What Happened That Night

“I think so.”

Uncle Sal offered a sad smile. “If you start to feel bad again, just tell me.”

“I will.”

We returned to the room, which now smelled like antiseptic. Everyone stared at me, especially the man who was mopping up my mess. I felt so embarrassed, but I hadn’t done it on purpose.

Uncle Sal guided me to a different table where my father was now sitting.

“Feeling better?” he asked.

I nodded.

The rest of the visit was uncomfortable with my dad asking me questions about school, my hobbies, and my favorite books. “Your mother and I used to read to you all the time when you were a baby. You loved The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Remember?”

My stomach squeezed super tight again. I told Uncle Sal, and he rushed me to the bathroom just in time. When we returned to the main room, everyone was leaving.

Near the door that led back to the cells, my father argued with one of the guards. “My daughter threw up. She’s in the bathroom. Just let me say good-bye to her.”

“The visit is over.” The guard seemed happy that my father wasn’t going to be able to say good-bye to me.

Then another guard took charge and said they could wait. I reached for Uncle Sal’s hand and held it tight.

Despite the tears in his eyes, my father gave me a huge smile. “I’m sorry you’re sick, but I’m so glad you came. I’ll see you next time, okay?”

I gave a little nod, not wanting to think about coming back again. I was just relieved it was over. And I was relieved that my father didn’t ask me for a hug.

In the car with Aunt Ruthie, I threw up again. “Do you think it’s something she ate?” Uncle Sal asked. “Do we need to take her to the doctor?”

My aunt shook her head. “I don’t know. I’ve been feeling a little under the weather as well this morning.”

“Should I see about changing our ticket so we can stay another day? I’d hate for the two of you to get sick on the plane.”

“No, let’s just go home.”

We headed toward the airport, but on the way, Aunt Ruthie said she felt horrible and needed a bathroom now. At the gas station, Uncle Sal used a pay phone to change our flight and book a new hotel.

For the next two days, Aunt Ruthie and I slept and threw up while Uncle Sal took care of us. Eventually, we got better.

“Why didn’t you get sick?” Aunt Ruthie asked when Uncle Sal brought us tea and dry toast for breakfast from the hotel restaurant.

Uncle Sal patted his stomach. “It’s my strong Mexican genes. I never get sick.”

Aunt Ruthie laughed. “I need to find a way to get some of those strong Mexican genes.”

As Uncle Sal nudged her with his foot, they smiled at each other in a way that made me feel safe. It also made me sad to realize that my parents probably never smiled at each other like that.

Swallowing the lump in my throat, I went into the bathroom. Lia had no idea how lucky she was. Not only did she have those strong Mexican genes from Uncle Sal, but she had a mom and a dad who loved each other.

Would anyone ever love me like Uncle Sal loved Aunt Ruthie? Probably not, especially after they learned what my dad did.

Squeezing my eyes tight, I told myself not to cry. Then I did cry, but I was quiet so Aunt Ruthie and Uncle Sal couldn’t hear me.

After a while, Aunt Ruthie knocked on the door. “Are you okay, honey?”

“Yes. I’ll be out in a minute.” I wiped my eyes, washed my hands, and opened the door.

Aunt Ruthie must not have heard me come out because she kept talking to Uncle Sal. “We’re never coming back to Texas again. This trip is too hard on her. We have to find a way to end these visits. She’s lost so much weight and is completely listless.”