Bed of Roses

By Susan J.

Miguel and I arrived back at the house a few hours later. Miguel helped me into the house and to the living room, where I sat on the couch.

"Now you relax and I'll take the suitcases upstairs," Miguel said.

"Okay."

Miguel took the suitcases upstairs. I looked around the room feeling a little uncomfortable; I guess I still felt like Melinda was still hanging around. Miguel returned a few minutes later.

"Are you hungry, Serena?"

"A little. Are you going to cook?"

"Hell no, I'm going to go and get something already made."

I started laughing.

"Do you want anything special?"

"Not really."

"Okay, then I'll be back in a while."

"All right."

He kissed me and left. I got up from the couch and hobbled upstairs. I made it to the bedroom where I sat on the edge of the bed. As I sat there I heard a sound downstairs.

"Miguel, are you back already?"

But I got no response.

"Miguel is that you?"

Again no response. I knew Miguel too well and he wouldn't dare sneak up on me like this without paying the price. I got up and went over to the closet where I knew Miguel kept a few of his guns. I opened a drawer and took one out and loaded it. I put the gun in waistband of my pants and walked out of the closet and walked towards the door.

"Miguel, if you're playing around then your gonna pay for it!"

As I walked towards the staircase I found myself meeting up with Melinda who was already at the top of the stairs.

"I thought I'd meet up with you again," I said.

"I knew we'd meet up again," Melinda said.

"What do you want?"

"I came to finish what I started on the beach."

"What did I ever do to you?"

"You came back for Miguel."

"Came back for him? What are you talking about?"

"You are the one he always talked about when were together! Even when we were in bed!"

"Is that my fault?"

"Yes! Because of you he dumped me!"

"Why don't we talk about this?"

"We have nothing to talk about! I want you out of his life!"

Miguel came back and saw what was happening, he knew that I had to handle the situation my way so he said nothing to let on that he was there.

"Listen to me. Miguel is in my blood as I am in his and no one can ever change that, not even you. I didn't come back for him, I came to see if he was all right."

"You came back to take him away from me!"

"Don't be ridiculous!"

"I'm not being ridiculous! You love him, don't you?"

I looked at her. Miguel stared at me waiting to hear my answer.

"Melinda, listen to me…"

"No, I won't! I won't let you take him away from me!"

Melinda pointed a gun in my direction.

"Melinda put that gun away!" I said.

"No!"

"You have no idea what you are getting yourself into when you point a gun at me."

"Goodbye, Serena."

Everything moved like it was in slow motion. As Melinda aimed, at me I pulled the gun out from behind me and three shots rang out. When the smoke cleared Melinda was lying at the bottom of the stairs. Miguel knelt beside her while I still stood at the top of the stairs.

"Well? Is she...?" I asked.

He touched the side of her neck.

"Yes she is," Miguel answered.

"Damn."

"Don't worry. I'll handle everything."

"Thanks."

Miguel removed the body while I went back to the bedroom. Miguel came to the bedroom a while later; he sat on the bed next to me and held my hand tightly.

"Are you all right?" Miguel asked.

"I'm fine. What did you do with her?"

"The less you know the better."

"But she's someone's daughter."

"We never spoke of that, so I think we should drop this subject."

"All right."

"Miguel, I need to ask you something."

"What?"

"Melinda said that you spoke of me quite a lot. Is that true?"

Miguel looked at me.

"Well Miguel? Is it true?"

"Yes. Now is true what you said to Melinda?"

"Is what true?"

"That I am in your blood?"

I looked at him.

"How long were you standing there listening?"

"Long enough."

"I can't lie to you Miguel; yes, you are in my blood and I guess that's why in a strange way we will always be together."

He kissed me tenderly. He touched my cheek and smiled.

"And you are also in my blood. We will always be as one."

We hugged. During the night while Miguel slept I was wide a wake thinking of the events of what had happened earlier that day. I got up and went downstairs. I sat on the couch and was looking through a magazine when I heard Miguel.

"Serena, are you in the living room?"

"Yes."

Miguel came into the room and sat by me.

"Are you all right?"

"I'm fine, just a little restless."

"Is that all?"

"Well it does bother me that this had to happen here in this house."

"Don't let it bother you. Did you ever find out in your dream what I was trying to tell you?"

"No not yet, but maybe I will soon."

"Maybe you will. Come on you need to rest."

"I guess you're right."

"You guess? I know I'm right, now let's go."

We walked back upstairs and went to bed. After falling asleep I started dreaming the dream and once again I heard a shot ring out and Miguel was in my arms. He looked up at me.

"I knew one day a bullet would catch up with me," Miguel said.

"You're going to be all right Miguel."

"I don't think so amor, not this time."

"Miguel, don't talk like that. Everything is going to be just fine. I promise."

He touched my face.

"Serena..."

"What is it?"

"I want to say something to you."

"What is it Miguel?"

"I have never known anyone like you."

"Miguel, don't talk now."

"I have to say this to you…Serena, I love you."

At that point I woke up. I looked at Miguel.

"Oh Miguel, even if it was only a dream why did you have to say that."

While Miguel slept, I got up and dressed, I wrote him a note and put it on the pillow, I then got my suitcase and left. Soon I was on a plane headed back to Miami.