Don’t Make Me Turn This Life Around Pagán, Camille (best novels for teenagers .txt) 📖

said, recalling the ‘chat’ Pedro and I had in the guesthouse.

“Maybe,” he said, and he bent to kiss my forehead. “But we’ll get through that, too.”

I almost told him I sure hoped he was right when I realized that was a reflex and wasn’t actually what I believed. “Yes, we will,” I said.

He grinned. “Welcome back, Libby.”

An hour later, Paul dropped us off at the hospital on his way to the airport. After the girls hugged him, Shiloh took them to Milagros’ room, so they could say goodbye.

“Lunch when I get back?” I said to Paul.

“How about a funeral date in Detroit?” he said.

I had to laugh. “Fine. Labor Day weekend?”

“Believe it or not, I think Charlie and I are free. I’ll text you.”

“Charlie?” I said, arching an eyebrow.

“He loved Dad, too. More later.”

“Okay, okay,” I agreed. “But we will talk more soon. Safe travels.”

“They’ll be safe, provided I take a sedative before jetting off into the sky. Love you.”

“Love you more,” I called as he sped off.

Once he was gone, I walked Pedro over to the small park next to the hospital. Ten minutes later, Shiloh and the girls reappeared and traded places with me. “How was it?” I asked.

“Kind of sad,” said Isa. “She’s really sick.”

I was tempted to tell them she was getting better, but I didn’t actually know that, and anyway, it wasn’t what they needed to hear. “She is,” I agreed. “It’s difficult to see.”

“I’m glad we got to see her, though,” said Charlotte.

I touched her arm lightly. “I’m so happy to hear you say that. I am, too. She really adores you both.”

“Yeah,” said Charlotte. “Oh, and before you ask, I just checked my sugars. I’m fine.”

I grinned and ruffled her hair. Maybe, just maybe, she had taken what I said to heart. “Thank you,” I said.

“Don’t mention it,” she said with a smile, grabbing the leash from me. “Seriously.”

“I will, but nice try,” I told her.

“You want me to go with you?” Shiloh asked, giving my arm a quick squeeze.

I shook my head. “Thank you, but I’m good.”

Milagros’ eyelids were heavy when I walked into the hospital room, and my heart sank. Then she called to me. “Mija. I’m a little sleepy today. They’ve got me on the good drugs.”

I laughed. “I’m glad, and I won’t stay. I just wanted a chance to see you before we flew back. How are you feeling otherwise?”

“Eh, like someone who just had a wire stuck in her veins,” she said. The doctors had put a stent through her artery the previous afternoon. “But otherwise, full of life.”

“I’m so glad.” I smiled at her, but then my face crumpled, because this was not how I’d planned to see her, let alone leave her. “I’m going to miss you so much.”

“Sure, until I call you two days from now. Then you’ll say to yourself, ‘Why doesn’t this old bat leave me alone?’”

“Never,” I said, taking her hand. “You mean the world to me.”

“And you to me, Libby. I’m so glad you found your way to my island all those years ago.”

She looked exhausted, and I knew I needed to let her rest. “I am, too,” I said.

“Come give me a hug before you fall to pieces,” she said, sticking her arms out.

My throat was tight, and I was about to cry yet again, because she was so small beneath the sheet; so fragile and, well, so mortal. “Goodbye, Milagros,” I whispered.

But a tiny voice in me said, This isn’t goodbye.

And to my surprise, a louder one said, Even if it is, you can handle it.

“Goodbye is for quitters,” said Milagros, squeezing me hard. “Hasta pronto, mija.”

I laughed and kissed her cheek. “See you soon.”

Hector followed Shiloh and me to the park to get Pedro. “Don’t worry, Libby,” he said as Charlotte scratched behind Pedro’s ears and Isa snapped photos of him with her phone. “We’ll take care of him.”

“I know you will,” I said, sniffling. Then I bent down to look Pedro in the eye. “Now, Pedro,” I said, “I want you to be extra good for Milagros. She’s recovering, so don’t bark too loud or go missing, okay? She’s going to need someone to help take care of her. Well, she has someone great to do that,” I clarified, looking up at Hector with a smile. “But he might need a little help from time to time.”

In response, Pedro licked my face. I laughed and wiped the slobber off my cheek before standing and surprising Hector with a hug. “Thank you,” I told him. “Milagros is lucky to have you.”

“You don’t need to thank me,” he said, looking bashful. “I’m lucky to have her.”

“True, but I still appreciate everything you’ve done,” I said, handing him Pedro’s leash. “Will you call us to let us know when she’s home safe, or if anything changes? And, you know . . .” I bit my lip, then added, “Tell me if anything happens to Pedro, too?”

He glanced down at Pedro and laughed. “This dog is going to live to be a hundred and two in dog years. But I promise to keep you posted.”

“Hector, gracias por todo,” said Shiloh, extending his hand.

Hector shook it, then looked at us both. “I hope our paths cross again soon.”

I could feel the tears rising in me again. “Me, too,” I said.

“Libby, we should probably get going,” said Shiloh.

“Right.” Our flight left in three hours, and it would take forty-five minutes just to get to the airport. I looked at Pedro, then knelt again and put my arms around his neck. “I’m going to miss you, buddy,” I whispered as his tail wagged. “Thank you for helping me get through this.”

“You okay?” said Shiloh, putting his arm around me as the four of us walked back to the hospital entrance, where our Uber was waiting.

“Not really,” I said, glancing over my shoulder to see if I could spot the dog one more time. I’m not sure why I