Most of the tears had dried from Courtney's eyes when she got back to her dorm room at the California State University. She had just left the campus medical center where she had been informed that the minor hamstring injury she sustained while sprinting during practice would likely take her out of the upcoming track competition.
While still dressed in her running apparel, she explained everything to her dear roommate Maritza, who consoled her while they both sat on the floor together with their backs against the couch.
"It's not fair," Courtney moaned. "It's just not fair. I trained my ass off for this competition."
And she was right, too. Courtney was widely regarded as the favorite for winning the track meet.
Maritza ran her fingers through Courtney's blonde hair. "It sucks. Who knows, with enough ice and the right kind of stretching, you still might be able to compete."
"The people in the clinic have tons of experience and they don't seem to think so. My leg is killing me."
Courtney dug her fingers in the flesh of her tanned left thigh and tried to make the injury feel better. It was a losing battle. The injury hurt like hell.
"What if there was a way to heal it?" Maritza asked suggestively.
"What do you mean?"
"Are you open minded?"
"I am," Courtney replied. "Why?"
"I might know something. It's a longshot, but it could work."
"What is it? Tell me."
"First of all," Maritza said with the utmost of nerves, "I want to make sure you can keep this a secret."
Courtney was mildly offended. "How can you even ask me that? We've shared like, how many secrets over the years? Of course I can keep a secret."
"I know, I know. But this is something else. This is... I don't know... weird."
"Weirder than those noises I hear from your bedroom sometimes at night?" Courtney asked with a playful eyebrow raised. "Or the noises I hear when you bring a date over?"
Maritza blushed. "This is different."
"How?"
"I mean, you're not going to tell anyone, right? Ever?"
"You're driving me crazy, Mari."
Maritza took a small breath of air. "How do you feel about supernatural things?"
"Well, I was raised in a religious household," Courtney answered, pausing to digest the question. "Is that what you meant? Or are you talking about ghosts and spirits?"
"It's tough to explain. I mean, like, psychic healings. Energy flows. Things like that."
Courtney squinted. "Are you talking about acupuncture and suction cup therapy? I hear they're great. Why? Do you know someone who can help?"
"I might know someone who can help. But it's none of those things."
"Okay, Mari, what on earth are you talking about?"
"I'll be right back," Maritza said with slight frustration. "Let me get my phone and try to confirm things. Then I'll explain. You're open to holistic forms of healing, right?"
"Yeah, sure. I don't have a problem with that, unless it gets super creepy."
Maritza tensed for a moment. "I'm only doing this because you're like the sister I never had. Plus you're the best runner on this campus. It would be a travesty if you couldn't compete this weekend. I know how hard you've worked for it."
"Hmm... thanks. I love you too."
"Hang on."
Maritza got up and went to her room, then she came back with her phone. She made the phone call. After several rings, Maritza had a conversation in Spanish. It seemed friendly at first, then the voice rose on the other end of the line. It must have been a moody person.
After several minutes of back and forth talking in Spanish, the call ended.
"What was that all about?" Courtney asked, slightly bewildered.
"It's been confirmed. I made an appointment with Dolores."
"And who exactly is this Dolores?"
Maritza sat next to her roommate. "Dolores is a longtime friend of my mother. She lives in Daly City and works a simple job at a restaurant. But she also has other skills. Skills which she keeps secret, except for a group of people that she really trusts."
"Oh god, she's a drug dealer, isn't she? Honestly, I'm okay with some pot to ease the pain, but no cocaine or anything."
"Was that a joke?"
For the first time, Courtney managed a small smile. "It was a half-joke. Come on, you're being so vague that I can't possibly form an opinion."
"Sadly, it'll have to stay that way for now. At least until you meet her."
"When will that be? As soon as possible?"
"This evening for dinner," Maritza replied.
"Dinner? The issue is with my leg. My leg, Mari."
"I know. I get it. But she works all day, everyday. And she always serves meals to her guests. That's part of her cultural background. She loves cooking for others."
Courtney sighed, "Sorry if I'm sounding bitchy, and I appreciate everything you're doing, but driving 40 minutes to Daly City, then 40 minutes back, for dinner? The long car ride could make my hamstring hurt even worse."
"This evening is the soonest Dolores can squeeze you in," Maritza replied. "Food is also part of what she does. I know it sounds crazy, but it's part of her tools."
"Seriously?"
"Do you trust me, Courtney?"
"Of course I do."
"Then keep an open mind and I'll drive you there," Maritza said as earnestly as she possibly could. "I'm already doing you a huge favor by taking you there. Dolores is also doing you a huge favor as well, since she never agrees to do this for people she's never met before."
***
Evening rush hour was a pain in the ass, like they had expected, but they had arrived in Daly City on time. The small house was near the Westlake shopping center and they found parking just down the street.
"I haven't thanked you yet," Courtney said once Maritza turned the engine off.
"No, you don't need to."
Courtney nodded. "Thanks anyway. You're the best."
"We're even now. Last year someone stole my laptop and you let me use yours. You typed your essays extra fast and extra early, so I could use your laptop afterwards."
"I guess you're right," Courtney smiled. "Whether this works or not, we're about even."