Page 64 of Love me, Maddie Mendoza

I sipped from my coffee, thinking about my reply. I didn’t want to lie, but I definitely wanted Xiomara to concentrate on her own wellbeing. I could handle Maddie.

“She’ll be fine when you’re fine.” I spoke the truth.

“It might be nothing,” Xiomara said, straightening herself up. Not a lick of doubt that Maddie shared the prognosis with me.

“I’m sure it’s not.” I winked.

Still, the surgery alone was something to worry about. I didn’t share that thought.

“What can I do?” I asked instead. “Give me a job, Xio.”

She laughed. She was the kind of mother who believed boredom was the father of all evils. Xiomara always gave us chores to help around the house, even when we were little. She never gave us time to misbehave.Who could think of mischief when the backyard needs to be mowed?

We used to run and hide under my bed, sharing candy until we got bored and ended up going Xiomara’s way, begging for something to do. Maddie grew up doing everything and more, and I did too. When I wasn’t involved in a sport, I was helping the Mendozas. Now- more than ever before- I wanted something to do.

“Keep Maddie sane,” she said seriously after a beat. “The family will come soon…”

“When?” I couldn’t hide my surprise. Xiomara’s family was incredible, but not exactly the synonym for peace and quiet.

She shrugged with a small laugh. “They aren’t invited, Zeek.” She threw a kitchen towel over her shoulder and pinned me down with a look. “But I’m going to the hospital, and you better believe they will all come. I know they will. Cooking, and talking and…” She waved it off because I knew her family well.

I smirked. “How nice is being so loved?”

“Watch your mouth.” She chastised, knowing well I was making fun of her.

I opened my mouth to assure her I’d take care of Maddie, when the doorbell rang. A moment after André answering, I heard my mother’s voice. “Is Zeek here?”

“Here, mom!” I hollered before he had the chance to reply.

They both came over to catch me and Xiomara grinning over a cup of coffee. “I don’t know why you ever wonder, Mara.” Maddie’s mom joked.

Xiomara got mom a cup of coffee, as André gave me a pat on the shoulder. “Gotta stop climbing those trees, boy.”

Mom crisped her lips. “Look at the size of you, Zeek!”

“Mom, you used to say I was too little to climb them and now I’m too big?” I played.

“There was a sweet spot there when you were thirteen.” Xiomara helped.

I chuckled but insisted. “The trees are fine.”

“It’s not like we ever complained about you two staying together. I don’t understand why you climb that damn tree! Are you some kind of daredevil? Is it the thrill of danger?” Mom pressed.

I laughed at the idea that the medium-sized trees in the backyard of our suburban home were providing any thrill of danger. But she was right, in a way. Climbing the tree was half of the fun when we were little, and yesterday, it brought me back to that place. When our worries were science fairs and who was hanging out with who.

“Well, it’s nice to have our own secret passage,” I said.

Mom sighed. “It’s less of a secret passage and more of a death trap.” Hardly. “Would you like help packing?” Mom asked Xiomara. “I got you new pajamas.”

Xiomara smiled. “Only you’d think about new pajamas for a hospital trip.” She clearly appreciated the thought. “Ok, come with me and let’s have a look at my pajama selection?”

Mom wasn’t bothered by the teasing tone. “Great, whenever you need extra, I can shop. Toiletries! That’s something you might need…”

I watched until they disappeared upstairs. I could see mom already making a checklist. I chuckled and turned to André. “Let Maddie know I went home for a shower?”

The quiet man nodded. I wanted to say a few words to soothe him. Loving Maddie and Xiomara was André’s religion. What could I say to him when I felt as lost? The words died on my lips as I realized if it was Maddie sick, no words could ever help.

So I simply added. “And tell mom I can drive her to buy whatever is needed for Xio’s bag.”

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