Milo's Journey

Chapter 23: After the Storm

Author Note: The previous chapter, this chapter, and the one that follows depart from my usual practice of leaving chapters unnamed. These three chapters form a key pivot point in the story, and because of their importance, I felt it necessary to name them.

Milo opened his eyes slowly. Jose was still asleep on his chest. The sky had gone purple with the last rays of the setting sun. Piyelito had found them and lay behind Jose, resting against his back. Milo stroked Jose’s face and whispered his name gently.

Piyelito raised his head at the sound of Milo’s voice, then laid it back down on his paws. After a moment, Jose opened his eyes. He took a moment to focus in the fading light, snuggling into Milo’s chest.

Milo hugged Jose closer, letting him know he was still there, that he was safe.

Milo looked down at Jose, snuggled against him. “Querido, let’s go back to the house and get some food. I think Mama made sancocho. Hmmm?”

Jose looked up, blinking as his eyes adjusted to the fading light. He nodded at Milo, a small smile on his lips.

Milo sat up and took Jose’s hand, pulling him to his feet. Once they were both standing, Milo slipped his arm around Jose’s waist, maintaining contact and presence instinctively.

Piyelito got up and moved to Jose’s right side, where he waited until they started walking back toward the house. His nose brushed Jose’s hand several times, as if he were checking in with his master, making sure he was all right.

They walked back to the house in silence, Milo giving Jose the space to come back to himself without demands.

As they entered the house, Milo glanced over at his mother, who was sitting on the couch in the living room. A soft lamp on the end table cast a warm circle of light around her. The rest of the house was dark, with a small light left on over the kitchen stove to guide the way from the door to the kitchen.

Milo went to the stove as Jose took a seat at the kitchen table. He ladled two bowls of sancocho and set one in front of Jose.

“Querido, can you give me a second? I’m going to speak to Mama for a moment. Will you be okay?”

Milo kissed the top of Jose’s head and waited until he nodded before heading toward the living room.

Natalia looked up from the book she was reading as Milo entered the room.

“Colonel Santana picked up Adriana and Diego. Before Diego left, he called Dr. Martinez and told her that Jose was helping you around the farm and would probably be spending the night, so not to worry. I assured her that it was okay. Diego didn’t say much, but from the way he was managing things, I got the impression that Jose needed some space away from everything.”

Natalia looked over at Milo, who had sat down on the couch beside her.

“Thank you, Mama,” Milo said, taking her hand. He held it for a moment before getting up and returning to the kitchen.

Milo reentered the kitchen, his hand brushing Jose’s shoulder lightly as he sat down across from him and began to eat his soup. He stayed silent, focused on the simple task of eating, letting that ordinary activity bring comfort.

After a while, the bowls were empty. Jose sat back, fighting to keep his eyes open. Milo washed the dishes quickly, then went over to his side.

“Come on, querido. Do you mind staying with me tonight? Diego already told your mom—it might be a possibility.”

Jose looked up at Milo, blinking as the words registered. He nodded, a look of relief on his face.

“Okay then. Let’s go up and get you in bed, yes?” Milo said, taking Jose’s hand.

Jose got up and followed Milo up the stairs to his bedroom.

Chapter 24 will be released at 8:30 EST tonight. Due to the content of these chapters it was simply logical to release them together.