Part 22 (1/2)
”Not without you.”
”What you need to do is go find the girl and stop worrying about an old man.”
”This wasn't how we planned it.”
”And tell me, what is it that happens exactly as we plan it? Do you think I planned to be so old, with my body failing me in so many ways? Who plans such things?”
”They can take care of you better over there, when you need to go to the doctor's office or if you have to go to the hospital.”
”Ya, I have seen all I want to of those places,” Don Fidencio said. ”And anyway, if G.o.d is good to me, it won't matter.”
”These poor women are going to get tired if you keep talking that way, always about being sick or dying.”
”Whether I open my mouth or not will not change things.”
”We never said anything about this, only about the trip to see the ranchito, nothing more.”
Don Fidencio placed his hand on his younger brother's shoulder. ”You were good to offer that. But you also promised me that I would never have to go back.”
”I only promised to take you on the trip.”
”So you took me, now I want to stay.” He smiled and patted his brother's shoulder.
”You were never going to go back with us, were you? You planned this, knowing that you would find a way not to go back.”
”What does it matter?”
”You could have at least told me.”
”How many times did I say I wanted out of that place?” he said. ”And how many times did you listen to me?”
”I wanted to help you.”
”You did,” he said. ”Now you should worry about you and the girl.”
Don Celestino wanted to argue with him but wasn't sure what to say anymore or if there was anything left to say. They headed back to where the women were standing and together walked toward the taxi. When they arrived at the fence, Don Celestino turned aside and leaned on one of the posts until his brother was standing alongside him. He felt his arms wanting to tremble in the moment and was calmed only when he finally held his brother's frame.
”Take care of yourself,” Don Celestino said.
”You do the same.”
”Maybe me and Socorro could come see you later?” he said as he pulled away. ”Now that we know how to find the place.”