Rafa Is Dying …

There was no way of wrapping it pretty or pretending otherwise, Rafa was dying. His eyes were sucked into his socket and his eye bags were darker than the night sky. Every time he breathed in he was lucky if he didn’t cough, and his hair, don’t get me started on his hair It used to always be stylish but right now he don’t have any hair. He’s really skinny as well, he cant walk because his muscles are too weak.

I always remember the good times me and Rafa had in Dominica. We had such a great time but since we came back to America everything’s changed. He became a drug dealer so he sold the drugs but he also consumed it. He’s been doing this for nine year so no wonder he’s in this state. Of course I feel sorry for him but i’m not gonna cry about it, it’s his fault he is like this. But mama does, shes been crying all day everyday. She does not deserve this but the point is Rafa don’t give a fuck about her. He never did to be honest, The only thing Rafa wants is mama’s money. She know hes been taking money from her but she didn’t do anything. I find that stupid but i’m not a parent so i cant judge her.

I was walking home from school and when I could see my house I saw two black SUV cars parked outside my house. I found this strange as we never have visitors. I ran into the house quick and was looking for anyone in the house, and when i got to Rafa’s room I saw Mama and five other men next to Rafa’s bed praying and singing. I asked Mama “que hacen aqui?” She replied “estan ayudando Rafa ahora callate.” Rafa didn’t seem to give a shit he just wanted his cancer to be cured so he would take any help from anyone.

At night i would usually stay outside his room and listen to the songs he’d be listening to but today for some reason there was an odd silence. I walked past his room today and I couldn’t hear anything. At first I thought he would be sleeping but he normally snores really loud so I told ma to check it out. She walked in the room slowly and confused and when she was in the middle of the room, she found Rafa with the bedsheets over his head. Ma thought he was cold but then she saw the marks of the bedsheets on his neck so she instantly burst into tears and shouted ” LLEVAME EL TELEFONO AHORA” I quickly ran to the living room and gave her the phone. she dialled 911 and it didnt take them long before they came to our house. They quickly put Rafa on the stretcher and we were in the hospital.

When we came in the hospital they ran and put Rafa in the operating room and me and Ma were waiting nervously. After 30 mins the doctor walked out the door with a regretful face. Me and Ma knew what the doctor was going to say so Ma started crying like a mad baby. A small wet tear came rushing down my cheek I knew from now one things were going to be different at home and that it was going to take a long time before Ma accepts the fact that she wont see Rafa again. And that I’m going to have to help Ma more at home and to be with her more often than usual.