what exactly I would say. I've had the imaginary conversation with her a hundred times now, but at the end of each one, tears brim in her chocolate eyes, confusion swimming within them as she stares at someone telling her she loves someone else while internally swearing she loves another.