“Same,” I returned the sentiment.
“I can walk,” Silvia said.
“I know you can, but just let me do this, okay? You almost blew up today.”
She sighed. “Don’t remind me. Look at this place. I did this.”
“No. Miguel did this.” I kissed her head.
A crowd formed at the entrance to greet us.
“I’m so happy to see you,” Letty said.
“Oh, Hijo. You scared the life out of me.” Mama kissed my cheek, then Silvia’s. “Mija, are you okay?”
“Yes. He won’t let me walk.” She rolled her eyes.
“Well, yes. Let him carry you. Let him baby you.”
“Exactly,” I agreed with my mom. Silvia wasn’t used to people doting on her, but she had better get used to it, because Mama Virgie loved to take care of people.
“I took tamales out of the freezer and they’re steaming right now. We’ll eat good, then clean up this mess.”
“Mmm, sounds delicious. I’m starving.” Silvia patted her tummy.
Mama Virgie hiked a curious brow. “She’s pregnant.”
“We just met,” Silvia and I said in unison. We looked at each other and laughed.
Honestly, I wouldn’t mind if she was pregnant. I wasn’t getting any younger. I’d be forty in a few years, so if she was the one, then we’d better get busy making babies—at least two.
“There’s our hero.” Yoli stepped forward. “What you did for us was truly courageous. You have my blessing to be the property of El Jefe.
I was shocked to hear her praise my woman.
“Thanks, Yoli. It means a lot to me.” Silvia gazed at me. “Property of El Jefe has a nice ring to it.”
19
Silvia
I was cuddled up with Andy in bed. The windows were boarded up, so the room was darker than normal.
I was so grateful to be alive.
A lot of lives had been lost because of Miguel but I had no idea how far back his trail had started. Until now…
“Was I right to tell you what really happened?” Andy’s brow was furrowed; a deep wrinkle was etched into his forehead.
“It’s not easy to hear, for sure. But I don’t want any secrets between us. If we’re doing this, being together, I want to know everything, no matter how difficult it is to listen to.” My stomach twisted, sensing there was more to it, than Miguel stabbing my mom to death because he’d been tripping out on psychedelic mushrooms.
“Agreed.” Andy inhaled a deep breath. The more to it I suspected was about to come. “Your mom wasn’t alone that night.”
“Yeah, I recalled two people but thought maybe I had it wrong. I was only five.”
“You didn’t have it wrong. The other person was my dad, the yard guy. He and your mom were having an affair. When Miguel found them, he went berserk.”
“Oh my gosh, Andy. I’m so sorry.” I stared at the emotion in his eyes. My heart ached for him. I couldn’t imagine what he went through when he found out his dad had cheated on his mom.
