145 JOYFUL NOTES
ANDRE’S POV
I stood still, eyes fixed on my mother as she walked up to me. I was supposed to go pay Ariel a visit at the hospital, cause I had a feeling she would be there. Now I was being delayed by my parents. Just great, I was the one who brought this upon myself. I woke up, got ready for work, forgetting that about Ariel.
“You’re going to work?” My mother asked, she had gotten a little bit closer to me.
“Yes. But I’ll be going to the hospital first to see how Ariel and Luke are doing.”
“Oh right. We should go and see them, don’t you think?”
“You want to come along?”
“Yes, of course. Ariel is like a daughter to me, so I really need to check up on her.”
“Okay then, we can start leaving now.”
“Woah woah woah, young man. Not so fast” my mother spoke, and I gave her a curious look.
“Anything?”
“Yes, I thought you were wounded last night.” She crossed her arms.
“Yes. Yes I was,” I responded.
“And you’re feeling better now?”
“Yes,” I answered and let out a sigh. “I am feeling better now,” I added. Honestly, when I woke up this morning, took my bath, and put on my clothes, I totally forgot I got some scars on my body. Like, it wasn’t even painful. It was like nothing happened last night.
“Are you sure about that?” My mother gave me a skeptical look.
father chimed in. “Can’t you see how he’s standing and talking
I can
a strong man, and
mom burst into laughter
a puzzled face. “I’m strong, right? Bold
And seeing her cracking up like that, caused me to laugh silently.
so funny?” She
My dad gaped at
time when we went camping and you got chased
ordinary bees.” He tried
continued with her elfish tone, taunting him.
what? I’m out of here.” My dad marched
eyes, not giving her the playful mode. “Mom, you got to stop laughing.
to her laughter. “We should get going then. But have do you perhaps know where Mason is? I
out of the
that?” she
and walked out of the house.
I could hear her screaming
****
ARIEL’S POV
gazing out the window at the dreary cityscape beyond. The beeping of machines and the faint murmurs of nurses outside the door created a dull backdrop to my thoughts, which were heavy with worry and exhaustion. I had
condition.
fell on the floor, and began to shudder. The scene was really frightening, but thank God we had already arrived at the hospital when it happened. He was rushed to
at me.
with each passing moment. I furrowed my brow in confusion, wondering where the festive sounds could be coming from in such a somber place. Then, as if materializing out of thin air, a group of Mexican musicians burst into the room, their vibrant energy filling
wide–brimmed hats, embroidered shirts, and polished leather boots. They carried guitars, trumpets, and maracas, their fingers flying expertly over the strings and keys, producing a cacophony of
widened in surprise as the musicians began to play, their infectious
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