Worry

Aurora was still fretting because the meal wasn't ready. She hurried to cook — her daughters and her husband would be home any minute. But when she glanced at the counter, that motel receipt caught her eye again, making it impossible to concentrate. She pulled out her phone, snapped a photo of it, and sent it to her husband with a demand for an explanation. She held out hope that he'd have a good reason for a receipt like that turning up in his pants pocket.

On the south side of the city, Jose saw his wife's message and ignored it. He climbed the stairs to the third floor and pressed the doorbell. The door swung open almost instantly, and the sight of the freshly showered woman — smelling wonderful — sent a rush of excitement through him. He pulled her close and kissed her deeply. There were still two hours before his daughters would arrive for the lunch invitation, so he didn't hesitate to strip her of her clothes. His desire for her was beyond comparison. He loved everything about her — how she never said no, how she was always willing, and above all, how perfectly they complemented each other in bed.

He was happy in the moments they spent together. Even his daughters approved of the relationship. But there was one obstacle standing in the way of his complete happiness: Aurora, the mother of his children, the woman of his youth. On several occasions he'd wanted to tell her the truth, but he'd never found the right moment.

Lying on the living room carpet, their naked bodies craving more, they made love again. When their bodies were finally spent and exhausted, they went to the shower together. Afterward, they waited for the girls. Nancy arrived half an hour later, greeting Lucia with a warm, affectionate smile. Juliana showed up a few minutes after that, bringing a gift. They all got along beautifully, as if they were mother and daughters.

Jose's heart swelled. He told himself that when he finally separated from his wife, his daughters would be on his side — and best of all, there'd be no resistance, since they already accepted Lucia as his woman.

"I have a gift too," Jose said.

"What is it, Dad? Come on, give it to her so we can see what you brought!" Nancy said.

Jose pulled out a small black velvet box and approached Lucia, who was smiling at him. He opened it. Inside lay a gold choker necklace with tiny diamond fragments. Lucia's eyes lit up, and she thanked Jose with a kiss on the lips. He fastened the beautiful piece of jewelry around her neck while his daughters clapped and called for another kiss from the couple.

"You look gorgeous, Lucia. That necklace was made for you," Juliana said.

"You look beautiful, Mom. Thank you, Uncle Jose, for spoiling my mother," Jamilec said.

"Lucia deserves to be spoiled. Congratulations to both of you, Dad," Nancy said.

Nancy had barely finished speaking when her phone buzzed. She glanced at the screen, then looked at her sister and father, her eyes telling them exactly who was calling. Juliana pulled out her own phone and turned it off — she didn't want her mother interrupting. Jose did the same. Nancy switched hers to silent. The moment was too nice and pleasant to be ruined by their mother.

"Who is it, friend? Does your uncle and you guys have to leave soon?" Jamilec asked.

"No, we're not leaving yet. Let's order ice cream and watch a movie," Jose said.

Because of how close she was to Jose, her best friend's father, Jamilec called him "uncle" — it made things feel more familiar. After lunch, they all settled into the living room. The ice cream arrived and they ate it while watching the movie. Jamilec and Nancy shared one sofa, Juliana sat alone in a single chair, and Jose reclined with his head on Lucia's lap on the largest couch. At a glance, it looked like a family of five enjoying a quiet afternoon together.

Meanwhile, back at the house, Aurora stood at the window watching for her family's return. She checked the clock obsessively. It was already past five in the afternoon, and she had no idea where they were. Worried, she started calling her daughters' friends and her husband's workers, but got no answers. She wanted to go out and look for them, but she didn't even know where to begin. Tears of worry started to fall. The meal she'd prepared had gone cold.

Night came and Aurora's worry deepened. She'd once heard her neighbor say that if you prayed with faith, everything you asked for in the name of Jesus would be given. Aurora remembered those words, and the only thing she wanted was for her family to come home safe. She knelt in the middle of the living room and prayed to the Creator through tears, pleas, and deep faith — asking that her family be all right.

While she was praying, she heard keys jingling. She smiled and scrambled to her feet, rushing to the door just as her daughters walked in laughing. The laughter vanished the moment they saw her, and they looked at her with disdain. Aurora, seeing that everyone had arrived together, smiled with emotion and reached out to hug her daughters — only to be immediately rejected.

"Mom, we haven't even gotten through the door and you're already being clingy," Nancy said.

"I was worried because you weren't home. Look how late it is — it's already dark out," Aurora said.

"For God's sake, Mom, stop the drama. We're fine," Juliana said.

"Where were you, Jose?" Aurora asked.

"We went to the movies and got ice cream. We didn't invite you because the way you dress embarrasses us. Stop interrogating Dad with your questions," Juliana said.

When Jose saw her swollen, tear-streaked eyes, he let out a deep sigh. He considered his wife overly dramatic, and it genuinely annoyed him. He didn't bother giving her an explanation. He pulled off his jacket and tossed it onto the couch in irritation, then coldly asked for water — an order Aurora obeyed at once, bringing the glass to where he sat.

"Sweetheart, why didn't you let me know? I was so worried," Aurora said.

"The girls already told you — they wanted to go to the movies, so I took them, and then we got ice cream. You know what, Aurora? Don't you ever get tired of making a scene? You've got the girls sick of it. Let us breathe. Find something to do with yourself. I'm going to take a shower — I'm exhausted," Jose said.

"Aren't you going to eat? I can make something hot and quick," Aurora said.

"Don't worry about me, I'm not hungry. Ask the girls if they want to eat your food," Jose said.

Aurora pressed the empty glass against her chest. Her family grew colder toward her with every passing day. She even wondered if maybe she was the one overreacting. Feeling guilty for showing so much concern, she lowered her head, wiped her tears, and went to her daughters' rooms. To her dismay, they also refused her food. Frustrated and heartbroken, she went to the kitchen, packed all the food she'd prepared into trays, found some plastic bags, and left the house. Two blocks away lived a young widow with three small children — the oldest was barely twelve. It wasn't the first time her family had rejected her meals. Aurora had brought food to that struggling household before.

With her own hands, she reheated the food on the stove, and together with the young widow they served the plates. Aurora ate dinner with them. Helping people in need was her greatest joy. The children happily devoured her cooking, and she smiled while the young widow thanked her.

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