I left my mom’s side a few hours ago.

Visiting hours were over. She was weak and drugged. She needed her rest.

I gave my dad a short back rub and told him, “don’t stress out too much.” Even though visting hours were over, he was going to stay as long as he could.

I caught up with the rest of the siblings a few minutes later in the waiting room where people watched an Ugly Betty rerun. We gathered up our leftover Subway sandwiches, magazines and bags. Danny volunteered to take Papá Chepe and Mamá Toni in his car. Lori and Adrian drove in a separate car. My dad’s sisters, tía Mary and tía Lucy, headed to their respective homes in East LA. And I went in my own direction.

Once alone for the first time in several hours, I turned on the radio and heard the Flaming Lips’ Do You Realize?. It made me cry. I’m such a chillona.

My mom is fine. The surgery went fine and she’s on her way to a (hopefully) speedy recovery… Thanks for all your kind words, e-hugs and prayers to el Santo Niño de Atocha and San Rafael.