“I know a couple who’s been trying to have a child but was recently told they wouldn’t be able to ever conceive. It was suggested they try to adopt. If you want, I could reach out to them.” I won’t push her to do anything she doesn’t want, but Amara’s mind does seem pretty set.
“What are they like?” Amara brings her eyes back up to me.
“They both work in the marketing field. They have a normal life, one where they work during the week and are off on the weekends. They’re kind, good, religious people. I know them personally, was here when they lost children. You see, they never had any. But she did get pregnant four times. Every time she miscarried. I believe they could be a great fit for this little girl. They’d give her a great life. If I didn’t believe they would, I’d never have spoken up.”
Amara stares blankly at the floor and nods her head a couple times while her hands are wrapped around her stomach. “Can you make sure they’re open to the idea, and that they want her?”
“Yes. I can. I’m going to leave you here to get settled, but my room is over there. If you need anything, I’ll be in the suite with you. I’ll be back within an hour.” I inform her.
“Dante, thank you for your help. I appreciate it so much.”
“You have no reason to thank me. I see how much you care for her already, and I wanted to help in one of the only ways I can.” I say before I walk over to the entrance of the suite. Amara doesn’t respond back to me, so I make my way through the door, shut it behind me and go to where my father and cousin were a few minutes ago.
Thankfully, they’re still in the formal living room. “Is she getting settled?” Father asks.
“Yes, she is. She wants to adopt the baby out.”
Eduardo closes his eyes, “It’s such a shame. I thought they could lean on each other, that the baby would help her get over this.”
“I think Yolanda and Manuel would be great parents to her daughter.” I suggest, seeing what they think of it.
Eduardo seems sober, but nods in agreement. “Juan gave his life. It’s only fitting some sort of new life comes to his family. Yolanda and Manuel have been trying for a child for . . . what, years now?”
“A little over three years, yes.” I answer.
“What do you think of the idea?” Eduardo asks my father.
“I think it’s a splendid idea. We’re really trying to make the best of an agonizing situation. Margarita didn’t take Juan’s death well and neither did the children. I think this child could heal their hearts in a way. Now, Dante, I need you to stay here with Amara for the next few days. Eduardo and I have a trip we need to make to Venezuela to meet an associate.”
An associate? Usually I hear of scheduled trips, but not this time. “Sure.”
“Javier and Angel will be here before I get back as well. I believe your sister went back to Las Vegas to deal with some business.” My father tells me.
Great. My brothers and I are known for being a bit hot-headed. Lord only knows how this will go.
Chapter Eleven
Never kick me when I’m down, because when I get back up you’re fucked
~ Gentleman Speak
Dante
It’s been two days since my father and cousin have been gone. While the estate has been mainly empty besides the hired help, it feels odd having an outsider here. Yet Amara barely makes her presence known. The only way I really know she’s here is because of the long strands hanging from my comb in the bathroom. Or the way the pillows on the couch are karate chopped in the middle when I walk in every morning.
I just got off a call with my cousin, Yolanda, not too long ago. The other night I called her up and explained I knew a woman who wanted a good home for her unborn daughter and she’d be due any day. She was overwhelmed with the offer and wanted a couple days to think it over with her husband. Thankfully, they’re open and want to provide this little girl with a safe haven. She asked me questions about the legalities of the adoption, asking specific questions . . . but I won’t betray Amara’s privacy. I merely told Yolanda everything would be taken care of and as far as the government is concerned, this child will be Yolanda and Manuel’s. In all reality, I paid one of the doctors who works for the Cartel to forge a birth certificate stating the baby was born today at ten in the morning. It’s now passed eight in the evening, but at least the paperwork is official. No one will ever doubt this child is my cousin’s now.
I haven’t told Amara the news yet, so I walk around the suite and find she isn’t inside. I knock on her door but she doesn’t answer, so I go through the rest of the house. I can’t find her anywhere. For a moment I wonder if she ran, if she decided she wanted to be back with her familia and to keep the child. If she did, I wouldn’t blame her in the least bit.
There’s only one other place she could potentially be, so I head out to the garden area. We have a stone patio with lounge chairs, a small water fountain, and the trees hang over providing a bit of shade for those nasty humid days.
“Amara?” I call out venturing forward. We have small orb like lights hanging from the poles and I continue going further into the garden. Until I’ve searched every inch of the estate I won’t freak out. I pass one of the loungers and look
