Stick Around

Romero exhaled sharply, dragging a hand over his face. The house felt different without Carmen’s presence, too quiet, and too empty. After the past few months, he wasn’t used to her absence, and the realization unsettled him.

Pablo, still standing near the door, studied him carefully. “If you don’t know where she is, do you want me to find her?”

Romero’s first instinct was to say yes, but he stopped himself. If Carmen had wanted to be here, she would be. Instead, she had chosen to walk away.

“No,” he muttered. “She’ll come back when she’s ready.”

Pablo didn’t look convinced, but he nodded. “Alright, Boss. Try to get some rest.” With that, he turned and left, closing the door behind him.

Romero lay back against the pillows, his body still aching, but his thoughts were far more painful than any wound. He closed his eyes, but sleep wouldn’t come. All he could see was Carmen’s face. All he could hear was her voice, her anger, and her disappointment.