LABYRINTH OF TEARS

Dulce woke Amelia and me early. I was ruined from last night that I kept stalling to wake up. I do not think I even slept. Dulce wanted to take us to Tampa to see this spiritual guy. She told me not to say anything to Doctor Rodriguez because he will get mad at her. I would not put her in that predicament regardless. She was a helping hand, and her hospitality is beyond amazing. Apparently, Rodriguez is not in to the whole tarot reading cards or spiritual work they do. I do not know much about it, but it did spark an interest in me. We got to the plaza on Columbus. She did not let us eat earlier because she wanted us to taste the best Cuban coffee in Tampa. It was a small place called Oriental. I was craving eggs since my stomach was strong enough to hold anything down. I felt relaxed. I had sufficient energy to do what was needed the whole day. It was a weird emotional feeling, one with a sense of relief still. “Can I have scrambled eggs with mayonnaise as a sandwich?” I asked, the lady behind the counter. She was vibrant and nice like the tall man beside her, who happens to be the owner. The owner was this tall Cuban man with a sense of humor to make anyone forget all his or her problems. His mood was contagious. I was glad we came to eat here. “What would you like to drink hon?” He asked. “Can I get the Batida de Mamey?” That shake was always good. “Make that two!” Amelia said excited. I am extremely grateful she is here with me through all of this. This is a burden on her, and it is not fair. I have to find a way to make it up to her… and Mike. We ate, drank coffee and, laughed. It was the best time I ever had in a bakery. That place was non-stop busy. What I enjoyed the most was the owner making food and having fun with the customers. It was as he knew them all. There were conversations everywhere and the interactions were as if one big family all-eating together. It reminded me of the last supper for some reason. How can many strangers get along?