Milo's Journey

Chapter 26: Where We Belong

Milo walked back into the room as Jose opened his eyes. The sun was just starting to shine through the crack in the curtains, and Piyelito jumped up on the bed and began licking Jose’s chin. Jose pulled the dog into a hug and began to giggle as he kept trying to lick his face.

Jose sat up and stretched, taking a deep breath and closing his eyes for a moment before getting up and hugging Milo.

“Breakfast sounds amazing. Of course I will help.” Jose said, taking Milo’s hand and pulling him toward the stairs.

Milo sat at his computer, looking over his homework before getting ready to leave for school. Jose walked in from his shower and started to get dressed. Milo waited, finishing up his work. Jose came over and wrapped his arms around him.

“Do we have to go to school today, mi amor? I’m starting to get used to the peaceful farm life,” Jose said, with a little bit of a whine in his voice.

Milo laughed, turning his head to kiss Jose on the cheek.
“No, querido. It’s time we get back to the real world—but this place will always be here for us when we need to escape.”

Milo and Jose stepped off the bus and headed toward the school. They walked hand in hand. Jose was quiet, and Milo allowed the silence to linger, resisting the urge to fill the space with conversation.

As they approached the entrance to the school, Milo saw Juan De Dios standing there with Jose’s Gypsy and Gypsy Prince. They smiled before fading away. Milo knew in that moment that they would be there to support Jose, if he needed them.

He looked over at Jose and said, “Ready?”

Jose gave a small smile.
“Ready.”

Together, they crossed the threshold.

Later that day, Jose was walking in the hall and saw Santiago and Mirena huddled in the corner, talking. Santiago leaned over and kissed Mirena.

As Jose watched, Adriana came up and slipped her arm through his and started walking, pulling him along with her. Quietly she said, “I have always believed that people enter our lives, sometimes for a season, seasons, or maybe a lifetime. The secret is to learn from the lessons they have taught us while they were part of our lives, and let them go when they have nothing more to teach us. Every moment of darkness makes us appreciate the light that much more.”

Jose looked over at her, and in that moment he realized that she was speaking from experience. He stopped and wrapped his arms around her.

“Thank you, nena,” he said quietly.

Jose stepped out of the school into the sunlight. He had a free period before lunch, and Milo was still stuck in History, so he figured he would take advantage of the free time and sit in the sun.

As he scanned the courtyard, he caught sight of Adriana sitting under their favorite tree, reading. She saw him, smiled, and waved him over.

Jose walked over to her and sat down.
“I see I wasn’t the only one to have the idea to appreciate the sunshine.”

“Yes, Diego is stuck in Art class, and I had a free period, so I figured I might as well enjoy this beautiful day while I wait for him.”

For the next few minutes, they just sat there, each enjoying the sun and the breeze that whispered in the trees.

Then Adriana closed her book and leaned against Jose companionably.
“It must have been hard seeing Santiago and Mirena again.”

Jose had his eyes closed, his face upturned to the sun.
“It was for a moment, but what you said helped. It put things in perspective. I have always had a hard time with people leaving, relationships ending. It is not because people left, but more because I always felt I wasn’t worth enough for someone to stay.”

Adriana sat quietly, waiting for Jose to continue.

“Now I realize it wasn’t about me, it was about them. Maybe it was just time for them to move on, and it didn’t have a thing to do with whether I was worthy enough.”
He took a deep breath and let it out slowly.
“Maybe it is time to trust that life will bring me the people who are meant to walk this journey with me.”

Jose reached out and took Adriana’s hand.

Jose and Adriana were still sitting under the tree when Milo and Diego found them. Milo kissed Jose, and Diego kissed Adriana. Diego nudged Jose in greeting as he sat down. Milo was about to suggest that they go down to Taza De Oro for lunch when Jose’s mother, Aurora, came walking up the path. She was carrying the picnic basket that Diego had carried the day before. Jose got up and went to her, taking the basket and walking with her over to the group.

“Mama?” Jose said, a question in his eyes.

His mother smiled at him and greeted everyone.

“I had coffee this morning with Natalia, and she mentioned that Milo didn’t pack lunch. So of course, as only Nati can do, she prepared this basket and asked me to drop it off on my way to the clinic.”
She smiled at Diego.
“And yes, Diego, she included enough for you and Adriana.”

“That is why Doña Natalia is my second mother—she always feeds me,” Adriana giggled and patted Diego’s stomach.

“No worries, the baby will be fed,” she teased him as she tickled his ribs.

Aurora laughed at Adriana’s comment and then looked over at her son.

“Mijo, your father and I have an engagement at the hospital tonight, and we will probably be home late. You can stay at the farm another night if you wish. Natalia said you are welcome.”

She waited for Jose’s answer.

Jose looked over at Milo, who simply smiled.

“Mi amor, will you put up with me for another night?” Jose said quietly.

Milo hugged him.
“Of course, querido. The farm is your home too.”